Ride to Nova Scotia- Part 1 through the Smokeys

[RTRandy]

Before I start, I just want to thank everyone on the forum who helped me plan my trip with great input on my post back in January called "Help get Randy to Nova Scotia" . Folks like Voni, Gail Hatch- She Rides a Beemer, Dave Swider- Kbasa, MarkF, Rocketman and particularly Bob Weber-Tourunigo who lives in Nova Scotia and was kind enough to send me all kinds of maps, guides and even patches. I also got some great road tips on other posts as well.

Day One I couldn't wait to depart on July 5th so at the last minute I decided to depart on the 4th due to no morning rush hour traffic out of Dallas and the desire to ride the Dragon two days later during the week rather than on a weekend. Day one was really a launch day riding I-30 to Little Rock and then I-40 to Memphis. After Memphis, I was to ride across Tennessee on Hwy 64. I can ride the great roads in Arkansas on a weekend trip from Dallas sothe good roads there would have to wait for another day.

Only photo on day one was at my first fuel stop in Hope Arkansas. Hope Arkansas is the Watermelon Capitol of the US and here was a lady selling watermelons on the 4th of July trying to stay cool with her fan. The clouds got worse after Hope and I was in and out of rain until almost Memphis.http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/84991073-L.jpg

I made it to Savannah, TN around 5pm and decided to call it a day so I could continue on Hwy 64 and enjoy the scenery the following day. I fell asleep listening to the locals setting off fireworks on a clear night and in the morning I awoke to the steady sound of rain outside my window. Day Two was the toughest day of the trip. I rode through nearly five hours of on and off hard rain and fog and didn't come out of the rain until around Chattanooga. From what I could tell, Hwy 64 was a pretty nice road, but not much fun that day. After Chattanooga, Hwy 64 got super nice just east of Cleveland,TN and the ride from Ocoee, to Ducktown made my day. I had pushed all day not knowing how long it would take me to get to Telico Plains and after Ducktown it was all down hill. ( Actually up hill and super twisty)
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/84227002-L.jpg Turns out I needed to stay in Sweetwater, TN for the night just another 20 miles further and at dinner I was surrounded by the local cruisers.http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/84991356-L.jpg

Day three I got up early and found the area much cooler than the first two days. I was finally out of the intense heat. Here we are at the beginning of the Charahola Skyway in Telliquah. Very nice !
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/84991756-L.jpg and looking across the street:http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/84992040-L.jpg First part was pretty foggy that morning, though still lovely.http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/84992321-L.jpg Finally on the decent coming down the other side, the weather improved.http://http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/84992881-L.jpg
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/84993163-L.jpg http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/84993480-L.jpg I'm sure I'm not the first to compare them, but Cherohala is very similar in feel to our Talihina sky-way in eastern OK and Arkansas. http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/87961400-L.jpg
Ya think ?
Back to Cherohala:
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After a lovely ride and lunch in Robbinsville, it was finally time to ride the famous Dragon. Don't get me wrong, it's a fun road for sure, but after riding it, it occurred to me it was more of a big deal for the cruiser guys.http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/84227143-L.jpg
Thursday morning and getting crowded.http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/84227323-L.jpg http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/84227578-L.jpg http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/84227714-L.jpg
As I headed out, a cluster of these guys roared out in front of me and I found myself stuck behind them matching every turn and watching them take bad lines or no lines at all. That's a story for another day. I was not going to have an attitude on this road so I stayed patient until they finally figured out they were holding me up and kindly waved me past. This road has an excellent surface all the way through so no worry about tar snakes, pot holes, or cracks. None of the turns are really that tricky with decreasing radius, though some very cool S turns and some of those tight sweepers that seem to continue for 360º. I love those !! There were some folks taking commercial photos for purchase so I was lucky to find a few of me later. Here I am in a decending right hander.http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/87969508-L.jpg
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At the end, folks had stopped to take photos.http://http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/84227884-L.jpg
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Here's what they were looking at: Kind of cool actually though no idea what it was.
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Due to some bad planning in my kitchen months earlier, I took what proved to be the worst route of the entire trip: Route 441 through Sevierville and Gatlinburg, TN. I was trying to get to the Blue Ridge Parkway with a bad route. I never knew they existed, but these places were like Branson only with a redneck slant. Instead of Mickey Roony or Debby Reynolds, it was like Elvis, Dolly and Nascar drivers. I ended up taking four hours to get through twenty miles in these towns in intense traffic and heat. DON'T GO THERE!

[eddie]

Good report and pics,thanks.Your right about the Gatlinburg area,I wish somebody had warned you,me and my wife always avoid that area,its terrible.

[RTRandy]

I got to Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) very late in the day and was tiring with no idea how long it would take to Asheville. For those who have never ridden it, it's has to be the smoothest most well maintained road surface you'll ever ride. More like a small road than a Parkway, but really nice for sure. It even has a blue tint to the thing.
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Looks blue to me.
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Reminds me more of a driveway to a country club than a Parkway.
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After a few hours or so on the BRP I made it to Asheville while it was getting dark.

Following morning I got back on the BRP and continued north only the road seemed to go even higher.

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Quite a few tunnels even on the southern part.
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If you look closely you can see the roads cutting into the trees.
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I finally got off and rode Boone, NC to Bristol,VA on a Hwy 421 which proved far more challenging than the Dragon. It went over two passes with some steep climbing turns and switchbacks down to 10 and 15MPH. Fun, but required focus and both hands for sure. Here is a shot near the end and you can still make out the winding road of Hwy 421.

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I spent that night just north of Roenoke in a town called Troutville and when I came out of some restaurant after dinner, some local guy and his wife were admiring my bike in the parking lot. We got to talking and turns out he rides a Honda ST1300 and a Ducati. When asked where I was going, I told him I was going to finish out the Blue Ridge to Front Royal the next day and he told me if he was me, he would ride Hwy 220 toward Monterey. He convinced me to change plans being he knew the area well and it turned out to be super advice. Hwy 220 just north of Roenoke was a wonderfull road and had it all including twin lanes on the long uphills for passing, and tons of sweepers.
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It meanders through farm land.
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Not sure what Seneca Rocks is, but here's a shot.

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Up the road.
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To be Continued:

[RTRandy]

I passed some incredible sights including this hotel on Hwy 220 called the Homestead built in the 1700's. I don't think they had elevators back then either. You can't believe how huge this place was. I did a U-turn just to get a shot.
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Another cool looking hotel in that area.
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Further north I went over another mountain pass. Great weather that day and very relaxing ride.
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Beauty was all around.
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I made it to Huntingdon, PA that night and was taking yet another route recommended by someone on the forum covering Pennsylvania roads.
Turned out to be in the Amish country the next day riding through dairy farms. One of the cool things was riding along miles of corn fields like I was gliding through them.
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Now here's a sign you don't see in Dallas:
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They weren't kidding either.
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Some of these carts had rear windows and their kids would wave to me out the back. The parents seemed pretty straight laced about the whole ordeal and were not too pleased with their waving kids. They did their best to move to the side and I did my best to be respectful and pass slowly and quietly. It was Sunday morning and I was just passing through.
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That was on a Hwy 45 in PA and a really nice treat.

I ended up riding more interstate that day since this was right after major floods in PA and I wanted to get further north to beat the heat. I rode past Wilkes Barre and Scranton before heading east on 80 to get to Port Jervis, NY. One cool note is there must have been some kind of car Rally that day east of Scranton since I passed tons of guys towing these incredible classic cars from the 50's and 60's. Some were being driven and I always gave them a thumbs up when I passed them.

Had a late lunch in Milford, PA at the Milford Diner thanks to some advise from a local at a nearby gas station. Great food with a huge menu.
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[RTRandy]

Spent that night in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and in the morning rode up Route 7 to Vermont. Route 7 was great !
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Finally to Route 100 in Vermont. I rode the southern part that day up to Route 4 heading to New Hampshire.
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Stopped for lunch and met these interesting characters in the lot. Couldn't resist getting this shot.
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They were fascinated with my GPS and said it would never work for them:

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The gal who took the photo was on a Harley and the two guys were on a couple of Triumph Thunderbirds.

Inside the place had seen it's time.
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So had the roof.
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The great thing about the area were these older strip motel which were great for bikes, I love being able to park outside your door.
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Typical town on Route 100:
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Tons of these small summer stands throughout PA and New England. Ice Cream seemed to be a big deal in those parts.
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Spent the night in Lincoln , NH and woke up to another rainy day. Today I was heading to Bar Harbor, Maine and was planning for it to be the first place to spend more than one night. Started out with just light rain at my hotel.
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I rode on Hwy 312 into the White mountains in heavy rain so lost some good photo ops for the day. Another tough day but at least short.

[RTRandy]

I was riding 20mph decending switchbacks at altitude in hard rain and not much to see. Another tough day, but I knew I'd be in Bar Harbor by mid afternoon and could hang out for an extra day. I really missed out on seeing the sights from the great White Mountain roads of New Hampshire.

Arrived in Bar Harbor and checked out this pricey hotel looking over the ocean since the manager gave me a key to have a look. I opted for an easier place across the street which turned out to be great for me.
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Tons of great motels that are well preserved from another time. I wish I could convey how nice the air there was especially at night.
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Great breakfast to be had in town.
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By the time I scouted the block I decided to eat at Jeannie's down the street.

[http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/84237795-L.jpg
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I just wanted the eggs with my pancakes, though I'll admit I had some of their home made oatmeal bread as well. Do you think I got enough carbs that morning?
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Downtown Bar Harbor:
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How do people pay for one of these?
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Love the name and the folks just hanging out on the back.
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If the pancakes weren't enough, how bout a 3 pound lobster?
They cook the lobsters in these pots outside and they boil them in sea water.
Incredible ! Best spot for lobster in Bar Harbor is the Trenton Bridge pound which has been there since the 50's.

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Back home in Bar Harbor after lobster and ready to leave for Nova Scotia in the morning. To be continued:
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[RTRandy]

Another day of light rain out of Bar Harbor and I cut up to Route 9 to head east and cross into Canada at Calais. I got right through customs with just a few questions like was I carrying vegetables or weapons. The traffic coming back into the states was litterally backed up for miles. Note to self: Don't come back through Calias.

I stopped for lunch at this little place in Saint Johns right on the water. View from Parking lot:
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Only a couple of guys eating at the next table since it was around 2 pm.
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View from my table. Mostly fried everything here, though good.
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I made it to Port Hawkesbury from Bar Harbor Maine that day and after lunch in St John, it was all rain again.
Following morning in Port Hawkesbury. I'm kicking myself for not getting a shot of the McDonalds. They sell McLobster rolls in Nova Scotia.
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Beginning of Cape Breton
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My GPS map took me to exit 12 instead of 11 where the road ends for like 500 yards and you have to take a small ferry.
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Finally getting further north on some fun roads. The same road is up there ahead.
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Here we are up there.
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Getting cool here.
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You ride forever at the ocean's edge.
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The ocean had this beautiful deep blue color
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To be continued:

[RTRandy]

Put on a sweatshirt at this lookout along with my trusty rain suite and was snug as a bug the rest of the day.http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/84244982-L.jpg
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Now here's something you don't see on our Texas roads:
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I went off the Cabot Trail at Neils Harbour and New Haven to hug the coast and see some more coastal towns. If you have the opportunity, take it. Nice road and it will only add about 20 minutes off Cabot trail which turns inland at that point for awhile.
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Well here it is: If you ever try to get info about Nova Scotia and especially Cabot Trail, you always see this shot. I had it in my mind and knew when I hit the spot. My camera can't do justice to this area, but it's knocked out gorgeous along here.
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Kind of a sad photo here. I realized I had hit my furthest point northeast and I'd be turning for home. Hey I still had another 3,000 more miles or so to go at least.
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Here's a shot looking back:
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This shot captures the scale of this place. Just awesome !!
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Long day so I had dinner around Mabou and found this place in Port Hood.
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Woke up the next day with gorgeous weather. Here's the back side of my motel in the morning.
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Crossed onto the main land and took this shot looking back at Cape Breton.
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To be continued:

[RTRandy]

The weather was so knocked out that day I decided to get off the highway that was taking me to the ferry at Pictou and ride the outer road. Turns out to be called Sunrise trail. Great road !! Take it for sure !!!
Here some shots heading through the area of Point George.
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Road cutting off to left if you look way out.
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OK. Once in awhile you end up with an artsy photo. These guys had two chairs and a table looking out to the ocean. I saw this in my mind and stopped to get this shot. Very Cool !
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Up ahead this old Catholic church. If you walk out the door, your looking out over the ocean.
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Lobster boats everywhere.
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More Sunrise Trail:

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Tip of Point George:
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Made it to the Pictou Ferry and was first in Line. Had about a forty minute wait so hung around in the great weather. Life was good.
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Hanging around waiting for the ferry. Buy the way, it's free to get to Prince Edward Island (PEI). They charge you on the return. I paid $16.50 Canadian returning on the big bridge.
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To be continued:

[RTRandy]

So this huge old bus pulls up into the lane next to my bike while waiting for the ferry and this retired couple from Orlando starts talking to me about my bike and before I know it, I'm invited to come and check out their bus. 5.5mpg!
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Here comes the ferry.
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Way out there is PEI.
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These guys were great !!
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Coming in to Prince Edward Island.
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Off the boat and riding again.
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I had no idea where to go to spend the night and some guy on the ferry said Summerside is a pretty nice place since his parents grew up there. I figured what the heck so I took Hwy 225 heading west which was beautiful, however by then I was trying to make time to find a place for the night so no photos. I find this motel which had one of the few vacancies and in a conversation they tell me they have one other cottage left "On the water" even though we're like 10 miles from the water. I decide to give it a shot and they hand me a hand drawn printed map. It says the only white cottage on the water with a satalite dish antenna on the side. The road turns to dirt when I spot the place, but not too bad.
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$95 for the night with a full kitchen and a living room.
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Life was good in that spot.
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Next morning all packed up.
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The Confederation Bridge is a must ride. It's nine miles long and it has a clear view on both sides. It's high up, but with the open view on both sides it's like flying over the water. I rode it leasurely on a Sunday morning and it's a ride I'll never forget. Unfortunatelly you can't pull over and stop to take a photo on the bridge though I was tempted since there was no traffice that morning. I wasn't even suppossed to pull over and get this one either. Nine miles later I was back in New Brunswick heading for Gaspe only later that morning my bike was leaking oil all over the upper left side of my dash. It's a Sunday morning in a place where English is a second language and I'm leaking oil. I decide to head three days early to the Vermont Rally and try to get it repaired if I don't over heat first. Turns out I had a broken left fork seal and the air flow blows the fork fluid forward up through the dash. Who knew. I was never so glad to set foot in a BMW dealer when I arrived in Essex Junction, VT on Tuesday afternoon.

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To be continued in the future.

[Burnszilla]

The confederate bridge is a must ride. It's nine miles long and it has a clear view on both sides. It's high up, but with the open view it's like flying over the water. I rode it leasurely on a Sunday morning and it's a ride I'll never forget. Unfortunatelly you can't pull over and stop to take a photo. I was tempted since there was no traffice that morning.
Randy. Remember you weren't in the south. :stick That would be the Confederation Bridge. Named after Canada's confederation that took place in Charlottetown, PEI on July 1, 1867.
http://www.canadainfolink.ca/fathersquebecconf.jpg
Awesome Ride Report!!! :lurk

[RTRandy]

Randy. Remember you weren't in the south. :stick That would be the Confederation Bridge. Named after Canada's confederation that took place in Charlottetown, PEI on July 1, 1867.
Awesome Ride Report!!! :lurk

DOH ! Now corrected thanks to you.

[SheRidesABeemer]

Great ride report, you have a nice mix of local flavor.
I am impressed and confused how you traveled so far with just the stuff in your hard cases - no strapped down gear! What is your secret?

[RTRandy]

Great ride report, you have a nice mix of local flavor.
I am impressed and confused how you traveled so far with just the stuff in your hard cases - no strapped down gear! What is your secret?

I've done the trips carrying tons of stuff including camping gear and discovered the best way for me is to motel it and travel light. I wear Draggin Jeans (http://www.dragginjeans.com/) and have a second pair packed to rotate. (Not necessarily a great choice I know) In the hot summer I can wear shorts and a T-shirt in the evening, or my jeans, and during the day I've got my riding clothes on. I pack a plastic bottle full of powered laundry detergent and a ton of quarters and manage to do a laundry about every three to five days. The top case has maps, bike cover, rain suit, sweat shirt in case it gets cold and a nylon wind breaker to wear around town if it gets cold or rainy. I try to avoid weight in the top case. Basically I'm packing shorts, underwear, toilet kit, shoes, and t-shirts. I leave the top case on full time, but have to take two side cases, helmet, tank bag, and Camelbak into my motel room. I can clean the helmet at night in my hotel room to be ready for the next day.

Don't let this happen to you . . . I was new at this when this shot was taken in Colorado two years ago. Yikes !
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/91285665-L.jpg

[username]

stellar report!

[PacWestGS]

They just keep getting better and better around here. :thumb

Way to post it Randy, I look forward the rest... :clap

Doc

[HexST]

Excellent Report! Thank You I can't wait to start my trip up there the 15th of Sept..

[VEGASBEEMERGUY]

Nice photos, great motels! I also ride an 04 R1150RT, Great bike.
Have you considered and Aerostich? Your picture on the Dragon ride shows you on your bike with all the right riding gear accept your wearing Jeans.
Even if they are " Dragon Jeans", no pun intended, they won't give you the protection you need should you go down. If you have ever seen someone with road rash from a get off you will understand. The other great thing about the Aerostich is if it starts raining you don't need to stop and put on rain gear. Your wearing it already.
Enjoyed your articles very much.


:bikes Have fun and ride safe,

Steve

[BradfordBenn]

Very nice

[RTRandy]

Nice photos, great motels! I also ride an 04 R1150RT, Great bike.
Have you considered and Aerostich? Your picture on the Dragon ride shows you on your bike with all the right riding gear accept your wearing Jeans.
Even if they are " Dragon Jeans", no pun intended, they won't give you the protection you need should you go down. If you have ever seen someone with road rash from a get off you will understand. The other great thing about the Aerostich is if it starts raining you don't need to stop and put on rain gear. Your wearing it already.
Enjoyed your articles very much.
:bikes Have fun and ride safe, Steve

Good observation. I really wrestled with that issue before I departed especially since I own four good pairs of armored pants. It's the first time I rode with only Draggin jeans since it seemed my pant choices were very bulky and I would need more than one pair to rotate. I think the Aerostitch will be my next pursuit as it can cover a lot of bases for rain and hot summer. Winter isn't an issue since two of my pants are great in cold weather. Hopefully for next summer's trip I'll own some Aerostitch stuff like the Darien pants.

[redrider]

Great pics and captions.Memories of trips gone bye

[VEGASBEEMERGUY]

Glad to hear Jeans aren't your normal riding pants. I see it all the time and it makes me nervous to think of the consequences should a mishap occurr.
As you state so well. "Luck favors those who are prepared." You couldn't have said it better. I've tried all kinds of riding gear over the years and found the one piece Aerostich does it best for me. I have two one piece suits.
One is a well seasoned (1992 vintage) I use for summer riding,warmer weather.
The second is a few years old and is a full size bigger to allow for layers of heavier cloth, electrics etc. under the suit.
The only thing I have found as I got older is the suit had sustained some closet shrinkage. This seems to be a common problem since they will last a lifetime and we tend to put on a little weight as we age gracefully.
I must say, after reading your article I wanted to pack the bike and head out. I have not yet done the Cabot trail but am looking forward to doing so in the near future.

Have fun and ride safe,

Steve :type

[SHawn_P]

Wow!

[jrdinct]

Randy,

Great post!!! Where are you headed next?

[RTRandy]

Randy,

Great post!!! Where are you headed next?

Thanks.

For the big summer vacation ride next summer, I'm hoping to spend more time in Oregon and Washington and explore British Columbia and Victoria. I'll try to include Bear Tooth Pass next year along with parts of Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and Montana. Love riding those places.

[spottybond]

I really enjoyed your ride report. Thanks for taking the time to share. 2 Questions.
The restaurant you ate at in Saint john New Brunswick, was it about a 1/2 outside the city in a little place called Pocologan? If it the place I am thinking of it is about 1/2 hour from where I live and I have never eaten there! Just think I might get a recommendation from a guy in Texas about a restaurant I pass all the time! I think I need to get out more!! :laugh
If you don't mind my asking what kind of camera do you use?

[RTRandy]

I really enjoyed your ride report. Thanks for taking the time to share. 2 Questions.
The restaurant you ate at in Saint john New Brunswick, was it about a 1/2 outside the city in a little place called Pocologan? If it the place I am thinking of it is about 1/2 hour from where I live and I have never eaten there! Just think I might get a recommendation from a guy in Texas about a restaurant I pass all the time! I think I need to get out more!! :laugh
If you don't mind my asking what kind of camera do you use?

From memory I had passed a couple of cool seafood restaurants while I was heading east I believe on Route 1 and they were on the north side ( Westbound) so I kept thinking there were bound to be more of these on the eastbound side. There really wasn't until I came across this place by itself on my right. What I can tell you is the parking lot wasn't paved and you had to go down hill from the road to pull up to the place. It was I'm guessing on the Bay of Fundy perhaps a few miles further west of St John. ???

If you're out in that area, by all means let me know if you find it. Looking at a map it may have been Pocologan for sure. As you can see it's right on the water. I'd love to hear if you find it and know for sure where it's located. Try the scallops. I was trying to eat light that day, and the folks at the other table got them. :eat

[spottybond]

Yep it was Pocologan! Thats a hoot. I am going to make a point to go there before they close for the season. You are really lucky you were there on a clear day. If the fog had been in the bay, yes the Bay of Fundy, you may have driven past the restaurant without even noticing it! I swear I have driven through Pocologan and the temp has dropped at least 10 degrees. They are building a new border crossing for St. Stephen-Calais. We are having a provincial election here this month so I am sure we will have promises of more money and a firm date before we go to the polls. There is a second crossing just as you come into Calais, but is is not well marked and unless you know about it most folks from away would go right on by. It is usually not quite so busy.

[RTRandy]

They are building a new border crossing for St. Stephen-Calais. There is a second crossing just as you come into Calais, but is is not well marked and unless you know about it most folks from away would go right on by. It is usually not quite so busy.

Boy that's one I'd like to know for the future. I haven't posted the last part of my ride , but my oil leak caused me to bail out of riding Gaspe. Everyone tells me that's a wonderful ride and I really missed out for sure. In any case I crossed back into Maine at Vanceboro on a Sunday and couldn't believe I was the only one coming through there to cross back into Maine. Consequently the border guards had nothing to do so they made me open all my cases for them.

Hope you enjoy that restaurant.

[spottybond]

I am laughing out loud!!!! We crossed at Vanceboro 2 years ago. We were just out cruising around and we landed there. The 3 guards were out of the booth before we got out feet on the ground. I think they were thrilled for the company and wanted to keep us around too! We didn't have much for them to look through so we had to give details on our bikes while they ran our plates!
How about Vanceboro for a happening spot!

[Paul_F]

An excellent ride report. I especially loved your photos. Many of these were places that I rode through in July, but unfortunately I did not use my camera as frequently as you did. Through your post I was able to show my wife the small ferry on the Cabot Trail, the ferry from PEI to Nova Scotia, certain stops along the Cabot Trail, as well as the landscape in the NE US that I passed through. Plus, you photographed some of the individuals that you met along the way. In hindsight, I wish that I had done that since I met many very interesting people. You have given me a reason to take more photos on my next trip.

Thank you.

[paulfinney2]

Another Paul F, this time from Roanoke, Va, commends you on a great ride report and pictures that more than do justice! I also rode that area this summer; first through the Adirondacks, then the BMW Rally in Burlington, then I went to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. I did the Cabot Trail first counter
clockwise on my bike, then rode to Halifax, where I parked the bike and rented a car, as my wife flew in. On our ride that evening, a moose emerged out of the Cape Breton Highlands Park, but I managed to bring the car to a stop. He left before I could get his picture.. We stayed in Bay St Lawrence, and next day took a whale watch boat, and saw 50-75 whales; a humpback treated us to a shallow dive under our boat. Captain said it was one of his best sightings ever. Next day, we stopped in the Park to watch a black bear eat berries 25-30 ft from the car. Following day we returned to the mainland, where we watched the Bay of Fundy hang boats on dry land as the tide ran out. Wife flew out the next day, so I set up camp east of Halifax and toured the mainland. Stopped in New Brunswick to explore the Hopewell Rocks. Returned to Roanoke. I wish I had your talent with the camera. Your pictures just took me back! They are enough to convince other bikers to do the trip.

[tourunigo]

:type ...glad that we could be of service Randy in helping to make part of your trip as successful as it was. Your photo essay was well done and very enjoyable. Some places we have been to and others remain future destinations....made even more inviting through your photos. After a brief visit to Texas in '01 we want to venture back there at a slower pace and we will, most certainly, seek your advice as well. -Bob

[riderR1150GSAdv]

Very nice report! :clap

[mark2wheeler]

I love reading reports like yours.The pictures and route info allmost take us along.I have been to the Blue Ridge PKWY many years ago.You've made me want to return.The motels certainly ease the packing situation.

[SIBUD]

Thanks for taking the time to share your trip with the rest of us.
:kiss :kiss

It looks like you had a great time.

Looking forward to your ride report from your next trip.

[LRider]

Fabulous report and pics Randy. Thanks for taking the time to do this!!

[RTRandy]

This ride report has a life of it's own. It seems to fade away and then come back with more replies. Thanks everyone for your kind words. I hope to do a small add on about my visit to Vermont and part of the ride back to Dallas soon.