Ultimate Canadian three week touring destination.

[Sin Harvest]

Imagine if you will that you had three weeks vacation in late July and you planned on spending nearly all of it on a bike trip. Where would you go, and how would you prepare?

   I'm in the planning stages right now, and I have some solid ideas, but I'd like to get some input from some of the guys with touring experience as mine is extremely limited. I'm no stranger to living on the road, but living from a bike has it's own unique challenges. Thanks for your input, and the only stipulation I wish to make with the suggestions is I wish to stay within Canada for this particular trip. 

[cowboyrt]

you could cover ALOT of ground in that time.  heck - all of canada if you wanted.   Search the forum's, theres actually some VERY good touring info

[Invigor]

I'd be heck bent for Newfoundland because it's the only province I have left to visit.

As for prep...socks, underwear, tshirts, rainsuit, 1 pair of pants, sandals, tent, sleeping bag, flashlight, matches and/or lighter, chain lube and earplugs. Make sure your sprockets are tip top, and your tires have enough tread to make it there and back. Other than that, you can get your food at grocery stores/markets along the way. 

One last thing, since you're newer at bikes, get a buddy to do the trip with you in case something hits the fan. It's nice to have someone with you so you don't panic and freak out.  Other motorcyclists on the road are also very receptive to another bike loaded up with gear, so if you ever need someone to talk to or drink a beer with, look for others traveling on bikes.  I found that to be a pretty neat perk about our little clique.

[Sin Harvest]

Excellent advice, though for a number of reasons I've decided to make this a solo journey.

-I set my own schedule. I'm one of those ex Infantry survivalist nutjobs, so I can stop, make camp, pass out, wake up, pack up and ride with minimal dickery.

-The challenge of being self sufficient is a large part of the appeal for me.

I acknowledge the added risks, and it could potentially come back to bite me.

If I headed east I'd want to hug the St. Lawrance, take confederation bridge into PEI, hop a ferry back onto the mainland, and another ferry to Newfoundland. Depending on time I'd like to go through Cape Breton too.

[cowboyrt]

i'm the exact same way man.  Pack as light as possible and just go.  I'll be quick to admit though - after a long day on the bike I want a nice hotel bed lol  could get used to camping it pretty fast though. 

For gear I highly sugest the icon urban tank bag and the icon backpack.  Unreal storage compartments. there are others that are bigger - but the space you get is loaded with little pockets.  Theres also a nice area for maps on the tank bag.

I recomend a 12v plug on the bike.  I wired one in and its awesome. charge gps, ipod, cell whatever while your riding. Really nice.

[Clay]

If I had 3 weeks, I would head east for a week and a couple of days pounding down about 600-800 kms a day. I only have a week this year so I am going to try and make Montreal and back.

[TRIUMPHant]

Personally I can't say enough about heading west. It's pretty boring for the first 8 hours or so, but after that, it's as exciting as yu want to make it! There are some incredible rides in B.C., we're heading there once again for another R.A.T. RAID and looking forward to every km of it!!!!

[T-bar]

R.A.T. RAID?

[mech120]

R.A.T. RAID?

Riders Association of Triumph.

[crystalh]

Personally I can't say enough about heading west. It's pretty boring for the first 8 hours or so, but after that, it's as exciting as yu want to make it! There are some incredible rides in B.C., we're heading there once again for another R.A.T. RAID and looking forward to every km of it!!!!

Can't agree more. I would have never bought a helmet cam if I didn't bring my bike to B.C. There are just so many roads and I want to remember them all. Beautiful views, paved, swept, none-little traffic, perfect.

[Shawn]

I like the East coast for a 3wk trip. It is a trip that you need a lot of time to be able to get there and back.  Because the West coast is a little closer it is easier to blast out there and back in a week. 

When you get out to the East coast there are lots of Bed and Breakfast places to stay..

[TRIUMPHant]

Riders Association of Triumph.

Thank you.

[smurph9r]

Hey man, I have done both group trips and solo trips.  It is nice to have someone around to hang out with, race with, back up in case of problems and split hotel costs in case of really bad weather.
On the other hand, solo trips are on your own shedule, you can head where you want, stop when you want, stay an extra day if you want, well you know.

As for gear, I wear my leathers. It may get a little hot but your safer and can go drop a knee if you like, and you only really feel the heat when you stop. I pack a tank bag(large) and your sausage bag on the back seat gives you lots of room if your a good packer( you should be after last season). A small tool kit at the bottom of your tank bad just in case.

Where to go? BC is an easy choice as its close to us. You can spend a couple weeks easy and not get bored but remember your going during motorhome heck time. Slow, slow, slow! The RC's like to sit at the end of straight aways to catch everyone speeding as they pass the slowpokes. Stick to the side highways, Destination Highways BC has lots of great info on roads to run.
Heading east will be boring till you get way out to the Maritimes. Northern Ont. cops are picky about speeding and the limit is 90KM for alot of it.  Once out east, great times!!

You have some big decisions to make, good luck.

[Sin Harvest]

Thanks mate, and I still owe you a case or a bottle or something but I literally haven't seen you for about a year now. I'm on some pretty wonkey day crew night crew plug whatever hole needs filled shifts right now, but if you're going to be in the area before comox let me know what you drink and what your house number is.

[wildzx6]

With that much time I'd definitely go east and once at Southern Ontario I'd stay away from the 401 and QEW. The back highways are slower but far more rewarding. I'd get there as quick as I could and then slow down past toronto. Id take an afternoon trip to Niagra, go through Kingston to Ottawa, have a beer at Darcy McGee's and see Parliament. Go over to Gatineau and slip through the park while marvelling at some of the cottage mansions on Meech Lake. I'd stop in Montreal and visit the Basilica, Ile Notre Dame, and some other spots. Then on to the 40 to Quebec and spend lots of time there. Stay in Vieux Quebec at the small hotels close to the promenade. Tour the citadel and sit on the Plains of Abraham and imagine what happened centuries ago. I found it very moving. Look through the St Lawrence and imagine the British coming through that narrow channel and the canons that fired on them. Then I'd be off to tour the Laurentians for a few days. Take a ferry to Rimouski and over to Fredericton and Saint John. See some whales in the Bay of Fundy. Through Moncton to PEI and stay at the Blue Heron Inn for a night. Check out Charlottetown, Cavendish, and Tignish. Then I'd probably spend 3 days in Nova Scotia, spending nights in Lunenberg, Antigonish, and Glace Bay. I'd explore every nook and cranny of that province before heading to the ferry to Newfoundland. Once there, I'd be doing St John's - Bonavista - Gander-L'anse aux Meadows, Gros Morne, and as far along the coast as I could go.

sigh...