I need help planning my first overnight trip

KarGo

KarGo

Well-known member
Hi, I saw another member doing a trip to montreal. That gave me an idea to have a trip of my own. I've only been on half day trips, so I need a little help figuring out how to make my plans a reality.

This is the route I'd like to travel. https://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=T...PtLCKg&oq=eto&dirflg=ht&mra=ls&via=22&t=m&z=8

1) How far does one travel on a single day?
2) How long should this trip take? (1day hiking/ camping, and half day bungee jumping near ottawa, half day in ottawa sightseeing) I don't plan to ride at night, unless I'm coming back to toronto.
3) What should my budget be?
Any other tips are welcome, if anyone would like to join feel free to send me a pm.
 
looks like a fun trip. will you be camping every night or staying in a hotel? a 15 hr ride broken up into 3 days of riding will be nice, especially if this is your first time. leave at 6am, stop for breakfast, stop for lunch, setup camp, go hiking, and repeat.

some people can travel 1000kms in a day, others find 500km too long.
 
Because of the many lovely back roads you should stick with 300-350 KM a day as a guideline

One key is always start early - it's the nicest time of day - winds are calm and on 80-90km roads it's just lovely.

I've done near 1,000 km days and yet one of the best and actually tiring and lone rides was 320 km poking about the Niagara Peninsula and then over to the Dover area looking for all the little roads along the lake .....very enjoyable.

I like 80-100 kph on empty winding two lane - and don't over pack. ;)
 
I've done about 900 km a day which I regretted myself for not doing only 500 km a day. My bike is super comfortable for long distance trips and 900 km was too much.
How to pack is really depends on if you're camping or not. If you want to camp and has no equipment (suitable for travel on motorcycle) then you may stay at motels as a cheaper option. However, if you do plan to travel and camp more often, then I suggest to invest. If you go on you tube and search for how to pack for trip on motorcycle, you will find some interesting tips.
Anyways, good luck with your trip and don't forget to post some pictures of your trip.
Cheers
 
I've ridden to Montreal in a single day, Ottawa too. Takes about 5-7 hours, depending on the number of stops you take and traffic.

Plan to get off the bike and stretch frequently. My Busa is good for about 250km on a tank, but I'll take breaks every 200 or so. Even then you get sore. Plan to leave at near dawn and stop around dinner time.

Also, looking at your map, I see that you're taking a route through Algonquin park, but for the northern half of your trip, why not hit Renfrew and take 132, 41, 28 to Bancroft and then 118? 169 from port carling is also nice. A lot of nice roads up around there.
 
1. all depends on rider and bike. I've done 500+ km days on my 250 and it gets tiring, but it isn't too bad. Typically stop to stretch every 250-300km. If you plan on camping on your own, depending on site it can get pricey as camping in Ontario isn't very cheap (provincial parks wise). As for your route back I would HIGHLY recommend doing the 141-632-118 loop near Huntsville as it's actually a very fun ride and will add about an hour or so and MUCH more fun than 11. When are you planning on doing this? I might be up for it depending on timing and work. As for packing, set out everything you think you need, and then come back to it in a day and start removing things from the list. I did that, and still had a lot left but ended up using everything besides the emergency tire / repair kits. And don't forget your rain gear!11141-
 
Thanks for all the good advices.
So i've decided:
Day 1- ride to algonquin, set up camp and go for a hike rest of the day.
Day 2- Start riding towards ottawa, bungee jump, and head to ottawa for the night. (motel or hostel)
Day 3- Parliament hill tour/ sightseeing, head back to Toronto.

Busabob, thats a nice route via bancroft. Thanks,

mimico_polak, Thanks for the tip. I'm planning to do this on the upcoming long weekend. I'd highly appreciate it, if someone with experience came. I also pm'd you.

I'm slightly worried about bears and other dangerous animals while camping. Is it safe for me to try 'back country' camping solo?
 
You'll be safe camping in Algonquin.....you'll have lots and lots of company. In fact you might want to look at availability of campsites on the ontario provincial park website. Any weekend at Algonquin can be booked solid. Some good suggestions about length of days and routes. My suggestion would be to keep you days scheduled below 500k's and stop whenever and wherever....remember part of the joy of riding the bike is when we don't have schedules!
Biggest suggestion would be to keep off of hwy 11 heading on your way home. You'll hit 400 on a long weekend and you'll be stuck. Try 35 south.
Enjoy.
 
Day 2- Start riding towards ottawa, bungee jump, and head to ottawa for the night. (motel or hostel)
Click to expand...
There is a kayak camp not far north of Ottawa that has $10 a night tents with cots...might be a good option since you are already set up and it's a lovely spot....Daught knows which one it is.
 
I pretty much did the same route last Saturday, lol. My Northern route was a bit different (118->28->bogie area) but Algonquin is very scenic. I would suggest sticking very close to the speed limit while on hwy 60 that goes through Algonquin. Bedford Rd is awesome and I thought it's the closest thing to a 'Deal's Gap' type of road that we have here. #300 series near Ottawa where you planned is also fun, but I only did that in a car. there's also rafting near there if you want to do that. Also, Ottawa is boring :)
 
Desert Lake Rd is decent. Has one nice section next to a lake. Otherwise, you're missing out of a lot of the better roads out east.

Last time I did a ride out that way on my DR-Z the rectifier packed up. Still was able to make it home with no lights or dash, and the engine developing a miss.

Bring a basic toolkit with you.
 
Another Idea for a 3 day trip is to stay in one place for both nights of your trip. It will free you of a day of packing/unpacking and you can ride for a day without the extra baggage, the 2nd day usually reserved for the most fun route.
Instead of a big circle , your route will be like a figure 8 with one circle bigger than the other and the neck will be where you will spend both nights.

Have fun don't forget your camera.
 
Thanks, that's something to think about.

I think i'm going to change my plans and drop the algonquin camping for this ride. I spoke to daught about the kayak camp, I might sign up for their 1day rafting.

Saturday - ride to rafting place, camp there for the night.
sunday- rafting all day, camp at the same place.
monday- Explore ottawa for half day, then head back to toronto.

When I have a chance I will try making a map with some of your suggested routes.

I think I might need to get one of those USB outlets for my bike. Where can I buy one locally?
 
KarGo said:
Thanks, that's something to think about.

I think i'm going to change my plans and drop the algonquin camping for this ride. I spoke to daught about the kayak camp, I might sign up for their 1day rafting.

Saturday - ride to rafting place, camp there for the night.
sunday- rafting all day, camp at the same place.
monday- Explore ottawa for half day, then head back to toronto.

When I have a chance I will try making a map with some of your suggested routes.

I think I might need to get one of those USB outlets for my bike. Where can I buy one locally?
Click to expand...


both Princess Auto and Canadian Tire carried one. They wire into your battery directly.
 
The Ottawa is lovely for rafting and kayaking this time of year - I've done it both ways. The water is warm and you can even jump off the raft the do some of the rapids "freestyle" ( with a life jacket of course ).

It's one of the few high volume but warm water rivers. Very safe except in early spring.
But be aware it can get bloody cold this time of year....take layers.
 
You could also get a lighter socket instead of usb, that way it could be more multi-use and run two usbs at the same time.
 
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