Maritimes trek-any tips?

[kbnesbitt]

I'm planning to ride out to the east coast from Ontario next month, and I'm trying to take everything into account. As I don't want to wear myself out, I'm trying to plan a route which doesn't take me too far out of my comfort zone for mileage (6-700km/day) My current itinerary for riding is as follows:

Day 1: Eastern Ontario-Quebec City/Rimouski
Day 2: Somewhere in Quebec-Prince Edward Island
Day 3: PEI-Halifax
Day 4: Halifax-Truro, via Hwy 103/101
Day 5: Truro-St. John NB
Day 6: St. John-New Hampshire/Vermont
Day 7: NH/VT/Northern NY/Ontario

There are a number of rest days built in to this trip, as well as a few stays in comfortable beds. There are a few days where I will be using a tent, so any suggestions are appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

 

[collingsbob]

I'm planning to ride out to the east coast from Ontario next month, and I'm trying to take everything into account. As I don't want to wear myself out, I'm trying to plan a route which doesn't take me too far out of my comfort zone for mileage (6-700km/day) My current itinerary for riding is as follows:

Day 1: Eastern Ontario-Quebec City/Rimouski
Day 2: Somewhere in Quebec-Prince Edward Island
Day 3: PEI-Halifax
Day 4: Halifax-Truro, via Hwy 103/101
Day 5: Truro-St. John NB
Day 6: St. John-New Hampshire/Vermont
Day 7: NH/VT/Northern NY/Ontario

There are a number of rest days built in to this trip, as well as a few stays in comfortable beds. There are a few days where I will be using a tent, so any suggestions are appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

I’m riding from the Ottawa airport on August 16th overnight s/e of Sherbrook to Bangor, ferry to Yarmouth, ride to Liverpool via Digby..4 days in Liverpool then home to Winnipeg through Maine, south of Sherbrook to Bancroft/Huntsville/Parry Sound/SSM…
It looks to me that your route uses the Trans-Canada..the fastest, most boring way to get there..Your route home will be more interesting and safer due to the lack of tractor trailers.
I would make any reservations that you can now - hotels/motels/B&B’s book up fast at this time of year.

 

[paul_f]

You have listed seven days but have mentioned rest days so what is the total number of days allotted for your adventure? As well, what do you plan to see or do in the Maritimes?

It’s getting late so I’ll give suggestions tomorrow.

 

[skibum69]

I could tell you about Newfoundland...

 

[paul_f]

kbnesbitt,​

I have ridden four times, driven twice, to our Maritime Provinces. Twice I have gone through the US, the rest along the St. Lawrence, always along the south shore. The locals have told me the north shore road is more scenic, where one takes a ferry across the St. Lawrence at Bai Comeau to the south shore. Unfortunately in 2011, a bridge on the north shore was washed out eliminating that choice for us.

The Trans Canada across New Brunswick? Sure but only on the way home. You’d missing a great ride and scenery if you were to bypass the Gaspé Pennisula. I actually prefer this area to the famous Cabot Trail. That does not mean skipping the C. Trail, but when you ride, ride counter-clockwise on the trail to make exiting to and from the lookout points that much safer.

Before leaving the region, Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park in New Brunswick is certainly worth a visit.

Halifax has many interesting sites to visit; the Martiime Museum, Pier 9, the Legislature and often tours of Cdn naval ships docked at port. Of course just outside of Halifax, you should not miss of the scenic Peggy’s Cove and Lighthouse.

While on Cape Breton Island, it would be a shame to miss touring Alexander Graham Bell Museum and not far away is the partially rebuilt French Fortress Louisbourg; always worth a visit. Also in the village of Louisbourg is a great little restaurant and an intimate, live theatre with local Celtic acts and singing. There is also a trailer park in this village that has an area set aside for camping. As well, there is a guided tour of a former coal mine nearby; forget the name but certain the locals can tell you where.

My favourite place to camp on Cape Breton Island is a campground in the community of Meat Cove. The restaurant there makes the best ever clam chowder. The views of the ocean and cliffs are outstanding; the nighttime sky even more so! (Don't put your tent too close to the edge of the cliff.)

Feel free to enter PEI at no charge, either by ferry or by bridge. Of course there is a small payment required to leave the island by either method. Use one to arrive and the other to exit. Both the coast and inland roads offer great scenery.

I recommend when travelling in either Nova Scotia (but not necessary on Cape Breton Island) and coastal roads of PEI, have your tires slightly over inflated as not all of the roads are as smooth as we’d prefer.

I always take my time getting to and travelling around the Maritimes, but when it is time to go home, I do take the Trans Canada Highway. I either camp or motel at Amherst, N.S., very near to the N.B. border. Typically I depart at 6:30 a.m. (usually on a Saturday) and ride a 1,000 km to Three Rivers for the night. I leave on Sunday morning again at 6:30 and arrive home by late afternoon. In your case, with home being in the Ottawa area, your trip would a much shorter ride.

We were supposed to visit Nfld in 2014 as part of our trip, but when the clutch gave out, the delay cancelled that part of the ride.

I have never tired of visiting our eastern Maritime provinces.

Putting the Maritimes or Nova Scotia or Cape Breton Island or PEI into the search engine above should bring up many past threads regarding this area.

Enjoy the ride, the scenery and the friendliness of the East Coasters!

Paul

 

[kbnesbitt]

Paul, I have around 11-12 days allocated for the trip, but a chunk of my downtime is devoted to family activities. Lucky for me, I can send some of my luggage with relatives, so I don't have to overload the RT. I am hoping to get some riding in during those days along the NB coastline, though.

I looked at the maps for Gaspe and the Cabot Trail, but I don't have the time on this trip. I'm hopeful that this trip will be one of many to come, and can take the time that these areas deserve. Fortunately, the Bluenose is in the area on the days I am in the Halifax area, so there is something else to look forward to seeing! I'm also staying at a friend's place near the Bay of Fundy for a day, so I plan to do as much sightseeing as I can fit in to my schedule.

Bob, that sounds like a great trip. As much as I would LOVE to avoid the Trans Canada (especially through Montreal), the Autoroute seems to give me the best chance to get to the Maritimes quickly. I haven't firmed up my last days, so I may end up heading north through Vermont and cruise through the Eastern Townships. I haven't been to any of these places in a long time, so it will be an interesting journey!

Safe travels, and thank you for the tips!

Ken

 

[paul_f]

Kbnesditt,

I should have mentioned that if you take TransCanada route through Montreal at 8:00 am on a Sunday morning, you will be almost the only vehicle on the road.

Have a good trip!

 

[collingsbob]

Paul, I have around 11-12 days allocated for the trip, but a chunk of my downtime is devoted to family activities. Lucky for me, I can send some of my luggage with relatives, so I don't have to overload the RT. I am hoping to get some riding in during those days along the NB coastline, though.

I looked at the maps for Gaspe and the Cabot Trail, but I don't have the time on this trip. I'm hopeful that this trip will be one of many to come, and can take the time that these areas deserve. Fortunately, the Bluenose is in the area on the days I am in the Halifax area, so there is something else to look forward to seeing! I'm also staying at a friend's place near the Bay of Fundy for a day, so I plan to do as much sightseeing as I can fit in to my schedule.

Bob, that sounds like a great trip. As much as I would LOVE to avoid the Trans Canada (especially through Montreal), the Autoroute seems to give me the best chance to get to the Maritimes quickly. I haven't firmed up my last days, so I may end up heading north through Vermont and cruise through the Eastern Townships. I haven't been to any of these places in a long time, so it will be an interesting journey!

Safe travels, and thank you for the tips!

Ken

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