Help get Randy to Nova Scotia

[RTRandy]

Well it's the first of 2006 and I want to officially kick of my ride plan to Nova Scotia hopefully in early to mid July.

The last two summers I've headed northwest to Idaho, Washington, and Montana by way of Colorado and New Mexico and I've been wanting to try going Northeast this year.

I'm hoping to get information covering several aspects:

ROUTE INFORMATION

It looks like a good way to get there coming from Dallas is through Kentucky and West Virginia and then up through Pennsylvania, up state NY, and across Vermont and NH to get to eastern Maine. The other alternative is to run further north across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio. I can also come home a different way to try other suggested roads

I'm looking for any suggestion as to good roads to take from anyone familiar with those states. I can easily find the fastest routes to get there and ride the big slab, but this is about the journey and finding great roads and places to see along the way. Hopefully I can find good roads that still allow me to make decent time especially in the heat of July

I would welcome suggested roads, good places to dine or spend the night. I'm not saying I won't camp, but I'm finding I'm more of a motel kind of guy after long days in the saddle.

NOVA SCOTIA INFORMATION

OK, so whats a good way to get across to Nova Scotia from Maine?

I've heard about some cool ferry boats that take you from Maine though I don't know where they depart. What's the trick?
Do you need reservations long in advance? Are some ferries better than others? Does it take all night so you can sleep on these things?

What about heading to northern Maine and riding there ? Too much time?
Speaking of time, I'm going to shoot for 18 to 20 days from home if that can work.

LEGAL QUESTIONS

What documents will I need? Passport? Bike title? How long should I plan for border crossings?

AND FINALLY NOVA SCOTIA

Nova Scotia looks like it can be covered in a few days ? .
I would welcome any suggestions as to where to stay, ride and what to see. I prefer paved roads whenever possible since I'll be on an RT and not a GS.

Once I know how to plan this trip, I can hopefully make the Vermont rally either heading up or on the way home.

Appreciate any suggestion and thanks in advance for the advise.

 

[kbasa]

Don't miss the Cabot Trail.

New England riding? How much time do you have?

 

[dancogan]

Go to the website for Nova Scotia. I don't have the bookmark, but it's the province's own website and has lots of great info, including info about ferries from Maine. It also has great routes marked out. Send for their tourist info, which will probably take 6-8 weeks to arrive. It's filled with good stuff. Like KBasa said, you don't want to miss the Cabot Trail, out on the eastern part of Cape Breton Island, which is the eastern part of NS.

 

[Ridemuch]

You should go in sept. and head to Cape Breton for the 1st North American TT race.As for the fairy to take you to NS it's called "The Cat" and I think it go's to Yarmoth,NS. from Manie.

 

[tourunigo]

Well it's the first of 2006 and I want to officially kick of my ride plan to Nova Scotia hopefully in early to mid July.

The last two summers I've headed northwest to Idaho, Washington, and Montana by way of Colorado and New Mexico and I've been wanting to try going Northeast this year.

I'm hoping to get information covering several aspects:

ROUTE INFORMATION

It looks like a good way to get there coming from Dallas is through Kentucky and West Virginia and then up through Pennsylvania, up state NY, and across Vermont and NH to get to eastern Maine. The other alternative is to run further north across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio. I can also come home a different way to try other suggested roads

I'm looking for any suggestion as to good roads to take from anyone familiar with those states. I can easily find the fastest routes to get there and ride the big slab, but this is about the journey and finding great roads and places to see along the way. Hopefully I can find good roads that still allow me to make decent time especially in the heat of July

I would welcome suggested roads, good places to dine or spend the night. I'm not saying I won't camp, but I'm finding I'm more of a motel kind of guy after long days in the saddle.

NOVA SCOTIA INFORMATION

OK, so whats a good way to get across to Nova Scotia from Maine?

I've heard about some cool ferry boats that take you from Maine though I don't know where they depart. What's the trick?
Do you need reservations long in advance? Are some ferries better than others? Does it take all night so you can sleep on these things?

What about heading to northern Maine and riding there ? Too much time?
Speaking of time, I'm going to shoot for 18 to 20 days from home if that can work.

LEGAL QUESTIONS

What documents will I need? Passport? Bike title? How long should I plan for border crossings?

AND FINALLY NOVA SCOTIA

Nova Scotia looks like it can be covered in a few days ? .
I would welcome any suggestions as to where to stay, ride and what to see. I prefer paved roads whenever possible since I'll be on an RT and not a GS.

Once I know how to plan this trip, I can hopefully make the Vermont rally either heading up or on the way home.

Appreciate any suggestion and thanks in advance for the advise.

Only got a couple of minutes here and can get back later but go to this site
http://www.motorcycletourguidens.com/ and order their book (free) It is the most valuable (along with the Dept of Tourism info) little book and about the size of the MOA Anonomous book. Also, Nova Scotia in "a few days"? Good luck on that one! The ferries don't really save you anything but will cost you quite a bit. However, they can provide yet another interesting experience and will introduce you to parts of NS that you might not have seen. choiceschoiceschoices!! A few days (daze)? Nada. But come and enjoy. BTW if you can not do Cabot Trail both ways then go counter clockwise. Don't forget lovely downtown Meatcove. -Bob

 

[Voni]

Go to the website for Nova Scotia. I don't have the bookmark, but it's the province's own website and has lots of great info, including info about ferries from Maine. It also has great routes marked out. Send for their tourist info, which will probably take 6-8 weeks to arrive. It's filled with good stuff. Like KBasa said, you don't want to miss the Cabot Trail, out on the eastern part of Cape Breton Island, which is the eastern part of NS.

They even have a special FREE guide for motorcyclists ; )

http://novascotia.com/ride/

and a doers and dreamers guide.

One of my very favorite places in the world is the Cabot Trail . . .

Voni
sMiling

 

[RTRandy]

Ok this is great !

I've got Cabat Trail as the "must ride" and I had never even heard of it. I have a feeling this is going to be like the time I blindly trusted someone to ride through Glacier Nat. Park.

Will shoot for Meatcove as well.

I ordered a few of the free travel guides and can't wait for them to show up.

Not sure what Tourung-Bob meant about not saving and actually costing on the ferries. Perhaps it would be like going to San Francisco and riding the trolly? Not something the locals might do, but something worth trying at least once?

I've taken a ferry to Victoria in British Columbia and there can be quite a wait
just to get on the thing. Is this like killing a day just to ride it? Still might be worth the experience for sure.

 

[MarkF]

Ok this is great !

I've got Cabat Trail as the "must ride" and I had never even heard of it. I have a feeling this is going to be like the time I blindly trusted someone to ride through Glacier Nat. Park.

I've been told the Gaspe peninsula in Quebec is also a "must ride." It's kinda on the way if you don't take the ferry.

 

[tourunigo]

Randy, CAT is a bit of fun but quite costly. That being said though, the trip up the coast from Yarmouth (either left or right as you go toward Halifax...200miles if you go staight highway...yawn). If you go the coastline and dip into the many (many!!) towns and villages you will be exploring a grand history of peoples and events. Google: rum runner, privateer, Acadian, Loyalist, Black Settlements, MicMac (to use the English version), schooners (ie Bluenose), pirates, buried treasure (ie Oak Island), ..... so much stuff. Oh yes, pubs in Halifax.... so many. Enjoy!

Take the slightly longer (but less expensive) way around (I posted some of this stuff elsewhere in this part of the forum) and you find a range of other interests. Nova Scotia may look small on the map but if you straightened out the coastline we just might be a bit larger than Texas! You will have a memorable trip. Then come back in September for, as previously mentioned, the new TT in Cape Breton ... the Festival of Speed. -Bob

 

[tourunigo]

Randy, here's that other CAT info etc that I previously posted:


Before committing to The Cat you should note that from Bangor,Maine it is 480 miles to the race site when you take the boat. Plus you pay about $130 (plus tax, surcharge etc) each way. Both shores going up to and through Halifax are beautiful destinations in their own right but if the FoS is your immediate focus then you may want to save that for another visit. Now, from Bangor to the race site - taking the 'long way around'- is 567 miles. You haven't really saved any time and end up paying extra for the boat (although boat is a great trip in itself). BTW Randy, the race site is on Cape Breton Island. Look on your map and find Louisbourg to the SE side of northern NS. Ya, check out the experience of Louisbourg... inactive community/fort recreation [/I] (like going back in time).
-Bob

 

[RTRandy]

Ok on Louisbourg and Cape Breton. Any good motels to try and spend the night there?

Not sure if we can squeeze in Gaspe Peninsula as Mark F suggested, but have it noted as a good destination. We'll see. Not sure how long that takes from Nova Scotia.

Just curious; Has anyone taken the ferry from Sydney to that big island north east of Nova Scotia. Is that Labrador ?

 

[tourunigo]

Whoa there fella! That "big island" is grand land (Province) of Newfoundland - Labrador. And you thought that you had almost too much fun in Cape Breton! If you think Gaspe is a bit off the path then save Nfld for another day. The west side is a wonderful journey back to the time of the Vikings. Do not do motels; do B&Bs. But, if you want to head east to St John's then you're looking at 600 miles with bump stops (moose). However, there is another ferry that goes to St John's from Sydney. Really depends on what you want (city or rural) and how much time you have. Oh yes, you really should have a fancy for black rum

Overall Randy, I would say sit down at your computer and Goggle everything while looking at a good map. Send away for material and make yer choices. Now..... back to my "honey do" list!
-Bob

 

[sheridesabeemer]

Carry your passport it's the easiest way to go. Also call your insurance carriers and ask for a Canadian Proof of Insurance card, it's good for one season. Keep the card in your passport, they like to see it if and when you get pulled over. Oh yeah and follow the rediculously low speed limits so as to avoid the whole pulling over thing.

I skimmed the other replies, not sure if you said how long you had, but if you have the time, skip the whole ferry thing and enjoy a ride up Nawth in Maine. Some nice places to camp in Holton, ME, which seems like the end of the world, but it's just the end of I95.

While you're in the area you may as well visit the most Easterly point in the USA, West Quoddy Lighthouse, Lubec, ME (why is it called WEST Quoddy?).

As the details emerge let us all know and we can escort you a way!

 

[brooksie]

If you decide to ride all the way (sans Cat), take route 9 out of Bangor and head east towards Calais, Maine. (Captain Nicks in Bangor usually has lobstah specials) The old "airline" route 9 has had extensive repairs lately and would be a nice ride. The ride across New Brunswick into Nova Scotia is easy and the highways are pretty decent. Good luck with your planning! You won't regret the trip

 

[tnk12lt]

Route Info


If you have the chance to take a route a little east of your intended route.
I always recommend taking the Blue Ridge Parkway.

I may be planning a similar trip this July. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread for info too.

 

[RTRandy]

If you decide to ride all the way (sans Cat), take route 9 out of Bangor and head east towards Calais, Maine. (Captain Nicks in Bangor usually has lobstah specials) The old "airline" route 9 has had extensive repairs lately and would be a nice ride. The ride across New Brunswick into Nova Scotia is easy and the highways are pretty decent. Good luck with your planning! You won't regret the trip

I'm going to be highlighting these sugestions on my maps especially anytime the "L" word is used ( Lobster). Route 9 looks good.

After I pass through Calais, it looks like it turns into Route 1 in Canada and I notice in St Johns shows a ferry route across to around Digby, Nova Scotia.
Have you taken it over from there?

 

[RTRandy]

Route Info


If you have the chance to take a route a little east of your intended route.
I always recommend taking the Blue Ridge Parkway.

I may be planning a similar trip this July. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread for info too.

I've heard too many good things about Blue Ridge Parkway and would probably want to try and include a run along it. Where abouts does it start and end??

 

[tourunigo]

I'm going to be highlighting these sugestions on my maps especially anytime the "L" word is used ( Lobster). Route 9 looks good.

After I pass through Calais, it looks like it turns into Route 1 in Canada and I notice in St Johns shows a ferry route across to around Digby, Nova Scotia.
Have you taken it over from there?

Randy, be sure that you don't get St John's, Newfoundland and Saint John, New Brunswick mixed up. Locals tend (appropriately) not to appreciate that. Anyway, boat out of Saint John is a fine ride (check your departure times though - http://www.bayferries.com/ ) Stop for Digby scollops if you can. Nice ride up through Annapolis Valley as you head toward Cape Breton. At this point it's an easy ride to Halifax if you like or just continue onward to the Cape. From Bangor: 90 miles on #9 to Calais border (duty free store at Esso station just before border); 60 miles from border to Saint John; Ferry...;about 150 miles to Halifax - 'road to Cape Breton' turn off (in Sackville, NS) from Digby. From that point it is about a 3-4 hour ride to Sydney, Cape Breton. Oh yes, one more thing, be prepared for taxes higher than you currently experience..... 15 percent. That gets rid of any exchange rate advantage...eh? -Bob

 

[Voni]

I'm going to be highlighting these sugestions on my maps especially anytime the "L" word is used ( Lobster). Route 9 looks good.

I'll never forget the $5 lobster my friend and I bought in a gas station on the Cabot Trail. Later, a picnic overlooking the ocean with lobster. How does life get better than that?

Voni
sMiling

 

[Voni]

If you decide to ride all the way (sans Cat), take route 9 out of Bangor and head east towards Calais, Maine. <snip>

I don't know if it's always so bad, but we were backed up for miles winding through Calais to the border crossing on our return trip. On our way in we took the border crossing just north of Calais and were the only vehicles . . .

Voni
sMiling