NJ,NY,VT,NH,ME,MA,CT, NY(LI), NJ

[Dave Mc]

A couple freinds and I will be making a trip at the end of May through all of these areas. I have never been through these areas on a bike, is there anything we must see or experience. I know it's a big area. As it stands now, we are leaving from North NJ with our first lodging in burlington, VA. Next we head east and stayover in Portland. Then head south to the New London, CT where we take the ferry to long Island, stay overnight and head back to NJ in the morning. Any thoughts?

 

[Fred W]

I think that with the distances you have described between overnight stops you won't be giving yourself nearly enough time to see much of anything along the way. I could recommend lots of great motorcycling roads to experience, but at that pace you really won't have the time.

Can I ask, why would you want to stay in Burlington and Portland? While not big cities, they are the biggest ones in their respective states. If I were planning a tour of New England I would intentionally stay away from these cities and immerse myself in the country.

Best of luck with the planning. It's half of the fun!

 

[Intech]

I am assuming you mean Burlington, VT?

 

[Willie]

A couple freinds and I will be making a trip at the end of May through all of these areas. I have never been through these areas on a bike, is there anything we must see or experience. I know it's a big area. As it stands now, we are leaving from North NJ with our first lodging in burlington, VA. Next we head east and stayover in Portland. Then head south to the New London, CT where we take the ferry to long Island, stay overnight and head back to NJ in the morning. Any thoughts?

The New England Riders has a site dedicated to the BEST OF NEW ENGLAND which includes the Best Roads, Best Views, etc. This was a collective effort by riders in NE. Check it out, it will be worth your time

Willie

 

[ALDAWG]

9 states in 4 days? You could spend all 4 days in Maine alone and still not see it all. My best advice to you is stay off the I-95 corridor from N.Y. to Boston during rush slow hour.

 

[joebiodiesel]

When traveling north out of NY, be sure to hit Rt 218 from West Point to Cornwall. Not very long, but scenic. Stop at one or two of the pull-offs. Before you get to 218, go to the observation tower at Bear Mountain.

 

[snikr]

You can spend 2 days just hitting the good "stuff" in VT and 2 more days for NH. At your pace you'll just hit the good thru roads (not that it's all bad doing that).

 

[Sno Cat]

The Kancamangus Hwy, NH RT112, connects Lincoln, NH to Conway, NH & is an outstanding bike road.

In general, & as an ex-Mainah ayuh, the roads in Maine are rougher & less scenic than they are in NH.

 

[Bustanut joker]

9 states in 4 days? You could spend all 4 days in Maine alone and still not see it all. My best advice to you is stay off the I-95 corridor from N.Y. to Boston during rush slow hour.

Stay off it till yer South of Baltimore if ya go that far.. Whata freaking disaster.

 

[u wish]

The Kancamangus Hwy, NH RT112, connects Lincoln, NH to Conway, NH & is an outstanding bike road.

In general, & as an ex-Mainah ayuh, the roads in Maine are rougher & less scenic than they are in NH.

one of the best rides anyone could ask for!!!!

 

[Papa Georgio]

Rt 1 from NH into Maine is nice its slow riding but still a senic coastal route. The white mnts. are great riding. Mount Washington is a awsome sight as is the mount washington hotel. You can hit Canada in no time flat from here. Franconia Notch is a special treat. Vt has some great riding and you can pass on a double yellow line in that state.

 

[Fred W]

The Kancamangus Hwy, NH RT112, connects Lincoln, NH to Conway, NH & is an outstanding bike road.

In general, & as an ex-Mainah ayuh, the roads in Maine are rougher & less scenic than they are in NH.

one of the best rides anyone could ask for!!!!

Agreed, but if you start at I-93 in Lincoln (like most tourists do) you'd be missing the best half of the Kank. Start over at the Vermont border in Woodsville and ride the whole thing!!

Google Map of the whole Kank

And personally, if I was going to do that I'd skip the Conway end of the Kank, shoot up through Bear Notch Road to Rte 302, and then over Hurricane Mountain Rd to the Maine border, like so:

Google Map of Kank to Bear Notch to Hurricane Mt road

 

[stevec677]

I'm not sure what route you are planning up thru lower NY, but don't run the Thruway all the way to Lake George. If you want to make time out of NJ, run the Thruway to Albany, then cut over to Bennington, VT. Take Vermont Route 9 east to Wilmington, VT and then take 100 north. If you have time, Stay on 100 north until Stowe, vt and then head over Smugglers Notch on 108 west. That will get you close Burlington. Stowe VT has some nice hotels if you aren't set on Burlington. The Commadore Hotel is the home of last years NERDS ride and was very nice.

 

[Dave Mc]

Thanks everyone. There is a lot of information here, including the NE website. I will have to map everything out to see what is possible. I will post a draft of my route in a few days, so I can get some comments.

Thanks

 

[Papa Georgio]

NH near rt 112 in East Conway on May 19th White Horse Gear is having there open house, Good food and lots of Motorcycles

 

[snikr]

I'm not sure what route you are planning up thru lower NY, but don't run the Thruway all the way to Lake George. If you want to make time out of NJ, run the Thruway to Albany, then cut over to Bennington, VT. Take Vermont Route 9 east to Wilmington, VT and then take 100 north. If you have time, Stay on 100 north until Stowe, vt and then head over Smugglers Notch on 108 west. That will get you close Burlington. Stowe VT has some nice hotels if you aren't set on Burlington. The Commadore Hotel is the home of last years NERDS ride and was very nice.

Good advice but you should also try to ride RT 17 in VT over the App Gap as well.