Hi everyone,

As a few you made comments about the way i write, i’ll try to do it another way.

When i arrived in St-John’s i could stay with Dave Murphy. A guy from ADVrider. I was’t feelings so well so needed a couple of days rest. He was funny, used these strange English sayings i never heard off and came several times back to his favorite:” You can’t fix stupid!”.
While i stayed at his house i did some oil change, been guided around the area, ate seal, molassas, cod tongues, moose and other new things to me.

So after having some rest, it was time to go again. Dave and some of his friends guided me to the TCAT track where i started my new adventure. They had warned me for a lot of whoops. These are sand piles which are about 1,5m away from each other. Actually made by the huge amount of quads that ride on the trail. Jesus Christ, you can’t speed up so you got a low average of km’s as well. And you got a lot of lose stones sometimes, which isn’t a problem when you can make speed. But in those tracks it’s hard plus those whoops. I started easy, and took advantage of the invitation of Dave’s friend to spend the night at his cabin on a lake. Tried some trout fishing but had no luck, played a game and enjoyed some great food.

The next day was for real as i wanted to make some distance. Oh boy, first whoops, then loose stones… Some parts of the trail it’s a lot of bush which grows over the track. For a quad no problem as they sit in the middle of 4 wheels. But a bike is more difficult. Right lane, riding with the handlebar in the bush on the right side, and trying to avoid getting in the pile of lose stones which make a line in the middle. Concentration, concentration! Ok, i think i saw something there! No, i didn’t. Look in front and concentrate! Out of balance, getting in the middle with the front wheel, no good, left lane, right lane. Opening the throttle to try and straighten it out! Ooooppps! Down we go!

Ok, i’m not hurt, bike not too much damage! The bike lays on it’s left side in not a good position. I take the tank bag and top bag off to make it easier. Well, no way i’ll be able to lift it like this. Sweating like hell from the riding and adrenaline. Lucky me as there’s a quad passing and the guy helped me out.
I continue with some ease, but once i feel confident again trying to speed up a little.

I pass some old railway stations as this is the old railway bed anyway. Some of them have still an old train and a snow plow in front. That’s how they cleared the railway of snow. Quite impressive i should say!

Newfoundlanders are very friendly and i end up with an elderly couple for the night when i put my tent in their garden. He even has a water plane!! Never saw one. Even it’s an older one, he explains everything. WoW, great. A got a sandwich and a blessing before i go to sleep as they see me a little as their Son who died 15 years ago and would be 35 now.
Means that i look that age i guess!! Hahahahaha!

The next day i move on. Some easier, some more difficult parts but everything’s run smoothly. From time to time i stop to take a picture, as otherwise i need my concentration on the track. The rain comes in so i put on the rain gear.
At around six i come along a sign that says Lewisporte. Oh my god, let it not be true that i missed a turn. That’s not where i want to be.
I drove onto a driveway where i see some people and ask where i exactly am. They ease my mind by saying i’m on the right track. Instantly they invite me to their bbq with their employees. Wow, great! They start talking like I’ve been there before. Talking about hospitality, they know about it! I continue after a lot of food for a short while into a small community. I got to say that by the end of the day i’m really exhausted! I ask some people in North Arms where to put my tent and end up in a woman’s empty house which she normally rents out.
Alright, no need to put up the tent. The next morning. I eat a little by myself, but they don’t let me go before i eat that big breakfast! It rains again, which makes it more difficult as after a while i can’t see much when raindrops stay on the screen.

Anyway, that morning i suddenly stop as there’s a baby moose jumped out of the bush. Me wondering when the mother comes along, i wait a minute but nothing’s coming so i take a bet and go for it.
Everybody’s warning me for the moose! I’d like to see a big one, although not right on the trail!
Trying to sing some children’s anti-rain songs doesn’t seem to help a lot. But we keep going. In Millertown junction i ask how long it takes to Howley. As this part is quite remote and it’s afternoon i take my chances. Fog comes in along the way and this guy concentrates on the track. I do stop nevertheless cause the surroundings are covered with big rocks. This part is about 60 km’s. But at this pace it takes a few hours. I join 2 quads, just to be on the safe side for a while. I make it again in the rain and check out the campsite but decide to move on. About 10 km further i get to the dam. There’s a gate so there’s no way to cross. I talk to some guys who’re fishing there. You gotta go down, cross the riverbed and come back up. I have a look first! Shit! Step down and big stones! In case it’s needed, they can help!
Downhill with the front brake almost blocked and the back slipping here and there! But oh yes!! Made it down. Crossing the riverbed and back up is peanuts. On the other side there’s an old government house. I put my tent and the fisherman come to congratulate, talk a little and give me a beer! Alright!! A good end of the day!

Ok, i’m not eaten by a bear! It’s drizzling a bit so after packing i put the rain gear on to be safe. It’s only about 15 km’s to Deer Lake. I’m early so look around a bit and here the old railway ends and i treat myself with a coffee and a bun. Time to clean myself and the bike a little so check in at a campsite. I take a day off and normally there’ll come another Belgian biker who wants to join for the TCAT.

Have fun and keep the rubber down!! 😊