Newfoundland and Gaspe Peninsula

C

Chaos

Well-known member
Anyone here ride Newfoundland and/or Gaspe Peninsula?

I am wondering what the frequency of gas stations are. I generally like to fill up every 100kms. It's more for the stop and stretch, but I figure I kill two birds, and fill up the tank while I am stopping. I feel comfortable though doing about 200km to the tank though.

Newfoundland would be highway 1.
Gaspe Peninsula would be highway 132.
 
Wife and I did Gaspé 2 years ago, very beautiful ride! We went out via NY, VT, NH, ME and then back along 132. You won't have any issues with fueling up every 100-200km. Newfoundland is on the bucket list so I can't comment on it just yet. Enjoy the trip.
 
I did'nt have any problems filling up going across NFLD on Hwy 1 (Trans-Can). Great trip
 
follow up question. how easy/difficult is it to get on the Newfoundland ferry from Sydney to Chanel-Port au Basques? Is booking in advance wise, or will there be open spots?
 
Chaos said:
follow up question. how easy/difficult is it to get on the Newfoundland ferry from Sydney to Chanel-Port au Basques? Is booking in advance wise, or will there be open spots?
Click to expand...

While I haven't been on it other than with a cage, make sure you book way ahead. Not a week either, like months just to be safe. It fills up fast :thumbup:
 
The ferry may only be 6 hours from North Sydney to Port aux Basques but, she's a long ride from Port aux Basques to St John's.


Have to admit, I've only driven from St John's to Gander with stops in Bay Roberts, Clarenville. May have spent more time along George St than admire the roads and scenery too.

Just be careful at dusk and evenings. The warnings are no joke. Moose are a plenty. Travel during the day, tip a few in the evening, enjoy the local music.

Even if you don't make the trip to NL, Nova Scotia has plenty of roads to enjoy. But, NL is something to be experienced. For sure!!!!
 
Gaspe loop is a must do ride for Canada. It's almost like being in another country. FWIW, I took a wrong turn around Campellton and headed towards Amqui in the interior (HWY 234). The canyon road was to die for. Based on that alone, the interior looks very promising. Unfortunately, pressed for time, I had to turn around.
 
Gaspe is on the bucket list for sure but trying to include Newfoundland is just too tough.
Between ferries, very long ride to St. Johns and then back the same route.

We're gonna fly in at some point and rent a car for a couple days. Just too difficult and I've tried for decades to work it out sensibly.

This is the right time of year for Gaspe - June is iffy for weather. Too bad it's such a chore to get there.
 
So, I have my route tentatively planned. Here is the rough itinerary. Total time: 3 weeks. Leaving Aug 10ish.

Gonna take about 8 days to get from Toronto to Sydney NS, via USA (PA, CT, MA, ME). Here is the route there:

http://goo.gl/maps/IgSIf

Highlights include:
Highway 6 in PA
Highway 7 in CT
State Road 2 in MA
US Highway 1 in ME
State Road 9 in ME
Border Cross from ME to NB
Ferry from Sydney to Port-aux-Basques
Highway 1 in NL inc. 5 days in NL total (with ferry back to NS)

Here is the return route - http://goo.gl/maps/1RB77

Ferry from Argentia to Sydney (long ride, but it gives me a day off the bike)

8 days for the ride home. Highlights include:
Calbot Trail
Gaspe Peninsula

Now, at this point, I'm not sure whether to just blast it home, or add some more of the US via NH, VT and/or NY.

Thoughts?
 
Highway 6 in PA
Click to expand...

There are better roads in the area for fun tho 6 is okay for scenery. Take a break at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinzua_Bridge
Only a 1/2 hour break and very cool.

If you can spare a 1/2 day or less detour....when you get to Coudersport cut off 6 and head down 144/44 which is a legendary ride, maybe take a break at Yesterday's in Renovo - head south of Renovo and turn right on 144 and have a total ball. Just superb riding after the first 12 km or so which is rough but still much fun.....kid was whooping in my ear the whole way. ( we have Scala's )

Catch Wykoff Run ( you'll have to be careful and not miss the turn ) then back north to 120 and you have several ways to get back to 6.
Just be careful with deer after 6 pm and in the early morning.

This is Wykoff the opposite direction you would be going.
[video=youtube;j_A0yVbfXG0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_A0yVbfXG0[/video]

Where this starts is your end point on 120 and there is food there.

Careful with fuel in the area especially end of day or Sunday and don't expect cell coverage.

If you are starting at PA - then you can be there by noon or sooner, Millstream Inn is reasonable, Pauls Motel is cheap - get the front rooms for $55 with wifi and fuel just outside.
Breakfast at Fezz's diner which is right on 6 - meals are huge.

2965251710_f38549b4f8.jpg


Can't help you much further in the US tho do the Cabot Trail from the east side in my opinion then hit Sydney for the ferry.

If you do any of the Evangeline Trail then hit the GastroPub in Wolfeville...
http://www.novascotia.com/en/home/ourregions/scenic_travelways/evangeline_trail/default.aspx

You can swing across then to Peggy's Cove in an hour and meander north along the coast.

We did the Ferry to PEI and then off via the bridge.....it's only a half day at most as you head to Cape Breton. Bridge is very cool - nice stop at the end of it with good photo ops.
When you are going you must book accommodation on Cape Breton ahead of time after July 1 - it's sparse and filled up. Mind your fuel as well and weather can be totally insane.

You might get something at Meat Cove at the top of the island ( maybe take a whale watching boat run - say hi to the Capt Fraser of the Oshan. )
http://www.oshan.ca

Looking forward to a Gaspe report - heard it's superb.

The South Shore of the St. Lawrence is okay and Old Quebec City for sure.

But if you can swing north of Montreal and there is some good riding there. Someone just posted up a Mount Tremblant loop and if you are really in the mood take the Northern Transcanada over to Rouyn-Noranda then 101 down towards North Bay.

The ride from Quebec City to Toronto is mind numbing and Montreal traffic horrific. Best avoided.
 
MacDoc said:
There are better roads in the area for fun tho 6 is okay for scenery. Take a break at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinzua_Bridge
Only a 1/2 hour break and very cool.

If you can spare a 1/2 day or less detour....when you get to Coudersport cut off 6 and head down 144/44 which is a legendary ride, maybe take a break at Yesterday's in Renovo - head south of Renovo and turn right on 144 and have a total ball. Just superb riding after the first 12 km or so which is rough but still much fun.....kid was whooping in my ear the whole way. ( we have Scala's )

Catch Wykoff Run ( you'll have to be careful and not miss the turn ) then back north to 120 and you have several ways to get back to 6.
Just be careful with deer after 6 pm and in the early morning.

This is Wykoff the opposite direction you would be going.
[video=youtube;j_A0yVbfXG0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_A0yVbfXG0[/video]

Where this starts is your end point on 120 and there is food there.

Careful with fuel in the area especially end of day or Sunday and don't expect cell coverage.

If you are starting at PA - then you can be there by noon or sooner, Millstream Inn is reasonable, Pauls Motel is cheap - get the front rooms for $55 with wifi and fuel just outside.
Breakfast at Fezz's diner which is right on 6 - meals are huge.

2965251710_f38549b4f8.jpg


Can't help you much further in the US tho do the Cabot Trail from the east side in my opinion then hit Sydney for the ferry.

If you do any of the Evangeline Trail then hit the GastroPub in Wolfeville...
http://www.novascotia.com/en/home/ourregions/scenic_travelways/evangeline_trail/default.aspx

You can swing across then to Peggy's Cove in an hour and meander north along the coast.

We did the Ferry to PEI and then off via the bridge.....it's only a half day at most as you head to Cape Breton. Bridge is very cool - nice stop at the end of it with good photo ops.
When you are going you must book accommodation on Cape Breton ahead of time after July 1 - it's sparse and filled up. Mind your fuel as well and weather can be totally insane.

You might get something at Meat Cove at the top of the island ( maybe take a whale watching boat run - say hi to the Capt Fraser of the Oshan. )
http://www.oshan.ca

Looking forward to a Gaspe report - heard it's superb.

The South Shore of the St. Lawrence is okay and Old Quebec City for sure.

But if you can swing north of Montreal and there is some good riding there. Someone just posted up a Mount Tremblant loop and if you are really in the mood take the Northern Transcanada over to Rouyn-Noranda then 101 down towards North Bay.

The ride from Quebec City to Toronto is mind numbing and Montreal traffic horrific. Best avoided.
Click to expand...

you don't mess around! I will need to absorb these notes in the next day or so. I might ask for more feedback. Thanks much!
 
nakkers said:
Just be careful at dusk and evenings. The warnings are no joke. Moose are a plenty. Travel during the day, tip a few in the evening, enjoy the local music.
Click to expand...
+1 - I've been to NFLD twice - once by car and once by bicycle. I come from Northern Ontario and used to drive truck -- I've never seen so many moose in my life as I did when there. I would not ride past dusk! Otherwise, you are going to see one of the most underrated provinces in the country and meet some of the nicest folks in the world! Enjoy!!
 
Chaos said:
So, I have my route tentatively planned. Here is the rough itinerary. Total time: 3 weeks. Leaving Aug 10ish.

Gonna take about 8 days to get from Toronto to Sydney NS, via USA (PA, CT, MA, ME). Here is the route there:

http://goo.gl/maps/IgSIf

Highlights include:
Highway 6 in PA
Highway 7 in CT
State Road 2 in MA
US Highway 1 in ME
State Road 9 in ME
Border Cross from ME to NB
Ferry from Sydney to Port-aux-Basques
Highway 1 in NL inc. 5 days in NL total (with ferry back to NS)

Here is the return route - http://goo.gl/maps/1RB77

Ferry from Argentia to Sydney (long ride, but it gives me a day off the bike)

8 days for the ride home. Highlights include:
Calbot Trail
Gaspe Peninsula

Now, at this point, I'm not sure whether to just blast it home, or add some more of the US via NH, VT and/or NY.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Lots of better road vs HYW 6.
Or you can skip PA to go North to go to Adirondacks (Whiteface Mountain, Tracy Road), Vermont and a side trip to Mt. Washington in New Hampshire
If you want to cut some time and explore South west side of Nova Scotia, consider taking the Ferry from St John to Digby (is this still available??)

From personal experience, NFLD is a great place that need more time to explore and expect rain. Gros Morne National Park needs a revisit.
I did not reach St. John NFLD but if I am to do it I'll take the ferry in Port Aux Bausqe drive one way to St. John and take the ferry back to Sydney from Argentia and make sure to visit Northern Tip for the Viking settlement.
(I was really upset not to see a single moose when I was in NFLD).

I'll say 1 week in US - 1 week in NFLD- 1 week in Gaspe.
 
you don't mess around! I will need to absorb these notes in the next day or so. I might ask for more feedback. Thanks much!
Click to expand...

You happened to hit two areas I've been to a number of times ( tho Cape Breton not by mcycle yet )
Happy to help tho Cape Breton had changed a fair bit from a decade ago when we went last year. Hard times I think in the north end of the island.

The Annapolis Valley was a total eye opener tho. ( Evangeline Trail ) Bear River is worth the jaunt - gorgeous spot and a world class crafts gallery in the most unlikely spot.

PA is just plain gorgeous for riding but 6 gets over rated when there are other roads criss crossing the area.
I assume you have this in your research folder???
http://www.motorcycleroads.us
Generally a pretty good guide tho not all the good roads are written up. Most are as indicated.
 
MacDoc said:
You happened to hit two areas I've been to a number of times ( tho Cape Breton not by mcycle yet )
Happy to help tho Cape Breton had changed a fair bit from a decade ago when we went last year. Hard times I think in the north end of the island.

The Annapolis Valley was a total eye opener tho. ( Evangeline Trail ) Bear River is worth the jaunt - gorgeous spot and a world class crafts gallery in the most unlikely spot.

PA is just plain gorgeous for riding but 6 gets over rated when there are other roads criss crossing the area.
I assume you have this in your research folder???
http://www.motorcycleroads.us
Generally a pretty good guide tho not all the good roads are written up. Most are as indicated.
Click to expand...

Yup, I've been using motorcycleroads.us. The reason I had originally picked 6 was because it more or less cuts straight across the state. I know there are other/better roads, but I figured 6 was a good start, since at some point, I was going to ride just PA on its own. My route is not set in stone though, so I am open to suggestions still.
 
Advance ferry booking to nfld needed also recommend taking the ferry from ns to port aux Basques...ferry is 8 hours, Not 6, mayb more depending on weather. I recommended doing the west coast of the island, st Anthony, Gros Moore, better to spend more time on the west coast than rush east to see nothing but trees, unless you plan on going off the beaten track, the inlets and ports are where the scenic routes are. Do west coast head towards st johns take the Argentia ferry back to NS, its longer, but atleast you get to see the whole island. 5 days, not longer enough to explore the whole island. My 2 cents. Born and raised there. its bigger than it looks on a map
 
GAR said:
I'd suggest maybe cutting south at Riviere-du-Loop on the way home & follow the St.John's River into New Brunswick, then into Maine, ect and cross at Kingston.

If you haven't seen this here's a link from my trip in 2011-Cabot trail, NFLND, East Coast

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?144826-My-States-East-Coast-Trip
Click to expand...

I had thought of cutting down Riviere-du-loop and going back to the US via hwy 2 and crossing at Houlton ME.

I am also considering going down from Quebec City and back to Maine via hwy 201 in Maine, but this one looks quite deserted. No gas stops visible on Google Maps.


Thanks all for the suggestions. I am working on alternates now, but judging from the feedback here, highway 6 in PA is likely a candidate for removal. PA has a plethora of options.
 
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