CURD Taiga run in 2010 - Departure on June 27th

[palica]

Hi All,

I'm seriously thinking of doing a CURD Taiga run in May or June 2010 (maybe I need to ask Mike's authorization first Mike?).

I have already discussed about it with Berger and now, since time is flying, it is time to discuss a bit more seriously.

I have made some research and the trans-Taiga road sounds like a good option. We could leave from Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto, joining somewhere in Rouyn-Noranda or Val d'Or going north to Radisson, close to James Bay and then, take the Trans-Taiga to Brisay. I do not think there is a possibility to make a round trip so from Brisay, we would have to go back to Radisson.

Here are some more details:

http://jamesbayroad.com/ttr/index.html

http://jamesbayroad.com/ttr/ttrdriving.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Taiga_Road

I want to be able to make this trip within 7 days, so it leaves time for people to travel during the weekend. It would mean meeting on Saturday in Val d'Or, traveling to Radisson in 2 days (850 kms, arrival Monday evening), then travel the Trans-Taiga to Brisay within 2 days (600 km of gravel road, arriving Wednesday), heading back to Radisson (2 days, arriving on Friday) and heading back to Val D'Or, arrival on Saturday or Sunday.

Would some of you be interested to join? This is a very first tentative and I still need to make some searches, but at this step, I want to see if there is some interest.

The formula will be like the Tundra Run: I'm NOT the organizer, I may go there by my own and if you want to join, you are welcome. Do NOT expect me to organize everything, book hotels for you and/or organize any assistance.

Fred

[Gummiente]

I don't have a clue where this road is, so on that point alone I give it official CURD status.

Once you have the details sorted out let me know and I'll whip up a web page for you. Or, if you want to do one yourself I can link to it off our website.

[berger]

I would be very interested, but based on the weather we had this year, wouldn't late June, early July be better? I am assuming we are camping?

[hondaeste1300pilot]

Not likely to join in due to a trip out West about the same time, but having done the trip a few times and camped/hosteled at both Radisson and Chisasibi, I highly recommend it.

Scenery is fantastic, road is interesting and a chance to go WFO, although I did see one Surete cruiser on the JB road in two trips over two years. And WFO on a Ural isn't likley to get you much attention.

The trails that lead off the JB might be interesting. There is a nice campground just north of Matagami and also one in Radisson (not as nice, and no campfires allowed).

Bring lots of spare fuel. Do the Hydro dam tour if you can, really impressive. I cannot comment on the east west road, we just did the north south.

[CFA]

This is Google's route plan for the trip.
Don't think I'll have the experience for this.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Val-d%27Or,+Vall%C3%A9e-de-l%27Or,+Quebec,+Canada&daddr=49.5796102,-77.9474873+to:Radisson,+Quebec&hl=en&geocode=FSX93QIdYA1d-yn3U7zK0MnYTDGwYU2urQwEBQ%3BFVqG9AIdoZ1a-ylDxkiFcpAfTTEhRzbNrgwEEw%3BFdipNAMdmKhf-yEp0P1M5swRLA&mra=pe&mrcr=0&sll=57.183902,-73.432617&sspn=8.059026,19.753418&num=10&ie=UTF8&ll=51.536086,-73.696289&spn=9.244991,19.753418&z=6&via=1

[berger]

This is Google's route plan for the trip.
Don't think I'll have the experience for this.

The Tundra Run was my most challenging ride ever, and I am no expert rider, by any means. I also had my wife to think about in the Hack, so safety was paramount. If you take your time, and go at your own pace, you would be fine.

[palica]

Nice to see that this post has some feedback.

The date could change for July without a problem. I was just thinking of the mosquitos which can be challenging during Summer But I agree that rain + cold is challenging too!

The trip would be to go to Radisson but from Radisson to Brisay too (2 x 600 km of gravel road... It reminds me something). Depending of a lot of parameters (weather, mechanic, mosquitos, qty of CURDites, bear and wolves etc...), we may end the trip in Radisson and come back, but I must say I would like to at least do a part of the trans-Taiga highway.

The pace will not be a race one. We want to have fun and the trip needs to be opened to everybody, experienced riders and beginners.

Let's keep talking about it, thank you to the ones who can bring their experience.

Fred

[CFA]

This is Google's route plan for the trip.
Don't think I'll have the experience for this.

The Tundra Run was my most challenging ride ever, and I am no expert rider, by any means. I also had my wife to think about in the Hack, so safety was paramount. If you take your time, and go at your own pace, you would be fine.

Have company coming over from Europe about the second and third week of June.

[palica]

Here is what the rallye could look like:

[berger]

Well Fred, the bug has bitten me for sure. I have read up on a few guys that have done it on the KLR and it looks fun and doable for sure. I don't think gas would be too much of a problem, especially if reinstall my 24L tank.

[Cottbus]

Last year on my way to IMWA I was going through Chibougamau and Chapais and passed by the proposed route a bit further West. Fred, I find your idea of a CURD Taiga Run 2010 intriguing. Looking forward to read more about it and wonder what Al, Tony and Joao have to say. Herr and Frau Mildenberger are already warming up to the idea? Who else might join until then? Very interesting.

[berger]

Last year on my way to IMWA I was going through Chibougamau and Chapais and passed by the proposed route a bit further West. Fred, I find your idea of a CURD Taiga Run 2010 intriguing. Looking forward to read more about it and wonder what Al, Tony and Joao have to say. Herr and Frau Mildenberger are already warming up to the idea? Who else might join until then? Very interesting.

Hey Lutz!

You know you want to come!!

[palica]

I'll work with Google Map and my Garmin SW to put some steps and see if it is doable in 1 week and publish it.

Next step will be to determine a date. July sounds to be a good option but it is mosquito party there. June may be too cold and rainy. August may sound like a good option with better weather and less mosquitos.

Considering the Trans-Taiga rd is even more wild than the Labrador highway (no cities, only 2 gas station in 700 kms), I think that having a truck with a trailer would be a good thing, if somebody wants to volunter

More details to come.

Fred

[hondaeste1300pilot]

I'll work with Google Map and my Garmin SW to put some steps and see if it is doable in 1 week and publish it.

Next step will be to determine a date. July sounds to be a good option but it is mosquito party there. June may be too cold and rainy. August may sound like a good option with better weather and less mosquitos.

Considering the Trans-Taiga rd is even more wild than the Labrador highway (no cities, only 2 gas station in 700 kms), I think that having a truck with a trailer would be a good thing, if somebody wants to volunter

More details to come.

Fred

August to early September are (were on my trips) relatively bug free and pleasant.

June would likely be nasty, especially if you plan to camp.

[CFA]

. July sounds to be a good option but it is mosquito party there. J

Fred

Don't forget the black flies, they can strip a carcass to the bone in 30 seconds.

[berger]

August to early September are (were on my trips) relatively bug free and pleasant.

June would likely be nasty, especially if you plan to camp.

Funny thing is, everyone said the same thing about the Tundra run in June. Since our climate is so out of whack, it was still too cold for the blackflies and mossies to have any impact on the trip. The only time I did see them (mossies) was in HVGB when we stood to take a group photo on the return leg.

[CFA]

. Since our climate is so out of whack, it was still too cold for the blackflies and mossies to have any impact on the trip..

You are so right on that. I drove the Van into town today there was a mosquito in it buzzing around my head.

[palica]

OK, I have decided to book dates for the Taiga run.



Departure will be from Vad D'or, Qc, on Sunday June 27th at 11H00 AM.

Why Val d'Or?

Because it is relatively close to several location (500 km from Montreal, 430 km from Ottawa, 700 km from Toronto) and trip to Val D'Or can be done 1 day.

Why June 27th?

Leaving from Val d'Or on a Sunday leaves the Saturday to travel.

I'm expecting to reach Radisson in 2 days, with a stop close to River Ruppert. So we should arrive in Radisson on June 29th. From there, I would like to take either a short segment of the Trans-Taiga Highway or to go to Chisasibi on the 30th and to be back to Radisson in the evening of June 30th.

Then, we'll head back south to Val d'Or and should arrive on June 2nd of 3rd.

Total trip from Val d'Or to Radisson is approximately 1800 Km + the milage to reach Val d'Or so an average of 3000 km.

Because of the lack of time, I have decided NOT to do complete Trans-Taiga highway this time (1500 km of heavy all terrain which would need assistance of a chase truck/trailer).

The ones who are interested should let me know ASAP and I'll start to compile the list. You are welcome to publish this information on other forums such as SS or SI. Although this is open to everybody and every type of vehicules, I would like to have a majority of sidecars.

I'll send as much details as I can to Mike and we'll try to create a special page on the CURD webpage.

Any question, please let me know. Hopefully, see you in Val D'or!

Fred

[berger]

I don't know if I am able to go yet, but we could possibly meet up in Grand-Remous......and then carry on to Val d'or.

[palica]

I don't know if I am able to go yet, but we could possibly meet up in Grand-Remous......and then carry on to Val d'or.

That would be great... Let me know when you have a confirmation.

This run will be less hard on bikes and people than the Tundra run: it is shorter, most on paved roads but going to James Bay is one of my old dream...

A quick idea about the itinerary: