Seeking advice - riding to Newfoundland
 

My friend is solo riding from Los Angeles to meet me in Worcester Massachusetts. Once she arrives in my house, she asked if I could accompany her to Newfoundland and share my beautiful part of the world. The problem is; I have never been to Newfoundland; I am at a loss!

I am also with a very low budget. My internet research found very little information about good hostels in Newfoundland. Perhaps someone could help me find affordable places to stay, host us?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Madeline (aka - Missrider)
missrider.com

What time of the year are you heading to Newfoundland? June July or August, you could just camp. I was there a few years back, very friendly people, you may find someone to put you up for a night....

Budget options in Newfoundland consist of camping, camping and camping. Even so, there is no cheap way to get a bike there, and the riding itself isn't actually as spectacular as you might think--long stretches of spruce forest without many curves interspersed with scenic spots. There are certainly places worth seeing--parts of the coast, some of the small towns, Gros Morne, the icebergs, etc., and the people are wonderful. You could easily make a round trip out of it by ferrying over to Labrador and riding back to Quebec.

But if I had limited money I'd be tempted to settle for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick--more bang for the buck-- and leave Newfoundland for another trip. Just my opinion, and worth exactly what you paid me for it.

Mark

I always forget to put my dates. We are leaving the Boston area June 28, 2013.

Thank you Mark. Camping was my option too but one of the girls is not too keen on the idea of it. For some reason we are under the impression that it rains quite a bit and the average daily temperature is in the 60's making it very cold at night. True? I have my camping gear and will bring it with me.

Whenever you go to Newfoundland or Labrador, you have to prepare for cold and wet. Very cold and very wet, and windy. You may get lucky and have good weather, but you had better be prepared. When the sun shines, it is a beautiful place.

I would suggest that you stay in a Bed and Breakfast. Try the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Tourism website for a list of B&Bs in the areas you would like to visit.

Study the map of Newfoundland and look for the routes that loop around the big bays. Poke around and explore. You will find the people friendly and hospitable, especially the B&Bs. I'm sure they will delight in hearing about women riding motorcycles!

I disagrre with spending time in the other provinces. Getting to Nfld is an adventure all itself. You're close enough to come back to the other provinces at another time. But make the effort the first time to get there. The opportunity may never come again.

Thank you Labrador Lance for your feedback. Your advice helps me plan what gear to wear while riding in NFLD. I will study the map per your advice.

Late june he may still be able to catch some icebergs off Twillingate, Lance may be able to advice better on that, and BnB's worked great for us...

First trip I did to The Rock went up the west coast St Anthony I had a blast there was a lot to see. Spent lots of time taking side roads. Once you get past Corner Brook there are hotels but they were small spent most of my time camping. Weather I was lucky very little rain coldest was about 45 F

Went to St John's next year spent it touring east side will go back again. Never had problem finding place to set a tent up. July August when I went they did have lots of visitors.

If you make The George Street Festival wow what a blast

Hi Madeleine, I'm leaving Toronto the first week in July to ride around Newfoundland for about 5 days or so and then drive back home. As it will be my first time to the rock, I'll be watching for any tips too but looks like B&B will be the best way to go for me. I don't much enjoy wet cold camping if I have a choice..Riding solo with my trusty GPS and camera hope to get some great photos.
May see you around.

Hello Madeleine:

I rode the length and breadth of Newfoundland about 20 years ago.

It is pleasant, in its own unique way, but you will have a hard time doing it inexpensively. First of all, you have to get yourself and the motorcycle to and from the island. The ferries are expensive. Unless you want to ride the same roads twice (once in each direction), you will need to arrive at Port aux Basques and depart from Argentia, or vice-versa. The round-trip cost will be about CAD $330.

Newfoundland is a sparsely populated island. Just about everything gets imported from the mainland - food, fuel, etc. This means you will be looking at very high fuel costs (relative to the mainland), as well as high costs for food and accommodation. The provincial sales tax is the highest in Canada.

The distances between communities are greater than you might think - it's about 900 km (roughly 600 miles) from Port aux Basques to St Johns.

The island is "cold and wet", as has been mentioned earlier. Heck, it's 47° North latitude, and surrounded by the Atlantic ocean. You will need to carry appropriate clothing - warmer stuff than you will need for the mainland at the same time of year. I don't think that camping out would be enjoyable, although I do note that your travel schedule would put you there in early July, so, maybe the temperature would be tolerable.

Best suggestion that I can offer is that you do your tour as planned through the Maritime provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick), and if you really want to visit Newfoundland, park your motorcycles at the Halifax airport and fly over to St. Johns on Air Canada. I am pretty sure you could get return air tickets for less than the cost of return ferry tickets (for both the motorcycle and the rider), and you could enjoy a visit in the St Johns area for a significantly lower daily cost than what you would average if you rode across the island.

Michael

Newfoundland
 

Looks like you getting some good info some inaccurate.
Start with calling tourism office ask questions. Yes bring rain gear that doubles as wind gear and hoodie or sweater also bring suntan lotion and a bathing suit. Tons of fresh water swimming. The weather can be warm sunny or cool with rain mostly it rains at night and dry while you are travelling.
You are not made of sugar, the east coast Grandfalls and east to St. John's is the dampest place and St. John being the foggiest wet place . Having said that it is the oldest place in North America, and is beautiful and they can have sunny warm weather you are going at avoid time. Check cape spear light house and the southern shore .
Personally I would do the west coast to ( unless you want to go off the betten yet paved path to Burgeo im not going to explain why. fresh fish and beaches)cornerbrook 2.hr from port aux basque ferry explore the road to lark harbour and back to corner brook then make stops along the way up the northern Penn stopping at natural sea arches and port aux choix site that by the way has seen three different people's through time. Reaching the Viking settlement then a recommended side trip to burnt cape. All of these places are magical.
The weather in Newfoundland can be awesome or a challenge.
Are you tough enough I think so. Check the west coast first then reside how Far East you want to go. It could take a person a full summer to just skim the surface of this beautiful island. Call 1800 563-NFLD ask for a travellers guide
burgeo b&b 709)625-2002so camp & b&b.
Ask me how I know I'm from here I travelled all over and I love the place all is required is bring a good attitude. Let me know after you have done the trip if it was worth it.
Ps don't let Newfoundlander kindest be mistaken for weakness
Some of the kindest tuffest most resourceful people on the earth by nature of the place. Stay safe good luck
Darrell

Hello
I've been there end of May 2011 on my way to Labrador.
The campgrounds just opened for the saison.
Campsites were cnd$20-28 back then, no idea about other options.
The weather was good and bad.
When the sun came out it was great, sadly that was the exception.
If you have the equipement and enjoy riding and camping in cold wet weather just above freezing point your fine, but if your day is ruined by bad weather then it's a risk.
I found the prices not very much higher than in Nova Scotia.
There were some strange pets on the campground in Saint Anthony:
Yamaha XT660Z Tenere in Newfoundland Moose 2 - YouTube

good luck
sushi

Just got back from riding Newfoundland. As soon as I arrived on the island after 3 days of pouring rain getting there. Beautiful sunshine and warm for the 7 days I was on the island. What a great trip. Must see this place. I stayed on the west coast of Newfoundland, Spent much time in Gros Morne. I think Rocky Harbour is the best place to stay. Many restaurants, beer store, entertainment, boat tours near by, Kayaking..very reasonable. Never had a bad meal or a bad experience. Went up to St-Anthony to visit the viking village at L'ance aux Meadows and see Icebergs. Both were done and St-Anthony is a better place to stay to do the north peninsula. We saw Moose too. All was great. The biggest obstacle was not rain or cold but WIND. Violent winds at times on the road between Gros Morne and St-Anthony. Many miles with no one else on the road in front, behind or coming the other way but the wind wanted to throw me off the bike many times. Miles riding at 60 degree angle because the wind was so strong. But views were breathtaking along the coast. Stop at flower cove for lunch there's a restaurant next to the gas station that serves awesome fish chowder.

Newfoundland Canada Ride done
 

Hi,

I finally found time to post the results of the ride to Newfoundland.
The best and efficient way that I could share the experience is by posting a link to the blog, http://www.missrider.com/1/post/2013...-icebergs.html

Thank you to all those that provided wonderful feedback. The experience to Newfoundland was truly amazing, especially finding the icebergs and touching them. I love that island and it is a must for all overland travelers......

Madeleine