Ride to Nova Scotia?

[jackpine savage]

I've been seeing some discussion about this MC festival next September. It's billed as the Isle of Mann in Nova Scotia. It really sounds interesting and it would be neat to ride there. So how long do some of you long distance riders set aside for the one-way portion of a 2K mile trip? I know some of you could do it in 2 days :rolleyes: but I'm thinking that four days is more realistic for these old bones.

What do you think?
David



http://www.cbfestivalofspeed.com/news/oct6.html

[Kempo-STer]

A group of us thought about this but we are going in August instead..
(See FundyStoc thread)

I came down to touring and wanting to see that part of the world in a normal state..

My fear of all the adrenaline junkies and the over population of bikes at that time would really hinder what the ST was designed for. How about coming with us in August instead?

Think of what the roads will be like at that event...No thanks

[jackpine savage]

I see there's been no lack of discussion on this topic. Thanks for the invite to FundySToc. I'm really tied up for the first week and weekend of August. I couldn't really get there in time to take advantage.

I guess I hadn't really thought about the crowds at/near the races. It's really the roads and scenery I'm interested in anyway.
David

[rocky17]

David, I did the Nova Scotia trip 2 years ago with a beemer buddy. We took the back roads so it took 5 days. We stopped in the Finger Lakes, Lake Placid and Bar Harbor, Maine. Our mileage days were from 475 to 135. If you take the slab and are in a hurry you could make it in 3 days, but you would miss a lot of great roads and scenery. There is a high speed catamaran ferry from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia which takes about 3 hours. The fare was $118 US, which was the geezer's discount. We rode around the whole island including Cape Breton. Most of it was ocean view roads. If you go on the Web and google Nova Scotia Tourism they have a booklet they will send you for free about Motorcycle Touring Nova Scotia. It also has the Ferry schedules and prices. We came back through Canada and caught the catamaran ferry from Benton Harbor, Michigan to Milwaukee. The trip was 4278 miles and took 12 days. :03biker:
Ken

[Highrider]

David

I have been planning a trip to Nova Scotia for a couple years, it looks like that trip will fall to next years agenda.
Your pace on a long trip largely depends on the time you have for the trip window. Traveling with a group of more than one addition rider will significantly reduce the daily rate. On my long trips, riding by myself, I feel that 750 to 800 miles per day is comfortable target distance riding to a destination. I have done 1000 miles in a day after 2 weeks of 400 to 500 mile days.
With a small group or taking it easy, 500 - 600 miles per day is good target. Sightseeing and visits can cut that in half. The best advice I can pass on is: Make a trip plan and stick to the plan, allow for inclement weather and personal preferences.

Ride Safe!!

Dave
:biker:

[Lucky 13]

It's been about 6 years since I've been to Nova Scotia. I did it on a cbr900rr then, but will do it again soon on the st. It's definitely worth the time, and you might want to stick to the outside lane (counter-clockwise direction) to get the best views of the ocean. Cape Breton is one of the most picturesque places in the world.

[Low Flyer]

David,
We went last year and also did the 250 miles days. We went CAT Bar Harbor and then meandered around NS,Cape Breton Island also visited PEI. I think that this part of the country should be done at a slower pace to enjoy the scenery. We camped and used Jo-Pac bag. One of the best trips ever. But aren't they all? Counter clockwise is wise. JIM

[jackpine savage]

It looks like a trip of this distance would require in the neighborhood of two weeks to have any time other than simply getting there. If I go, this will require some advance planning.
David

[Don-STOC237]

When I did it a few years ago from MN, I did one long day, about 800 miles to Sudbury or thereabouts (US8 to Canada), then another day to Maine (up across Canada), then an easy sightseeing/riding day with a buddy from Maine to Bar Harbor. Met up with a bunch of other STOC friends and took the Cat to NS. Nice trip. Watch out loading onto the Cat if it's raining. The decks are aluminium and pretty slippery if wet.

Have fun!

[Jim C-G]

I'm looking at coming from the opposite end of Cape Breton - on the Newfoundland ferry. It's close enought to make the trip very feasable. Has anyone seen an article on exactly where the TT may occur - haven't been able to find anything. This will have an impact on real accesability to the site, accommodations etc. Traffic from North Sydney (ferry terminal from NFLD) through Cape Breton to Canso Causeway and mainland can be pretty slow at the best of times. It is well past peak tourist season... variables... once you get to Cape Breton, the Trans Canada is strictly 2 lane with not nearly enough passing lanes - it seemed slow on my ols CB750 - with the new ST, I think it will take even more patience. But, there are no great distances to cover once on Cape Breton, and yes the scenery is great - even the Cabot Trail only really takes 1/2 a day unless you stop at every picture op. Fall weather is also unpredictable. I can count on making it to our Thanksgiving (1st Monday in Oct.) here on "the Rock", but not much past. Weather similar in Cape Breton, especially with some of the higher ground. Although I did get into work on Dec. 1 this year on the old mount.
Jim

[Kempo-STer]

I'm looking at coming from the opposite end of Cape Breton - on the Newfoundland ferry. It's close enought to make the trip very feasable. Has anyone seen an article on exactly where the TT may occur - haven't been able to find anything. This will have an impact on real accesability to the site, accommodations etc. Traffic from North Sydney (ferry terminal from NFLD) through Cape Breton to Canso Causeway and mainland can be pretty slow at the best of times. It is well past peak tourist season... variables... once you get to Cape Breton, the Trans Canada is strictly 2 lane with not nearly enough passing lanes - it seemed slow on my ols CB750 - with the new ST, I think it will take even more patience. But, there are no great distances to cover once on Cape Breton, and yes the scenery is great - even the Cabot Trail only really takes 1/2 a day unless you stop at every picture op. Fall weather is also unpredictable. I can count on making it to our Thanksgiving (1st Monday in Oct.) here on "the Rock", but not much past. Weather similar in Cape Breton, especially with some of the higher ground. Although I did get into work on Dec. 1 this year on the old mount.
Jim

For Anyone Interested in our August ST group ride..here is the link:
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6586

Spend some time with a great bunch of morons...(myself excluded of course;)