Northern Ontario loop in Mid July including N Superior and some Ottawa Valley 533

MacDoc

MacDoc

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Looking to do this loop after the 15th of July - 3 - 4 days of fairly easy and interesting riding.

Revised after feedback skipping the Ottawa section

Screenshot2011-06-26atJun262011104654AM.jpg


http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=3...=2&sz=11&via=1,2,3,7,9,12,13,14,15,16,18&z=11

Like another rider someone with a Scala. Might do it solo. Leisurely

Input welcome
 
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Might be up for this depending which day it starts
 
I'm flexible - the only issue is the first day to catch the ferry and don't think a Friday is a good idea.

You have a Garmin?
 
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You're stretching it if you think you can do it in 3-4 days. Last week I did a Toronto to Sault Ste Marie (one day) then up to Wawa and over to Chapleau then down to Blind River (one day) then back to Toronto the final day. And that was rushing it. Unless you are looking to ride at high speed and push for the entire trip, which would be a shame as the roads and scenery are really something to enjoy. I'd say 5-6 days to do it without rushing. Lots of two lane roads, almost zero traffic, and we had one bear lumber cross the road in front of us about 75 yards ahead. Don't rush, take your time, and you will enjoy it much more. Once you get north of the Soo and head back east, gas can be scarce so always fill up once you hit half full.
 
Thanks - was hoping you would weigh in as I know you know the area.

Gas - I will take a 10 ltr spare as we did for the James Bay Road.

Don't want to push so may have to forgo the Quebec section and cut south earlier - can always do that later and visit daughter in Ottawa.

what about this ( with some refinement for better secondary roads )

Screenshot2011-06-26atJun262011104654AM.jpg


http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=3...=2&sz=11&via=1,2,3,7,9,12,13,14,15,16,18&z=11

I can always cut it short in the south on the return loop if the northern part takes longer than expected or weather turns sour.
 
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Once you have passed Chapleau heading east you won't really have much chance to revise and head south till you hit 144. You can save some time and miles by taking 69 straight down and avoiding your Muskoka parts if the weather gets nasty. This past Wednesday we rode in 8 degree temps and rain, all day from 8 am from Blind River back down. Still a good day though.
 
Figured that much - can always chop off the zig zags through Muskoka
How is the Chapleau road? - been decades since I've been up there and the Burgman's weak point is suspension for certain conditions.
 
101 from Wawa to Chapleau is excellent. Great road surface and the scenery is a delight. You will go for miles without seeing another vehicle. We then took 129 from Chapleau down to Iron Bridge so I cannot comment on 101 east of Chapleau. It is the ONLY highway of any sort east of Chapleau so I would suspect it is just as well maintained as the first part east of Wawa. Your Burgman will be a happy machine. There is the odd railway track, and I'd slow down a wee bit and cross them in the centre of the lane, but that will be the only time your suspension will have to do anything. You are going to love the ride. If you fill up at the first gas station on the right as you enter Chapleau, it also has a few tables and chairs and the locals are interesting and friendly people to chat with.
 
Modification to last map - 101 to Chapleau then 129 south to Iron Bridge (and take the little short-cut at the bottom - look closely at your map) is worth doing.

Aside from that, I like this loop but I'd need more time to do it. You will want to take more time, on 129, on Manitoulin, and on 6 going from Manitoulin north - you will want to stop and take pictures.

The time-saving thing to do, may be to do the run to Tobermory on a Friday night then take the first ferry Saturday morning.

edit: I know from past observation that 144 south to Sudbury is not interesting. Streetview suggests that 560 is paved. The little road that cuts down from 560 into Sudbury isn't on Streetview, but I found where it crosses 560 on Streetview and looked down it :-) and it's gravel.

edit again :-) To cut back across from 11 to 69, use 518 rather than 124, it's a bit further south but is a MUCH more interesting road. Once you get into Muskoka, there are SO many interesting choices rather than highway 11 or 69/400.
 
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Thanks gonna wait until it gets closer to road time ( mid - July but keep the suggestions coming ) to finalize

The thing I liked in 144 was it had very little in the way of buildings etc so was boogie road and the pavement was good. But it's been many decades since I rode it.

If you have a more interesting suggestion happy to hear it.
 
Experienced 125 cc rider who wants to go on this - we met up at the Shed....forgot your name...I know we've chatted before up there
..are you still on for this? Might be 3 of us ( don't want more )
Do you have a Scala?
 
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That would be me. I don't have a Scala, but I could :-)

When is the proposed date; I've got a ton of stuff going on through July.
 
Ah good - weather permitting any time after the 13th when I get back to full staff.
I like travelling with comm even if it's not on all the time and a couple of times it's been very useful when the cellphones are hooked up as well.

Do you want to take over the route planning?

Do you have a GPS to put it in? ( I'm old school on that - maps and compass I prefer and where the wind takes me. )

Where is home base?

Happy to delegate...:D
 
No GPS. Paper maps and I mostly know where I'm going.

The problem is scheduling. Between business trips, track days, and family obligations, July is out.

What about the August long weekend? I don't have anything scheduled for then.
 
Might work tho I'm not wild about weekends but of course if we get far enough north early enough who cares.

Gonna continue to aim mid july tho - could do something else then tho - maybe Ottawa Valley/
 
I'm heading up to Manatoulin on The 11th or 12th. I hear there is heavy construction on 6 south of Tobermory, so plan extra time. You don't want to miss a ferry.
 
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