Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 May 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Raleigh, NC USA
Posts: 12
Nova Scotia - seeking information

We are planning a trip to & aroung Nova Scotia this Summer & would like to hear from anyone that has any information, suggestions, warnings, etc. We have never been to Canada and plan to ride from NC. In particular, we would be interested in suggestions of places to ride or see, as well as what to expect at the borders, going and coming. Thanks.
__________________
--------------------
Thunder
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 May 2002
John Ferris's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Reno,NV,USA
Posts: 560
You should do the Cabot Trail around Cape Breton Island. Do that counter-clockwise so you are in the outside lane with the coast to your right.
Canadaian border, you should have your birth certificate (original not a copy) or a Passport, drivers licence,
Canadaian insurance card (your agent should give you one for free), no drugs or guns.
I have never had a problem but I am on a plain looking quiet BMW. I have heard that the more you look like a "bad biker" with a loud bike the longer your stay at the border will be.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 May 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Raleigh, NC USA
Posts: 12
Quote:
Originally posted by John Ferris:
You should do the Cabot Trail around Cape Breton Island. Do that counter-clockwise so you are in the outside lane with the coast to your right.
Canadaian border, you should have your birth certificate (original not a copy) or a Passport, drivers licence,
Canadaian insurance card (your agent should give you one for free), no drugs or guns.
I have never had a problem but I am on a plain looking quiet BMW. I have heard that the more you look like a "bad biker" with a loud bike the longer your stay at the border will be.
Thanks for the information! Can you give me some indication of the road condition on the Cabot Trail? I read somewhere that it is not recommended for "beginner" riders, whatever that means. I am experienced, but don't care much for tight & slow twisties. We will be riding two-up and heavy. If possible, a comparison to the Blue Ridge Parkway would be great.

How about the loop down to the southern tip? Is that a good ride as well?

Any suggestions about places to stay, or not to stay?
__________________
--------------------
Thunder
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 1 May 2002
John Ferris's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Reno,NV,USA
Posts: 560
I went around the southern loop and found it boring. If you ride the Blue Ridge Parkway I don't think the Cabot Trail will be a problem. I only rode the Cabot Trail part way because we had ridden from St. Anthony NF and taken the mid-night ferry from NF to Sydney NS. I had been up over 24 hours and it was raining hard. If you have the time take the ferry from Sydney NS to Channel-Port-Aux-basques Newfoundland. Then ride up to St. Anthony NF. The Viking settlement at L'ans Aux Meadows is great.
We are going back to the Cabot Trail in July. We also travel overloaded. Take a look at my website www.geocities.com/widebmw
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 May 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Raleigh, NC USA
Posts: 12
We plan to ride up through Maine, along the coastal highway. We plan on making the southern loop as well as Cabot Trail. It's hard to plan the time and schedule when I have no idea what condition the roads are in & how slow (or fast) traffic might be. Do you think it's practical to plan on making the southern loop in one day, then Cabot Trail the next day? Too much??
__________________
--------------------
Thunder
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 1 May 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3
Hi there,
Here is a link for Nova Scotia that you may find helpful. http://explore.gov.ns.ca

Be certain to take time and stop at Fundy National Park on your way to Nova Scotia through New Brunswick.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6 May 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: fairfield, CA,USA
Posts: 1
Thunder - Rode from California to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland back in 2000. Unless you happen to hit road construction the going is smooth and quick on the trans - Canadian highway. Yes you can do the southern loop one day and then the Cabot Trail the next no problem.
If you decide to visit Newfoundland (highly recommended) a GREAT place to stay near the ferry terminal in northern NS is the SEAL ISLAND MOTEL.(902-674-2418) The owner, Frank Skinner, goes out of his way to cater to 2-wheeled travelers and is an all around great person as is his whole crew. (tell him that Frank from Calif. says hello!) This motel is also only 10 minutes fron the Cabot Trail so it is a good staging point to visit various places on Cape Breton Island.
If you visit Newfoundland you can enter at Port-aux-basques on the western side, ride across to St. Johns and catch a return ferry from Argentia. Be prepared for some extraordinary hospitality by the people of NF!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 25 Jun 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 16
the cabot trail is great.

the coastal route of Maine is overcrowded esp. in the summer

I suggest winding up through Vermont (good roads) and
cut across NH further north. Less direct but much more rewarding.

dc
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 25 Jun 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Raleigh, NC USA
Posts: 12
Quote:
Originally posted by davec:
the cabot trail is great.

the coastal route of Maine is overcrowded esp. in the summer

I suggest winding up through Vermont (good roads) and
cut across NH further north. Less direct but much more rewarding.

dc
Could you be more specific about the route through Vermont. We will be coming from Bangor, ME & need to get to Sackville, NB. How are the roads and conditions along the coast of NB?
__________________
--------------------
Thunder
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:02.