Snow in Nova Scotia
 

Hi Guys
I am jumping forums and want to pick your brains, having reached Mongolia I have now decided to head home (England) via Nova Scotia.
I'm currently in Japan and I'm looking into shipping to the Pacific Coast of the States. I am dithering over whether to ride straight across to Nova Scotia or leave it until the Spring.

Having just crossed a very chilly Siberia in mid-October, I do have some experience of cold weather riding- seven layers I squeeze under my bike jacket and that is with the electric jacket as well.
So, my question is- How late in the year can I safely ride in Nova Scotia and Eastern Seaboard?
I know I could look up climate stuff on the net- but that is very different from asking fellow bike riders who have local experience.

Wait for spring
 

I think that you have pretty well missed the window of opportunity for this year. By the time you ship to the USA I would recommend taking a slow ride across the southern and central states and then up the Atlantic coast in the spring.

Alternatively if time and $ are not an object you could cross the southern states west to east over the next few months then back east to west following the sun north and finaly back west to east across Canada around May.

Have fun.

Rick

Tiffany, I think Ricks right, we went to NS, NFL and L in May, June and July and the weather was pretty awfull, we were told that September is best, but you've missed that. I would imagine that going now would be a problem, better to get to the USA and head South, we have friends in San Diego if you need an address and in Death Vally and in Maryland, the southern States would be nice this time of year, ideal for places like the Grand Canyon, Sedona etc. and if you're down that way don't miss Arches National Park, stupendous !

Hi Tiffany,

Depends a lot on your tolerance to cold, but a ride across Canada at this time of year would be chilly, but doable. You would want to do it quick though, as the autumn moves on the likelihood of ice on the road from frost increases as well as the riskof actual snow fall. There was some snow in Calgary a couple of days ago and we broke a few records on the weeend for cold temperatures here in B.C., it roughly ranged between -10 and -15C at night, which is unusual for this time of year.

If it will take long to get over here, but you were itching to go, you might want to consider studding your tires which would mitigate the risk associated with ice. It wouldn't mitigate the risk of other people sliding into you though:)

If you have flexibility, other options to consdier would be to come back in the spring and make a bearable ride enjoyable. Rding across the country is a wonderful opportuntity, 'twould be a shame to do it in less tahn optimal conditions.

And if you don't know whether you can make it back and absolutely have to squeeze it in, I would consider flying into LA and riding across the bottom of the US where it will be warmer and then shoot up the eastern seaboard.

If you need a place to store your bike over the winter in BC, drop me a line. It'll have a safe spot beside a bike and a snowmobile.

Consider Canada as good as closed for the motorcycle riding season by the time you will get here. Really, it is no fun dodging cold wet snow flurries, the posibility of deep freezes across the Rockies and prairie privinces, and the hazards of ice packed on road surfaces. . This same applies to the northern half of the USA.
We who live in these zones can take advantage of the occasional mild spell , especially if it coincides with a weekend , to take a tolerable ride, even the odd ride in January and February . But you , trying just to make a transit west to east , may not have the luxury of waiting out every day with lousy weather.
If your budget and time restrictions allow it , spend the winter touring California's low cdry country and into Mexico and CA , then come back in late April to work your way slowly north so that you can cross Canada sometime in May when the weather will be mild again- but freak snow events can still happen in areas with a clear path for weather from the arctic.

Thank you
 

Thanks for all the replies. I know I have left it late for this year, but so many countries to see...:scooter:
Unfortunately though I have got time, I don't have the money to ride until spring and so was thinking of doing the bike storage thing in North America west coast, working the winter somewhere and then returning to retrieve Thelma and ride across next year.
Mountain Man - what you are suggesting was my other vague idea, shoot across the US in the southern and warmer areas and then head up to NS.
So, I'm still wondering - has the snow started in Nova Scotia yet? and if not when does it start? I know that it will be a bit later than other areas as it is a coastal region.

Tiffany

If you wish to do the southern route of the US its doable. A friend of mine did Florida to San Francisco without any problems last year and celebrated in Christmas in SF. Of course you have to plan around the elevation and weather patterns but its doable. Plus the US southwest is cooler to enjoy this time of year.

Come across the southern US and decide what to do once in Florida or even New York City. I can find you a place to store the bike till spring along the way if in Atlanta, Florida or even here if need be. My garage already has a Spanish GS and an Aussie KLR so what is another bike ? Plus I can get you to the airport if need be. All I would have to do is get another battery tender and stabilize your gas which it may not be needed since spring is not far off. Plus there are two BMW dealers within 70 miles of my home if you need parts and I am a two-three hours from New York City.


Are your doing any BMW / Dealer presentations ? It might be a good idea to brush up your PowerPoint of your trip and contact dealers for event presentations. Its a good time to promote riding motorcycles and inspiring woman to ride and bring their S.O.s into the dealerships prior to Christmas. Your friends Lisa and Simon had success doing inspirational travel presentations and in your in case you could slow down, enjoy the US and maybe make some money, get accommodations, or start another career.

Or just throttle on and do what you do. :scooter:

All the best

Thanks for that offer and the suggestion of a new career :D I'm still dithering and waiting for shipping agents to get back to me.

cheers

hey Tiffany
 

I think "RIG" is right,I think you missed your window for this year.
You would have no problems getting across the southern states this time of year.But going up into the northeast any later then mid November can get a little nasty.One thing to consider is they sand the roads with gravel.I live in Nova Scotia about 2 miles from Peggy's Cove, 25 miles from Halifax. There is any auto-port in Dartmouth so it is easy to ship your bike back home from here.I've checked out your web site and I'm quite impressed with your adventures.I've just bought a BMW f800gs and hope to take off on an adventure sometime myself.I've done a lot of ready on this subject but would love to talk to someone first hand about there journeys.If you make it to Nova Scotia let me know,I'd love to meet you.

Waiting out the Winter
 

Thanks for the info, yes, I had decided to leave the States/Canada until the weather gets warmer:palm:

Currently in Tokyo midway through the shipping process, Thelma has been left at the warehouse- so I am now in downtown Tokyo with full bike gear and no bike!
The shipping agent is very unsure about me because I do not have a carnet so I will have to see how it goes with her and customs this afternoon.

Thelma will be wintering in Seattle and having a bit of TLC. while I go in search of money making work.:rolleyes2:

And yes, I will definitely meet up with you when I reach Nova Scotia in more temperate conditions, always more than happy to chat about travelling:scooter: and get more people on the road- drop me a PM and stay in touch.

glad to know I am not the only one who has had to call it quits and winter the bike!

hey Tiffany.
We had our first bit of winter today, 20cms. of snow!!!
It is melting quite fast, but this morning was a real mess.This time of year it snows and then melts and at night what's left on the road turns to black ice.
You are doing the right thing by waiting for spring.The worst of winter is normally over with by the end of March here. But it is still a little cool and wet for motorcycles.I will keep in touch and let me know when you start your trip again in the spring.

Hey Tiffany,

As Lightkeeper noted, it is officially winter here now :( That said, aside from a bit of a freak storm back about a month ago, I've been riding right up to this weekend (Dec 5). Normally you can get back on the road again by mid to late March. Being stuck out into the Atlantic (not unlike the UK) means that that big ass hot water bottle (Ocean) tempers our temperatures, although also provides us no shortage of precipitation...sound familiar? :stormy:

Drop me a line when you do make the decision to roll this way and I'll give you an updated weather forecast :welcome: