Introducing the Northern New England Adventure Trail

[Canuman]

Unfortunately, many of the log truck drivers have the attitude that "it's better to be judged by twelve than carried by six." They have to. There are few ways for a working man to get rich in the woods. Everyone in the timber harvesting industry is judged by one measure: output at the mill. It's a dangerous and difficult job, and these guys work their asses off. They are my friends and neighbors, and I respect them.

There are enough idiots on the road on two and four wheels to keep them awake. Showing the landowners that motorcycles are a safe and sane is the only way that access will become legal.

I have some personal issues with the organizations that manage both the Maine woods and the Adirondacks. The large holdings in the Daks and the Maine woods read like a who's who of some of the wealthiest people in America. The restrictions to public access go back before there was a United States. A massive portion of the lands are managed as a private preserve for these folk. I've been a guest at the Finch Paper lodge in the Adirondacks, with the thousands of acres of private land surrounding it. It was nice to be invited, but not very egalitarian. Large parcels in Maine are managed by folk ranging from the Sikorsky heirs to the many old-rich people in the North Maine Woods Corporation.

Timber is a dying industry in New England. The Maine woodlands are slowly being converted to more public forms as the balance sheet goes from profit to loss on logs. However, some of the conversion is going toward foot/restricted access and quasi "Wilderness Areas" as have some large purchases made recently by the Appalachian Mountain Club (aka the "Amalgamated Money Corporation.") of Five Joy Street, Boston. Strangely, the membership list of the old folk at the AMC and North Maine Woods and Seven Islands Land Corp share quite a few members. These groups are generally averse to open public access, except where it helps their balance sheet.

I sound like a raving loony, I know. I base it on this: my first wife was AMC/Seven Islands/ NMW stock. I have the shirt on that one. I myself worked for Mother AMC for six years.I've been all over that country on air, water, foot, and roads. The only way to get access is to prove that motorcycles are neither a detriment or risk. This could take some lobbying on the local legislature, some jumping and shouting with the AMA, and taking the cause into public forums.

BMWKLR is correct. In the current situation, private land is just that, and you can get busted for simply being there.

I know that I am a far smaller risk to the average logging operation than an SUV filled with folk on vacation who haven't seen anything but blacktop since they last took the kids to see Bumpa and Nono at the lake.

[Pantah]

Originally Posted by BKMLWR

what part of private don't you understand?

I understand it. It's the discrimination I don't understand. The excuse they use is baloney. But whatever, their days are numbered anyways. The world is going paperless.

[Pantah]

Canuman - What kind of roads are those in Canada? Is that forest land too? Never been there, but I thought I read somewhere in this site that the terrain changed dramatically north of the border for some reason.

And also, thanks for your great work. I have a new 690 arriving next week or two. I'll set it up for touring the kinds of paths you are linking together.

[Canuman]

Originally Posted by Pantah

Canuman - What kind of roads are those in Canada? Is that forest land too? Never been there, but I thought I read somewhere in this site that the terrain changed dramatically north of the border for some reason.

And also, thanks for your great work. I have a new 690 arriving next week or two. I'll set it up for touring the kinds of paths you are linking together.

It depends where you are along the route. The unpaved roads in Estrie (the Eastern Townships) tend to be quite high-standard gravel. They are suitable for relatively high speeds. Much of the first part of the route goes through farmlands. While we tend to consider our northern border tenuous for agriculture, it's the best Canada has, and they use it. The small towns tend to be quite civilized and urbane. It's perfect for relaxed touring on a bike that is more road-oriented.

Compared to Northern New England, the terrain in Estrie is flatter, and less twisty.

Further north and east, in Chaudiere-Appalaches, things resemble Maine more. Agriculture becomes less important than logging. The terrain is hillier and more broken, and the population density less. (The majority of Canada's population is within 200 miles of the US border.)

As one gets north of Quebec City, the majority of the population hugs the St. Lawrence. There are some very exciting roads up in the Gaspe, both though remote areas and along the shore. It is a truly world-class destination. The Chic-Choc mountains are a destination for hikers and adventure skiers from around the world.

Access tends to be better than in the US. It's unlike the North Maine Woods for the simple fact that people actually live there in towns and villages, and have to get in and out, get groceries, and conduct their business. I realize that people do live in the Maine woods, but the numbers are smaller and the reasons different.

[Pantah]

Hey thanks on that. Very helpful. In the northeast we have to share a lot more than those lucky bastids in the southwest. We have great potential, though. Just need more area to explore....like northern Maine.

[nhbubba]

Originally Posted by BKMLWR

...years back dirt bikers made a bad reputation by vandalizing forestry equipment and we now suffer the consequences

I suspect this has a lot to do with the reception riders get.

Effing shame.

[TowPro]

Don't forget the Trans PA Trail

[Hich76]

Hi new here, how does one get the Trans PA Trail - GPS Track. Is that part of the TAT tracks?

Would like to give this a try, since a live on Long Island...thanks....hich

[TowPro]

Originally Posted by Hich76

Hi new here, how does one get the Trans PA Trail - GPS Track. Is that part of the TAT tracks?

Would like to give this a try, since a live on Long Island...thanks....hich

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=594569

I have ridden from Frenchtown NJ to Empurium PA. (2.5 days)
This spring I will finish proof riding the Emporium to Michaux state forest section. (another 2.5 days)
(there is something I need to fix just below Emporium)
Michaux is where you can pickup the Trans WV trail and continue south.
I am just waiting until it stays above freezing before I can move my RV to my base camp.

There is also a crew looking at test riding a section from Hancock NY to Wellsboro pa (alt day 1 route) that will bypass the Trans NJ trail.

Also there is a crew in Michaux that has like 800 miles of Adventure routes laid out, and they are finishing proof riding them this spring. I hope to include all there tracks into the Trans PA Trail Zip file.

[devo2002]

Hi Canu, for the route you made on days 2 and 3, what would you say the dirt/pavement % is?

And from the Boyce cemetary/mud pond area up north, the route is parallel to the powerlines. Can I assume the lines are impassable in that area?

I only got one week this year and I'm gonna try to do as much dirt as possible.

Edit: nevermind, I was viewing in google maps, when open with earth it doesn't snap to roads and the route here is indeed the power lines.

[MoBill]

Very cool initiative. Thank you.

[zeeede]

Any updates to these tracks? Any updates planned before August?

I'm in the initial planning stages of a week long trip from Boston. Looking for big-bike stuff. Was originally thinking of going up around the Cabot Trail, but to make it up to Nova Scotia and back in a week would require a lot of superslab, now that the Cat Ferry is out of the equation.

Was thinking instead of running up the Puppy Dog then following the Northern New England Adventure Trail over to the NE corner of Maine there and then working my way back down.

I figure 2 days for the Puppy Dog, and then 3 days for the NNEAT?

[devo2002]

You should wait until late September if you can Zeete

Here is a link asking others to join me in verifying the route either the week before or after Canuman's RedNEK Rendezvous. I'll be on my dr350, who's with me?

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=808748

[zeeede]

Originally Posted by devo2002

You should wait until late September if you can Zeete

Here is a link asking others to join me in verifying the route either the week before or after Canuman's RedNEK Rendezvous. I'll be on my dr350, who's with me?

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=808748

All ready have vacation put in for work, and I just started this job this year, so vacation days are hard to come by. Picked that week because I'll be riding with BostonRider, who starts classes again in September.

[tdvt]

I've been checking out the NNEAT route, specifically the Burke to Canaan section.

I'm thinking that might be a day trip for me starting here in Greensboro. Canuman, how does that section break down as far as trail/dirt/paved?