Saul Ste. Marie Trip, Advice Please

bandit boy

bandit boy

New member
Two of us are taking a 5 day trip from GTA to north of Sault Ste. Marie next weekend. We have the route pretty well planned. We are heading up via Tobermory and taking the ferry to Manitoulan Island. When we get to the Sault, will be taking, what they call the “Grand Circle Tour” which goes from Sault Ste. Marie, up to Wawa, over to Chapleau, and back to Thessalon. From there we will head over to Sudbury and then home.

Can anyone advise on any points of interest that we should not miss while on this trip? Also, does anyone have any idea of an interesting route to make it back from the Sault that won’t take more than a day?
 
Be sure to drop down and ride st josephs island.
bandit boy said:
Two of us are taking a 5 day trip from GTA to north of Sault Ste. Marie next weekend. We have the route pretty well planned. We are heading up via Tobermory and taking the ferry to Manitoulan Island. When we get to the Sault, will be taking, what they call the “Grand Circle Tour” which goes from Sault Ste. Marie, up to Wawa, over to Chapleau, and back to Thessalon. From there we will head over to Sudbury and then home.

Can anyone advise on any points of interest that we should not miss while on this trip? Also, does anyone have any idea of an interesting route to make it back from the Sault that won’t take more than a day?
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Damn - same trip I was contemplating......

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...cluding-N-Superior-and-some-Ottawa-Valley-533

People had good suggestions

•••• this was one - there were more - that link below this embedded map should be editable.

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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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I made this exact trip this past June. An EXCELLENT ride. I want to do it again. A few points...
1) Once up there... watch out for animals. Had a bear cross the highway directly in front of us
2) you will go for up to 20 kms without seeing a car or a building at some points on the Wawa/Chapleau loop
3) FILL UP WITH GAS IN CHAPLEAU. There is NO GAS between Wawa and Chapleau and Chapleau and Thessalon
4) As you get closer to Thessalon, take the road via Bellingham to Iron Bridge instead. A nice ride.
5) Very few motels along the shore. Stayed at the Lakeview Inn in Blind River the last night. Nice rooms, nice attached restaurant. Can't really see the lake though.
6) You will love the ride. Have fun!
 
Oooooh....subscribed to thread. I'm doing practically the same ride in just a few weeks.
 
Gonna have to tag up with one of these - conflicted with business and riding time :(
Lots of local riding but hard to get longer break..
anyone going on one of these have a Scala? Tempt me .....please :D

••••
FILL UP WITH GAS IN CHAPLEAU. There is NO GAS between Wawa and Chapleau and Chapleau and Thessalon
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How far is that - I was going to carry spare fuel but need to know the worst stretch and too lazy to look it up ;)
 
I live in Sault Ste Marie. One road you cannot miss would be the road out to the searchmont ski resort, it's a great road full of turns and it's rarely patrolled (It's the most popular road out here for riders) If you have any other questions let me know :)
 
I'll be going on SOME ride in September.. may go back up there so I'll post once i know...
 
That was my thought as well....even now it's down to low teens at night north of the GTA - up there gonna be way chillier. Its only 14 right now in Toronto
 
BTDT trip a few times and, as others have said, you're going to enjoy it!

Make sure you reserve a spot on the ferry from Tobermory BEFORE you show up there, it will save you a lot of hassle. If you wait until you get to the terminal before you buy a ticket, you may not get on the ferry right away - reservations have priority at loading time. Also, make sure you know how to tie down your bike; they supply ropes to secure them to the floor anchors with but they will not do it for you.

Lake Superior Park has lots of scenic lookouts and hiking trails if you're into that sort of thing. The Visitor Centre is a must-see, they have excellent displays inside that are worth the wandering about for an hour.

Agawa Crafts and Canadian Carver in Pancake Bay are worth checking out, too. They're right next to the highway and you'll probably need to refuel there anyway.
 
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MacDoc said:
US up through michigan

cross at bluewater and boogie
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Have you seen the weekend lineups at Port Huron? Not a great way to spend half an afternoon.
 
yeah, just staying within Ontario, I was wondering how much longer (if at all) it will be to take the ferry across. I see that the ferry itself takes 1:45 to cross, but trying to figure if the little break is worth the possible extra time.
 
shanekingsley said:
yeah, just staying within Ontario, I was wondering how much longer (if at all) it will be to take the ferry across. I see that the ferry itself takes 1:45 to cross, but trying to figure if the little break is worth the possible extra time.
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I've been both ways and in my opinion the ferry is the way to go.It's a nice break to laft on the deck of the ferry after a few hours of riding.Northeast manitoulin is beautiful and is a fun little stretch of road.Time wise I don't think their is much difference
 
Thanks for the replies. I'll be starting from Toronto but the short break on the ferry might be a welcome relief - it would be nice to make the 7am ferry! Here's a route (from Toronto to Thunder Bay and back) I put together if my East Coast trip doesn't come together for some reason.

It's about 4000km and I'll leave 5 days for it which is quite comfortable for me - giving me enough time to pitch a tent before dark each night.
 
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If your looking for great home cooked food. Go to Carol and Earl's just a few minutes up the road on manitoulin. They have the best home cooked food. Great people.
 
I am doing the same trip on 4 days, leaving downtown toronto this sunday coming back wednesday night who is in?????
 
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