15K Miles (24k KM) Across Canada On An XC

[Cookieboy]

Thought some of you might like to hear about my exploits this summer visiting every Canadian province and territory (except Nunavut) with a dip into Alaska. I did this by flying my bike as freight from the UK over to Vancouver and back 3 months later from Montreal. Along the way I got to visit all 3 oceans bordering Canada, with reaching the Arctic Ocean (Beaufort Sea) at Tuktoyaktuk being the most memorable.
Bike behaved fairly well with just two issues:
i) a phantom oil pressure warning light coming on in BC (but nothing showing on an ODB fault code reader) and after 4 days of investigation to no avail, it went away and never re-appeared
ii) rear ABS sensor cable came loose from clips on swing arm in northern Quebec province while on loose roads, with cable rubbing on wheel and becoming broken - fixed by just joining the wires back up again on roadside (in a rainstorm)
Apart from these issues, bike was great getting upwards of 250miles/400km on a tank of fuel if I kept below 60mph/100kmh and made use of cruise control. Only time I needed to use petrol from a can was in Labrador where where is a 420km leg (down to Port Hope Simpson from Happy Valley/Goose Bay). Only servicing done was new tyres in Edmonton and an Oil change (after 10k miles) in Montreal. Needles to say now I am back in UK, it is getting some "love and affection"
Bike is fitted with Metal Mule panniers and a tank bag, more than enough to hold everything to camp along the way (I am a minimalist rider and travel very light except for tools). Also have a Corbin seat which is a bit more comfortable than the Triumph seat (but still not that great)
If anyone interested in more info please shout.
Cheers,
Paul

 

[Rocky]

Great road trip story

 

[sikatri]

Sounds like fun was had!

 

[Qship]

Quite the trip.
Glad you enjoyed. The Trans Lab is on my 'To do" list.
Post some pics if you get the chance.

 

[CarlS]

Good ride report. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

 

[Capers]

This is inspiring. I’ve got a couple of longer rides planned for next year but nothing in the 24k range. Not yet anyways…

I’d be interested in learning what your minimalist setup is like.

 

[Cookieboy]

This is inspiring. I’ve got a couple of longer rides planned for next year but nothing in the 24k range. Not yet anyways…

I’d be interested in learning what your minimalist setup is like.

Hi Capers, fortunately I have a background mountaineering and so have some good quality gear that is also very lightweight/compact. The type of gear I have is like a 2kg tent, a 2 season down sleeping back (packs to a size of no more that 8L or so in volume). An inflatable mat to sleep on stops cold from below. I really keep my clothing to just a couple of changes and don't carry anything bulky like jeans. I take just a single pair of trainers to wear when I am not in my Riding gear. I fit all of my cooking gear and food into a 10L size bag. My bike has bomb proof aluminium panniers from Metal Mule - 31L on exhaust side, 38L on the other side, added to this is a 15L Oxford tank bag - see attached file. I really enjoy not having to lug loads of gear around and also needed to have it all fit inside a 23kg air line baggage allowance (was told bike air freight required no personal effects in the panniers but this turned out not to be the case). Rear rack was useful for the few remore sections when I needed to carry a 5L petrol can to give a bit more range.
Tools wise I was fairly comprehensive and besides the obvious range of spanners, sockets, pliers., screwdrivers etc I had a tyre plugging kit, emergency bottle of slime, electric pump, ODB fault code reader, mini multimeter, tie wraps, various tapes, fuses, clips, wire/connectors, set of wiring diagrams etc.
Cheers,
Paul

 

[Leroys73]

Cookie Boy, I liked your trip. I recently finished up a part of your ride on my Tiger 900. Mine was from Dallas, Texas, to Goose Bay via Quebec 389 and NL 500 then over to Red Bay and Blanc Sablon to the ferry for Newfoundland, then Nova Scotia, and back home.

At my fuel stop in Port Hope Simpson I had 3 miles remaining to empty. I did have a 2 gallon Armadillo brand fuel bladder on board. I never had to use it but it made me feel good to know I had it.

 

[griffindog]

Thought some of you might like to hear about my exploits this summer visiting every Canadian province and territory (except Nunavut) with a dip into Alaska. I did this by flying my bike as freight from the UK over to Vancouver and back 3 months later from Montreal. Along the way I got to visit all 3 oceans bordering Canada, with reaching the Arctic Ocean (Beaufort Sea) at Tuktoyaktuk being the most memorable.
Bike behaved fairly well with just two issues:
i) a phantom oil pressure warning light coming on in BC (but nothing showing on an ODB fault code reader) and after 4 days of investigation to no avail, it went away and never re-appeared
ii) rear ABS sensor cable came loose from clips on swing arm in northern Quebec province while on loose roads, with cable rubbing on wheel and becoming broken - fixed by just joining the wires back up again on roadside (in a rainstorm)
Apart from these issues, bike was great getting upwards of 250miles/400km on a tank of fuel if I kept below 60mph/100kmh and made use of cruise control. Only time I needed to use petrol from a can was in Labrador where where is a 420km leg (down to Port Hope Simpson from Happy Valley/Goose Bay). Only servicing done was new tyres in Edmonton and an Oil change (after 10k miles) in Montreal. Needles to say now I am back in UK, it is getting some "love and affection"
Bike is fitted with Metal Mule panniers and a tank bag, more than enough to hold everything to camp along the way (I am a minimalist rider and travel very light except for tools). Also have a Corbin seat which is a bit more comfortable than the Triumph seat (but still not that great)
If anyone interested in more info please

 

[griffindog]

Got any pictures of the Metal Mule panniers

 

[Cookieboy]

Got any pictures of the Metal Mule panniers

Hi Griffindog, you can see them attached to my last message

 

[Capers]

Definitely an appropriate amount of ‘cleanliness’ on the XC . When I had a Harley Sportster I’d go out and get it in a similar state then park it next to all the polished up weekend warrior HOG owners at their favourite coffee shops. The HOG guys wouldn’t acknowledge me but the adventure bike guys got a laugh out of it.