Apres, Apres CFR Ride

[RossKean]

I'm in the early planning stages but I have been thinking about a Newfoundland trip this summer and thought it might be something to tack on after CFR. I wasn't really planning to do the Apres CFR but a week on "The Rock" at the end of June might be nice. The Cabot Trail takes you pretty close to the ferry terminal in North Sydney and would be a logical continuation of "Apres CFR" for those who have some spare time. I've been to Newfoundland on bike trips twice and would not hesitate to go again. I would do about a week of fairly intensive riding; covering a lot of coastal areas. Not sure whether it would be all motels/hotels or mix in a little camping. Would depend largely if I am by myself on the trip or if there are others to share costs of accommodations. I would probably start and end in Port aux Basques (Western end of island). The Argentia ferry takes you closer to the Eastern side of the island but it is a longer and more expensive crossing. (Might save 500 highway km on the return trip but crossing time is 6 or 7 hours longer; ~$85 vs ~$200 - more if you want or need a cabin)

I will need to spend at least one day in St. John's to visit my daughter, but there is lots to do in the area.

Anyone interested?? If so, I can hook you up with some information, proposed rides, schedules etc. Not sure whether I am going yet but I am definitely considering it!

Ross

 

[huron52]

We're going to New Foundland but not until mid August....

 

[RossKean]

We're going to New Foundland but not until mid August....

I was originally planning to go to Newfoundland in August as well but it conflicted with a family reunion at the beginning of the month and the NERDs thing in Stowe VT. on the 17th. In addition, I thought it might be a logical extension of CFR; especially for those who are doing the Après CFR ride to Cape Breton - already practically at the ferry terminal.

Newfoundland is a great place to visit!! If you haven't been there before, I'm sure you will enjoy it. Have a look at ridetherock.com , especially this sub-forum https://www.ridetherock.com/forums/showthread.php?t=830

I have done many of the routes suggested and a number of others. There is a good information package and maps available from Newfoundland Tourism.

Ross

 

[huron52]

Well for us mid August is about the only open space in the riding season for a trip of this kind.

I have been signed up on that forum for over a year and have the books. Heck I have routes for my GPS already done.

 

[RossKean]

Well for us mid August is about the only open space in the riding season for a trip of this kind.

I have been signed up on that forum for over a year and have the books. Heck I have routes for my GPS already done.

A little out of date but you might want to look at this...

https://www.nlmotorcycle.com/pdf/2009/0.html

 

[GDSFJR03]

I was thinking along the same lines myself. Been East a dozen times in my life, never been to the "Rock" yet. I booked off an extra week myself. The only catch is I'd have to back in T.O. by July 3rd. PM me when your ready. I will start reading up this week.

 

[Fred W]

I'd love to be able to join you Ross in an adventure in the New Found Land, but unfortunately, were going to be stretching out time allowance just to make the rock ride, post CFR.

PS - where he heck is the Old Found Land? :huh:

 

[RossKean]

I'd love to be able to join you Ross in an adventure in the New Found Land, but unfortunately, were going to be stretching out time allowance just to make the rock ride, post CFR.

PS - where he heck is the Old Found Land? :huh:

Fred

I know what you mean. I am planning Chowder, CFR, (Newfoundland), NERDs and maybe EOM. I get four weeks of vacation and its going to be stretched. Don't know when (or if) I'll be able to squeeze in a Gaspé run - that was going to be a week or more and over 4000km. Fortunately, I have a little leftover vacation from years gone by if things at work aren't too busy to take it.

If the weather is good (or at least not downright nasty) Newfoundland is one of the best MC trips you could take. Roads are pretty good although not "technical". Scenery is magnificent. People are friendly and just as hard to understand as someone from a Maine coastal community (unique dialect and accent).

Ross

 

[RossKean]

I was thinking along the same lines myself. Been East a dozen times in my life, never been to the "Rock" yet. I booked off an extra week myself. The only catch is I'd have to back in T.O. by July 3rd. PM me when your ready. I will start reading up this week.

I'm still thinking about it - probably will make up my mind by mid-May or sooner. Tentatively, I would plan to hit the ferry for the Friday (June 24) night crossing to Port aux Basques. Seven days on the Island would mean that I would be back in North Sydney on the morning of July 02. Two days back to Toronto would be a tough ride (2000 km); I only have to go as far as Fredericton NB. This is all still very much up in the air. I don't know that I would need to spend a full week there but there are lots of places to see. Weather will also play a role in the schedule. If you are short on time and I feel the need to ride some more, there's no reason why we couldn't part ways at some point.

Hard to make plans this far in advance, especially with the crappy weather we have had - snow and freezing rain for tomorrow. The most important part of planning this trip is to make ferry reservations well in advance. If you want a cabin, it might already be too late! I expect anything around the Canada Day weekend will be very busy.

If you (or anybody else) are still interested, send me a PM with your email address. I can send you some maps (MS Streets and Trips, Mapsource, or Google) with some tentative routes. On this sort of trip, I would probably average 400-500 km a day, depending on what there is to stop for along the way.

Although this was initially planned as an extra add-on (After the Après CFR), it really doesn't have anything to do with the rally. Just an opportunity for people "from away" to see a little more (OK, a lot more) of Atlantic Canada.

In the interest of not messing up the CFR-specific forum any further with unrelated activities, anybody who thinks they may be interested should probably contact me via PM. If there are a few people who think they might like to do a Newfoundland trip, I will start a new thread in the Canada Section of Regional Ride Planning.

 

Ross

 

[RossKean]

OK, I am going!!

Just booked the ferry. Crossing June 24 (leaving at 1:00 AM) for a week of riding in Newfoundland - close to 5,000 km on "The Rock" unless the weather gods are against me. I have one other probable rider going with me. Send me a PM if anyone else might be interested - I can provide tentative itinerary, maps, information etc.

Can't wait!

Ross

 

[huron52]

Way to early in the season for us! Have fun and don't tell them we are coming.... I want to surprise them! :lol: