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Long weekend trip ideas?
- Thread starter mac_135
- Start date
Carmen
Well-known member
It's hard to recommend a destination not knowing where you've already been. However, Pennsylvania, The Adirondacks can be done in three days at a relaxed pace. West Virginia really requires at least 4 full days if you don't want to be rushed.
I was in PA last weekend for 4 days. PA is a nice destination, however, it's not in the same league as The Adirondacks, Vermont, New Hampshire, Virginia, or West Virginia. While the roads in PA are nice the area lacks the wow factor of the other places mentioned here because of its lower elevations.
Btw, PA seems to have an overwhelmingly large percentage of Harley riders, most of whom don't wear helmets. As well most of these riders are older guys and gals. Its quite an entertaining spectacle.
I was in PA last weekend for 4 days. PA is a nice destination, however, it's not in the same league as The Adirondacks, Vermont, New Hampshire, Virginia, or West Virginia. While the roads in PA are nice the area lacks the wow factor of the other places mentioned here because of its lower elevations.
Btw, PA seems to have an overwhelmingly large percentage of Harley riders, most of whom don't wear helmets. As well most of these riders are older guys and gals. Its quite an entertaining spectacle.
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daught
Well-known member
If I am a fan of "real mountain" which one of those do you recommend most?
Carmen
Well-known member
The most majestic mountain I've seen in the East is Mount Washington at 6,222 ft. It has a vertical rise of over 4500 feet. However its a two day ride. The Adirondacks are a one day ride. Whiteface Mountain is the second nicest peak in the area at 4800 feet, it has 3500 feet of vertical rise. Both peaks have the Wow Factor. Vermont ranks third in the area for elevation. Their highest peak is Mount Mansfield at 4395 feet. Vermont should also be included in a trip to the Adirondacks since its very close.
Back roads or Highway 2 out to Shannonville, to watch the races.
mac_135
Well-known member
Great responses thanks guys. I think I'm leaning towards north of Ottawa/Montreal or down to PA.. did route 6 last year and wasn't all that impressed. Any suggestions for either? Also might consider Adirondacks again, we passed through on our way out east last year but didn't really get the full experience. Any must ride roads there? Thanks again!
BeastieGirl
Well-known member
Some friends and I are actually looking at hitting the Adironacks or Ottawa area this weekend. I have friends who live in Warrensburg, just outside of Lake George so know that area fairly well. In that area, I'd really recommend 9N from Lake George up to Ft Ticonderoga - scenic and twisty, not tightly technical but you can do some fine corners once you know the route. After that if inclined you can take the Ferry over to Vermont and hit VT 17 - which is a little more scenice and a lot more technical in spots. Also in the Lake George area, 8, 28 and 30 - all kind of intersect - when I get home from work I'll pull out my maps to give more accurate directions - there are some other more northern roads I can see in my head - around Lake Placid area. Because I'm in Hamilton, I usually go across at Queenston-Lewiston and then hit I-90 east for the first bit at least, but sometimes I've also gone 401 and crossed over at Lansdowne - coming out around Alexandria Bay - much easier border crossing in terms of volume.
Also keeping an eye on the weather forecast for both destinations.
Also keeping an eye on the weather forecast for both destinations.
My only caution might be that there is still some flood issues in NY State.
If it's warm I'd vote for Ottawa and north of Montreal....might get out for 2 days....still negotiating....there was a nice 500 km loop laid out here earlier and 533 in the Matawa area further up the Ottawa looks like a great way to get there.
If it's warm I'd vote for Ottawa and north of Montreal....might get out for 2 days....still negotiating....there was a nice 500 km loop laid out here earlier and 533 in the Matawa area further up the Ottawa looks like a great way to get there.
BeastieGirl
Well-known member
In all my bike trips I've only called it a day early twice - both times because of thunderstorms in the mountains. They are usually short but violent - and they move around so you can never be sure you've ridden out of one. The one in Vermont closed the highway not long after I got off it and luckily for me I got the last room at the inn - after that they were turning people away. In any event - running east on I-90 - take a couple of exits past Syracuse, I take exit 33, 12 north towards S Trenton - 12 turns into 28 and you can run it all the way to Blue Mountain Lake - then it heads back slightly south to Warrensburg. Also sometimes take 30 (south) at Indian Lake - run through Speculator, around Wells. You can keep running 9N up around Lake Champlain - or down from Lake Champlain, depending on where you start. 30 north from Indian Lake intersects with 3 at Tupper Lake - 3 runs east to Lake Placid. That's a small list - you can spend many days booting around the lakes and mountains.
nyx
Well-known member
So perhaps I should still go??? The forecast was changed to thunderstorms only on sunday now, but still rainy every day. It would be nice not to ride in a rain at least one of the days.
I got next weekend off as well, with no thunderstorms, but the temp drops to 10C already!
I was staying at saranac lake and can cancel until tomorrow 4pm.
Carmen
Well-known member
I would cancel this weekends plans for Lake Placid. You can still try to make it later in September. Weather calls for 80-100% chance of rain the whole weekend. Rather than abort your plans completely perhaps you can go in a different direction where the weather is better.
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/usny0778
It might be a good weekend to stay in Ontario. Check out the weather in Sudbury this weekend.
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/caon0664
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nyx
Well-known member
I know, I was just so looking forward to crossing the border and heading down to NY. Can't think of anywhere else in ontario I want to go.
Is the weather ususally warmer than 10C later in september? (lake placid) I imagine it must get quite cold in the mountains. I do commute in colder weather, but don't go on long rides.
BeastieGirl
Well-known member
It can go either way. I like to do fall colour runs in that area and I've had weather ranging from heated gear to practically shirt sleeves. One year I went 2nd week in October and the weather was glorious - the next year I went 3rd week in September and was scraping frost off the bike in the mornings.
For long trips I'm an o/c micromanager but for long weekends I'm more of a go-with-the-flow. I'm just going to be packing my bike tonight, check the weather in the morning and decide where I'm heading too.
I have noticed the forecasted percentages for precipitation in that area have been decreasing - once it hits 40% I declare it a clear day and hope for the best - but that's me - my friends have actually declared the weekend a writeoff, so I'm heading out alone. A forecast is just a forecast - I've gambled and won and gambled and lost - and ridden in the pelting rain that wasn't on anybody's radar when I left.
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mac_135
Well-known member
I also heard this recently. Damn. On that note.. looks like North of Ottawa might be the plan.
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