Scranton1 Posted January 11, 2017 Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 Keep us posted on the trails and please post pics. may try to hit sept ilies next week. any insight is greatly appreciated! BJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted January 11, 2017 Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 Thanks for posting back Miles. It looks like a foot of snow out there today with blowing conditions and bad visibility. Did you ride today and if so, how did you make out? Jack & Sandi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markusvt Posted January 11, 2017 Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 Sept Isle is as much as adventure most folks should try, the 50%ers. Havre-Saint-Pierre the 5%ers, Blanc-Sablon the 1%ers, Labador City on sled, less than 1%ers. You can die on a trip like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadRunner Posted January 11, 2017 Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 After going over Early riders notes on this trip and talking with him on the phone this week, our plans are in late February, once we all ride into Port Cartier, we are to leave PC and ride to Havre St Pierre, the second day we plan to ride from Havre St Pierre to Chevery, 3 Rd day is Chevery to Blanc Sablon . This may be a long day according to Early rider. Than onto Mary's Harbor vicinity in Lab, than Cartwright, than potential up to Postville on the north Lab Sea, than back down to Goose Bay, than onto Churchill falls, than Lab city, than back to Port Carter or Beau Comeau depending on our route selection that day. We have a large crew lined up for this trip, all coming in from different provinces and States, but we all know each other and have ridden together so that helps. As everyone has mentioned on here, this is a trip that needs knowledge, safety considerations and team work. On top of that you have good old Mother Nature who likes to corporate sometimes and challenge you other times, and mechanical issues that pop up invariably. Early rider sets the bar for trips like this , his knowledge, experience and capability make it more doable. Everyone has given Miles long good feed back, so ride smart, ride safe and enjoy the journey, and share some pics! Think Snow RR Miles long 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted January 11, 2017 Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 RR, Early Rider and their gang definitely fall into the 1% ers. Cheers to them and the posts and pics they give us - so we don't have to. Jack & Sandi Florida Snowman and RoadRunner 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles long Posted January 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 (edited) 6 hours ago, revct1 said: Thanks for posting back Miles. It looks like a foot of snow out there today with blowing conditions and bad visibility. Did you ride today and if so, how did you make out? Jack & Sandi That's putting it mildly! Heavy wet snow and blowing wind makes for an interesting ride! I was told later today that they've had 105 cm of snowfall in the last 9 days. I left his morning about 9:30 am as the storm was to pass by noon. I wore the squeegee on my glove off after 5 miles, everything the snow fell on stuck like glue , my GPS was useless with all the wet snow stuck to it. As soon as I passed through the clear cuts and hit the logging roads the signage disappeared beneath the snow. I can't believe this trail has been groomed anytime in the last 2 weeks. Hell I can't believe they're able to get groomers up 1/2 the hills on my he way to Sept Illes! Edited January 12, 2017 by Miles long Unable to upload photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles long Posted January 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 On 1/10/2017 at 5:24 PM, Andyman said: I am curious Miles Long if you are carrying a sat phone or a Spot? They call Labrador the Big Land for a reason it is a vast unforgiving beautiful place. The area you are headed toward is very isolated and there are no services or 911 service. You are on your own if anything happens. This is not a groomed trail ride this is non groomed, non marked wilderness. You need to review some posts from people like Early Rider and Road Runner and see what they have been through and the amount of preparation and gear they take with them. This winter marks 50 years that I have been sledding and I would love to do the ride you are contemplating but there is no way I would ever attempt that route by myself. I have an aviation background and we have a saying "Learn from the mistakes of others you will never live long enough to make them all yourself." "It's hard to make good time in such hilly terrain, also broke trail for probally 30 miles of the way through 6"-8" of fresh with no signs of recent tracks." This is just the beginning Miles Long. All I am saying is you need to consider the risks you are about to take very very carefully! Andy Thank you for the kind words of wisdom! I've read every thread on Quebec Rider, Dootalk and Hardcore Sledder I could find repeatedly for the last 2 years. I definitely appreciate the words of wisdom, until 1 finds out for themselves to erase any doubts about exaggerations of just what kind of trip they're in for will 1 be able to say , Holy Shit ! They weren't kidding about this ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles long Posted January 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 3 hours ago, RoadRunner said: After going over Early riders notes on this trip and talking with him on the phone this week, our plans are in late February, once we all ride into Port Cartier, we are to leave PC and ride to Havre St Pierre, the second day we plan to ride from Havre St Pierre to Chevery, 3 Rd day is Chevery to Blanc Sablon . This may be a long day according to Early rider. Than onto Mary's Harbor vicinity in Lab, than Cartwright, than potential up to Postville on the north Lab Sea, than back down to Goose Bay, than onto Churchill falls, than Lab city, than back to Port Carter or Beau Comeau depending on our route selection that day. We have a large crew lined up for this trip, all coming in from different provinces and States, but we all know each other and have ridden together so that helps. As everyone has mentioned on here, this is a trip that needs knowledge, safety considerations and team work. On top of that you have good old Mother Nature who likes to corporate sometimes and challenge you other times, and mechanical issues that pop up invariably. Early rider sets the bar for trips like this , his knowledge, experience and capability make it more doable. Everyone has given Miles long good feed back, so ride smart, ride safe and enjoy the journey, and share some pics! Think Snow RR Mother Nature, hopefuly that nasty biotch hides her ugly head! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markusvt Posted January 12, 2017 Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 The trail past Sept Isle as not been groomed all season, and there is a part in the middle that never gets groomed any year. The signing is completely almost completely non-existent. One gas stop, don't miss it. May the force be with you. We detailed our trip here, it may help you: For sure use the tracks I attached above. If you get in danger, ride the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles long Posted January 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 On 1/10/2017 at 8:47 PM, Scranton1 said: Keep us posted on the trails and please post pics. may try to hit sept ilies next week. any insight is greatly appreciated! BJ I don't know why but I'm unable to upload photos. If your trying to get East of here bring a Mountain sled you'll need it! I'll try to post pictures but keep being told there's a problem wth downloading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markusvt Posted January 12, 2017 Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 Ridding the rubble looks like :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scranton1 Posted January 12, 2017 Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 25 minutes ago, Miles long said: I don't know why but I'm unable to upload photos. If your trying to get East of here bring a Mountain sled you'll need it! I'll try to post pictures but keep being told there's a problem wth downloading. Wow i found if u print screen a pic on an iPad / iPhone u can then upload without issue! happy travels, enjoy, and be careful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackstraw Posted January 12, 2017 Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 When I read this thread only one word comes to mind. WHY? NSHM, viper2 and markusvt 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pipeman Posted January 13, 2017 Report Share Posted January 13, 2017 I would really like to do it, but I would buy a skandic first. iceman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSHM Posted January 13, 2017 Report Share Posted January 13, 2017 Hard to tell from the last pic but it doesn't look like he even has spare gas and if he does it won't be enough breaking trail in deep heavy snow like that.And on an older 2 stroke that had a problem from the start.Never mind if a little trail miscalculation is made and the sled gets buried.I'm sweating just thinking about trying to dig that sled out by myself.Hopefully thats not the last pic we see from him and he got himself turned around and headed back. Good luck Miles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceman Posted January 13, 2017 Report Share Posted January 13, 2017 "Crickets" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSHM Posted January 13, 2017 Report Share Posted January 13, 2017 Yep.....Friday the 13th to boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pipemaster Posted January 13, 2017 Report Share Posted January 13, 2017 1 hour ago, iceman said: "Crickets" I hear them too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markusvt Posted January 13, 2017 Report Share Posted January 13, 2017 Hope is not a plan......... iceman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles long Posted January 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2017 On 1/12/2017 at 6:58 PM, Jackstraw said: When I read this thread only one word comes to mind. WHY? On 1/12/2017 at 6:58 PM, Jackstraw said: When I read this thread only one word comes to mind. WHY? The road less traveled! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerider Posted January 14, 2017 Report Share Posted January 14, 2017 Thanks for checking in. Lot of worried souls on here thinking about you. Florida Snowman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles long Posted January 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2017 11 hours ago, NSHM said: Hard to tell from the last pic but it doesn't look like he even has spare gas and if he does it won't be enough breaking trail in deep heavy snow like that.And on an older 2 stroke that had a problem from the start.Never mind if a little trail miscalculation is made and the sled gets buried.I'm sweating just thinking about trying to dig that sled out by myself.Hopefully thats not the last pic we see from him and he got himself turned around and headed back. Good luck Miles! 15.9 gallons on board . My biggest mistake to much weight on ass end and the saddle bags do nothing but catch snow and they aren't waterproof all of my clothing was soaked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles long Posted January 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2017 Sorry for the delay checking in. I'm currently in Forestville having a cocktail. The last 2 days have been late starts since turning back from attempting Havre St. Pierre due to water logged gear from the heavy wet snow! I'd love to post pics but keep being told there's a problem uploading the file, it might be my cellular service is only 2g here in Canada for data. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles long Posted January 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2017 26 minutes ago, mikerider said: Thanks for checking in. Lot of worried souls on here thinking about you. Thank you for the kind thoughts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles long Posted January 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2017 The deep snow rendered this trail unpassable for me, the heavy wet snow made reading my GPS impossible as I had to steer with one hand while clearing my visor with the other , once I hesitated at the 3rd fork along trail that I came to my junk sunk. I walked 20 yards out and to see if there was room to turn around anywhere, no luck. 3 hours of shoveling later I was on my way back to Sept Illes to ride the local trails and take in the sights. I spent hours with a hairdryer at the hotel drying out my gear before heading back West to Baie Commeau the following afternoon in another heavy wet snowfall which made for an interesting ride through the hills and into town at 11:pm. Marcos Pizza is my new favorite hangout in Quebec! Scranton1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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