Category Archives: Camping

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Sneaking Out of Alaska (and back) – Gary & Deb – 2013


Gary & Deb from Anchorage, AK are heading out on their own ADV soon.  We stayed with these guys while on our trip to Alaska in 2011 while the Triumph Tigers that we borrowed from Triumph Canada were in the Motorcycle Shop getting worked on for 4 days.  Great hosts, they love ADV riders and are about to embark on their very first LONG ride themselves.  Why not check out their thread on the ADV Riders Forum and track them when they post their SpotWalla page too?  Have a great time guys…we are envious you are getting out ont he road.  Be safe and as the old saying goes…”"KEEP THE RUBBER SIDE DOWN”.

SNEAKING OUT OF ALASKA click here

Prologue - We’ve been meaning to get on the road and stretch our legs sooner, but couldn’t bear to leave our best friend Duke the wonder dog behind. This situation changed this past November when at age 13, cancer had Duke on the ropes and we eased his passing and had him transitioned into eternal rest. I mention Duke’s passing because several of the ADV crowd have stayed with us on their journeys and have played with him – Duke was a memorable pal to many and is dearly missed.
Rest in peace, Dukie boy.

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Longing for the Open Road – Memories of our 2010 BMW F650GS Bikes


Since we seem to not be able to get away on a decent rode trip this year I am entertaining myself with pics from our 2010 Cross Country Trip…and other trips.  In 2010 we both got our first Beemers and we picked mine up in March 2010, Cheryl’s in Dec 2009.  By June 2010 we were off for 26 days to ride across Canada and the USA.  No planning just learned by ourselves what to pack and how to navigate ourselves. 

I hope we are tempting all you street riders to come to the ADV side of dual sporting….enjoy….

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Driven – The Arctic Circle


Every once in awhile I come across a video that just resonates with me…I mean everyone should watch this especially if you are an adventurer.  This guy Ed from New Mexico rode 10,000 miles in 26 days and how he sees Canada and Alaska is spot on.  I LOVE, absolutely LOVE his attitude, sense of humor….I mean everything about his heart and soul.  I really hope everyone who takes a look at this post takes the time to sit back and watch….it is soooooo worth it trust me.

I think this is my most favorite ADV video I have seen so far….and I loved seeing where we went through his eyes….BRAVO!

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10 Tips for Camping with Your Photography Gear


SOURCE: Improve Photography

A beautiful female photographer holds a tripod and a DSLR while hiking and camping.

Being in the outdoors with photography gear can be tricky.

It is summer time in the Northern Hemisphere, and for many of us, that means enjoying photography while camping, hiking, or just being in the great outdoors.  Along with being outdoors with your camera and lenses come several problems: heat, dust, weight, etc.  Since I moved to Idaho, I have been spending a lot of time camping with my photography gear, so most of these tips are from personal experience.  Here you go!

Outdoor Photography Tip #1:  Bring no more than two lenses.  When I am going to be shooting in an easily accessible location in the city, I usually bring a couple bags of gear full of lenses and other stuff, but when I go outdoors I decide on two lenses and do not allow myself to bring any more.  Typically, I bring a 10-24mm lens for landscapes and a 70-200mm lens for close range wildlife photography and some landscapes. Continue reading →

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TNE Phase Three Section Three – North Rd, James Bay, Trans Taiga


Get ready for some long remote roads.  This last chapter in the TNE route consists of three roads that together cover almost 1500 kilometres.

compass north logo

This chapter of the TNE starts off in the town of Chibougamau.

Chibougamau has a population of 7500 and has most modern amenities available.  It is the largest community in northern Quebec and serves as the hub to the smaller towns in the area.  Strip malls, motels, garages and the other places one might expect from a town this size all exist.  For many folks travelling the TNT this town makes for a logical stopover as once you leave you won’t encounter much civilization for the remainder of the route.

There is a strong Cree Indian presence in town.  The name Chibougamau translates to “crossed by a river” in the Cree language.  A few early explorers visited this area in the late 17th century but it wasn’t until gold was discovered in the area that white folks began to settle in the area.   In 1903 attempts to prospect the area took place but it wasn’t until 1951 that people started to settle in what is now the town site.  Along with the mines, logging and sawmill industries have helped to keep this town on the map.  Like many northern towns in Quebec, English is rarely spoken.

creestopsign

Photo: A stop sign written in Cree and French Continue reading →

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Section Two – Baie Comeau to Chibougmau


TNE Phase Two

Section Two – Baie Comeau to Chibougamau

This chapter of the True North East route could best be described as remote.  The route begins in the town of Baie Comeau.  This town has a population of approximately 26, 000 and has been around since 1889.  A few years later the first saw mill arrived and the town has been functioning as a resource town ever since.  Located on the shores of the ST Lawrence River and at the mouth of the Manicouagan River, the town is not without its charm.  This is the last place to gear up for a few days of the route and the town offers typical modern amenities for a town of its size.

The route leaving Baie Comeau follows gravel roads for 380 kilometres before you’ll find the next location for fuel.  Needless to say you must stock up on fuel prior to leaving this town.  This chapter of the TNE is also used for the Trans Canada Adventure Trail (TCAT) and was created by Fabric Tremblay.  Fab is local to the area and without his local knowledge it would have been very difficult to have created this chapter of the route, Thanks!

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Photo by Fabrice Tremblay
Continue reading →

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How to Load Your Motorcycle


Motorcycles can be a great way to commute, transport smaller stuff from point A to B, or travel, sightsee and tour.

Depending on how much you carry, however, added weight can affect wear and tear on the whole bike, including suspension, tires, drive train, and brakes. It can also affect how well you can brake, corner, and of course, accelerate.

The more you pile on, the more you need to pay attention to where you place heavier items, how you attach them, and what the added ballast placed in various spots on your bike does to handling and control.

Following are some pointers to keep in mind, whether you are carrying the least or the most:

Keeping It Light

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If I don’t camp am I not a true ADV rider??????


I find there are three sides to the concept of camping while traveling on a bike. 

  1. Stealth Camping:  Living temporarily in a location, usually for recreation, in a covert or secretive fashion.  Stealth camping is also referred to as wild camping, ninja camping, or free camping.  (source:  stealthcamping.com)
  2. Tent Camping: Enjoying the great outdoors living in a tent usually in some sort of park or campground
  3. No way tent camping: Enjoy riding a bike from hotel/motel to hotel/motel

Cheryl and I are mostly #2 and #3.  Our theory about riding and camping/tenting is this…..If it’s not raining when we stop for the day and we are not too tired, we camp.  Our definition of camping can be setting up our tent or staying in a cabin.  We usually don’t mind if it rains on us after we get camp set up but truly dislike breaking down wet gear and having to pack it.  If it’s raining, we are tired we might still cabin it or hotel/motel.

We have foam pillows ;-)

camping gear can pack small

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Self-Igniting Fire Starter


This is an awesome idea especially for those of us who camp and can never find enough dry kindle to get a fire going…sure would help.  Wish I came up with this idea.  ;-)   Enjoy! Compliments of DIRTTIME

I am always on the lookout for a new fire starter, and when I find a new idea, of course I have to try it out! Continue reading →

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Adventure-Spec’s “Road Warriors” 2012


This ADV riding makes ours look like a walk in the park…amazing pics and story!

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Dave

There had been a lot of focus on the outstanding achievements of our sponsored racers this year, with good reason due to their incredible results (Graham Jarvis, Lyndon Poskitt and Stan Watt), so now their various expeditions are in progress we thought we’d switch the focus to our supported Adventure Riders

2012 sees groundbreaking rides in progress from the Husaberg Adventure Team, Sibirsky Extreme and Continental Drift riders.

We post highlights from trips to the Adventure-Spec Facebook page ( ‘like’ us! ) Continue reading →