North by North East - Hogs first international trip.

A total of 2,783 miles

 Well time to explore yet another part of North America. This time we are covering the states of New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine in the U.S.A. and Nova Scotia, New Brunswick (including Prince Edward Island) in Canada. The trip will take ten days and cover 3,014 miles. (4,850 km)

On the ride will be five of us who over the last five years have covered Pennsylvania and the Adirondacks, shipping the bikes to Denver and riding to Sturgis and then home to Syracuse and this Hog's team also rode the Sturgis to Pennsylvania section of the Puffin across the USA ride from Los Angeles to New York city. Last year the Hogs rode to Florida via the Smokey Mountains and return.

Previous Trips
2010		Pennsylvania, Adirondacks	6 days	1,169 miles	Average 195 miles per day
2011		Sturgis	8 days riding , 9 days travel	2,401 miles	Average 300 miles per day
2012		Puffin Across America (part)	9 days riding, 10 travel	2,534 miles	Average 282 miles per day
2013		Florida	9 days riding, 10 travel	2,805 miles	Average 312 miles per day
2014		Novas Scotia	10 days riding	2,784 miles	Average 278 miles per day

 

Originally this year a couple of the group wanted to go somewhere hot and not North but they were persuaded instead to go North East. There have been a lot of jokes about needing snow tires, antifreeze on the only bike with a radiator, the need for polar bear repellant and even a comment that we should watch out for Russians until they were reminded that the Russians are in the North West with Sarah Palin.

One rider pointed out in his wisdom that Sydney, Novas Scotia was only two degrees North of Sturgis. Also the average high for August was 76 in Novas Scotia compared to 86 in Sturgis. The average low is eight degrees warmer in Novas Scotia! The final point was that the average precipitation was a quarter as much as Sturgis. So did the comments stop? No. One is buying thermal underwear, one heated gloves and another leather pants. (We all think he just wanted leather pants)

 All the group has been warned to bring a valid passport. Considering we had illegal uninspected bike on a previous trip that was two years out of date I think all the Hogs will be all reminded before we leave.

 The big map.

 

Day one - Thursday 7th August. Syracuse, Amsterdam, Glen Falls, Lebanon (New York), Night in North Woodstock, New Hampshire

Day two Friday 8th August - Conway, Bridgton (New Hampshire) Bangor (Maine) Night in Saint Stephen (New Brunswick, Canada.)

 

Day three - Saturday 9th August. Saint John, (New Brunswick) Three hour ferry to Digby, Yarmouth, Night in Shellburne (Nova Scotia)

Day four - 10th August. Halifax and night in Antigonish (Nova Scotia)

Day five - Monday 11th August. Port Hawkesbury, Sydney then the famous Cabot Trail. Night in Cheticamp (Nova Scotia)

 Comment on the Cabot Trail, Novas Scotia.

"...Beautiful expansive ocean vistas and forested lanes with little traffic. The Cabot Trail and Nova Scotia are definitely a “must do” ride and visit, among the most beautiful places in the world.

Nova Scotia, or New Scotland, is one of the greatest motorcycling destinations in the world. The Cabot Trail, on the island of Cape Breton, is well known to both riders and the motorcycling press as one of the finest motorcycle roads in the world. Clinging to the cliffs of Cape Breton Highlands National Park, it twists and turns along the edge of the Atlantic ocean and through the mountains, providing spectacular views for more than 200 miles

 

Day six - Tuesday 12th August. Port Hawksbury, New Glasgow. Novas Scotia. Night - Port Elgin New Brunswick

 

Day seven - Wednesday 13th August. Prince Edward Island - either Souris or Tignish. Night - Port Elgin New Brunswick

 

 

 

Day eight - Thursday 14th August. Saint John, Saint Stephen, (New Brunswick) Night in Bar Harbor (Maine)

 

Day nine - Friday 15th August. Belfast, Rockland, Brunswick, Portland, (Maine) Night in Concord (New Hampshire)

Day ten - Saturday 16th August. Brattleboro (Vermont) Troy, Syracuse (New York) - Night in my own bed.