Looking for any and all advice for a trip to Nova Scotia from the US. I was told to take the ferry out of Bar Harbor Maine, but I just looked it up and it is no longer in service. Another is starting from Portland, but no promises. Anyway, I'm in the pre-planning stages for this trip I'm planning to do sometime in Aug 2014. Send me your thoughts
Nova Scotia Trip
- Thread starter Ishirock
- Start date
Did the Trans-Labrador ride in 06 before it was paved by going counter-clockwise thru NF, NS, NB and Maine from Florida. My advise is ride up and stay in Bay of Fundy park and enjoy riding thru Maine. Also don't go in early June and take your time!
Ken A
Ken A
This link maybe helpful. The New England Riders forum is also a grwat place to stop by and ask this question as it is a common trip for them
http://www.newenglandriders.org/BestOfNewEngland/BestByState/NSBestMotorcycling.htm
When I went I skipped the ferry and rode the whole way. Between waiting for the boat, tying down the bike, the ride, disembarking, it is often quiker to ride.
Have a great trip. ::003::
http://www.newenglandriders.org/BestOfNewEngland/BestByState/NSBestMotorcycling.htm
When I went I skipped the ferry and rode the whole way. Between waiting for the boat, tying down the bike, the ride, disembarking, it is often quiker to ride.
Have a great trip. ::003::
A fine trip it was, about 7K miles in a tad over two weeks. Going from sweating my butt off in central Florida to being a bit chilly in the rain & fog in just a few days. Some places were not ready to host/serve a small pack of old farts on adventure machines the first week of June. At least we found food and lodging everywhere thanks to Joe.Kenack said:
IMHO, the Cabot Trail in NS is a most worthwhile excursion, especially the dirt detour we took.
Did this trip last September. Rode all the way, no ferry. Weather was ideal for entire 3 weeks. Upper 60's to low 70's during day and upper 40's to low 50's at night. Camped whole time. Do catch the tide at Bay of Fundy and also ride the entire Cabot Trail. Tide change where we where on the Bay was 44 feet.
Thanks everyone for the great advice. I only have 2 weeks so I'm planning to take the super slab with my bike in my truck to either a friend in Albany, ny or one in New Hampshire. That should give me more seat time in the places I haven't been too. Plan right now is to go in the beginning of August. I will be riding 2 up with the misses and we dig off road. I'm an ol enduro "a" rider, but really hate picking up the blu pig. Will I be OK on the Cabot trail?
Cabot Trail is paved road. Scenery is fantastic.Ishirock said:
Depending on time and place of departure the Coast of ME can be a nice ride, Acadia Nat'l Park ME is a special place to stop w/ the SO, then travel on up to the Bay of Fundy. You could go to St John NB and cross over to NS on the ferry from St John NB to Digby NS then, travel counter clockwise on up the coast of NS to the Cabot Trail. On the way Go to Glace Bay NS and check out the Coal Mine Museum there!! If you have time/interest Prince Edward Island can be a beautiful run w/ the SO, you can catch the ferry to PEI at Pictou/New Glasgow.
Too bad but, my understanding is that the overnight ferry from Yarmouth NS to Portland ME is no longer in service which is how we got back in the old days; seems every yr there is talk of restarting that service.
If you like gravel you can check w/ the guys at http://www.graveltravel.ca/ for detailed info up that way.
Cheers, dean ::001::
Too bad but, my understanding is that the overnight ferry from Yarmouth NS to Portland ME is no longer in service which is how we got back in the old days; seems every yr there is talk of restarting that service.
If you like gravel you can check w/ the guys at http://www.graveltravel.ca/ for detailed info up that way.
Cheers, dean ::001::
Stray Goose
New Member
I did that ridee many years ago. The Calbot Trail is fantastic.
If at all possible, plan your trip just after Labor Day, the weather will be perfect, the bulk of tourist traffic will be gone, and you'll have the roads to your self.
SG
If at all possible, plan your trip just after Labor Day, the weather will be perfect, the bulk of tourist traffic will be gone, and you'll have the roads to your self.
SG
What about the day time temps?Stray Goose said:
Stray Goose
New Member
They were pleasantly cool. Very comfortable riding.
As an indicator, the tree's colors were still weeks what from starting to turn.
Perfect time, summer crowds gone, fall color sightseers still @ home
As an indicator, the tree's colors were still weeks what from starting to turn.
Perfect time, summer crowds gone, fall color sightseers still @ home
Wanderer
New Member
Howdy,
To get the full effect you will need to ride the Cabot Trail in both directions. Also when on the northern end of the trail take the dirt side road down to Meat Cove, worth the ride, there's a campground there that I believe advertised whale watching from your camp site.
Later,
Norm
To get the full effect you will need to ride the Cabot Trail in both directions. Also when on the northern end of the trail take the dirt side road down to Meat Cove, worth the ride, there's a campground there that I believe advertised whale watching from your camp site.
Later,
Norm
backroad badger
New Member
If you go the Cabot Trail and you are "an ole endure rider" you gotta take the blue pig to the end of the earth Meat CoveIshirock said:
If it fits your route and schedule, try to squeeze in Hurricane Mountain Road in New Hampshire on your way to Maine, a paved road you will likely remember. I rode it east-to-west though. I am a large guy and got a bit of air time on my DL1K even laden with 100 pounds or so of gear. It was a yee-ha moment. ???Ishirock said:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=hurrican+mountain+road+new+hampshire&hl=en&ll=44.06736,-71.070042&spn=0.107061,0.260754&sll=28.085866,-82.77853&sspn=0.131456,0.260754&hnear=Hurricane+Mountain+Rd,+New+Hampshire&t=m&z=13
Koinz
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If you end up going to the fortress Of louisburg, be careful on the fleur de lis trail. The road was in bad shape in 2008. The road would end abruptly. We road at night in a misty rain though. Keep your tank full as well.
Meat Cove is cool too. Beautiful escarpments. Had some chowder in the little village.
Meat Cove is cool too. Beautiful escarpments. Had some chowder in the little village.
Dragon997
New Member
I spent a week riding round the East Coast, I didnt make it to Newfoundland, regretting it still, really loved PEI.
I am from Cape Breton and have ridden the Trail often - you'll be fine...slow, but fine...Ishirock said:
August will see you in the midst of tourist season, so reset your mental outlook for low and slow when touring around the Cabot Trail. There are roughly 6 opportunities to pass (legally). Yes, it is that twisty and tight. In reality, there are more opportunities to pass, but not many.
Just get up early and be on the road (maybe by 8am) to beat most of the traffic in areas like the Cabot Trail. The trail is a day drive, with stops for photos, lunch, etc. Maybe a nice 8 hours with time to dawdle.If you have a chance to stop at the Keltic Lodge (which you do not need a national park pass to visit, as the lodge is actually owned by the province. Other areas inside the national park will see you needing a pass if you want to stop and chill a bit, but many simply skip the pass and watch for patrols to avoid tickets. Stopping for a photo won't likely be an issue, but leaving the bike for a couple hours to go on a hike without a pass will net a ticket.
It'll be humid - the Gulf Stream comes up closer to Nova Scotia during the summer months, pushing warm humid air into the region. I lived there until 5 years ago, so am very familiar with summer conditions around Nova Scotia.
Temps can easily reach into the 90s in summer, with the humidity - stay hydrated.
But, the rewards...
Cabot Trail
The South Shore/Lunenburg
Bay of Fundy
Baddeck
Bars and nightlife in Halifax (depending on your timing, you might catch the buskers)
Gas won't be a problem, unless you opt to skip fillups when you're low.
If you come back saying Tim Horton's coffee is some of the best you've ever had, I'll find you and beat you.
Now, the hot chocolate, that's another story! (I order mine online and just finished a mug, in fact.)People are nice and all. Food is fine. If you like seafood, you'll find a slice of heaven.
Now, offroading is a bit more of a challenge. I used to drive Jeeps offroad all around the province. It's true offroading - like deep ruts, steep hills, rocky ledges - the type of stuff a Tenere CAN do, but maybe shouldn't. And if there is any rain, you do not want to try the Tenere in the mud there.
Power lines can be explored as the actual land for powerlines is owned by the government, with the power company leasing space for each power tower. These they have roads along them - just be very, very careful exploring as the conditions I've outlined above exist on many of those "roads" along powerlines.
HUGE fun in a Jeep, but on a 600 pound adventure bike, maybe not so much.I know Halifax will have a Yamaha dealership, and Sydney in Cape Breton (where I grew up and started riding) probably still has one, with a few distributors scattered around in various other communities as well. Just in case you need something specific.
Just don't expect them to have loads of parts on hand.Overall, as so many others have suggested and will suggest, it's a great place to tour. Getting there, plan a ride through New Brunswick and see what that does to your timing. Ferries come and go (pardon the pun) but continents drift slowly enough that riding through NB will always be an option.
It'll consume a day, as I recall, but I know first hand that Northern Maine is absolutely beautiful.Oh, and pack deet. DEET. The flies through Maine and into NS will eat 5 pounds off your body and consume roughly a pint of your blood an hour if left unchecked.
None are large enough to harness and help lift the Tenere if you drop it, but they're close. Like a miniature pony, as opposed to an actual horse. If you could lash TWO or more mosquitoes together, that could work. 
I been planning to do this trip as well and may go this year as well. I live NH, Depending on your route if your riding near by I can ride with you part of the way and show you some good NH roads.
What about Newfoundland?? Has anyone took the ferry over?