East Coast and Newfoundland in June 3 weeks

[MacDoc]

East Coast in June 3 weeks




From the other thread
some ideas

I'm also planning a trip to the East Coast this year. We are going to leave from GTA, head through Albany to Boston, then up the coast to New Brunswick, into Nova Scotia/Cape Breton and then onwards (and eventually home) from there. Here are some of the routes that I'm considering.

Hwy 2 from Albany to Boston was recommended to me by some folks on another forum:
https://goo.gl/maps/FooBwdQdaxD2

Route from Boston to New Brunswick via a short highway section followed by the coastal highway. This route was also recommended to me by the same folks. They suggested not to take hwy 1 the entire way because, with the traffic, it's way too slow.
https://goo.gl/maps/uo4Jtp9Qwi82

Something really interesting that I discovered are the cable ferries north of Saint John. I think they would be a fun thing to add to the adventure so I'll probably use a couple of them (more might start to get a bit tiring).
http://www.discoverthepassage.com/FerriesBrochure.pdf

If you're looking for a place to sleep near Cheticamp, I highly recommend the Yellow Sidecar Inn. My wife and I stayed there a few years ago and we really enjoyed it.
http://www.theyellowsidecarbnb.com/bed-breakfast/

I haven't looked at any interesting routes to get to Cheticamp. We will be staying a night at Fundy National Park and then riding from there to Cheticamp. That'll be a fairly long day so some of it will be the superslab, at least until we get to Cape Breton. That route might look something like this:
https://goo.gl/maps/S2UH1dY87do

We haven't planned our route home yet so please share anything interesting that you find.

thread here

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?195771-Cabot-Trail-through-the-States-route

Kid and I slab on Friday night via 403 to get a jump or wait and leave early Saturday?

I think we should include the July long weekend to scoop an extra day.

I definitely want to do Gaspé this time.

The first 5k
https://goo.gl/maps/HZUa1WRtSPR2



But we would split this by going to NL in the middle
which will add a week

https://goo.gl/maps/unnG7k2r4c72

we do the ferry from Argentia …to Sydney
We MUST book the ferries ahead of time I think tho. ( feed back on this welcome )
I like this route…I’ve never been to Newfoundland



we need to break 1/2 way to St. Johns… ( suggestions welcome along that route for things to see )



https://goo.gl/maps/XDHNzQFXe9J2

Then swing down to PEI

via Confederation Bridge and off via the ferry at the other end...

Do the route along the ocean, Sally's Cove, Wolfeville etc then into the US.

I think total given some side trips ( ie do the whole Cabot Trail properly ) would be in the 8 - 9k km range but maybe more if we stay off the main roads and do the twists in the New England states.

Feed back welcome.... We prefer 450-550 km days - non-slab....700+ on slab. We will not be camping.

 

[LePhillou]

Ferry faks me over everytime
One adult = $115 one way
Motorcycle = $100 one way
So maybe you'll want to consider not going through argentia and only doing the port aux basques cause that cuts the prices i just gave you in (at least) half
http://www.marineatlantic.ca/en/plan-your-travel/ferry-rates/Argentia-North-Sydney/
http://www.marineatlantic.ca/en/plan-your-travel/ferry-rates/Port-aux-Basques-North-Sydney/

But that's my only tip so far

 

[MacDoc]

Thanks - can't find motorcycles listed anywhere. BC ferries bikes are much cheaper than cars.

 

[LePhillou]

Thanks - can't find motorcycles listed anywhere. BC ferries bikes are much cheaper than cars.

its there, passenger and then vehicles, once you expand vehicles, scroll down and i think it says motorcycles and atv
argentia is 100$ per bike and port aux basques i think is 50

 

[Motorcycle Mike]

My experience with the Newfie ferry -- Although I was going from L'anse Aux Meadows to St. Johns, I still elected to take the ferry from Port Aux Basques because I'd rather ride than sit on a boat -- and I took the night ferry and slept on the boat so as to not waste a day.

You definitely need to pre-book the ferry. I called in to book when I was on the Rock and had to spend an extra day because they were full. I asked about showing up and getting on a cancellation list in case there is a no show, and they stated they don't do that. If you do miss the boat I think you forfeit a good chunk of change as well. Like an airport, I think they need you to show up a couple hours early.

All in all, after dealing with the ferry at Blanc Sablon and then Port aux Basques with trying not to pre-book as I didn't know where I would be when, I felt like ferry companies hold Newfies hostage and am glad I don't live on an island. Booking ferries takes away from the spontaneous nature of rides... but is an unfortunate necessity if you don't want to waste a lot of time.... I wasted pretty much a whole day dealing with the Blanc Sablon ferry...

Also... on the Rock, that West coast especially Gros Morne is beautiful. You should see it. If I were up that way I would make sure to pre-book both legs on the Blanc Sablon ferry and ride in Labrador up to Mary's Harbour and back... also a nice ride and pretty much all paved I think. Even stay a night in Blanc Sablon...

 

[MacDoc]

excellent info tho kid blew up his gaming computer last night and is rethinking what he has money for ....sigh

Nothing stopping me going solo tho and then I can ride at my own pace.....which is often far further than his ( I get up early ).

We booked the Inside Passage Ferry in BC for the same reason - it did anchor the trip as we had to be somewhere at a specific time.
Worked out okay as we needed a rest day after kid froze riding along the ocean ....wet legs and hands in 10 degree rain with no place to stop and get warm for about 200 km.
Not so fun - at least I was dry but had to keep my helmet visor on with one hand. Was glad to see our AirBnB and we took a rest day.

 

[Baggsy]

I'd stick to the coast if you're touristing, and do Newfoundland another time when you have 2 weeks or so for just it.

 

[statsman]

Three weeks is enough time to do the route you are suggesting, but it doesn't leave a lot of time to see the sights.
Except for the ferry, I wouldn't pre book much since you don't really know how long you will be in each province.
Essentially head out with a plan, but nothing set in stone except for the day of the ferry crossing.
After 10 days on the road, time to turn around and head home.

 

[TwistedKestrel]

By this point you will have already heard something like this, but be aware that your northern leg is ultra tedious.

excellent info tho kid blew up his gaming computer last night and is rethinking what he has money for ....sigh

I can probably fix it cheaply, if he can't suss it out. Also slap him around a little, these trips are not easy to put together and make happen

 

[Baggsy]

Cabot trail is under construction: http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?196031-Cabot-Trail-under-construction

 

[Andar]

By this point you will have already heard something like this, but be aware that your northern leg is ultra tedious.



I can probably fix it cheaply, if he can't suss it out. Also slap him around a little, these trips are not easy to put together and make happen

He'll be fine. Him and I have been building our own PCs for years now. Just needs some time and patience.

 

[MacDoc]

His mom is footing a new machine - so we are back on. We are used to tedious ...music, audio books...all good.

This is good news if the pricing is right

I thought the Yarmouth ferry was closed.

The Province of Nova Scotia has announced that our contract to provide the ferry service between Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Portland, Maine will not be renewed for the 2016 season. We would like to thank the people of Nova Scotia, our valued employees, our tourism partners, suppliers and, most of all, our customers who enjoyed sailing on Nova Star during the last two operating seasons. We sincerely appreciate your support.

We were intending to do the ferry further north across the bay of Fundy.

Hmmm looks like the Yarmouth ferry might be back on...

The new service is expected to run from June 15 to Sept. 30 with daily departures from Yarmouth and Portland, Maine, at 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. respectively and returning to Yarmouth at 9 p.m.
The ferry can carry 282 cars and 866 passengers.

N.S. tourism industry celebrates return of Yarmouth ferry | CTV Atlantic News

That just fits our timing but depends on the price. We would miss the nice coastal ride to Bar Harbor.

Cool ferry

•••

Three weeks is enough time to do the route you are suggesting, but it doesn't leave a lot of time to see the sights.
Except for the ferry, I wouldn't pre book much since you don't really know how long you will be in each province.
Essentially head out with a plan, but nothing set in stone except for the day of the ferry crossing.
After 10 days on the road, time to turn around and head home.

Yes that's the plan....he's not much on sight seeing and I've been there many times but not by motorcycle.
NL is a bucket list item for me so it's that or a James Bay Road redo and prefer new territory. If we spend extra time it might be at Gros Morne

https://goo.gl/maps/FcPgHCQpibu

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/nl/grosmorne/index.aspx

 

[adv_round]

I did NL last year. It was unusually cold (it never got over 15c).
Did both ferries overnight - when you're on the road, it is good to catch a break... Cabins on the ferry sell out really fast, definitely book ahead if you want one. Also, my ferry was 10 hours late leaving Argentia (rough seas and high winds - couldn't dock)... It can mess-up your timing. Not much food on the ferry or terminal (vending machines were empty after 2 hours, same with ferry kitchen) - this was Argentia overnight one... No booze either...
I brought strap loops and I'm glad I did - straps you get on the ferry are heavy duty, and would scratch your bike on contact.

 

[adv_round]

Photo like the one above is all you see on Gross Morne brochures - but only way to get to top of the fjord is to book a guided tour with Clem... It was sold out when I was there, and didn't do it. Boat tour of West Brook Pond - pre-book it and do it - it is the next best thing.
Technically, you can clime fjords on your own, but need a navigation certificate, and still need to book a spot on water taxi to take you to the end of the pond and pick you up... (if you go this way, don't bother with boat tour - obviously)

 

[MacDoc]

all excellent info. As we did out west we will have our Scott jackets which are 4 season and gear good down to 12 or so. I have heated grips as well.

We should be late June on NL but yeah - it's chillier than further south.

 

[Newfiezedder]

I would recommend taking some time away from the Hwy1, try the loop up around Lewisporte (340 to 330 to 320), or turn off to the 233 to the 230 to Bonavista and loop back on the 235 (This would add about 2 hours) . Two biggest things to watch for would be gravel on the roads (most shoulders are not paved off the TCH) and Newfie Speedbumps aka Moose around dusk and dawn they seem to be most active. You should check out NL site too www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/PlanYourTrip?gclid=CP2Ngt6_n8wCFdBZhgodCDUGPA,they have guides you can download or have mailed

 

[MacDoc]

We have decided to skip Newfoundland and do a loop up to Rouyn Noranda and then across the top on the northern Transcanada ..

https://goo.gl/maps/ReDpkQgpBco

3-4 days to Gaspe. Some slab to North Bay and some nice secondary highways up to Rouyn in Quebec then the TC across is pretty and not busy.

Might be slower across from St. Agathe - to QC on the secondary roads.

Mostly decided on the gear ...just added tank bags and cup holder. We are down about 30 liters in space from the West coast trip so have to pack careful.

Not sure where we can put some fuel yet. Both bikes are limited range compared to the Wee. It can go inside my old tank bag that is doubling as a top case on the CBF. It's about the same as getting on my KLR with the topcase in Australia as the CBF is much lower and I can just swing my boot past the case.

This year it's the cheap skate tour....no new gear.

 

[MacDoc]

Nice to have a 55" screen to work the first week on ....can see the complete week including the names.

3600 km or so in 7 days then take a couple of days in Nova Scota/New Brunswick. Kid wants to tidal bore raft.
That works out to just over 500 km a day. We did that today ....kid was pretty beat and one of us ran out of gas 2 km from fuel.
My fault...didn't listen to the kid

Biggest concern for this trip is fuel..thinking I might take the Vstrom, more luggage including a spot for spare fuel more range, better seat....less fun....

 

[MacDoc]

Yeah ...taking the Vstrom ...renewed the sticker, switched the insurance and put the CBF up for sale
Upright seating felt better and quieter on the highway but not quite flat foot on it tho it's certainly nearly so. Quite a bit more range and room for the spare fuel can we used last year.
Have built in power and heated grips...tho no throttle lock at the moment. Satisfied with that decision tho will miss the smooth quick beast.

 

[MacDoc]

Got the Wee sorted - lowered a bit and boots resoled a little thicker. Throttle lock sorted too - cheapy Go Cruise I had gripped the heated grips well....it'll do.

Broke down and snagged one of the newer design Air Hawks and seems pretty good. Need a long ride to be certain.

Getting close now and weather looking good this far out - mid 20s in Rouyn

https://goo.gl/maps/sNEse27Hj5M2

Since it's the long weekend in Quebec we booked Air BnB on the first weekend complete with hot tub
https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/8502734

And kid is going to play hooligan in high powered go - karts
go kart http://www.lescircuitsval-va.com/crbst_4.html 5285 Boulevard Labelle, Val-Morin, QC J0T 2R0

Nice spot as well for $45
https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/12209206?eluid=1&euid=7d1d88f6-4a16-bf0b-959f-01a578dbfabf