NOVA SCOTIA July 2008

[TonUp]

By the way -- I just noticed that the ferry to Nova Scotia offers a fare discount to AAA members.

We should probably make ferry reservations. We can add this to the list of things to discuss on May 3.

--mark

We can also meet us some other time or talk about it at the BASH. Will this Ferry be as busy as the Portland Ferry?

Tito

Ton Up!

[mark]

Will this Ferry be as busy as the Portland Ferry?

No idea, but I doubt it. I think most tourists take the CAT.

I'd prefer not to wait till the end of May to talk about the trip because I still have a lot of preparation to do for it. I'm slowly getting the V-Strom ready, but there are lots of things to consider.

Hopefully Saturday will work out to chat.

--mark

[mds885]

Hey folks,
New here but I see there's a bunch of the MEME folks and Dirigo-Street Cycle RATs here already. My 2 cents worth. Drop me a line if you're headed to NS. 3 of my grandparents are from up there and I travel it often. I can direct you to some great places. One thing, if you head up the last weekend in July, stop by the Maine European Motorcycle Meet in western Maine. It's like a big RAT raid only w/o Triumph support (and what's different with that...) Also, you may want to tweat your plans to the first week in August as the Parts Canada Superbike series comes to AMP in Nova Scotia. I plan on being there again this year and it's a great time. (think 70s Loudon without all the BS and nice people
That's all for now.
Mike

[mds885]

btw, Tito,
The only ferry I use is the St. John to Digby. Usually by the time you fight traffic heading into Bar Harbor to get to the Cat you could be 3/4 of the way to Calias. (and the Airline-rt9 is a great ride)
I usually ride to St. J spend the night and hit NS the following day. If I need to get to the south shore of NS quickly I take the morning ferry out of St. J to Digby. Cheaper than using the Cat and St. J is a cool place to overnight.
Mike

[TonUp]

Thanks for the input Mike!


Mark and Pete came over today and we talked about the trip. We also fire up my other bikes. 2, 3, and 4 cylinders! Sweet fumes! Music to my ears!

I ordered the Air Chuck, 16 gram CO2 cartridges and an Air Compressor today. I have tools and plugs for a tubeless tire.


Tito


Ton Up!

[Boondox]

Thanks for having us over and feeding us, Tito! Your bikes are awesome. This trip is starting to come together! It's a good feeling!

[mark]

What Pete said -- thanks for having us over, and thanks for the tasty chili!

I think the V-Strom is good to go as far as comfort is concerned, although my trip down to DC next week will uncover any further issues. So now I'll concentrate on the stuff I need specifically for the Canada trip.

For the bike I need:
• Luggage (either side cases + tail bag, or just a large waterproof duffel bag)
• Tie-down straps

For camping I need:
• Sleeping pad
• Inflatable pillow
• Camping towel
• Maybe a new tent

Other stuff I need:
• Rain suit (edit: ordered closeout Frogg Toggs yesterday)

I'm going to add/subtract from this list as I think of other things or buy stuff.

--mark

[TonUp]

I am ordering the nylon footprint and gear loft for my tent and a plastic hammer this week. I am ready for the trip.


Tito

Ton Up!

[TonUp]

Just received another information package on Saint John NB.



Tito


Ton Up!

[bonniegirl]

i wanna go

[TonUp]

You are always welcome, two questions

Can Paul join us too! ( I really like hanging out with him)

Do you have Passports?


We are camping 60-70% of the time.


Tito

Ton Up!

[bonniegirl]

we have passports, i'm pretty sure that paul can't go, and don't even think that i can.

[TonUp]

There will be many rides in the coming years for both of you to join me on!



Tito


Ton Up!

[catamount]

You guys are going to have an amazing time in NS.

I toured around NS in August of 2001 on my old Suzuki Bandit 600. We took the now defunct Scotia Prince overnight ferry from Portand to Yarmouth. The next day was a slow ride up to Halifax for the night. We rode West from Halifax and back down the coast by the Bay of Fundy and all the way out to the end of Digby Neck and took a ferries to Long Island and then to Brier Island. Then it was all the way back to Yarmouth.

We didn't have time to get to the Cabot Trail but that is on my to-do list eventually!

What I remember most were beautiful roads, the friendly people and those quaint fishing villages. And Tim Hortons of course. You guys are going to have a blast.

edit: May I ask what your itinerary looks like? I couldn't find the actual dates of your trip. Maybe I could tag along for the first couple of days?

[mark]

Justin, you're absolutely welcome to join us for as much of the trip as you like. Plan is to ride from Vermont through NH and Maine to St John, NB on July 4 (about 440 miles from Burlington). That'll be our longest day by far.

Morning of July 5, we're taking the ferry from St John to Digby, NS, then riding southwest along the coast past Yarmouth and northeast to Halifax, then continuing up the NS coast to Cape Breton (obviously we're splitting this up into a couple days).

We'll spend a day in Cape Breton, then ride over to Prince Edward Island and spend a day there, then follow the coast up around Quebec's Gaspe Peninsula and follow the St Lawrence down to Quebec City before heading south to Vermont.

Trip will take ten days; we'll be back on Sunday, July 13th.

If you're going to be at Bike Night tonight we can talk more about it.

--mark