Chicago to Vermont: looking for riding partner

[unregistered]

I'm planning on being in Colchester, Vermont by July 19 and would love to ride with someone. If you're leaving from or near Chicago, drop me a line. Thanks.

[selil]

I'm planning on being in Colchester, Vermont by July 19 and would love to ride with someone. If you're leaving from or near Chicago, drop me a line. Thanks.


How?

[Montauk]

drop me a line

Unregistered user don't have email functionality. Anyhow, I'm planning to go Vermont via Wisconsin through Sault Ste. Marie. And from their I've got 2 routes in mind - one via Toronto, i.e. through Sudbury, Toronto, Ogdensburg NY to VT; or via Ottawa, i.e. Sudbury, Ottawa, Ogdensburg NY to VT.

Going through upper peninsula is however a longer route, but very scenic than through IN, OH, PA, NY, etc.

Who else is going from Chicago, kindly chime in. :dunno

[cjack]

Unregistered user don't have email functionality. Anyhow, I'm planning to go Vermont via Wisconsin through Sault Ste. Marie. And from their I've got 2 routes in mind - one via Toronto, i.e. through Sudbury, Toronto, Ogdensburg NY to VT; or via Ottawa, i.e. Sudbury, Ottawa, Ogdensburg NY to VT.

Going through upper peninsula is however a longer route, but very scenic than through IN, OH, PA, NY, etc.

Who else is going from Chicago, kindly chime in. :dunno

We're not looking for anyone to ride with but are wondering about how to go there and not take I this and I that and not ride through big towns. I'm thinking of somehow getting from Urbana, IL to US6 in PA and then up thru two lanes in NY and so forth. I have been across Canada and it is pretty flat and busy as I recall.

[Lee]

We're not looking for anyone to ride with but are wondering about how to go there and not take I this and I that and not ride through big towns. I'm thinking of somehow getting from Urbana, IL to US6 in PA and then up thru two lanes in NY and so forth. I have been across Canada and it is pretty flat and busy as I recall.

Hi Jack, it was fun seeing you and Viki this last weekend.
Hwy. 6 in Pa. is a good route, it's scenic and you can make good time. We usually turn north before Scranton. We like to run up through the Adirondacks and usually pass through the area of Tupper Lake and Lake Placid. I like to ferry across Lake Champlain at Essex, because the ferry runs so often I do not have to plan on arriving at a certain time. If you like a nice boat ride the Port Kent- Burlington crossing is good.
If you decide to go through Mass. and Ct. stay to the western side of those states. Scenic roads and not as congested as the eastern sections.
If you have time, get out and ride central Vt. and N.H.
Have fun.

[selil]

I was thinking about riding out for the day if I ever get my ABS fixed.

[bmwgs94]

Hey neighbor ! I am leaving on the July 18th in the a.m. and riding 8 hrs, finding a hotel or some form of shelter and then riding another 8 or less and hopefully get there around wed night . I saw 2 different ways to go and I don't think I am going the Canadian way. I plan on having another friend hooking up and riding also , so if this sounds good let me know. I am located in Warsaw, In. If you need a phone # let me know...

Kevin Frantz

[cjack]

Hi Jack, it was fun seeing you and Viki this last weekend.
Hwy. 6 in Pa. is a good route, it's scenic and you can make good time. We usually turn north before Scranton. We like to run up through the Adirondacks and usually pass through the area of Tupper Lake and Lake Placid. I like to ferry across Lake Champlain at Essex, because the ferry runs so often I do not have to plan on arriving at a certain time. If you like a nice boat ride the Port Kent- Burlington crossing is good.
If you decide to go through Mass. and Ct. stay to the western side of those states. Scenic roads and not as congested as the eastern sections.
If you have time, get out and ride central Vt. and N.H.
Have fun.

Thanks for the info. If I don't feel like riding east because it looks better than I remember, I think we're going to Idaho and Top of the Rockies. Viki really likes out west (I do too) and she would change from east to west in a heartbeat. I know once we get past Cleveland, PA is great on 6 as well as NY state.
The last time we were in the east, in Trenton, we left the motel early because the plumbing came out of the sink on long copper tubing when I pulled on the handle among other things like 50 rent by the hour rooms in the section we were put. The hallways were one person wide...you had to turn sideways to get by someone. The door nearest our room was next to the dumpsters. We went to 1000 Islands, etc. instead. Now that I think of it, I should have gone to Walmart and bought a tent for the weekend. The camping at Trenton was really great and it would have saved the rally weekend for us. I thought of it after someone we know bought one for 39 bucks or something once at the Falling Leaf Rally...of course I wouldn't take it back on Monday...heh heh.

[Unregistered]

I am having trouble logging in. Myself and another guy are riding out on Tuesday the 18th or Monday the 17th from LAke/McHenry County.

[bmwgs94]

Well fireman88 if you want to hook up just let me know. I did have a couple of others that were suppose to ride out but I think that kind of fell thru. If you need to get hold of me just drop me a quick response and I will get back to you

[Montauk]

Someone that I know had mentioned that taking the Northern route (via Wisc. - Sault Ste. Maria) can be busy but is pleasant. It is a longer route. But then I am also up for taking the Southern route via IN/OH/PA etc.

I am quite sure that I'll be free for that whole week and the following, hence, I could either leave on any day.

Now I am beginning to look up what are the best routes to take if travelling from within the US.

Leaving from Six Flags.

All opinions (good/bad) are welcomed for Northern/Southern route to VT from Chicago. :confused:

[King]

On the way out we are planning to avoid the Chicago I-80 thing by going north to Lansing, then cross into CA at Port Huron - Sarnia. That will get us to Niagara Falls and NY. Not spectacular scenery as I recall, but better than Ohio. That leaves the Southern route for the return trip. PA Route 6 looks good, but Ohio and Indiana will require some imagination.

I'm with you and Viki, Jack. If given a choice of riding west or going east... I would choose a western trip without hesitation. Unfortunately, the rally is going to be in VT! Oh well.

Missed you at the Iowa rally... but at least you won't have to scrub two dirty bikes from the rain!

[jdmetzger]

On the way out we are planning to avoid the Chicago I-80 thing by going north to Lansing, then cross into CA at Port Huron - Sarnia. That will get us to Niagara Falls and NY. Not spectacular scenery as I recall, but better than Ohio. That leaves the Southern route for the return trip. PA Route 6 looks good, but Ohio and Indiana will require some imagination.


Plan a good bit of time crossing at Port Huron. I have gone on a camping trip to Canada almost every year of my life where we cross at Port Huron, and it gets pretty backed up, at times. Of course, once you're into Canada, it's pretty smooth sailing!

[cjack]

On the way out we are planning to avoid the Chicago I-80 thing by going north to Lansing, then cross into CA at Port Huron - Sarnia. That will get us to Niagara Falls and NY. Not spectacular scenery as I recall, but better than Ohio. That leaves the Southern route for the return trip. PA Route 6 looks good, but Ohio and Indiana will require some imagination.

I'm with you and Viki, Jack. If given a choice of riding west or going east... I would choose a western trip without hesitation. Unfortunately, the rally is going to be in VT! Oh well.

Missed you at the Iowa rally... but at least you won't have to scrub two dirty bikes from the rain!


These new bikes are ScotchGarded or something. They don't seem to get very dirty.
OK. I mapped out a trip up north thru Western MI and the Sault St. Marie crossing, then east on 17 to Ottawa, etc. then south of Montreal and into NY and across east south of the border into VT and south to the rally. That might work out well.
If we took an extra 2 weeks, we could go to Newfoundland and Labrador...nah.

[BradfordBenn]

Why not go out on the Northern Route and come back on the Southern Route? No sense in seeing the same stuff twice.

[King]

Hey Jack,

My sister lives in Cape Elizabeth, ME. There are ferries running from Portland to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. One is a large Cat that only takes several hours. I figure that would cut off about 1500 miles. Ride the southern coast of NS to North Sidney and take a ferry to Newfoundland. Return and ride the northern coast of NS. You might have $250 invested in ferry crossings, but it would definitely cut down the total time needed to make the trip.

http://www.nfl-bay.com

[King]

Plan a good bit of time crossing at Port Huron. I have gone on a camping trip to Canada almost every year of my life where we cross at Port Huron, and it gets pretty backed up, at times. Of course, once you're into Canada, it's pretty smooth sailing!

Thanks. It's been 16 years since I crossed there. It didn't take long, but that was a Sat afternoon. This time it will be mid-morning on Sunday. Does it back up during typical rush hour, or is it up for grabs due to weekend warriors?

[cjack]

Why not go out on the Northern Route and come back on the Southern Route? No sense in seeing the same stuff twice.

I was thinking that too.

[jdmetzger]

Thanks. It's been 16 years since I crossed there. It didn't take long, but that was a Sat afternoon. This time it will be mid-morning on Sunday. Does it back up during typical rush hour, or is it up for grabs due to weekend warriors?

Mid-morning Sunday may be a very good time, for you. I've seen backups start around noon on a SATURDAY, but anytime before that is A-OK. I think Sunday will be even better for you. The plus is they have two bridges now, one for each direction, so there have been some good improvements. Before that, I've been backed up a mile or two onto I-94, but that was YEARS ago.

I just found this website, which lists border crossing delays; updated every 10 minutes. You could always check a few times on Sunday and see how things go, to get an average. They list both Canada-bound and US-bound:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html

So far they are making a liar out of me; no delay for passenger traffic, but 1:45 for commercial. :)

[Montauk]

For all practical purposes, I think bikers going to VT will be crossing during the weekdays (except perhaps on their return maybe), which should be a lot smoother crossing than on the weekends.

I crossed over to Sarnia last month during weekdays just before noon, and it felt that they were just waiting for me to stop by :usa Hardly any line ups!!

[cjack]

Hey Jack,

My sister lives in Cape Elizabeth, ME. There are ferries running from Portland to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. One is a large Cat that only takes several hours. I figure that would cut off about 1500 miles. Ride the southern coast of NS to North Sidney and take a ferry to Newfoundland. Return and ride the northern coast of NS. You might have $250 invested in ferry crossings, but it would definitely cut down the total time needed to make the trip.

http://www.nfl-bay.com

So how exciting is Newfoundland? Is it a place to see, etc. Or does it look just like Missouri like Nova Scotia?

[cjack]

So how exciting is Newfoundland? Is it a place to see, etc. Or does it look just like Missouri like Nova Scotia?

How about Labrador?

[BradfordBenn]

Why are all these places named after dogs? :stick

[Unregistered]

still looking for someone to ride with from near chicago?? i'm south 60miles and am also looking for a rider

[Unregistered]

What about I-88 through southern New York. Is it busy? Nice enough to take as an alternative to 6 in PA?

[Bokrijder]

What about I-88 through southern New York. Is it busy? Nice enough to take as an alternative to 6 in PA?

I88 traveling from Binghamton, NY to Albany, NY is as nice as slab gets, scenic with little traffic. Crossing Pa on 6, one jumps North on 220 at Towanda to 17E on to Binghamton connecting to other routes North (88 to Albany - 12 to Utica). In addition to 220, there are many nice secondary roads running from the Towanda area up to 17.

I wouldn't say that 88 is an alternative to 6. At Towanda, 6 turns and continues South East away from the rally. 88 heads North East towards the fun. You may be looking at 17 West of Binghamtom, thinking that it is a continuation of 88, not so. 17W is in the midst of massive rebuilding, probably better to stay away. Many are heading North to catch 90 East, it's efficient but costs toll money and is max dull.

Motard

[King]

So how exciting is Newfoundland? Is it a place to see, etc. Or does it look just like Missouri like Nova Scotia?

Definitely not like Missouri... sorta like Nova Scotia... it's a destination. The ferry from N. Sydney to Port Aux Basques is a 6 hour trip. You can then ride to St. John. From there your choice is to "deadhead" back and take the same ferry, or catch a ferry at Argentia for a 12 hour ride back to N. Sydney. I guess there is also a ferry from St. Anthony to Labrador, but I haven't been there. Pretty remote. That could be cool.

[Montauk]

Well, I think I'm going to take the American route instead of Canadian. So now I'm beginning to map out the route. Any pointers on roads. I've heard Route 6 in PA is good, so I think I'm going to consider using that as well.

[Whiplash]

I'm leaving MI Tuesday after work and heading over to Port Huron, Zip Wednesday through Canada to Buffalo and then taking US 20 heading to Albany. Then (probably Thursday) turning north to VT.

[captain canuck]

Why are all these places named after dogs? :stick

It's the other way around.. The dogs are named after the places - both being working dogs.. like me..

[Unregistered]

Still can't log in but here are my plans:

Mitch and I (Rusty/Fireman88) are leaving Grayslake, IL at 4 am on Tuesday 7/18 and heading east through IN, OH and PA on Route 6 and then heading north through the Adirondack MTS of New York. If anyone is interested you can e-mail me at rusty.dinsmore@abbott.com. We are planning on hotelling it Tuesday night somewhere in Western PA and then riding Wednesday to somewhere near Burlington, VT.

Rusty

Rusty

[Montauk]

bmwgs94, when are you riding to VT, and when are you coming back?

[Unregistered]

Honk when you pass through Bremen, IN on US-6. The bikes need to be awakened. We leave at 4:00 PM going via Canada. Don't hit any of our
Amish buggies. I am getting exicted. Buster

[Unregistered]

Ok, first and foremost...Fireman88..you IAFF too? I'm local 1728 out of Detroit. I was planning on leaving from Detroit and heading through Windsor to Toronto...If you guys are zipping through OH, I could hitch up with you. If you are IAFF, check out www.axemenmc.org I've been riding with them for 6 years now and STILL the only smart one on a beemer!

[bmwgs94]

bmwgs94, when are you riding to VT, and when are you coming back?

Well I was planning on leaving on the 17th but have now changed it to the 16th. Pulling out around 7 or 8 a.m.

[Unregistered]

I am not IAFF as I am a part time fireman at a Rural Fire Dept. If you would like to hook up with Mitch and I we could meet up with you around Bowling Green, OH. If we leave north of Chicago at 4 am on Tuesday and assuming everything goes well (traffic and weather), I would expect to be in Bowling Green by approximately 11am - noon.

Fireman88 (Rusty)

[Unregistered]

I will see what I can pull off with the wife...if I get "permission" then I will plan on Bowling Green around 11-12 and hook up with you guys.

[Unregistered]

IAFF local 3151 member. leaving Chicago area on Monday the 17th via Detroit /windsor. Monday night stay in Toronto or Hamilton Ont. Tues and Wed nights in Montreal (Going to spend Wed checking out the city). On the way home running south of Lake huronand stopping at Niagara falls then crossing over into canada and home via Detroit and lower Michigan.

Green GT with gold IAFF sticker on rear fender

[cruizbz]

Ok, first and foremost...Fireman88..you IAFF too? I'm local 1728 out of Detroit. I was planning on leaving from Detroit and heading through Windsor to Toronto...If you guys are zipping through OH, I could hitch up with you. If you are IAFF, check out www.axemenmc.org I've been riding with them for 6 years now and STILL the only smart one on a beemer!


We thought of starting a chapter of the Red knights. But, did not like "colors" requirements. Any info about starting a chapter would be appreciated. IAFF local 3151

above post also mine

[Montauk]

bmwgs94,

Looks like based on my starting time, I'd be crossing Rt. 15 & Hwy 6, near Milford Junction at around 10am on Sunday, honk if you see me :D

[kbopes]

Planning on heading out early either Saturday or Sunday and to avoid Indiana tollway probably by way of Kankakee & then up through IN, MI and cross over into Canada by way of Port Huron. Then east over to Niagara Falls, which I would like to see in daylight as well as nightlight so I'm hoping to stay in that vacinity for a night. Beyond that, time and weather may dictate my route. Wouldn't mind checking out the Finger Lakes region if it's not flooded and head for VT by way of southeast corner of Adirondack Mts. crossing over to Burlington by ferry.

If interested in this 'loose' itinerary or any part of it, let me know. If you can't post, you can email me at airaquarian@hotmail.com

[bmwgs94]

bmwgs94,

Looks like based on my starting time, I'd be crossing Rt. 15 & Hwy 6, near Milford Junction at around 10am on Sunday, honk if you see me :D

Wow ! Looks like we will miss each other by a couple of hours. We are leaving out there on Sunday morning and coming back the same way I think. I will be working at the main gate I guess opening day Thursday from 2 p.m. til 5 p.m. So hop up that way and say hi if you get a chance.. You won't miss me..

[bmwgs94]

Drop me a private message today.. It is 11:30 a.m. and I will be on for awhile