This entry was posted on July 25, 2006 and is filed under uncategorized.
On the iPod today:
Another Pilot - Hey Rosetta!
crows pitch on the lawn screeching a song
the inmates wake up and they're pulled to the bars
to pine their regrets and their rusting corvettes
and the tragedy they once had a part...in
they said "you ruined a life--you pissed on a prize"
it's still pulling your knuckles to your palm
(f***ing conscience is siding with the wrong side)
you know the devil's not deep--no, no, he's brushing your cheek
and hearing him breathe you remember a song
just another angel through the clouds and into the ground
just another pilot through the clouds and into the ground
just another child through the chrome sets out on his own
birds shit on your car, you're scraping it off
do they know who you are? don't they know who you are?!
they sing "you ruined a life-- you pissed on a prize"
still pulling your knuckles to your tie
you carry on, hunched over your job
(start the engines i'm dying in the long line)
but you wanna get off and run away from it all
and run away from it all...
you plan your escape, at the end of the day, you plan your escape
you take what you saved, and you get on a plane, yeah you take what you saved
and you start fading away, as you're turning the page, you start fading away
(just another angel through the clouds and into the ground
just another pilot flying down
just another devil out of the dirt and back into the earth)
(f***ing conscience is siding with the wrong side
start the engines, i'm dying in the long line)
*************************************************************************************
Headed out of St. Johns early on Friday, to catch the noon ferry from Lewisporte to Goose Bay, Labrador. Secured the bike and we were on the way on a "quick" 40 hour ride up. Saw a few icebergs, nice sunsets, met a few nice people. Not a bad cruise...
A six hour stop in Cartwright. Had lunch and went back to the boat. There was NOTHING there, so figured I'd continue to let the ankle rest and recover.
Arrived in Goose Bay early Sunday morning. Had my knobbie/off-road tires ready to mount, as I had about 650 miles/1000 kms. of dirt road ahead. Didn't quite count on everything being closed there, and found myself wondering around Goose Bay worried about loosing a whole riding day. Coolhand/Jonathan had given me a contact in Goose Bay from www.ridetherock.com should I have any problems. Thought I'd give him a ring and see if he had any ideas. Woke Kent up when I called (apparently Saturday nights are rowdy up there!) but he got on the case right away. We were able to mount the front tire without much trouble, but when we got to work on the rear we were stuck. It just didn't wanna cooperate. Despite Kent's, his friend John's and my best efforts, nothing. Was ready to call it a day and wait for morning when I remembered the BMWMOA book had a member in Goose Bay. Peter answered, and as everyone else up there, was immediately ready to help. Said he'd call me back in 20 minutes. He called back 5 min. later, said his friend Rob would pick me up. Rob had worked before at "Frenchies", a local motorcycle dealer, and knew Pascal, the owner. With one call, they had the shop open and one of Frenchies service guys ready to go. Amazing... They had me on my way in no time. Really cant describe how nice and helpful everyone in Newfoundland was, and I was amazed to see this continue in Labrador. Really, thanks again to all!
I know I could have gotten another 100 miles out of these tires!! (not)
Peter and Kent.
So at about 5pm I was ready to go, with 4-5 hours of daylight left. About 30 minutes out of Goose Bay I realized I'd left my tire repair kit in Kent's truck. Back to Goose Bay. By the time all was said and done, left again at 7pm, figuring I had plenty of time to ride the 300 kms of gravel to Churchill Falls. There is nothing, and I mean nothing between Goose Bay and Churchill Falls. No gas, no food, nothing. The road is very tricky, lot of gravel and very more so on a heavy bike. Add rain to the mix, and...
Cris, this pic's for you. I'm no tracker, but these looked fresh...
So at midnight I'm rolling into Churchill Falls. I don't research much, and sometimes it bites me back. Turns out as I found out later, that Churchill Falls is a company owned town, home to the employees who run the massive hydro electric plant nearby. So when I arrived in the town of population 600, 598 were asleep. I'd rather be lucky than good, and I'm usually pretty lucky. I spot Martin and his friend by the garage, getting ready to call it a night. I stop to ask them if they know of a local campground or motel. They realize by my question how clueless I am as to my situation! Martin, in typical Newfoundland/Labrador fashion, not only offers me a comfy couch to sleep on, but warms up for me some of the best lasagna I've had in a while! He is a teacher, who is retiring and moving away from there in two days. His house is packed and ready to go, but he still finds a way to make me comfortable with ease. Next day, great breakfast, including "Newfie Steak", and he arranges for a tour of the very impressive hydroelectric plant at Churchill Falls. It is built 300 meters or 1000 ft below the surface, carved out in the solid granite. Instead of building a massive dam, they took advantage of the natural terrain and an existing waterfall. Very impressive.
Numbers above elevator are at the surface, in feet.
Martin: the man, the myth, the legend...
So I leave Churchill Falls for Labrador City well fed, well rested, and well educated as to hydroelectric facilities, and selfless hospitality. I also leave at a decent time by around 11am.
Only 249 kms. to Lab City...
A few hundred kms. south of Lab City is Manic-5, another very impressive hydroelectric project.
From Manic-5 it was down to Baie Comeau. Lots of riders from here on down to Quebec City.
Another ferry ride, but this one only 20 minutes or so.
South to Quebec City.
10,000 miles behind me, ????? miles to go.
The BMWMOA Rally in Vermont. Something like 6000 bikes plus. LOT of people. Too many.
If you ever need a good camping spot, be sure NOT to ask Drift10, but if you need a good book, do ask Geode.
The cow gets new shoes...
Leaving the rally, the skies were angry.
Some midget donkeys bred somewhere up there.
Met Danny at a service stop somewhere in upstate NY. We were both loading on coffee and looking knackered. We got to talking about bikes and else. When I told him I planned on making it to Toronto, he promptly suggested I take a break and crash at his place in Rochester NY. Good and generous suggestion, dont think I would have made it. Sent me on my way the next morning with a couple of fresh books. Thanks Danny!
Stoped in Toronto to see my cousins, Paula, with her husband Mel, and daughters Ashley, Taylor and Megan... 
and my other cousin Nico, with his wife Johanna and daughter Mia. Was great to see them. Hi guys!!
From here I'm heading southwest to Colorado, through Chicago and down. See you out there......
