Day 6 Gaff Topsail to Aspen Brook 64K

Today started out grey and soggy with light showers turning into heavy rain as we descended Gaff Topsail. But it was warm and the riding was swift. As we passed a small herd of caribou the rain lifted for our PBJ sandwich lunch and the sun was shining as we climbed up to Badger. Coffee and treats at Robins and we headed down the perfect trail for the final 10k into Aspen Brook.

We have the gift of another beautiful evening with a quiet campsite by a brook, and a crackling fire as darkness sets in. Looking forward to meeting up with our better halfs in Lewisporte tomorrow evening for a couple of nights in a real bed and a day out of the saddle (although we may still get a
ride in!!

Trail Conditions: Excellent
Weather: Rainy morning; sunny afternoon; gorgeous evening
Issues: None
Distance Today: 64k
Distance So Far: 419k

Day 6 Strava.

Departing The Gaff.

Camping at Aspen Brook, abandoned park just east of Badger.   

Fresh corn, pork, couscous with black beans and campfire waffle cones for dessert. 

A wash in the brook.

Best evening yet for a campfire.

Caribou near Millertown Junction. 

Coffee and buns in Badger.  

Fresh corn tonight!

Day 5 Deer Lake to Gaff Topsail 74k

Today we are heaping praise on Deer Lake Power! The Main Dam about 15k east has a bridge crossing which is locked when the water is low as bikes and ATVs can easily cross the gully below the bridge. But an ATV towing a 1000 pound trailer would never get up the other side! We called them from Tim Hortons and within an hour a supervisor met us to arrange an escort to the dam and unlocking of the gate!

We crossed with no problems and soon passed through Howley with greetings from Mayor Wayne Bennett and ice cream from the Howley Shopping Center. Then it was a 50k gradual washboard-bumpy climb that slowed us down to an average speed of 8kph and wore us all out a little more than any other day so far.

Arriving at Father Ed’s cabin just before dark we quickly offloaded while Cathy prepared steak, corn and rice for our nightly feast. Enjoying a beverage of choice and a few laughs we crawled into our
bunks as usual by 10pm!

Trail Conditions: Bumpy gravel grind
Weather: Sunny warm and calm
Issues: Main Dam Crossing - ISSUE AVERTED
Distance Today: 74k
Distance So Far: 355k

Day 5 Strava.

Fast food breakfast for a change.

Deer Lake Power helped us across Main Dam.

Dam gate open for crossing.

Away we go across the bridge.

Greeted in Howley by Mayor Wayne Bennett. 

Subway sandwiches for lunch. 

Spring water on the Gaff.

The Summit - highest point on the NL T’Railway. 

Thanks Father Ed for the cozy accommodations. 

Father Ed's.

Day 4 Big Cooks Pond to Deer Lake 73k

Our 20k descent into Corner Brook was swift and smooth along a perfectly graded woods road with a slight breeze. Then we followed the ATV route through town and stopped for coffee and snacks at Cycle Solutions, grabbing some fresh sandwiches for a lunch stop later.

A chat with the constabulary and we were on our way along the 3k stretch of highway shoulder out to Steady Brook, then skirting the highway on trails to Pasadena. We followed the shores of Deer Lake battling strong head winds, making it into town for supper, hot showers, laundry facilities, and a cozy wreck room to crash for the night, compliments of our new friend Marjorie!

Trail Conditions: Excellent
Weather: Sunny all day; windy all afternoon
Issues: Short ATV diversion 10k outside of Deer Lake
Distance Today: 73k
Distance So Far: 281k

Day 4 Strava.

Morning campfire and breakfast at Big Cooks Pond. 

Through Pasadena on Main Street; added some distance and hills to route. 

Marjorie took us in with first class Deer Lake hospitality! 

Making friends before hitting the highway shoulder from Corner Brook to Steady Brook. 

An indoor meal and camp after hot showers and clean laundry. 

Trail ends but shared roads begin in Corner Brook.  

Bike lift over the rocks and a short ATV diversion heading into Deer Lake.  

The BEAUTIFUL town of Steady Brook  

Mount Moriah awaits us as we exit the trail en route to Corner Brook. 

Coffee and snacks at Cycle Solutions.; a little off the route.

Preparing for our 3k highway ride to Steady Brook

Marjorie’s place in Deer Lake for our most comfortable night yet!

Day 3 Stephenville Crossing to Big Cooks Pond 57k

With our generator and trailer hitch repairs complete we hit the road, prepared for rain and wind that never did materialize. After a few light showers the sun came out for our run through Black Duck, Gallants and around the east side of Georges Lake.

With advice from Ed and his grandson Blake we sought out the beach at Big Cooks Pond for the night. The wind was high at the bottom of the pond as we set up camp but it soon died out for our third night sleeping under the stars.

Trail Conditions: Excellent
Weather: Rainy morning; sunny afternoon
Issues: None
Distance Today: 57k

Distance So Far: 208k

Day 3 Strava.

Leaving the Crossing. 

Excellent trails turn into even better roads. 

Track behind Georges Lake. 

Ed and Blake point out the best place to camp. 

The beach at the bottom of Big Cooks Pond. 

Sun worshiper. 

Windy evening turned into a calm night.

Beach camping at Big Cooks Pond.

Cathy’s portable shower finally gets some action. 

Day 2 Codroy Pond to Stephenville Crossing 74k

Our 2nd day riding matched our 1st in all aspects with perfect weather and trail conditions, and afternoon HEAT.

First stop was Station Convenience in St. Finton’s for some fresh fruit and an ice cream where Vanessa gave us great service as well as a donation for our cause! A 2-hour lunch break, siesta and swim at Fishells Brook prepared us for the 3-4 hour run into Stephenville Crossing, stopping for another ice cream at Chubb's Convenience in St. George’s

Harry needed to make minor repairs to the generator and trailer hitch so lucky for us Don Bradshaw from NTV was taking a walk on the beach and offered to help, giving Harry a drive into town for parts. Neil and Loretta Stokes dropped by for a visit with some cold beverages, baked treats and a donation to the Alzheimers Society. Neil returned in the morning to take Harry back into town for more parts to fine-tune his repairs.

With camp set up and a little wash in the ocean we settled in and prepared for some wind and rain as forecasted but got through the night dry and calm with the rain holding off until we had breakfast, tore down camp, finished repairs, and hit the trail.

Trail Conditions: Excellent
Weather: Sunny and hot
Issues: Busted generator switch and trailer pin (both fixed)
Distance Today: 74k

Distance So Far: 151k

Day 2 Strava Map

Harry making repairs with help from Neil. 

Fishells Brook for a long lunch break and swim. 

Many long, hot stretches today.

Breakfast at Codroy Pond; the great meals continue!

Sunset over Stephenville Crossing; this trestle is CLOSED so  tomorrow we detour 1k or so along the highway.

First stop of the day at St. Finton’s 

Vanessa was very helpful and gave us a donation. 

Much-needed dip for Smitty in Fishells Brook. 

Thanks Don Bradshaw for the run into town. 

Not much wildlife yet.