I'm getting a little excited...

The Epic East Coast and Trans-Lab Adventure is now less than 2 weeks away.

To say that I am getting excited is an understatement.

I have outfitted Big Ethel, my 2014 V Strom 1000, with some new gear – including the Shad ZuluPack waterproof soft-luggage and a Rotopax 1 gallon fuel can – and she is ready to go.

I will be writing an in-depth review of the Shad luggage as the 8,000 kilometer adventure progresses, and I just put it to use on a much smaller adventure this past weekend.

I attended the Horizons Unlimited Ontario 2015 Overland Travellers Meeting just outside of Orillia on Friday and Saturday. There were dozens of like-minded adventure riders in attendance, and we were able to sit and listen to – and learn from – some amazing individuals who have blazed new trails and shared their experiences with us. 

Chantal Cornoyer and Patrick Trahan are two incredible adventure seekers from Quebec who have been living their dreams to the fullest – and inspiring people like me – for years.

Suffice to say that this past weekend has watered some of the seeds that were planted in my brain when I began to research adventure travel on a motorcycle. Europe, Africa and South America will roll out beneath my tires one day...

But first – it will be Quebec, the Gaspe region, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, the Cabot Trail, Newfoundland, Gros Morne, L’Anse aux Meadow, Labrador, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and so many places along the way....

I will do my very best to portray all that I see and experience – of that you can be sure.

I do hope that you come along for the ride...

Joe

Dressing Big Ethel...

Well, I have made a few more alterations to Big Ethel in preparation for the upcoming trip.

The Pelican top-case is proving to be very functional – I think I may like it even more than I do the SW Motech Trax top case – but I still switch back and forth. I find the Trax case better for long distance asphalt and light gravel duty, and the Pelican better for the rougher, more off-road and trail riding stuff. 

The main reason is because the Trax box is so much larger, I tend to load more in it, which adds up to more weight and that translates to a greater risk of breaking a bolt or mount while hitting the trail hard. This has happened once already during a spirited ride down the K&P Trail, so I am cautious of which case I mount to the bike before I head out.

I am still unsure as to which I will use on the Epic East Coast and Trans Lab Highway Adventure...time , and advice from my riding partners will likely answer that question.

Another new piece of equipment is the 1 gallon Rotopax fuel can. Currently bolted to the top of my Pelican case, it will be a simple re-and-re to install it on the Trax box if I decide that it is the right box for the trip.

I also made a couple of comfort and ergonomics adjustments recently. 2 weeks ago I bolted on a set of foot peg lowering plates from Adventure Tech LLC and my knees are much happier. I purchased these used, from a friend of mine who decided to go with a different set up.

 I also installed a Givi AirFlow wind screen in place of my original. It mounts on the stock hardware so I still have the ratcheting 3 position adjustment, and I now have almost 8” of height adjustment as well. 

What a difference this new wind screen makes. All of the buffeting that I was experiencing on the peak / visor of my Arai XD4 helmet is now completely gone, and I am now able to hear my music at less than half volume while riding at highway speeds. Very, very impressed.

Finally, I managed to get my Adventure Tech LLCsoft luggage guards mounted to the bike last night, and then strapped my Shad ZuluPack luggage on to Big Ethel for the first time. 

I think that I am really going to like this set up, and will be putting it to an initial road-test this weekend as I ride out to the Horizon’s Unlimited Ontario 2015 Overland Travellers Meeting at Lake Couchiching in Rama, Ontario.

The big trip is fast approaching!.....I cannot wait to hit the road...

I hope that you will come along for the ride, 

The Epic East Coast and Trans-Lab Highway Adventure

Well, the season is in full swing. 

By and large mother nature has been cooperative and I have managed to cover almost 9,000 kilometers since the beginning of April.

It has been a wonderful season thus far.

But we are about to turn it up. Way up.

A little more than 30 days from now, on July 4^th or 5^th, myself and two riding buddies are embarking on an adventure.

The Epic East Coast and Trans-Lab Highway Adventure.

21 days. Over 8,000 kilometers. As much gravel as we can find. Up to 6 provinces.

An adventure that is sure to test our personal limits, and those of our machines as well as our equipment.

We plan on riding from Ontario into the Gaspe region, down to Cape Breton, over to Newfoundland, and finally up into Labrador.

One of the pieces of equipment that I hope to be testing is a new UCLEAR Digital communications device.

I will also be putting my new Shad ZuluPack waterproof luggage through the paces.

You can expect in depth reviews of both.

We are entering into the final planning stages. I am getting my gear organized. Preparing myself as best I can.  

More to come folks... the excitement – for me at least – is building.

I will have a lot to tell you, and hope that you will come along for the read. And the ride.

Joe