Labrador & NFLD
 

I am considering a trip to Labrador and NewFoundLand in July. Just wondering what the road conditions and gas situation is like in Labrador. Also wondering if there is a road from GooseBay to Cartwright or if you are forced to take a ferry (18hr ferry ride is not appealing). From Cartwright I understand that I can ride to Blanc Sablon on rte 510, but agian wonder about gas and road conditions. My bike is a bit of a pig on gas and can only go about 120mls per tank, strapping a can on the back is not an issue though. As long as the road is not really loose gravel I'd imagine it should be too much of a problem, but my bike is also fairly low, so pot holes could also be an issue. Any advise, short of getting a new ride would be great :)

I am also planing to do this trip, from what i understand it can be rough going but worth doing. A great province with some real nice people. check this site out for more info on gas stations,road conditions etc.( tlhwy.com )

Hey jbone.
We did this trip this past summer, 2-up on a BMW R1150R (street).
We were there in June, but July should be great. Plenty of black flies in Labrador, as is can get quite hot there. There is no road from Goose Bay to Cartwright...yet (proposed in 2008??). It's a 14 hour ferry ride.

Note: we did not take 510 north of Red Bay. It is gravel and was freshly graded when we were there. I tried the first 2 km and turned around. Tires were sinking and I shuddered at the thought another 200+ km of marbles, then another 500 from Goose Bay to Labrador City. From Cartwright to Blanc Sablon you can stop in Mary's Harbour, and a couple of other small towns on the way to Blanc Sablon, for gas/food.

Others, however, made the trip but said the road was pretty bad, and not packed gravel. They were on GS's/KLR's and the like. Once you get there ask the locals and other moto-travellers. They are the best source of information.
Also go to the Newfoundland website (google it, there is more than one site) for info and order a free map/travel package. It's worth it.

It's a wonderful trip. Enjoy
Cheers,

Jbone -- Do it !! -- It's a blast and the folks in Labrador are super and will go out of their way to assist you. Make sure you prepare for what you are going to encounter though. An extra gas can is a MUST on the Trans Lab road as well as a head net for blackflies. The best trips are the ones with some twist and turns. My wife and I did it on a Softail pulling a trailer. I cussed a lot but have many fond memories. Lots of loose gravel though, and puddles, and dust,and roadgraders. DO YOUR RESEARCH !!!


http://flatwicksetc.homestead.com/goosebay.html

I toured there in August of 2003. I'll go through the numbers in the direction of travel...from Blanc Sablon to Baie Comeau.

The ferry from St. Barbe to Blanc Sablon can be rough.

Blanc Sablon to Red Bay: 83 kms paved road.

Red Bay to Cartwright: 340 kms gravel road. Gas is available in Red Bay, in Port Hope Simpson and in Cartwright. Red Bay - 138 kms - Port Hope Simpson - 202 kms - Cartwright.

The ferry from Cartwright to Happy Valley - Goose Bay is an overnighter and takes 12 hours. Book it in advance. The road between the two has not been completed yet...possibly 2008/2009.

Happy Valley - Goose Bay to Churchill Falls: 285 kms gravel road.

Churchill Falls to Labrador City: 240 kms of gravel road.

The city roads are paved. Gas is available in the HV-GB, Churchill Falls and Labrador City.

Labrador City to Manic Cinque: 356 kms (surface alternates: 119 kms paved road and 237 kms gravel road)

Gas is available at Relais Gabriel 278 kms from Labrador City.

Manic Cinque to Baie Comeau: 214 kms paved road.

NOTE: some gas stations only have regular gas. Super or mid grade is not available. A fuel range of at least 350 kms (218 miles) on gravel road would be a good idea.

You are looking at about 1100 kms of gravel road.

The gravel surface varies. If a grader just went by to smooth out the road, it can be like riding on marbles. I chose to stick to the bumpy track left by the cars/trucks. Speeds varied from 100 km/hr. down to 50 km/hr. Most of the time, I was at 80 km/hr. There is nothing between the towns.

I've heard that a sat phone can be signed out from the police with a charge card in HV-GB and Labrador City. Free of charge unless you make a call. I didn't use the service.

Traffic on the Trans Labrador Highway is practically non-existent. You'll see a few tractor trailers, cars and the odd motorcycle.

Accomodations were provided by friendly folks at the:
Basinview B&B in Red Bay right on the shore of the bay.
Tamarack B&B in Labrador City.

Planning on doing the route in '08. How about camping? What is the earliest month you would recommend the Trans Lab Hwy?

Check the weather stats on the net. I'd say mid July to mid August will be the hottest period. But weather is just that...weather.

I was there in mid August and my run from Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Labrador was done under medium overcast (sun coming though, but not very strong) and I almost put my heated vest on. A few days earlier, it was 9.8°C running into Flowers Cove in Newfoundland under overcast and rain and that was mid August.

There were no bugs to speak of in mid August on the TLH.

Thanks.

I need to clear Alaska by late August-early Sept. Running east to west.

newfoundland and labrador trip
 

i am from nfld, and went as far as cartwright august 06. there is only one route, and you can go either way. best route as follows: ferry from nova scotia to port aux nfld ( 6 hours, reservations not necessary unless you want a cabin ). from port aux, travel straight north through gros morne national park, unto flowers cove, take the ferry Apollo to red bay labrador.
here the pavement stops and gravel starts. the road is built to trans canada highway standards BUT is gravel and graded regularly, july -aug best months. july has flies, less flies in august. from red bay to cartwright gravel road , very little traffic. no cell phone service. only regular gas here.
people friendly, if you break down, trevellers will stop and help. don.t be scared. english is the native language, from cartwright ferry to goose bay. then much more gravel. haven't done that section. to cartwright no service station is more tham 190km. further on the goose bay--sept isle section, where you will encounter french but most understand english.
very remote travelling, in pure wilderness area, take your time, speed is the killer. this is the last great wilderness ride left in north america. plan carefully. weather plan for tempertures, of +8 to +30, and plan for rain.
camping ? where ever you wish to stop. no planned camp sites. animals are not a problem. i saw none. carry emergency food , and plan for an expedition, with little outside help. if you think you will need spare parts --take them, spare tube, stuff to fix a flat, you are really on your own.
good luck. e-mail me any specific questions. david

Great information David. Thanks so much. Would traveling in early June be too soon? I'd really like your assessment of the road out of Goose Bay (Trans Lab. Hwy.) once you've done the trip. Lots of information on the Hubb but is somewhat dated.

Thank.

You mean St. Barbe to Blanc Sablon. There is no ferry from Flowers Cover to Red Bay...at least there wasn't in 2003 and there isn't according to the Newfoundland & Labrador Ferry Services web site.

http://www.tw.gov.nl.ca/ferryservices

Damn Newfies...always drunk on Newfie Screech. LOL

Battle Harbour Labrador
 

Was in Nfld/Lab July 06. Took the overnight Lewisporte ferry to Cartwright. Road from Cartright south is wide and had lots of loose gravel = dusty! A road from Happy Valley Goose Bay south is under construction, but I don't think it is finished. There is gas along the way AND, one of the most unique spots on the east coast. My suggestion is to take a day or two at Mary's Harbour, let the bike rest and grab the 1 hour boat ride to Battle Harbour. Much of the 18th century village remains and the small island experience off Lab's coast is truly wonderful. You can have a look at Battle Harbour at www.battleharbour.com No roads though so bring your hiking gear. It's a great variation from the bike and a terrific look back at Lab's history. Here's a shot of the harbour from across the tickle....
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...1&d=1170607390

nfld & lab trip
 

yes, the ferry actually leaves from st. barbe---so sorry. both communties are very close.
no i would not travel in june. why ?? may run into snow storms !!!! also road could be very soft and muddy in places as spring thaw will be in effect,
gravel road should be dry in july. also the ferry from nfld to lab starts only when ice conditions permit, usually in mid to late june. check the ferry start dates on the nfld gov web site under ferries. screech, don't like it , prefer malt scotch. david