Anything can change these days but for now news is the border is opening and we are going. - Nuke 65 will be on his Vstrom 650. - 670CC will be on his NC700 - I will be on my Versys 300X - If he can recover in time from the Scooter Cannonball Mike LM5 will join us on his NC700 As OLD GUYS we all got our shots in the spring. We will depart SE Tennessee around Aug. 16 and catch a ferry from North Sydney around Aug. 25. Return to SE Tennessee after 3.5 to 4 weeks on road. We wanted to circle Newfoundland using both ferries, but Argentia overnight rides are sold out of cabins until mid Sep. Not real excited about spending the night and total of 18 hours on a ferry sleeping in a chair while wearing a mask. We will probably stick to the west coast and include a short trip over to Quebec and tip of Labrador using ferry from Newfoundland. Will post some details of routes the next few days. Any and all input is welcome.
The Canadian side is opening but not the U.S. side. You better double check if they will let you back in. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-us-land-border-1.6110800
Watching closely. Expected date is 21 Aug., about the time we would cross into Canada. With people like Chuck Schumer and Democratic border states pushing for it I expect it will happen by then if not sooner. Also aware of applying on line to Canadian web site within 3 days of arrival as well as web sites for Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. The provincial authorization may disappear, but is still there today. Could always ship bike home and fly to Mexico to walk across.
Trip will touch 13 states and 5 Provinces. Using motorcycle maps to pick fun roads as much as possible with out straying too far afield. Everything east of NY will be new to me by Motorcycle. I have not been to Vermont, New Hampshire, Prince Edward island or Newfoundland by any means. Trip will be mostly camping. From what I have read hotels are booked and campgrounds hard to get into without reservations. Here is a draft of ride up for 9 days. Plan for ~300 miles a day. Stops planned for flight 93 crash site memorial and ride up Mount Washington weather permitting. We will avoid big cities and freeways. Return something like this. Pick up remaining New England states, Visit West Point to see the home of the competition, Across HWY 6 northern PA follow Ohio River south to HWY 16 south through WV with short detour to New River Gorge then home.
I was gonna say, the White Mountains in New Hampshire are pretty nice riding through, if you get the chance. I rode up Mt. Washington a bit too late in the day though, and one of the employees made it his mission to single me out and stalk me, to make sure I didn't stop anywhere on the way down the mountain- not even for a quick photo. (This while other tourists remained up top with their SUVs and mini-vans, straggling.) ~:< I took my V-Strom 650, rode the turnpike from Michigan to the Adirondacks, then all back roads through Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. One of my best trips to date. You will enjoy it, have fun!
As American citizens, I'm pretty sure you would not be denied re-entry into the U.S., regardless whether the U.S. Government makes changes to its entry requirements, or not. As for crossing into Canada, I'd highly recommend downloading the ArriveCan app onto your phones (iOS and Android versions available). You will need to enter all required info no earlier than 72 hours before your crossing. I assume you know that you will require a negative result from an approved Covid test within 72 hours of your crossing. Among other info to input to ArriveCan, you will have to upload electronic copies of both your Covid test results, and your vaccination record (they prefer a PDF file of your vaccination record, rather than a pic of your hard copy card, as they're easier for the border guards to read on their computers. Many (most?) states have electronic versions you can download). You can also enter the required info through a website if, for some reason, you don't want to use a phone app. I'd also recommend that you carry hard copies of the test results, and your vaccination card - just in case. You will also need to specify what border crossing you plan to use, and the date/time you plan to cross. All requirements are spelled out in detail on the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) website. However those requirements, as you know, will be changing on August 9th, and the website does not reflect those upcoming changes, for example, allowing fully-vaccinated U.S. citizens to enter Canada for non-essential reasons, and not requiring a second Covid test on the day of entry into Canada (that second test is required right now, but will not be, as of August 9th. That said, even after August 9th, there will be some people selected at random, who will be required to get a second Covid test in Canada). https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/web-qaf-eng.html
I can't really see where you're crossing and/or traveling thru from PA to NY, but it looks like is is somewhere near Hancock, NY. From there, Route 10 north to Speculator, then 30 N into Lake Placid is a great ride. From Lake Placid east into VT, Route 17 thru Mad River Glen is not to be missed. Have a great time! https://goo.gl/maps/T8LyT472sm61GQiC7
Have been looking forward to the Canadian border opening back up for travel. Looping up around Cape Breton while in Nova Scotia would be a shame to miss. While there, camp at Meat Cove. At least visit it. It's like riding to the edge of the earth. Maritimes in general: dress for both kinds of weather.
I'd recommend doing the whole island, including the overnight ferry. When me and @sprouty115 did it in 2016(?), we ended up crashing on sofas in the lobby. There was no one around. You aren't allowed to go to your bike while underway, so if I did it again, I'd bring a sleeping bag and pad and find somewhere to lay down for the night. On our boat at least, there were plenty of quiet options to do that. Have a great trip. It's possible I'll do the same after Labor Day. I kinda want to do the T'railway in its entirety.
Yep, so much to see and great riding everywhere. @levain, I and another friend did our trip in July 2015. Here is a short trip report if you're interested: https://advrider.com/f/threads/this-forum-does-not-need-another-newfoundland-trip-report.1088367/
Thanks, Curious if the test results will stay after Aug. 9 for those fully vaccinated. Will need to find a location to do the test in Vermont or Main for the 3 day rule. I have checked out the web site and again it needs to be filled out within a few days of arrival. How high a fee are they charging for the application. Also see that PEI and Newfoundland require an online application so wondering if that disappears after the 9th.
Great. This is the kind of input we are wanting to make the most of the trip. Would also like input on campgrounds as we will be camping most nights.
Thanks, Cabot trail is in the plans. Not sure if Meat Cove is the right distance for a camping spot but on your recommendation we will definitely see it.
Thanks for advice. Booked Ferry tp Argentia for Aug 25. We will find a place to lay down our sleeping bags and pads.
Asking for input on camping spots in the Maritimes. Prefer to have water and bathroom, but will wild camp if none available. Also advise sites to see along the way and a good lunch stop roughly half way between the night stops below. (We usually stop for a good lunch and eat light evening and morning at campground.) Following is a rough idea of where we will be stopping for the night. St John, NB Halifax, NS North Sydney, NS Deadman’s Bay, NL Gros Morne National Park, NL Near the Viking Settlement, northern NL Between Blanc-Sabon, QU and Red Bay, Labrador Corner Brook, NL Port Aux Basques, NL North Sydney, NS Monastery, NS Moncton, NB Looking at total time not currently planning for St John's. NL but feel free to suggest otherwise and why. From what I have read we will be late in the year to see icebergs.
I only have two: North Sydney, NS - Arms of Gold Campground Port Aux Basques, NL - J.T. Cheesman Provincial Park As for icebergs, we saw one in late July, so you never know... This should help: https://icebergfinder.com/map Edit to add - if timing allows, you might want to consider the Sunrise Trail in Nova Scotia (RT 366). It's really beautiful...
So much for Argentia ferry. Made a reservation but couple hours later riding buddies couldn’t get one. No other dates that will work in either direction are available. Will call tomorrow to see if there are options. Back to doing both ways through Port Aux~Basques