Road Trip Suggestions

slowbird

slowbird

Well-known member
Sooooooooo I got a week off coming up, and I'm hoping to go for a road trip. Here's what I have already done:

In 2009: It was my 2nd riding year. I took my old 1986 VF500 to the Cabot Trail and back.

In 2011: I went to deals Gap via the BRP. Was a great trip. It rained for half the trip and snowed on the way back through PA but was good times.

In 2012: I did a 2 day trip to Ohio. I then hurt my neck in the summer and couldnt ride much. In the Fall I tried a trip to PA but cut it short when I pulled something in my neck in the morning.

2013, my neck is feeling a bit better. I hope I can do some good miles.

I was thinking of possibly another trip to Deals Gap via the BRP. I really enjoyed the route and now that I've done it I can set more realistic goals.

A re-visit of the Cabot Trail would be fun, now that I have more experience under my belt and a better bike. But I didn't enjoy the Trans-Canada, the coast weather can be finicky, and the US is cheaper. (gas, food, motels etc) But I would love to see the ocean/coast again.

Speaking of "coast". I have a rough route planned around the Great lakes. Through, MI, MN, up to Thunderbay, and follow the Trans Canada to Sault Ste Marie and back home. It may not be twisty, but it's places I have never been before...which is always exciting.

I had a trip planned to Montana and beartooth road but I don't have enough time and I don't wanna rush it. :(

Any other suggestions?
 
I am thinking of heading down the 555 from Zanesville and winding back roads from there to the GAP. From there taking Cherohala to Tellico Plains and then part of the gauntlet, back up to Cherokee and get on BRP all the way up to Skyline Drive at Front Royal and back to Ontario...
 
That sounds like a great route.

I did the Triple Nickle last year and wasn't too impressed. The road conditions were lousy.....but Hy 6 in Wayne National Forest was AMAZING!
 
slowbird said:
Speaking of "coast". I have a rough route planned around the Great lakes. Through, MI, MN, up to Thunderbay, and follow the Trans Canada to Sault Ste Marie and back home. It may not be twisty, but it's places I have never been before...which is always exciting.
Click to expand...

I would say that would be an alright trip. Might be a boring drive in a cage but on a bike it could be worth trying :thumbup:
 
My trip for this year needed to be postponed. It includes the full stretch of Hwy 6 in Pennsylvania and the Six Gaps in Vermont. It is an easy 5-day trip, about 2400 kms, or you can stretch it with frequent stops at lookouts and other fun places.

Here is the Google maps route plan:https://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msid=210567655045016836616.0004dc5de334a6b191b01&msa=0

Pennsylvania Hwy 6 info: http://www.paroute6.com/ and http://www.motorcycleroads.com/75/4...y-of-the-Republic-Highway---Route-6-(PA).html
Kinzua Bridge State Park: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/kinzuabridge/
Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania aka Leonard Harrison State Park: http://pacanyon.com/
Six Gaps: http://www.northeastcycling.com/six_gaps.html
 
drax666 said:
I am thinking of heading down the 555 from Zanesville and winding back roads from there to the GAP. From there taking Cherohala to Tellico Plains and then part of the gauntlet, back up to Cherokee and get on BRP all the way up to Skyline Drive at Front Royal and back to Ontario...
Click to expand...

I did a similar route a few weeks ago. Nothing fun about slabbing to Zanesville but once you get there the 555 is fun. We did it in the rain which slowed us down a bit and was probably a good thing. That road can bite you if you're not careful. 47 across WV after that is a good route. Once you're in the Smokey Mountains there are no bad roads. It's easily doable in a week.
 
All great suggestions, thank you. ...and yes gary...there is nothing fun about slabbing it to Zanesville.

I was hoping for someplace I haven't been before. Looks like the center states/provinces are all flat and no one has been able to point out any great roads around those areas.

I've been pondering slabing it down the I-75 or the I-79 to Deals Gap so I'd have an extra day to enjoy the roads in that area....but slabbing it just sucks sooooo bad.

Hmmm.....
 
I've also been looking into a truck stop near Zanesville. Truckn it down to there, renting the spot for the week, and riding out. has a couple advantages of 1. getn rid of slab, 2. room for goodies after being in the states more than 48 hours :p
 
slowbird said:
That sounds like a great route.

I did the Triple Nickle last year and wasn't too impressed. The road conditions were lousy.....but Hy 6 in Wayne National Forest was AMAZING!
Click to expand...

When was that? I rode the 555 last year and the pavement was pretty good.

Consider a clockwise loop of lake Huron. Did this last year too. 23 up the mitten is nice - not the twistiest road but there are about 5-6 old light houses (oldest active light on the Great lakes) and the yanks let you go the stairs and out on the catwalk unlike this nanny state.

Then spend a few day roaming the upper penninsula. Crossing the mighty Mac is neat, you can see the water through the open mesh deck as you cross. The loop around Copper harbour and out along the Superior shore is a great road. Don't forget to stop in the ghost town of Gay and check out the stamping mine ruins (you can see the left over tailings dune from space!!) and be sure to stop in at the Gay bar for a beer. The sign out front is one of the UP's most photographed landmarks.

Check out what is left of Fordlandia near l'anse bay.

77 up to Gran Maris is also a fantastic ride (watch for dear) and there's a bar that brews it's own beer at the end.

We came home via Manitoulin/ferry/Tobermory. Motorcyles are first on and first off. Although I've heard low water is now a problem.
 
Extended forecats for my Week off is looking rainy EVERYWHERE. I hope it changes closer to the Weekend.

dirtbag said:
Consider a clockwise loop of lake Huron. Did this last year too. 23 up the mitten is nice - not the twistiest road but there are about 5-6 old light houses (oldest active light on the Great lakes) and the yanks let you go the stairs and out on the catwalk unlike this nanny state.

Then spend a few day roaming the upper penninsula. Crossing the mighty Mac is neat, you can see the water through the open mesh deck as you cross. The loop around Copper harbour and out along the Superior shore is a great road. Don't forget to stop in the ghost town of Gay and check out the stamping mine ruins (you can see the left over tailings dune from space!!) and be sure to stop in at the Gay bar for a beer. The sign out front is one of the UP's most photographed landmarks.

Check out what is left of Fordlandia near l'anse bay.

77 up to Gran Maris is also a fantastic ride (watch for dear) and there's a bar that brews it's own beer at the end.

We came home via Manitoulin/ferry/Tobermory. Motorcyles are first on and first off. Although I've heard low water is now a problem.
Click to expand...

Great Advice, Thanks! :) Much appreciated. That Mighty Mac bridge does look crazy. I read a story about a car that stopped on the Mesh was thrown over the bridge by a huge gust of wind. :o

dirtbag said:
When was that? I rode the 555 last year and the pavement was pretty good.
Click to expand...

I went last year around May. It was dirty and there was some freshly asphalted parts of the road that was flaking off.
 
I am heading out east to do the Cabot and Gaspe at the end of the week. Going through the states though as it just looks painful to get there via the Canadian route. Going through the Adirondacks which is incredible riding, through Vermont, NH, etc. Would say if you are going to go east again, take a different route, its slower but will be much much nicer riding.
 
wonderings said:
I am heading out east to do the Cabot and Gaspe at the end of the week. Going through the states though as it just looks painful to get there via the Canadian route. Going through the Adirondacks which is incredible riding, through Vermont, NH, etc. Would say if you are going to go east again, take a different route, its slower but will be much much nicer riding.
Click to expand...
Yeah I'm planning a similar adventure and while I may superslab it back (TCH) due to time constraints, the plan is to go through the US all the way to NB and cross back into Canada at St Stephen. How many days were you planning on taking to get there and do you have a route planned yet?

Brad
 
When I went to the Cabot Trail I did take the States on the way there. I took the 401 to Ogdensburg and got into NY from there. Through the Adirondacks, Ferry over Lake Champlain to Vermont. Went through NH, Maine, and up into Woodstock NB and that's where the boring began.

If I go again I'd like to find a better route to the Cabot Trail by-passing the Trans-Canada. Going through PEI on the way back was worth it though.
 
A.K. said:
My trip for this year needed to be postponed. It includes the full stretch of Hwy 6 in Pennsylvania and the Six Gaps in Vermont. It is an easy 5-day trip, about 2400 kms, or you can stretch it with frequent stops at lookouts and other fun places.

Here is the Google maps route plan:https://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msid=210567655045016836616.0004dc5de334a6b191b01&msa=0

Pennsylvania Hwy 6 info: http://www.paroute6.com/ and http://www.motorcycleroads.com/75/475/Pennsylvania/Grand-Army-of-the-Republic-Highway---Route-6-%28PA%29.html
Kinzua Bridge State Park: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/kinzuabridge/
Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania aka Leonard Harrison State Park: http://pacanyon.com/
Six Gaps: http://www.northeastcycling.com/six_gaps.html
Click to expand...

How do you plan where you stay ? I`m looking to do a 4-5 day ride second week of July .

It`s my 1st multiple day ride in 20 years .
 
pfbmgd said:
How do you plan where you stay ? I`m looking to do a 4-5 day ride second week of July .

It`s my 1st multiple day ride in 20 years .
Click to expand...

FWIW When the Squeeze & I do a week long trip in the states, around 5ish we just pop into whatever local motel looks reasonable - she runs into to check for rate & room availabilty - if it doesn't meet our criteria we ride on to the next one.
 
pfbmgd said:
How do you plan where you stay ? I`m looking to do a 4-5 day ride second week of July .

It`s my 1st multiple day ride in 20 years .
Click to expand...

Same as dirtbag. The only time I reserve up front is when I plan to spend 3-7 days at the same location. Those are mainly family trips. For motorcycle trips I don't plan ahead, because there are way too many variables that can alter the plans.
 
BradsKat said:
Yeah I'm planning a similar adventure and while I may superslab it back (TCH) due to time constraints, the plan is to go through the US all the way to NB and cross back into Canada at St Stephen. How many days were you planning on taking to get there and do you have a route planned yet?

Brad
Click to expand...

I have 2 weeks. I will go where I want when I want, my route is a guide that can be changed at the drop of a hat, which is what I like when traveling solo.
This is what I have plotted at the moment:


I have a route around Gaspe as well, but it will depend on time really.
 
A.K. said:
My trip for this year needed to be postponed. It includes the full stretch of Hwy 6 in Pennsylvania and the Six Gaps in Vermont. It is an easy 5-day trip, about 2400 kms, or you can stretch it with frequent stops at lookouts and other fun places.

Here is the Google maps route plan:https://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msid=210567655045016836616.0004dc5de334a6b191b01&msa=0

Pennsylvania Hwy 6 info: http://www.paroute6.com/ and http://www.motorcycleroads.com/75/4...y-of-the-Republic-Highway---Route-6-(PA).html
Kinzua Bridge State Park: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/kinzuabridge/
Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania aka Leonard Harrison State Park: http://pacanyon.com/
Six Gaps: http://www.northeastcycling.com/six_gaps.html
Click to expand...

AK - did PA two years ago. Kinzua bridge collapse is cool. I would suggest you add Centrailia, the burning ghost town. Streets are there but houses were removed after they set a coal seam on fire under the town. If you look you can see smoke coming out of cracks in the ground and find the abandoned stretch of highway with cracks still hot to the touch.

Also well worth the effort if you get to Philly is the Eastern State Penetentury tour. Built in 1840 this state of the art prison was abandoned in the 70's.

Be sure not to miss #125 south from Shamokin - Killer road.
 
dirtbag said:
AK - did PA two years ago. Kinzua bridge collapse is cool. I would suggest you add Centrailia, the burning ghost town. Streets are there but houses were removed after they set a coal seam on fire under the town. If you look you can see smoke coming out of cracks in the ground and find the abandoned stretch of highway with cracks still hot to the touch.

Also well worth the effort if you get to Philly is the Eastern State Penetentury tour. Built in 1840 this state of the art prison was abandoned in the 70's.

Be sure not to miss #125 south from Shamokin - Killer road.
Click to expand...

Dirtbag,

Thank you for the suggestions! I'll update my plans with these. Hopefully next year I can do this run.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom