2014 Rumours... CFR on 'da rock' ?

[RossKean]

Bill

I have been to Newfoundland a number of times and have covered most of the Island. Lots to see, for sure. I am expecting to be at NERDs and would be happy to discuss some options with you. As Fred mentioned, this location might not draw as many people as other places but I would guarantee that anyone who decided to make the trip would be glad that they did.

 

[huron52]

This is just me but if you have it any earlier than say mid August I will not be there! I HAVE to be on Vancouver Isalnd the end of July.

 

[GDSFJR03]

My 2 cents.

Did the express trip with Ross after CFR 2011, Loved the entire ride. must agree if you've never been ... You got to go. Thinking of working this into a month long tour next year. Pillion likes the idea too. Guess that means were in two.

 

[bbdig]

we just returned from a 10,420mile scoot to the PNW and back, and the bride stayed on for the full ride, so I am sure we will be in NFL next year as long as it is not in late August.

 

[canucklehead-biker]

So to recap...

1. Sometime around the second week of Aug (week of the 10th?)

2. Somewhere on the west side of da Rock (Deer Lake/Stephenville/Cornerbrook (ish))

3. Mem will be in charge of screeching

4. Show up and ride....

... did I miss anything?

Griff

 

[yamafitter]

So to recap...

That is pretty close but after we talk with the folks at NERDS we may have a Rallymaster to turn this all over to. I think we may have at least a date and location before September for planning purposes.

 

[canucklehead-biker]

What's to plan? (see above...)



Griff

 

[yamafitter]

What's to plan? (see above...)

Griff

Well let's see. How about a firm date and a firm location??

Tom needs a date to see if he can make it back from the left coast in time to get to the Rock & bbdig needs a date that will not be in late August. I'm thinking August 14-16th myself. Some could come a week early and tour the east side of the Rock and stop in on the rally on the way home and others would have time to make it from the Left Coast to start their tour of the Rock. Also Saturday would be my Birthday so we could have a CFR Dinner / Birthday Party / Screech-In.

It would also be nice if someone would make a call to see if we can get a discount rate for rooms.

Other than that you are correct in that there will not be much to plan. See you on the Rock next summer.

 

[canucklehead-biker]

What's to plan? (see above...)

Griff

Well let's see. How about a firm date and a firm location??

Tom needs a date to see if he can make it back from the left coast in time to get to the Rock & bbdig needs a date that will not be in late August. I'm thinking August 14-16th myself. Some could come a week early and tour the east side of the Rock and stop in on the rally on the way home and others would have time to make it from the Left Coast to start their tour of the Rock. Also Saturday would be my Birthday so we could have a CFR Dinner / Birthday Party / Screech-In.

It would also be nice if someone would make a call to see if we can get a discount rate for rooms.

Other than that you are correct in that there will not be much to plan. See you on the Rock next summer.

14-16 Aug works for me (falls into that "week of 10 Aug" thing I posted earlier.

I have an email in to the GM of the Holiday Inn in Deer Lake, looking for info on getting a reserved block and a preferred rate. I'll let you know what I come up with.

To quote the great Hannibal Smith: "I love it when a plan comes together..."



Griff

 

[RossKean]

If you don't have any luck with Deer Lake, try Cornerbrook. Its only a little over a half-hour from Deer Lake and may see fewer tourists on their way to Gros Morne.

 

[Canadian FJR]

https://www.canadianmotorcyclerider.ca/articles.php?id=1099754556861431678

A neat read.

Canadian FJR

 

[RossKean]

https://www.canadianmotorcyclerider.ca/articles.php?id=1099754556861431678

A neat read.

Canadian FJR

I have done most of those rides and they are a pretty good selection. Can't say enough about the West - Gros Morne, Trout River, Norris Point, coast all the way up to St. Anthony etc. Haven't done Harbour Breton (yet) but might get over there after NERDs to visit my daughter in St, John's.

Not mentioned, but theTwillingate/Fogo area (northern coast, central) is very worthwhile as well as the "Irish Loop" on the southeastern part of the Avalon Peninsula.

I would also mention a very nice short ride from the ferry terminal at Port aux Basques out to Rose Blanche and back - a nice hour or two while waiting for the ferry. Also from Cornerbrook, a nice out-and-back to Lark Harbour in the evening.

All of these coastal rides are magnificant in good weather and horrible in rain/fog etc. Mid-August is probably the best time for weather but you can get great (or crap) anytime. I was there last September. Other than the Hurricane for a day or two, it was fantastic!

Newfondland is big and you can't do it all unless you plan on several extra days (not a bad idea).

I posted over at the Motorcycle Tourer's Forum a while ago when someone was asking about Newfoundland. HERE

 

[canucklehead-biker]

• Spoke with the GM at the Holiday Inn Express in Deer Lake today, very nice lady, very keen to have us invade their place for a few days (Clearly news of our escapades in other parts of the country have yet to make it across the straits to da Rock - or else they're just used to dem sorta shenanigans over dere, eh? ) Her events manager is going to give me a shout on Monday to lay out some details/options/prices for the accommodations, and I'll report here once I have some more details.

Good call Ross, I'll get in touch with places in Cornerbrook as well.

Griff

 

[yamafitter]

FredW and the other organizers of NERDS were gracious to agree to allow CFR next year to have the tradition date for NERDS so I think we should lock in the date for 2014 CFR for Aug 14 - 17, arriving Thursday evening and departing on the Sunday.

I'm also thinking an AVANT (before) CFR ride of the Cabot Trail might be in order and a small group of us FJR hooligans might stay at the Glenora Inn & Distillery near Inverness, Cape Breton Island on the Wednesday night. Thursday would then be a clockwise run around the Cabot Trail with lots of time for stops and sightseeing before heading up to North Sydney to catch the ferry over to Port aux Basques, NL. There may even be time to go over to the Fortress of Louisbourg since the ferry does not depart North Sydney till around midnight arriving in Port aux Basques at 07:00 AM normally.

IMPORTANT - Some pre-planning is required by those planning to go to Newfoundland. August can be busy on the ferries and reservation on the ferry is for all purposes mandatory. I also strongly recommend that you bring with you soft ties to help lash down the bike. The ferry crew will supply the tie downs but they are "industrial strength" straps and will scratch up the bike.

Don't worry about reservations yet since Marine Atlantic have not posted a 2014 schedule and everything will revolve around when the ferries run.

Once the August 2014 ferry schedule is known we will put together a package and post up the details early in the new year.

 

[canucklehead-biker]

Spoke with the folks at the Deer Lake Holiday Inn Express again... as soon as we can nail down a date we can get a block of rooms set aside. 14-17 Aug is currently open.

I can contact the ferry people too and see what the odds are they'll change the schedule for next summer... unless someone's already tried that?

Griff

 

[El Cajone]

FredW and the other organizers of NERDS were gracious to agree to allow CFR next year to have the tradition date for NERDS so I think we should lock in the date for 2014 CFR for Aug 14 - 17, arriving Thursday evening and departing on the Sunday.I'm also thinking an AVANT (before) CFR ride of the Cabot Trail might be in order and a small group of us FJR hooligans might stay at the Glenora Inn & Distillery near Inverness, Cape Breton Island on the Wednesday night. Thursday would then be a clockwise run around the Cabot Trail with lots of time for stops and sightseeing before heading up to North Sydney to catch the ferry over to Port aux Basques, NL. There may even be time to go over to the Fortress of Louisbourg since the ferry does not depart North Sydney till around midnight arriving in Port aux Basques at 07:00 AM normally.

IMPORTANT - Some pre-planning is required by those planning to go to Newfoundland. August can be busy on the ferries and reservation on the ferry is for all purposes mandatory. I also strongly recommend that you bring with you soft ties to help lash down the bike. The ferry crew will supply the tie downs but they are "industrial strength" straps and will scratch up the bike.

Don't worry about reservations yet since Marine Atlantic have not posted a 2014 schedule and everything will revolve around when the ferries run.

Once the August 2014 ferry schedule is known we will put together a package and post up the details early in the new year.

Noire and I did this trip last year. IIRC, the ferry left North Sydney mid-morning and arrived in Port Aux Basques in late afternoon, about a 6 hr. trip. This was in the first week of August. You may be looking at the winter schedule which shows a nighttime sailing. Also, these ferries are crowded at this time of year so be sure to get a res.

 

[yamafitter]

Noire and I did this trip last year. IIRC, the ferry left North Sydney mid-morning and arrived in Port Aux Basques in late afternoon, about a 6 hr. trip. This was in the first week of August. You may be looking at the winter schedule which shows a nighttime sailing. Also, these ferries are crowded at this time of year so be sure to get a res.

As mentioned earlier I would consider getting a reservation mandatory but as far as scheduling I think you will find that there are multiple departure times during the summer. Both times I have gone to the Rock it was about the third week of June and they may not been operating on the summer schedule yet. Having said that I would think rather than waste a ride day it makes more sense to me to take the night crossing, sleep on the ferry and get up and ride the next day. Once you leave land there is nothing to see but water because it is outside of the environment....

 

[Blind Squirrel]

. Once you leave land there is nothing to see but water because it is outside of the environment....

There is also fire and the part of the ship that the front fell off of.

 

[Rheal]

I have to agree with RaYzerman. It would be difficult to "do" Newfoundland as a centrally-located rally. The Province is LARGE and the stuff you would want to see is separated by long distances in some cases. Different things appeal to different people. I could see spending a few days near Gros Morne (Rocky Harbour) as a rally point - come and go via Port aux Basques. Likewise, one might want to do the east side with HQ near St. John's. The ferry from N. Sydney to Argentia (1.5 hr from St. John's) is a lot longer and quite a bit more expensive. A lot is missed if you confine it to one area or another but to do anything else would be logistically impossible.
The point is that for most, a trip to Newfoundland represents a significant trip and is more suited to a personal vacation as opposed to a MC rally. Its a great place to explore. Roads are generally quite good but not the twisty experience craved by many.

I would never discourage anyone from taking a MC trip to Newfoundland. I have been there four times by bike and would not hesitate to go back again.

Edit: If someone decides to organize this, I'll be there. I wouldn't make it my final destination but something to do for a couple of days while I was there.

RK

I tend to agree a NL get together could be ... difficult and expensive. I love NL! I was working on the drilling plaforms 200-300 miles east of St-John's in thee early 80's. Met my Quebecker wife there! I loved the place. Now summer in NL is a short and busy tourist season. All the accommadations, rental cars etc are booked up early. Only in St-John's I think would there be potentially enough for a get together as is proposed. The smaller towns and cities are spread out ... and probably could not handle such a large group. It sure would be fun though ...

Rheal

 

[Fred W]

I'm not even sure if we will be making this CFR or not yet, and I'm sure that this idea could be a logistical nightmare to arrange, especially if there are a lot of folks who do end up attending, but what about more of a "Rolling Tour Rally" approach instead of the traditional hub and spoke day rides?

We kind of did one of those in the Aprez CFR ride to Cape Bretton put on by Bill after CFR Fredericton in 2011. Split up into a few smaller travel groups of 8 to 10 and converged on the same locations at the end of the day, a different one each night. That way you get your rides in and get to tour more of the province at the same time? People could be in for as much of the grand tour as they can arrange, jump in or jump out as their schedule and finances allow.

Just an idea...