Trans Labrador highway (Summer 2021) on a KTM 790 Adventure S motorcycle.

This video is the first I'll post (for fun) from my trip across the US and Canada during the summer of 2021 (June-Oct). This specific video is where I hit the first bit of gravel road on the Trans-Labrador highway. This highway used to be completely unpaved, think "Ice-road truckers" (like I suppose every road on the planet) but with no less than 500 Km still to go of 1200 Km time is running out to experience a really challenging bit of highway. There is no cell service at all and they suggest you pick up a satellite phone at the start (provided by the province) but sadly they were all taken so I had nothing other than my Garmin InReach Mini with me should I have a problem. There is some swearing on this video as I'm passed by trucks going very fast. I'll work on a better edit but this is just to get a sense. This ride was all part of my multi-media photography series called The Motorcycle Portraits #themotorcycleportraits You can see and hear the series here: themotorcylepo...

[@SikterEfendi]

Should have done it a few years ago when there was more than 800Km of gravel, last 250 under heavy construction.

[@stevegabbert9626]

In 88' I took a 32 hour ferry from Newfoundland to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, with the intention to ride across Labrador on my 78' Goldwing. I even picked up a spare gas can in Stephensville, NF. It started out ok, but several miles outside of town it turned into a sand and gravel pit type surface. Not sure how far I got, about 40 miles I guess. There were glacially rounded rocks in the road about the size of hardballs. It worked the forks so much that the fork oil got hot, thin, and acted like it was water. No shock absorption at all. The forks were bottoming out like a hammer, even at 10mph. It was a long way to go yet, just to get to Churchill Falls, so that little voice of reason in the back of my mind said, "What do say about turning around and just enjoy the week, while you wait on the next ferry to take you back?" Sound advice, the Goldwing is too heavy to toss in the back of a truck and haul it back. Now that most of it looks paved, I might try it again.

[@TheDavidGoldmanphoto]

Hey Steve, that is an amazing story!! and on a Goldwing!! I bet it was crazy to see up close at that time. It's not totally paved just yet so if you wanted some challenge to complete the circle I'd give it a go sooner than later. Thanks for sharing!!

[@stevegabbert9626]

@@TheDavidGoldmanphoto You don't know how right you are about, sooner than later, I'll be 70 y/o this year. LOL The spot I found the most fun was a deep valley with soft sand at the top, going down towards a crooked one lane wooden bridge, and immediately up the other side...not knowing what the surface was going to be like. Actually, that would be twice, because I had to return on that road. Although my objective was not successful, the ride was, because I didn't crash.

[@garychester5430]

It's been 10 tens since I did the ride. Is most of TLW paved now?

[@TheDavidGoldmanphoto]

I believe it will be paved in Labrador by this season but there are still plenty of KM's in Quebec that are not paved if I understand correctly.

[@kazztheartiste1518]

Love the content ..love the F bombs..ride safe David

[@ssbiketrips]

I think there were a couple times where you spoke but forgot to drop an unnecessary F bomb into it.

[@TheDavidGoldmanphoto]

It's possible, I was distracted trying to stay alive. I'm amazed at the comments I'm getting for some swearing. I do give a heads up in the description.

[@stroln]

What a whiner.

[@garychester5430]

So much for the loneliest rode in the world.

[@TheDavidGoldmanphoto]

Well to be honest, most of the days were pretty lonely but for whatever reason as I started on the gravel it was kind of busy.

[@benhedly1805]

Music selection A+. The mouth of a 14 year old punk,I’ll pass.

[@williamnicholson1053]

worthless, music too loud, can't understand one word.