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.

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

TNE Phase One-True North East


compass north logo

 SOURCE:  GRAVEL TRAVEL

The Dirt

Name: True North East (TNE)

Location: New Brunswick & Quebec

Distance: Approx 2500 km’s

Duration: 7-10 days

Rating: Primarily Class 2 roads with Class 1 roads making up 30% of the route.  2 short sections of class 4.

Creator: Ted Johnson and Fabrice Tremblay, a special thanks to Steve Vardy

Section One – USA Border to Matane

This chapter could best be called “Welcome to Canada” as the TNE route begins at the border between Canada and the USA.  A mix of gravel and paved roads, this section of the TNE will take travellers across the province of New Brunswick and into Quebec.

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’13 BMW F800GS – Wrong Turn In the Right Way


Went for a ride on March 8th and came across a new dirt road.  First time with the F800 off road and ran into a rough new forest road.  It was good for me to get back off the pavement but because I did not have water, tools and my SPOT, I turned around to be safe.  Will go back to explore soon though.  Watch in HD and full screen seems to work best! I edited this down a lot…

RideApart Review: 2013 Suzuki DR-Z400S


SOURCE: HELL FOR LEATHER

The Suzuki DR-Z400S is an incredibly capable motorcycle. I’ve had the chance to ride one the past few weeks and I took it on a 300 mile highway journey, a 200 mile offroad adventure, did multiple days off road, rode it around town, and commuted from Long Beach to LA (about 25 miles) on a regular basis. I found the little thumper to meet or surpass my expecations across the board and miss the little guy after giving it back a few days ago. Continue reading

Dual Sport Riding Technique: Sitting position vs. Standing (Cons)


SOURCE:  RIDE Adventures

See PRO’s post here

Posted by Eric Lange on Sat, Dec 15, 2012 @ 09:08 AM

Dual Sport RidingIn the previous blog post about dual sport riding technique, we talked about the Pros or reasons to opt for standing position in off road riding.  The point of this 2nd part of the article is to remind riders that, just because the terrain you’re on isn’t paved, that doesn’t mean you need to be standing up on your motorcycle.  (Some riders draw an automatic connection between the two, thinking that: Dirt = Standing.)  While there are plenty of good reasons to ride standing sometimes, of course there are “Cons” to standing as well that we’re about to address for you:

Why NOT to Stand Continue reading

Dual Sport Riding Technique: Sitting position vs. Standing (Pros)


SOURCE:  RIDE Adventures

Posted by Eric Lange on Wed, Dec 12, 2012 @ 09:47 PM

Dual Sport RidingWith the world of dual sport riding booming each year, adventure riders are heading out in droves to test their skills both on and off road.  As the less experienced riders first start to experiencing the changing terrain, weather conditions, and speeds, the question keeps coming up: “Should I be sitting or standing when I’m off road?” Continue reading

Paul from Touratech thoughts on the New 2013 BMW F800GS


Thursday, 29 November 2012 12:46 Paul Guillien and Staff
I really like how Paul describes this bike of ours.  I agree with everything he says and although we have not taken this bike off road yet I know we agree with his assessment as well. When he states the bike has a lean look that is one thing we LOVE about the BMW.
I should and probably will review the BMW 650, Triumph Tiger 800XC and compare it to the new BMW F800.

Paul Guillien, Touratech-USA’s General Manager, shares his thoughts on BMW’s updated mid-weight adventure bike, the 2013 F800GS. Continue reading

KTM 1190 Adventure Image Video


The new KTM 1190 Adventure was made to make every meter ridden into an Adventure. It starts the moment you jump on, and bring that outstanding engine to life! The only thing you need is some self control! Addicts beware! Time and Space have little relevance on the ride this Adventure takes you. Your horizon is set to be expanded!
Now it’s your turn.

Standing Illegal: BC’s New Motorcycle Safety Laws and Re-emphasized Flaws



Is safely navigating a dirt road by motorcycle illegal in BC?

THANKS Kelsow for this!

Submitted by on Thursday, 3 May 2012

Amongst the fanfare of British Columbia Ministry of Justice’s April 30th, 2012 announcement of new motorcycling laws requiring DOT, Snell M2005, Snell M2010 or ECE certified helmets are far reaching penalties for being out of the saddle.  You’d better be sitting down, because the release re-emphasizes Motor Vehicle Act Section 55, which sees standing to improve motorcycle control on unpaved surfaces as illegal. Largely rural, a majority of BC’s roads are unpaved and by the letter this law does endanger, if not make outlaws of, responsible dual sport, adventure and supermoto riders.

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KLIM LATITUDE SUIT 1ST IMPRESSIONS


Sorry that the video is a bit dark and no zooms.  Cheryl is away and I promise our second impressions video will be better done.  Hope this video will provide you all with some useful info and isn’t too painful to watch.

UPDATE:  We sold both suits.  Just turned out they were not fir us, too stiff.

840D Cordura Shell = thick

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Dempster Highway after the rain


What a bike can look like after riding the Dempster in the pouring rain….this is from July 9th 2011. Have fun 2012 adventurers to the North! ;-)

 

I selected this post to be featured on my blog’s page at Personal Blogs.

Beautiful BC and the Dual Sport BC Spring Newbie Ride


March 25th 2012

The morning started off heading out to Chilliwack at 0700.  About 1 degree Celsius but look at what I see all the way out to the staging area for the Annual Dual Sport BC Newbie Ride.  SUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It has been so wet and miserable here when I saw the sunrise it was meant to be a good day.  Cheryl did not come with me because she has not been sleeping well and I am glad she did not come.  This ride was not for sleepy riders.  There are a few short videos in this post…hope you watch them to get a flavor of the day and all pics are click-able!

Heading East through Mission, BC to get to Highway 1 for the fast way out to Chilliwack.  About an hour from where we live.

Mar 25 12 Newbie 001

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