The key with the 401 is timing.
Actually, the key with any IBA ride is timing (to the best extent possible) when it comes to any city you need to pass through at any point during the ride honestly.
The reason I went counterclockwise was multiple fold, first that put me through Toronto and out the other side before traffic even began building - it was completely wide open all the way to Windsor, and I was at the border before traffic began building there either - I was across the Ambasador bridge and through customs in 5 minutes flat, before the day trippers were on the road. Then I shot south out of Detroit, mostly clear sailing with moderate traffic. Toledo was outskirts only. I missed the morning rush in Cleveland. Outskirts only through buffalo on the I90, and Syracuse wasn’t too big of a concern, I hit only light traffic there.
My biggest concern honestly was the border coming back across at Ganonoque, but it was only a 5 minute wait.
Another reason I opted to go west to start was the critter concern, definitely less chance of experiencing anything (IMHO) during the first 4ish hours in the dark going west vs east - I’d have vern headed down the 81 towards Syracuse still in the dark, and that’s a bad stretch for wildlife given the way that highway is with the huge forested centre medians. That’s also one of the reasons I prefer the slab for an IBA ride honestly to begin with however - still far less chance of any unwanted wildlife interactions, or if there is going to be any, you’ve got more chance of avoidance versus something popping out of the bush 10 feet off the road.
Actually, the key with any IBA ride is timing (to the best extent possible) when it comes to any city you need to pass through at any point during the ride honestly.
The reason I went counterclockwise was multiple fold, first that put me through Toronto and out the other side before traffic even began building - it was completely wide open all the way to Windsor, and I was at the border before traffic began building there either - I was across the Ambasador bridge and through customs in 5 minutes flat, before the day trippers were on the road. Then I shot south out of Detroit, mostly clear sailing with moderate traffic. Toledo was outskirts only. I missed the morning rush in Cleveland. Outskirts only through buffalo on the I90, and Syracuse wasn’t too big of a concern, I hit only light traffic there.
My biggest concern honestly was the border coming back across at Ganonoque, but it was only a 5 minute wait.
Another reason I opted to go west to start was the critter concern, definitely less chance of experiencing anything (IMHO) during the first 4ish hours in the dark going west vs east - I’d have vern headed down the 81 towards Syracuse still in the dark, and that’s a bad stretch for wildlife given the way that highway is with the huge forested centre medians. That’s also one of the reasons I prefer the slab for an IBA ride honestly to begin with however - still far less chance of any unwanted wildlife interactions, or if there is going to be any, you’ve got more chance of avoidance versus something popping out of the bush 10 feet off the road.
