Feb 2009 - Tour du Nord V: this time, it's personal

[LePew]

We arrived in the general area before 1pm. We first stopped at a service station north of the city for fuel when the possible problem became apparent. We then headed down Rte. 55 and over the St. Lawrence River bridge to the first stop light at the intersection of Rte 55 and Blvd. de Acadiens. That's where Pete's car quit, shortly after 1 pm (Why do I remember that location? Maybe because the very next cross street is named Rue Thibodeau ).

I left there about 1:20 and was in Vermont before 3:15. I tried calling Ross at about 2 pm somewhere past Drummonville but got his voice mail. I called Ross back from Vermont, probably about 3:45. So Ross and Bob probably did pass about 2 miles north of Pete and Brian at 3pm ish...

[Oldpaint]

I just cleaned out the car (of luggage, tools etc - not the dirt yet) and came up with someone's cobra frs radio charger base. Its an oval thing. Would anyone care to admit ownership of it?

I also talked to Dave in parts at MOP who said all I had to do was buy the front turn signals from the website. Had I known I could have had them waiting. Also the internet MOP price was $41 (us) while at Mini of Laval it was $70 (cn). I removed the jaunty orange ducttape from the indicator without it leaving residue and without it peeling off the paint. Thank you Ducttape! The car is now sporting clear tape to attract less attention.

[MinorRoadsKill]

Quote: Originally Posted by Oldpaint (original)

I just cleaned out the car (of luggage, tools etc - not the dirt yet) and came up with someone's cobra frs radio charger base. Its an oval thing. Would anyone care to admit ownership of it?

That would be me. It fell out of the side pouch of my laptop/electronic bag. Ironically, I never needed it, since we didn't use the FRS much.

[wilsonrabbit]

Aw Pete, I'm sorry to hear about your ordeal. Seems your MINI insists on surveying Canadian dealerships on every trip whether it's a MINI one or not!

When I went to vacuum out the salt and dirt from the interior, I discovered that the rubber floor mats are an essential winter accessory as they were caked in road grime. I created a small pile of debris on the driveway when I tossed the mats over. Unfortunately, I also discovered brownie bits smeared onto my seats and such. The frigid temps were too much for the plastic container which cracked. The brownies tried to make a run for it but got smooshed by gear. Oops.

On the topic of lost and founds, did anyone come across a black pair of thin EMS gloves? They disappeared in Radisson but unlike my other misplaced items, they never turned up. Thanks.

A big thanks to Bob for that spray bottle of washer fluid. It made a world of a difference cleaning the windshield especially when I discovered I could just spray and then use the wipers. Much much cleaner that way which meant it stayed cleaner longer. At one point, I was tempted to spray while driving. No need to stop then. Not being able to see was much more worrisome than my tire situation especially with light straight on (sunlight, head lights...). I must commend my MINI for a job well done traversing those roads. I've been in some less than stellar cars that wouldn't be able to survive conditions half as interesting as on this run. I consider myself just an average driver but a MINI shod with a nice set of Michelins seems to have made me look good.

And another big thanks to Ross. Actually, not just one, but a whole slew of them for all the little and big things you've done throughout the trip. Straight from the beginning when we overtook your house...no wait, even before it began with all your planning and reservations (that went completely out the window! ) all the way to the very end even after we'd split up. You're quite simply awesome.

Well, glad to hear that everyone's safe and sound.

[wilsonrabbit]

Quote: Originally Posted by Oldpaint (original)

I enjoyed the hospitality of homeland security on the way back...

Wow. And I thought Ducttape got a "warm" welcome at the border. The thought that ran through my head was: "Oh no! I chose the wrong lane to be in!" I should have known better. This is Ducttape after all.

[wilsonrabbit]

Quote: Originally Posted by MinorRoadsKill (original)

This is from a brochure of my 2005 trip up the rails...

The brochure has become the ultimate tease. It's going to tease us for at LEAST another year! Cruel! Cruel!!!

[wilsonrabbit]

So how many miles did everyone traverse? Having sat out the trek to Wemindji, my odometer read a mere 2975 miles from and to home.

[NHRef]

Finally left the dealership, after interviewing the director of MINI sales and a spa for Play On, at 12:30. The car ran well all the way home (arriving at 5:45) and then down to New Haven CT (leaving at 7:00 and heading into the worse driving conditions, due to heavy wet snow in the New Haven vicinity, of the last 8 days) in time for the 10:08 train to Stamford.

But I have to admit I don't like stomping the clutch pedal all the way to the floor . . .

What is going on? The coldest temps of the trip (-22 F) were in southern QC and the only snowstorm (of my extended trip) was on the CT coast!

Thanks for all of your kind thoughts. Anyone care to guess at the total bill (in CDN $)?

[squid]

Glad to read Play On is put back together and motoringworthy.

We toured Ottawa / Gatineau / Hull for a bit (ice sculpures, mint tour, Supreme Court, Rideau skating canal) and took the road on the south edge of Quebec to Mirabel then Montreal. Mireabel is out there, moreso the Dulles is out from DC. There were a few ice roads crossing from PC into ONT. The one I ventured out on had some major potholes within 3 meters of the shrore but was otherwise smooth and solid.

Sorry we couldn't stay with the group all the way. Thanks again minorroads for the planning, hospitality and seasonal bbq.

Quote:

Anyone care to guess at the total bill (in CDN $)?

No, but it's probably near $1 per mile.

[MinorRoadsKill]

Every year, I wonder if the upcoming Arctic MINI Run will be my last. Life gets more complicated, attendance, more difficult. The spontaneity of the original run and its terrifying accident has of necessity yielded to advance logistical planning and the self-assurance that comes with experience. Each year demands a new high, a more distant road, yet some day, those highs will fall short, and there will be no new roads to explore. Those giddy collective feelings of joy when we first waltzed onto James Bay in 2005 have proven to be unique, their reproduction forever elusive.

Then, just when you think you have the Arctic MINI Run pegged, the unexpected occurs.

I do not refer to ending up in Radisson this year rather than Moosonee. True, this year’s trip was an extra-curricular tour de force adventure. We went further north than ever, experiencing northern lights, walks on James Bay, not one but two underground tours; we met wonder-filled Cree, buzzed caribou and even charted new roads. We had the highlights of several past Runs, all rolled into one. Heck, we had such a good time, my house almost burned down! Surely, those who chose not to come this year missed out on a dynamite, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Yet no matter how stupendously incredible the trip is, we have come to expect precisely that of the Arctic MINI Run.

What I didn’t expect was to rediscover inspiration, find renewed strength and a faith in freedom.

2008 was a personal annus horribilis. A thrice-flooded, partially demolished home, a son with life-threatening burns to much of his body, multiple hospital operations, months of personal illness, financial turmoil. The year ended with a month-long wandering about the emptiest part of America. We would find breathtaking scenery, but have no time to think, or find the answers or inspiration sought, only a yearning for home, for which we were thankful.

This past weekend featured unspeakably beautiful scenery too, and little opportunity for contemplation, much less sleep. Yet through an act of charity, I was in the air when the world became new. In the empty land of the north, freedom still finds a home, a place from which our strength can flow. Once again, anything feels possible. With collective purpose, we can achieve anything.

Without asking, I received more from ArcticMINI than I could have ever given.

Thank you.

Until next year,


Ross Trusler
True North, Strong and Free.

[blalor]

I think that pretty well sums it up, Ross. This was an amazing experience, and possibly a once-in-a-lifetime one for me. I'm thrilled that I got to spend a fantastic week with some good, old friends, and made many new ones. The camaraderie most people find at any random MINI event is multiplied tenfold at something like this. I loved it. And it wouldn't have been possible without the hard work and personal sacrifice you (and Ann) put into the planning and accommodations. I have a feeling you'll think twice, now, before saying "Hey, everyone, stay at my place!".

Thank you to everyone who came along. I'm going to remember this trip for a long time.

[DUCTTAPE]

Ok, we made it home

I was wondering why it was so quiet after the trip! I never got an email about postings and didn't know anyone had done any. Sorry for being so quiet. That is SO un-Ducttape.

As everyone mentioned the Southern 1 group made it south with (almost) no problems. At least none as severe as Pete's. I'm glad to hear by mid week you seem to have that under control now. So sorry for what couldn't have been a pleasant wallet or time experience.

Keeping with tradition, when we got to 381 I slid through the intersection, again. On the way up I said to Jacob 'there it is!' as we slid past. On the way down Sarah said I need to be a little closer to draft her and get her spray to clean my windshield. As I am pulling up what I missed was the announcement we were there and turning. All of a sudden, she is stopping RIGHT in front of me. This can't be right, so I veered left, passing her. Then, K8 is right in front of me, turning left! So I veered right, in between her and Sarah. Damn, there is that friggin' James Bay Road snow wall again. I veered left and managed to pull out of the 40 mph skid. It's a good thing Jacob doesn't drive because he had NO idea just what was happening (hence, Mrs. Ducttape doesn't either )

Can you imagine if I took out Ducttape III and TWO more MINIs on an Arctic run? Sarah would never have shared the rest of her brownies.

The trip was really grand. (Except for the 381 drive-bys, and Pete's mechanics) everything about it was great as far as I am concerned. I loved that we picked up on the fly and drive another 1000 klicks or so and had just as much fun. Hats off to Ross for not only superlative planning but to everyone who attended, just for being there and contributing.

I've emailed everyone some quick pictures. I hope to have the balance done by Sunday and will work on a web page. If I have individual pictures I think you'll like I will email them, and feel free to ask if you see one I didn;t send and I will forward it.

And, remember, only three years to the Alcan 5000 MINI Winter Run...

BTW, My August 08 delivery Clubman had about 2200 miles when I left Wednesday afternoon and 5500 when I returned Tuesday night. That's 9 months of driving in the week!

[Oldpaint]

3684 miles later, thoughts about this trip.....

If the group had voted for Radisson in the first place I might not gone, mostly for money and time conflicts. That was dumb. I really enjoyed the Radisson area.

This was a terrific group this year. It felt more cohesive than even the Labrador trip (and that is saying a lot).

To me, even though the new uncharted road and the Route du Nord were amazing, Quebec 389 to Labrador is still at the top of the list.

I'm grateful to Ducttape for starting the Tour Du Nord, and Ross for his hospitality, planning, and general knowledge, for Ann for letting Ross out of the house and letting us in.

In hindsight I regret only a couple of things.. Not getting out of the car to feel the -22F, and not getting a picture of the Route Du Nord sign.

Questions....
Did the cold affect NHrefs clutch slave cylinder?
WIll Ross and Ann and family visit Cape Cod?
Is it time to take off the winter tires now?
Has K8 formed a taste for 1 star hotels?
Will the railroad let us strap down the cars by the tires and tow eyes?

Oh and I finally found this handy guide:
Cree syllabary, pronunciation and language

[Oldpaint]

Enough Said

[MinorRoadsKill]

Last Monday, 4 of 7 MINIs took a shortcut from the JBR to Nemaska, via a series of roads, saving ~87km (54 miles), and at least an hour in time. Overall, the shortcut was 150km (+/- 2km) in length. We bypassed km 396 to km 274 of JBR (122km) and km 406 to km 291 (115km) of the Route du Nord, a total of 237km.

All portions of the short cut were in excellent condition and immaculately plowed. They were a pleasure to drive, and a lot more fun than JBR this year (which was mostly plowed bare, with icy corners, and a rough 50km at the bottom).

The Opinaca Access Rd heads east from JBR km 396, and features an "Authorized Vehicles Only" sign at the entrance. Posted limit is 80km/h. At km 19, we encountered the guard station, and the Sarcelle Access Rd., which is a left turn heading north. After checking in, we went straight, and soon followed the 735kV lines coming down from Radisson. At km 40, we bore left at the fork for the Opinaca Aerodrome (airstrip). We crossed the earth dam starting around km 42, finally crossing atop the spillway and the start of the Eastmain river at km 46. The sign indicated it was "Eastmain 1", and there was a transformer station, but maps I have indicate that the Eastmain 1 generating station is elsewhere (see Figure 2 below)

Figure 1: According to this topo map, that's where the road ends.

Figure 2: But take a look at this map.
To get a good view, right-click, select "view image", and zoom into the area with the yellow highlighter. (this is necessary because direct links to the image don't work)

What are you looking at? According to that map, the "Muskeg - Eastmain 1 Rd". It's highlighted as future construction to be completed in 2008.

As we discovered, it is complete, posted at 70km/h, and is marked as km 46 to 86. It leads to the Eastmain Camp, near the Eastmain 1 and Eastmain 1-A generating stations, and has a lovely gas station (also marked on Figure 2). Two right turns were necessary within the camp to reach the gas station.

The gas station is on the Eastmain Access Rd, which has likely been around since Eastmain 1 was constructed (early 80s?). The nearby Eastmain 1-A is under construction, and will make use of the increased flow provided by a 50% diversion of the Rupert River starting in late 2009.

The gas station is near ~km62 of the Eastmain Access Rd. This road has a lot more signs for things like river crossings and forests, and is also posted at 70km/h. After passing through a few forest-fire afflicted areas, we arrived at km 0, in the Nemaska/Nemascau camp. The road ends at a T intersection. To the left is warehouses of the Nemaska camp. The exit is towards the right. A km later is another T-intersection. To the right is a power station, the exit is towards the left. After less than 1km is the exit gate to the Route du Nord. There is a left just before the gate which leads to the main portion of the Nemaska camp. Exiting the gate requires listing names and license plates again.

From the intersection with Route du Nord (km 291), the airport and Cree village lie to the west (right), and immediately to the east (left) is the public part of the Nemaska camp, which includes a gas station and an excellent restaurant.

From there, it is 308 km to Chibougamau, about 3 hours drive at night.