Planning advice needed - Heading to the Great Northeast for this year's trip

[Goodman4]

I have never even been to New England, so this will be a totally new experience for my wife and I (New York City, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia don't count, right?) I've been reading a lot on the New England riders website and have been looking at the Northeast routes in Dale Coyner's Motorcycle Journeys through North America over the last year.

It will be a 16 day trip. We like twisty roads, mountains, rocky ocean shores, lighthouses, waterfalls and scenery. For the basic layout, I'm thinking we will ride up from Western KY to Buffalo on the slab and see Niagra Falls since its our 30th Anniversary. Then head east across New York maybe seeing Letchworth and some of that area on the way northeast into Vermont, north NH and on into Maine through to Bar Harbor and see that area a little before working our way back South and then Southwest. Too many roads to choose from so far to lay out a route, but I'm getting closer.

So the main question is about how affected we will be by Laconia? We are squeezed with our dates this year and to do it in June, we would have to go from the 10th through the 26th. Laconia is June 11-19 this year. We don't want to get into that and even worse, be fighting for lodging. Do you think central New York will be impacted by the rally as we go through? I have no experience with it but I was hoping if we stayed 100 miles away on the way up, we would be alright. Then we would come back down through the New Hampshire area AFTER the 19th on our way home.

I guess I'm asking whether you think I am overreacting to the event or underreacting to it.

And then if the basic plan will work, what are the highlights I shouldn't miss within this route?

(I followed a lot of Fred W's path to Montana two years ago, so I know you NERDS know how to pick good routes.)

 

[Geezer]

New York will not be impacted by Laconia except for an increase in motorcycle traffic, primarily on the slab. You won't even notice it until you get close to Laconia itself. I'm not sure what you consider central NY, but I guess that would be the Adirondacks. The 'dacks are a tourist area and prices vary a lot depending on what town you stop in. Lake Placid or Lake George are both very interesting to visit with your wife, but expensive. Saratoga is also nice, and may be less expensive that time of year.

 

[cota95]

Geezer, when is Americade?

I'd be happy to help you out when you get down into the RI area. I know NH well but not as well as the natives. (Fredw please pickup the red phone)

 

[Goodman4]

Americade is the week before - the 7th - 11th.

 

[08FJR4ME]

As long as you stay outside of a 15 mile radius of Laconia you shouldn't have any issues. You may see a few bikes traveling here and there but it's really no big deal. It doesn't get the attention it used to years ago. Can't say there is much to see here in the southcoast of MA but we do have some of the best seafood you will ever find in the area. I believe New Bedford sells more seafood than any other seaport in the US of A. We are the #1 spot in the country. Several of the local restaurants own there own boats.

Dave

 

[Fred W]

Goodman,

First off, I like your itinerary very much. It sounds like you are hitting a lot of the funnest places in the northeast and New England.

I will disagree with 08FJR4ME on one point, and that is on the main (second) weekend of Laconia you really do not want to be anywhere in northern NH if you want to avoid the throngs of pirates. One year I was just trying to drive over the top of Lake Winnipesaukee on Rte 25 over to Mt Chocorua in Tamworth to hike, and it was a horribly tedious slog as the hoardes jammed up the roadways. So if you have a specific timetable for your trip I would suggest coming through Northern NH either well before or after the 2nd weekend.

Please feel free to PM me with your details and I'd be glad to help with routing and "must ride" roads in VT, NH and ME, and also coming across through the 'Dacks as well. Maybe some of us local NERDs could meet up with you for a cuppa Joe somewhere along your way through.

 

[08FJR4ME]

I stand corrected, I guess I have been away to long and haven't had to deal with it in years. Even though I am not officially a NERD attendee yet, Let us know when you are in the area. I might be able to play hooky from work for a meet and greet.

Dave

 

[NTXFJR]

Some .02, the Maine coast has some seriously great scenery. In addition to Bar Harbor and Acadia Park, you might also consider Camden's Mount Battie State Park, the mountain top view there is spectacular. There is a sailing ship that offers charters out of Camden harbor named Appledore II, pricey but still a good time. The 1000 Islands NY including a charter boat out to Boldt Castle is pretty neat.

 

[snikr]

Vermont also has many good roads. You can PM me for more info if you'd like to.

 

[RossKean]

You need to check out Newenglandriders.org.

https://www.newenglandriders.org/BestOfNorthEast/BestOfNorthEast.htm

The "Best of" sections are gold.

Also keep the NERDS Vermont routes in mind (as well as the dates for this year's NERDS gathering). Avoid Laconia dates; especially for anywhere in New Hampshire. IMHO, Americade is overrated but I'm not one for rallies anyway. Tons of stuff to see and lots of good routes in the northeast from mountain twisties to agricultural countryside to beautiful forests and spectacular seaside vistas.

Have fun!

 

[boooya]

Bear mountain in NY along with the Catskill mountains.

Ride to the top of Whiteface in Placid

Penn has ton of good roads as well, check out Penn grand Canyon and Boulder city if you go thru there.

Finger lakes has nice scenery and lots of winery along the area, Watkins Glen is a must see.

Brunswick and Bristol are good places to stay once you hit the coast.

 

[Goodman4]

Great stuff guys! I've been looking up all these places and roads and trying to land on some highlights so I can lay out some structure. I will send some pm's as offered after I get a little farther along. Thanks a bunch.

 

[Goodman4]

Our plans now tentatively include headed up into SW New Brunswick to see St Andrews and maybe St John. Do you think that is worth taking a day or two away from Maine, VT and NH? Or if I'm getting that far, should I squeeze and head up to Nova Scotia? Or should I make more time to see the other areas and not stretch out that far?

 

[Fred W]

I still owe you a PM reply.

How much time will you have to spend in New England and Canada combined?

 

[Goodman4]

About 10 days not counting Niagara Falls but including a day we may spend in the Adirondacks.

 

[Fred W]

In that case, and since you've voiced a desire to see Nova Scotia, I'd say... do it! Put the Cabot Trail on your riding destination list. You will need about three days out of your schedule. One to get there from Maine, a full day to enjoy it, and another one to get back, but you could head to Acadia (Bar Harbor) area either before or after "on the way". One thing you should definitely not skip is Acadia.

Some of the Canucks can line you up on some Bay of Fundy routes for the way there or back too.

 

[Goodman4]

I've got almost everything routed! We planned the Cabot Trail after 2 nights in Acadia. If the weather is bad, we can just stay in Maine a couple more days, but Cape Breton can be our stretch goal.

Here is our leisurely day through the Adirondacks after Lake Placid:

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hampton+Inn+%26+Suites+Lake+Placid,+801+Mirror+Lake+Drive,+Lake+Placid,+NY+12946/44.2575725,-73.7494075/New+Russia/44.0820898,-73.6115819/44.024913,-73.6221609/43.836988,-73.8779013/43.7717765,-73.9313958/43.7149863,-73.712006/43.7416584,-73.6249317/43.6720516,-72.8033225/@43.8633292,-73.6002453,10.55z/data=!4m22!4m21!1m5!1m1!1s0x4ccae28eb922f6e7:0x5ee6718767d35bdd!2m2!1d-73.980891!2d44.283583!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x4cca94f3f85c598b:0x41ccbc42e9722014!2m2!1d-73.611521!2d44.1633846!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!3e0

Sound ok? The only top road nearby that was recommended that I had to skip was Lincoln Pond Road, in order to take 9 down to Tracy Road. Think that is a good trade? Is it good enough I should do an up and back on it from Witherbee?

Here is our plan for Vermont the next day up to Smugglers Notch. I can't get google to route past the summit since it's winter, but we'll go on N and then E on 15 to probably St Johnsbury.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Summit+Lodge,+Summit+Road,+Killington,+VT/43.819231,-72.634908/43.8505041,-72.7059361/43.8413004,-72.9483428/43.8951472,-73.0647541/43.9491502,-73.1141858/43.9532726,-72.9913764/44.0938639,-72.915138/44.526009,-72.777731/44.5333867,-72.7873133/@44.3119753,-73.2800922,9.76z/data=!4m32!4m31!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e02a314c282257:0xfe58acd66f8eb777!2m2!1d-72.7872101!2d43.6557623!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m15!3m4!1m2!1d-72.9852714!2d44.1703752!3s0x4cb570290b7eeeeb:0x2b1938decf51d8a7!3m4!1m2!1d-72.7275729!2d44.367875!3s0x4cb598c6d28a68e3:0x2126610c2b59e5e8!3m4!1m2!1d-72.6874688!2d44.4703379!3s0x4cb596f81332bf2f:0x999775a709baf007!1m0!1m0!3e0

Last question for now - We'll be seeing the coast on our way back south. How should I get from St Johnsbury to Bar Harbor Maine?

A - 115A, 2, 219 to Augusta then I95 to 1A

B - 2, 3, 110, 16, 26, 2, 1A

C - other?

 

[RossKean]

What is your planned route from Acadia to Nova Scotia? Ferry to Yarmouth is expensive and doesn't really save you any time unless your plan includes running the coastal route (South Shore) from Yarmouth to Halifax (a whole day's ride in tourist season but very scenic). If you do take that route, you have to stay on the shore roads; you can't see anything from the highway.

If you are going via New Brunswick, take the "Sunrise Trail" from Amherst to Antigonish in NS. Make sure you get the loop up to Cape George.

 

[Goodman4]

I was just focused on getting to the Cabot Trail and back from Maine, which is through New Brunswick. I had thought about stopping at Quoddy Head Lighthouse, but it adds a lot of time per Google to take route 1 instead of 9 and get out to the Lighthouse. We would use New Glascow for the hotel both ways, since the Cabot Trail from there is a full day. Looks like the Sunrise Trail is the same miles as 104 to New Glascow, so that looks like a great option. It only adds 20 miles to go up to Cape George, so that would probably be worth it, too.

What about Hopewell Rocks, St Martins, St John, or even St Andrews? Any of these worth adding some time for? How long should I allow for the border crossing at Calais on a Friday in June around noon?