Help me get lost for the first time...

[numbah9]

...and maybe take a hike while I'm at it!

I graduate from college in May (I'm 29, though, so not a traditional-age student) and would love to go on my first real touring trip. I'd like to spend between 5-7 days, but honestly I have no idea where to go! I live in Maine but am originally from Australia; seeing as all y'all have too many darn states I don't know where I'd like to go. I'm having a tough time picking between Northern Maine, Canada, and somewhere west like the Adirondacks.

I have an 00 VFR with soft bags, as well as a small tent and sleeping bag. So, I could happily do (and would probably prefer..) a mix of tenting & cheap hotels/hostels/whatever so I can shower every now and then. Because I'm from Western Australia (a flat, desert state) I really like green states, water, and mountains. I did search and read through a bunch of Adirondack ride reports, but that's about all I've done so far. At ~six hours from Portland, that would be a nice trip to do in a day or day and a half to get there.

Where do you think I should go? The most I've ever toured is Germany to France and Switzerland and back, but that was a few years ago now and it was 100% hotels/B&Bs. I don't think I could do more than about 300mi a day on the VFR as it still has the stock seat & bars. In terms of activities to do whereever I go, I like taking it pretty easy -- I don't mind a hike but am equally happy just sitting and reading in a splendid view. So, that part of me wants to go somewhere mountainous (like the Adirondacks.)

I've been to a few of the nicer places in Maine (Rockland, Camden, Boothbay Harbor, Rangeley) but not to Bar Harbor or any of the islands. I've been to some nice places in Vermont (Middlebury) but that's it for the nicer parts in New England. I do speak French so that draws me to wanting to check out Quebec, but I've no idea what the roads or countryside are like. I think there's still the ferry from down-east Maine to Nova Scotia, but it doesn't run from Portland anymore. So there's that option to visit our friendly northern neighbors.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Hit me!

[garry]

There is some fine hiking in the Adirondacks around Lake Placid. I used to go up there a couple times a year for multi-day backpacking trips, but I'm sure there are plenty of day hikes too. You can hit several of the highest peaks in NY (Marcy, Algonquin, Haystack, etc) along the "Range Trail". Great views and pretty rugged hiking.

We had ESTN 2009 in Lake Placid, so you can get lots of road info from those threads.

[FiremanBob]

Go to the Honda V4 Owners Club event in Tennessee. Here's a link (you may have to register, but as a VFR owner you should sign up anyway): http://v4hondabbs.com/index.php?topic=52730.0

[bomber]

goodness -- what a marvelous opportunity you've got there!

With that amount of time, you could easily spend it riding around New England, getting lost and enjoying the roads and scenery . . . . .

However, if you plan on settling and working in that neck of the woods, some place else would be a good idea . . . . . Verginia, West Virginia, Tennessee/Carolinas all offer some outstanding riding, and are not too terribly far from you . . . . .

[numbah9]

I've lived in Maine since early 2005, so I've probably seen more of New England than I realize. But, the only real touristy places I've been to I've mentioned above. I'd love to make it all the way down to Tennessee but it's too far in the time I've got! Unless I flew Likewise I'd love to check out the Carolinas and Virginias (I've been to Va., but not much) but, again, the distance worries me. I'd rather go somewhere close and "hang out" longer than go somewhere far and not have as much time to relax.

I'll definitely check out the ESTN threads -- thanks!

[NoGear]

Ride the Appalachian  mountain range south till you hit  Tail of the Dragon.  You can use www.couchsurfing.com to lodge cheeply while passing thru. There is also a group specifically for motorcyclist but I can't remember the name nor their website.

[Blunder]

What about the Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia?

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php?action=search2

To me, it looks like the Northern CA and Oregon coast with a different ocean.

[numbah9]

Were you trying to link to a specific thread? If not, I'll gladly search!

[Blunder]

Sorry. I didn't realize linking to "search pages"  doesn't work.    

Enter "Cabot Trail" into the search box and you'll find lots of links from the Ride Reports section.

[numbah9]

Thanks!

[Rincewind]

I'm planning a trip up that way, probably 5-days in length from SE Pennsylvania.  

My highlights to hit include:
Delaware Water Gap (PA/NJ)
Catskills (SE NY)
Kancamagus Scenic Byway (NH)
Mt Washington Auto Road (NH)
Rangor Lake (ME)
Quoddy Head, Bay of Fundy (ME)
Acadia National Park, Cadillac Mt, and Jordan Lake for tea (NE)
Bear Mountain (NY)
Storm King Mountain (NY)
Green Mountains (VT)

Good luck and have fun!  I would also recommend the Adirondacks as a great destination.  

[Cheddarhead]

Head west, young man...

There is a great ride that circles Lake Michigan and Lake Superior...it takes place over the Labor Day weekend.  Stretching this to allow two days to get to SW Michigan to join the ride..another two days coming back...and you'll have a terrific 10 day / 2 week adventure with lots of like-minded individuals.

On ST-N, look in Region 4 for any threads containing the references "ATL" and / or "Around the Lakes".

Note that this tour crosses into Canada and goes 'round the north side of Lake Superior...so you will need passport / proof of registration / insurance etc to cross the border.

This is a ride I try to do each year...haven't actually "done" it yet, but I keep threatening...

Go for it!

Cheddar

[mxvet57]

Head west, young man...

There is a great ride that circles Lake Michigan and Lake Superior...it takes place over the Labor Day weekend.  Stretching this to allow two days to get to SW Michigan to join the ride..another two days coming back...and you'll have a terrific 10 day / 2 week adventure with lots of like-minded individuals.

On ST-N, look in Region 4 for any threads containing the references "ATL" and / or "Around the Lakes".

Note that this tour crosses into Canada and goes 'round the north side of Lake Superior...so you will need passport / proof of registration / insurance etc to cross the border.

This is a ride I try to do each year...haven't actually "done" it yet, but I keep threatening...

Go for it!

Cheddar

Hey Ched, it's memorial day weekend not labor day weekend.  

And here's the link.   http://www.aroundthelakes.net/atl2011/

[kyzrex]

Head down through New England to New York State.  use back roads as much as possible.  Hit the mountains, go across NY through the wine country.  Go to Niagara Falls, cross over into Canada ( don't forget your passport) and go visit Montreal.  Head toward New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, then back into Maine.  Ride when you want, stop when you don't.  Enjoy the scenery and history.  Take lots of pictures.  Post up a report.

[numbah9]

So umm, where abouts is wine country in NY?   I am a beer drinker by nature!

[garry]

So umm, where abouts is wine country in NY?   I am a beer drinker by nature!

Finger Lakes region I believe. Kinda scenic, but the roads aren't all that IMO. Very straight shots through farmland with a few twists where the elevation changes.

[servicerifle]

You, my friend, want to go South.  South to West Virginia.  (That's West BY GOD Virginia to a local).  There you will find motorcycling bliss.

[numbah9]

I would love to check out W.Va. but with my time constraints I'm not sure I can make it down there with enough time to relax. I could probably do it if I took the interstates all the way down, but that defeats the point somewhat...

Cabot Trail looks awesome, that might be a strong contender right now! Can't make the ATL trip because I have prior commitments I think

[cb919er]

Head south, then catch the northern end of the Blue Ridge Pkwy... good times will follow...

[Orson]

whut I do is spread out a map in front of me  

then...almost as if by osmosis, I let the trip come to me  

find the squiggly-lookin' roads. See if any can be strung together into some semblance of a route

direction or destination matter not.

[Cheddarhead]

Cabot Trail looks awesome, that might be a strong contender right now! Can't make the ATL trip because I have prior commitments I think

I'm planning a Prince Edward Island / Cabot Trail run...but I "was" aiming at something after Labor Day...September makes for great riding / camping.

If you're bound / determined to head up that way earlier...give me a shout.  I might jump off early and  join you....

I'm in the Boston area...

[cbsnbiker]

Funny you mention Middlebury -- there's a huge amount of great riding right around there. You can have a great time just going east and west over and over again in Vermont. Plus you can take a tour of the Ben & Jerry's factory -- how bad is that?

There's lots of fun to be had in New York state as well. There are fun roads in the Adirondacks; just watch out for the ones straightened for the '80 Olympics, for they're not as much fun as the twisty ones. Also check out the Catskills.

[mxvet57]

S/E Ohio. Can't find a bad road there. The Hocking Hills area is great to ride and stop and look.

[UHOH]

 I don't think I could do more than about 300mi a day on the VFR as it still has the stock seat & bars.
In terms of activities to do whereever I go, I like taking it pretty easy --
 don't mind a hike but am equally happy just sitting and reading in a splendid view.

Sounds like a fun time and good not to overcommit distances.   thoughts  -->

1.  spend $13 on 'Cramp Buster' that installs in 10 seconds on the throttle grip.  gives more miles/day capability by relaxing hand grip.  
Takes some miles to get used to new throttle sensitivity, but if you don't like, it comes off in seconds w/o tools

2. Consider direction based on weather - and biting insects, if camping.   Camping at edge of beach usually means few biting insects, but more wind.

3. Gaspe pennisula loop would seem a good victory get out of college trip, weather permitting.   could include quebec city or montreal if you're OK w/cities

4.  in May - you'll beat the tourist season by week - given the cool weather if along the coast, well I'd probably look at mom and pop motels at least every other night
and when it got right down to it, I'd leave the tent and bag at home and spring motel $ for the other 3 nights.


also, take a small photo book of your life, home and college to share - 10 -15 photos makes a difference in ease of meeting people when traveling
enjoy!!

[cbsnbiker]

I don't think I could do more than about 300mi a day on the VFR as it still has the stock seat & bars.

How is your budget? That's easily remedied, if you can afford a few hundred dollars of mods. Years ago I did a cross-country trip on my R1100RS and its stock seat. That was enough for me to replace the stock seat. (I'd already put risers on the bars.)

Then again, your goal isn't to go as far as you can, but to have fun, so you can keep the miles per day down.

[tvpierce]

Numbah,

I'm also in ME.  What school are you graduating from?

[numbah9]

I'm planning a Prince Edward Island / Cabot Trail run...but I "was" aiming at something after Labor Day...September makes for great riding / camping.

If you're bound / determined to head up that way earlier...give me a shout.  I might jump off early and  join you....

I'm in the Boston area...

September is hard for me -- I assistant coach a college fall sport so we've already started practice by the last week in August. I could miss it, maybe, but it would be a stretch. Any other times work for you?

Funny you mention Middlebury -- there's a huge amount of great riding right around there. You can have a great time just going east and west over and over again in Vermont. Plus you can take a tour of the Ben & Jerry's factory -- how bad is that?

There's lots of fun to be had in New York state as well. There are fun roads in the Adirondacks; just watch out for the ones straightened for the '80 Olympics, for they're not as much fun as the twisty ones. Also check out the Catskills.

Can you give me some rough ideas in Vt.? I've only been there for Middlebury (summer) and Jay Peak (winter), so if they're not on those routes I wouldn't've seen `em. It is beautiful country, though! I'll check out the Catskills as well, thanks.

Sounds like a fun time and good not to overcommit distances.   thoughts  -->

1.  spend $13 on 'Cramp Buster' that installs in 10 seconds on the throttle grip.  gives more miles/day capability by relaxing hand grip.  
Takes some miles to get used to new throttle sensitivity, but if you don't like, it comes off in seconds w/o tools

2. Consider direction based on weather - and biting insects, if camping.   Camping at edge of beach usually means few biting insects, but more wind.

3. Gaspe pennisula loop would seem a good victory get out of college trip, weather permitting.   could include quebec city or montreal if you're OK w/cities

4.  in May - you'll beat the tourist season by week - given the cool weather if along the coast, well I'd probably look at mom and pop motels at least every other night and when it got right down to it, I'd leave the tent and bag at home and spring motel $ for the other 3 nights.

also, take a small photo book of your life, home and college to share - 10 -15 photos makes a difference in ease of meeting people when traveling
enjoy!!

Thanks, all great suggestions! The last one is funny (but in a good way). I do have a CrampBuster, I'd love a Throttlemeister but they seem a little pricey for what you get. I would love to get to Quebec City or Montreal, I speak French a bit so wouldn't have a problem in that regard.

How is your budget? That's easily remedied, if you can afford a few hundred dollars of mods. Years ago I did a cross-country trip on my R1100RS and its stock seat. That was enough for me to replace the stock seat. (I'd already put risers on the bars.)

Then again, your goal isn't to go as far as you can, but to have fun, so you can keep the miles per day down.

Well, I only paid $2700 for my bike, so the idea of spending ~$350 on a Corbin or Sargent doesn't really appeal to me. I'm interested in seeing if there are other ways to have the stock seat reupholstered locally to save money there. I'm not yet sure what I think of the bars -- I'm a shade under 6'4", so they could probably stand to be risen. But, again, Helibars and the like are not cheap.. though I could always sell them separate if I ever sold the bike!

I rode an R1150RT across Germany, France and Switzerland in 2005. It was epic.

Numbah,

I'm also in ME.  What school are you graduating from?

USM. Though I did take 2 years' worth of classes at Bowdoin. Long story, that one...

[Castaway]

Some say these seat beads are worthwhile, I haven't tried them. http://www.beadrider.com/

You can raise your clip-ons themselves a little - even half an inch can make a difference. I did this on my Superhawk for long rides.

[Cheddarhead]

September is hard for me --  Any other times work for you?

Other than the 4th of July Week and mid-August, I'm actually pretty flexible, schedule-wise.  I was thinking of Semptember 'casue the autumn weather is usually "perfect' for camping / hiking / etc.   And there's a rumored to be a Celtic Music Festival up that way that is one of my "Bucket List" activities...