Advice: Nova Scotia Trip

[DSKYZD]

I'm currently trying to plan a bike trip to Nova Scotia this coming summer with my Grandfather. Anyone that has advice to offer I'd love to hear it.

It seems the Scotiaprince ferry/cruise out of Portland, Maine is no longer in operation due to mold in their facility. That apparently leaves only The Cat high speed ferry out of Bar Harbor, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia...is that correct?

I wouldn't mind to incorporate the MOA Rally in Burlington, Vermont but I'm not sure that will be possible due to time constraints. Speaking of time, I'd like to Leave on a Friday and come back the following Sunday. That's ten days including travel days. I'm about 1000 miles from Bar Harbor, hopefully we can do that in 2 days. I know, that's one Saddle Sore. How much time would I need to ride the whole Province, ballpark figure? I know I could probably get from one end to the other in one long day and I certainly want to spend some time on Cape Breton Island enjoying the Cabot Trail.

I'm open to advice on a good route north. Avoiding NYC is desirable, but the thought of seeing the city skyline firsthand has it's own appeal.

Kbc68 has a trip report in Great Rides with gorgeous pictures that makes me want to get over to Newfoundland if possible too.

Thanks in advance!


DSKYZD

[machew01]

Brian, you have a chance to ride to Nova Scotia with your grandfather? My advice: don't miss this opportunity!

mac

[Brooksie]

You may want to wait until late summer and take in:
http://www.cdnsuperbike.com/news/05/100605.shtml
A beautiful trip all in all...make sure to do the Cabot Trail!

[wncbmw]

Ah, Nova Scotia. I did 1200 miles in 48 hours to get there two up, so you should be able to do it. Plan on spending at least a day or so in Bar Harbor and do the ride up Cadillac Mountain. Eat lobster at a lobster pound around Bar Harbor. In NS, stick to the coast as much as possible. Visit Peggy's Cove. Cabot Trail is only a little over 100 miles long. Spend the day on it! Or more! And ride it counter clockwise. (They tell all the tourist to ride clockwise to avoid riding on the side with the dropoffs. You would rather deal with the dropoffs than getting behind RVs, right?) Check out the B&Bs. When we were there years ago, they were only a few buck more than camping.

Oh, and take lots of pictures!

I may think of more later.

[RiftonRoadster]

I took a trip last summer to Nova Scotia with a friend on his Nighthawk. I am 500 miles from Bar Harbor and made it there for dinner. All highway the first day.
The next morning we boarded the Cat ferry. A word on that: bikes are stored mid deck on the lower level. Presumably it provides the least jostling of the bikes. I used one strap over the seat, on the kickstand and in gear and everything was just fine. I even went below to check halfway through the trip. The day I went they had PLENTY of wide tie downs.
Day 2 Our destination that night was Halifax. We were delayed in Yarmouth for about an hour. We started going along the coast then abandoned that for hiway 103 when we worked out the time. When you get to Yarmouth you lose an hour. So we got to Halifax at 9:00 pm.
Get gas in Yarmouth.
Day 3 – our destination was Ingonish and the Knotty Pine Cottages. This is about 250 miles from Halifax. Another misty/rainy day. Ingonish’s restaurant closes at 9:00 pm
Day 4 - Best motorcycle day we have ever had. I cannot begin to describe the scenery, it
Is an motorcyclists absolute must do trip. From Ingonish we were at Meat Cove in no Time. The ride out to Meat Cove was on dirt road as you all know. Go there and be Blown away, then tell everyone you rode out as far as you can go without riding into the ocean. It is worth it. It was our destination and from my house it was 1050 miles.
The day only got better from there. We rode around cape Breton counter-clockwise.
The weather was a perfect mid seventies with bright sunshine. The mountains meet the ocean. We had lunch in Cheticamp – which was a nice town. We continued west and ended in New Minas around 11:00pm. We used the 215 route which was beautiful but a bit longer. I think it’s about 450 miles from Ingonish to New Minas the way we went.
Day 5 - 150 miles back to Yarmouth with an early start to make the ferry. We just took Highway 101 all the way.
Day 6 – Bar Harbor to New York.

6 days - 2100 miles

Some observations and experiences:
- 4 days on Nova Scotia is not near enough time. Next time it will be at least 7 days as we missed a lot of things along the way.
- About the Cat Ferry. If you buy advanced tickets your criminal history will be waiting for you in Yarmouth, any arrest or conviction. If this is your case you may be deemed ‘undesirable’ but for $200 you can get into the country and enjoy your trip.
The Cat is about $250 round trip.

- People are very friendly there. It took about a day to figure out that when we came upon a motorist and they would slow down, they were actually trying to make it easier to pass them. Once we got this it was smooth sailing.
- DO go to the Nova Scotia tourism web site and order their motorcycling guide. It is a great resource and small enough for the tankbag – written by a motorcyclist.
- Consider the TT races there in Sydney this coming September and maybe make it part of your trip.
- I wish I had a GPS for gas/food/lodging info

This was at the first turn out after you pay the park fee - Sweet


Paul an I at Meat Cove


... and this is the one that makes people go there


PM me and I could share other details.
Matt Peyton did a trip and write up in roadrunner mag.

Peter

[wncbmw]

We had lunch in Cheticamp – which was a nice town.

Our first trip to NS, the ride around the Cabot trail was in a miserable Noreasterner storm and we could not see for the fog and rain and ended up in Cheticamp soaked. I have fond memeries of stopping at a cafe in Cheticamp for a lunch of fish chowder and lots of coffee and the staff and locals helping us spread our stuff out to dry and visiting while we warmed up!

A miserable day yielding one of my best motorcycle memories!

[beemerphile]

I'd skip the ferry and ride around the Bay of Fundy. Save the ferry trip for when you need it - Newfoundland. - Lee

[kbc68]

As you might have read in my GREAT RIDE report ,
i was fortunate enough to do this solo. This is my
kind of riding adventure.

When i arrived at Port Hastings ( Cape Breton) I broke of
the trans Canada HWY and when up route 19 you'll see it on
your map . This is a wondefull road to lead you up Cabot trail,
you'll also notice on your map that there's a cut of for a back
road 219 VERY nice ! Beware of your weather fog can roll in
at anytime and ruin your day . I was fortunate to just miss it that day !

If you plan to cross the ferrie to Newfie book a hotel in advance ,
summer time gets very busy !!
This is the website to book your crossing to Newfie
http://www.marine-atlantic.ca/
There's two crossing one from Sydney to Port aux Basques (6hrs )
and second from Sydney to Agentia(14hrs)
This is all laidout on the Web site with the cost .
If you decide to cross during the day to Argentia you will arrive at
late evening Be sure to fuel up in Sydney the night before everything will be closed until you hit the Trans Canada
Here's a few pics crossing from Sydney to Argenti on a calm day !


Here's a bad weather crossing coming out of Port aux Basgues in mid
November !! No amount of GRAVEL will save stomach that DAY .






To cross Newfie from one end to another will take full day of riding

DSKYZD If there's place you want see and your sure of
from some of my pics , don't hesitate to let me know . I'd be more
then happy to help you out .
I have alot family on the Island and have travelled there many times
and know much of the East side especially.

OHHH ! NEVER EVER ! Travel at night if you can avoid
Due to the high population of MOOSE !
In Gros Morne area It's a 6 to 1 chance you will see a moose
even during the day . Your best chances of seeing one is at late
evening and at night . The Cabot Trail also has alot moose too.

This bull my wife and i spotted while leaving the park area .
[/img]
FOG Is a very comin thing in Newfie .

[DSKYZD]

Thanks for the great info guys!!

I'm thinking a July/August timeframe for travel, but I know that is peak tourist season. Could possibly delay until September but then worry about the crowds gathered for the TT race. Can't find much weather info online other than it varies. Are July and August that wet? I'd like to see the green hillsides contrasted against the blue sky and even more blue water.

2005 Doer's and Dreamer's Guide arrived today, same one I already had, no motorcycle tour guide even though I requested one. Just did a new request for just the Motorcycle Tour Guide.

Ecellent info and pics, much appreciated. Keep it coming, anything you feel like sharing I'll be glad to hear.

If I decide to do Newfoundland, Argentia looks appealing. I know that's a 14 hour ferry. Is it worth it to ferry over, spend the day, and ferry back?

DSKYZD

[DSKYZD]

Does Anyone have a copy of the "Motorcycle Tour Guide" they'd be willing to send me?

I have requested one 4 different times now and keep getting the "Doers and Dreamers Guide" and sometimes a copy of "Coastal Discovery".

Leaving in just over 5 weeks. Copy of Birth Certificate on the way for border crossings, Cat Ferry reservation, Bike service on Friday.

I have no other reservations for camping/lodging. Will it be a problem to just find vacancies where we stop for the day?

[sjbmw]

The BMWMOA Owners News had a Maritimes tour in one of the latest issues. NF, NS, and PEI, I have to find it.