Manitoulin Island

gqelements

gqelements

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Planning a northern trip, up to 120 out of Thessalon and looking for suggestions to avoid the 400 al the way north...

In the past I remember hearing a lot about good riding on Manitoulin Island... Is is still a destination?
Google shows a lot of 90 degree turns, are these 'brisk-pace'-suitable?

I'd hate to be stuck on a ferry for an hour (including docking) to find un-inspired roads...

Also, any feedback on Highway 6 out of the island? Seems quite scenic....
 
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I took the ferry to Manitoulin last year. Some of the roads were ok but nothing to write home about if you're looking for twisties.
Hit up the Cup and Saucer trail if you go and take the adventure route. Lots of fun and a great view at the top.
 
Manitoulin is beautiful, and there are plenty of roads to have fun on. Lots of riders out there!! Just keep with 15 kph of the limit, OPP presence is pretty strong out there.
 
Hwy 6 up through Espanola is quite nice (twisty and very scenic) - there may be frequent construction at some of the great twists... Manitoulin is very scenic, but not at all technical. Many of the roads on the island are bumpy with small potholes, gravel bits and in need of a fresh pave. Not much police presence as I recall and brisk pace is easy to do. Although not technical, it's a very nice ride around the island with more to do off the bike than on.

Depending on where you are coming from, and if you time it right, it's can be faster to take the ferry through Manitoulin to bypass Sudbury on your way through Espanola. You can rest for an hour and once off the boat make good time heading north and west.

Enjoy your trip!
 
Your trip to Thessalon will be quicker and cheaper up 400 to Sudbury, then straight west down the Trans-Canada (hwy 17). You can be in Espanola that way in about 4.5 hours from GTA.
Crossing Manitoulin, it will be about 3 hours to the ferry, about 90 minutes across on the ferry, then about 1.5 to Espanola to pick up the highway. Except for a 50km stretch south of Espanola the direct route across the Island is mostly flat and straight.
If your destination is the goal, do the 400. If you have some time to spend to explore some backroads around the Island and do some hiking or swimming it is a great place to check out.
 
tim white said:
Your trip to Thessalon will be quicker and cheaper up 400 to Sudbury, then straight west down the Trans-Canada (hwy 17). You can be in Espanola that way in about 4.5 hours from GTA.
Crossing Manitoulin, it will be about 3 hours to the ferry, about 90 minutes across on the ferry, then about 1.5 to Espanola to pick up the highway. Except for a 50km stretch south of Espanola the direct route across the Island is mostly flat and straight.
If your destination is the goal, do the 400. If you have some time to spend to explore some backroads around the Island and do some hiking or swimming it is a great place to check out.
Click to expand...

Tim grew up on the Island, so his advice is sage.
 
I find Manitoulin worthwhile one way for the scenery and I like the ferry ride but as mentioned there is nothing technical tho a few sweepers with changing elevation are fun. I've never gone off the main road tho.

You might use the extra time noodling around below lake Nippissing then cut across to 400

Maybe up to Huntsville then head west - depends on your time table and goals. I find slab really boring but there are times when you do need to boogie.
 
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