116 replies to this topic

[yamafitter]

For those who have the time to waste a few of us are planning on extending our Maritime experience with a run up to Cape Breton Island and take a lap of the Cabot Trail. So far Beemerdons, Seth, Mem & I are planning to go.
To those who have never seen the Cabot Trail I offer the following...

Day 1 (6/23) - Freddy Beach to Cape Breton Island via Sunrise Trail.

Day 2 (6/24) - A romp around the Cabot Trail with stops for photo ops...

Smokey Mountain





North End of Cabot Trail





Near Pleasant Bay



Day 3 (6/25) - Cross the border with probable night destination north of Bangor.

Day 4 (6/26) - Cruise across the north end of Maine, NH & Vermont with a mid-afternoon stop at the Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory. From the factory it's only a 1/2 hour to Burlington.

I would like to suggest staying the first night on Cape Breton at Inverary Resort.
It is somewhat expensive but worth not having to travel anywhere once the bikes are parked.

[beemerdons]

http://classic.mapqu...1.39259&2v=CITY

+1, Gunny! Perfect first day of riding for Son Seth (14)! Only 6 hours and 355 miles per direct MapQuest routing, but I'm sure yamafitter, you know the most scenic routing from Fredericton to Mabou! Should Seth and I go ahead and book Thursday night 6/23 at Glenora Inn or wait for more feedback? Many Thanks, CA Friends!!!

[yamafitter]

... Should Seth and I go ahead and book Thursday night 6/23 at Glenora Inn or wait for more feedback? Many Thanks, CA Friends!!!

I would hold off to see if any of our Maritime friends would like to offer some input.

Calling Mem & Canadian FJR to the White Courtesy Phone please.

[Fred W]

This apres CFR junket fits in nicely with what the bride and I were already planning on doing.

We'd love to join in on this parade.

[beemerdons]

This apres CFR junket fits in nicely with what the bride and I were already planning on doing.

We'd love to join in on this parade.

+1, Gunny; Great News Fred, It's going to be a Rolling Party!

[RaYzerman19]

That is a nice plan, Bill. I'd love to, but will save that for another time. My plan is to leave Freddy Beach and head to Miramichi and ride around the Gaspe back to Quebec City/Montreal. There will be a couple of overnights on that ride.

[Canadian FJR]

As Yammafitter suggested, I'm heading back home along the Sunrise Trail which is around 4 hours from Fredericton to New Glasgow. Once you hit New Glasgow, I can get you back on the Sunrise all the way to Antigonish which we call the baby Cabot Trail. It will give you an idea of what to expect.

On a good day, I can do the Cabot Trail from home and back in 8 hours (no stops other than gas). New Glasgow to the Glenora Inn is around 2.5 hours. This will give you a little idea of timeslines. I would recommend making reservation at the Glenora Inn if that is your planned stopover.


The locals usually do the Trail CCW. In that case, Baddeck would be a great place for you to spend the night. Great food and Seth would also enjoy the Alexander Graham Bell Museum. http://www.capebreto...com/AGBell.html

Keep the questions coming, you are in my playground now.

Canadian FJR

[RaYzerman19]

Excellent plan... did that a couple of years ago. This is the way to go IMHO!!

[FJRGuy]

Bill,
Guess you missed my post in the CFR 2011 thread (about an hour before this thread) but if all works out, my pillion and I would like to join this ride.

Due to our flight schedule and transportation issues, i think we'll need to be in Truro Friday night. My quick calcs show ~650 km from Fredericton to the Glenora Inn via Sunrise Trail, very doable.

On Friday, from Glenora Inn, around the Cabot Trail CCW and then out to Truro looks like ~600 km (about 40km less to Pictou.) Again very doable but probably a longer day with all the photo ops!

[beemerdons]

Muchas Gracias Frostbacks, this Arizona Desert Rat is really enjoying the detailed maps and all of the great photographs/information! Are we there yet, are we there yet???

[yamafitter]

Bill,
Guess you missed my post in the CFR 2011 thread (about an hour before this thread) but if all works out, my pillion and I would like to join this ride.

Due to our flight schedule and transportation issues, i think we'll need to be in Truro Friday night. My quick calcs show ~650 km from Fredericton to the Glenora Inn via Sunrise Trail, very doable.

On Friday, from Glenora Inn, around the Cabot Trail CCW and then out to Truro looks like ~600 km (about 40km less to Pictou.) Again very doable but probably a longer day with all the photo ops!

Yes, very doable. I'm just hoping we get decent weather. The Maritimes is NOT Arizona but when the weather is good the ride is spectacular.

[yamafitter]

As Yammafitter suggested, I'm heading back home along the Sunrise Trail which is around 4 hours from Fredericton to New Glasgow. Once you hit New Glasgow, I can get you back on the Sunrise all the way to Antigonish which we call the baby Cabot Trail. It will give you an idea of what to expect.

On a good day, I can do the Cabot Trail from home and back in 8 hours (no stops other than gas). New Glasgow to the Glenora Inn is around 2.5 hours. This will give you a little idea of timeslines. I would recommend making reservation at the Glenora Inn if that is your planned stopover.


The locals usually do the Trail CCW. In that case, Baddeck would be a great place for you to spend the night. Great food and Seth would also enjoy the Alexander Graham Bell Museum. http://www.capebreto...com/AGBell.html

Keep the questions coming, you are in my playground now.

Canadian FJR

Thanks for the input. Great minds think alike as I was planning on running the Sunrise Trail exactly as you described. My main reason for stopping at Glenora Inn was it's not often you can say you slept at a distillery. Remember, we have a wannabe Irishman with us.

I also was planning on running the Cabot CCW and I know that going to Mabou doesn't make much sense but I spotted Hwy 395 crossing back over the highlands and I am intrigued.

My thought was to to stay at Glenora Inn, go north through Inverness, cross over the highlands on Hwy 395 and then run up Hwy 105 to St Anns Bay for the north turnoff for the Cabot Trail. I did a quick Google search of Baddeck and the waterfront views would make it nicer than Glenora so now I am somewhat torn.

Anyone have a favorite? (I'm still leaning in favour of Glenora Inn)

[MEM]

I'm staying out of this since it's Scott's playground.

Except for: fwiw, and with ALL DUE respect to the expert (Scott, I'd take a miss on the Mini Cabot Trail ONLY because of Seth's limited saddle time.

It's beautiful but it can be 'pokey' - like the rest of the Sunrise Trail. AND, we'll get lots of ocean, mountain and winding roads on the Big Cabot Trail

My two cents......

ps - when y'all decide where we're staying, let me know so I can book.

[Canadian FJR]

"Pokey" I've never heard that term before while on the FJR. Just stick with me kid.

Here is a little taste of what things are looking like in the Highlands today.




"Pokey" thats funny.

Canadian FJR

[Canadian FJR]

All good ideas Yammafitter. The 395 is a neat route and you are correct about Baddeck. It is very pretty. The St. Anne's route is fantastic and also freshly paved. If time allows, be sure to do Meat Cove. It is kinda neat to be able to say you were there. Just be warned that that last 16 km are dirt and if it is raining, it can be a difficult road. Also, take the Shore Road when you hit Belle Cote. It is lightly traveled and a great road to let loose a little.





Canadian FJR

[MEM]

"Pokey" I've never heard that term before while on the FJR. Just stick with me kid.


"Pokey" thats funny.

Canadian FJR

Ha ha ha . Weren't you whippersnappers taught to respect your elders ?

I've got a pokey right here for you, Scottie

[bbdig]

The bride and i would join in on the Cabot, let me know where to make reservations and for when.

MEM How/Who do i pay for CFR??

[MEM]

The bride and i would join in on the Cabot, let me know where to make reservations and for when.

MEM How/Who do i pay for CFR??

I thought you got your PayPal fired up ?!

You may send your cheque to me. I have others to send

PMing you with address

[yamafitter]

... If time allows, be sure to do Meat Cove. It is kinda neat to be able to say you were there. Just be warned that that last 16 km are dirt and if it is raining, it can be a difficult road...

Canadian FJR

Meat Cove is on the list. I've never been there but my brother camped there for a few days and raved about it.

The campsite on the point is one of the most desireable in North America if you are into camping...



The building on the far left side of the photo is the Chowder Hut. Rumours from the ADV Rider site claim the chowder and poutine are excellent...



I'm only willing to try the road if the weather is good. The road is hard packed but is not paved and with some of the folks 2-up we will have to see.

[beemerdons]

http://www.dailymoti...cabot-trai_auto I am finding a lot of one minute videos on riding the Cabot Trail over at http://www.dailymotion.com and it looks gorgeous with sunny blue skies in the movies!

Cabot Trail really does resemble riding Highway One in California on the Big Sur Coast, but without "pokey" Old Michael with his camera, slowing things down by just FJR "poking" along! jes' sayin'

http://www.dailymoti...-breton-is_auto Here is a two minute video showing Cape Breton Island being ridden in the rain. We Zonie Desert Rats hate the rain, we really hate rain!