Planning summer trip 2007

[brianbeemer]

We plan to somehow get to Toronto to visit an aged aunt, probably the last chance we'll have according to my cousin. Anyway, we'll be starting out in Boston but that's as far as we've got. Need some suggestions on making the tour please.

We have 2 thoughts - first one is to head up Maine to Quebec, then follow the St Lawrence west. Come back via Niagara. The second is to go more directly, probably via Niagara, and then go round the Great Lakes to the Dakotas before working our way back. We do need to stop off in Ohio (Columbus) one way or the other. Time isn't an issue - we have weeks to ride if we want to use it.

Suggestions? What are the best places to visit and see en route? We have millions of Marriott points from my prior employment so hotels are definitely not going to be an issue!

[garry_kramer]

We plan to somehow get to Toronto to visit an aged aunt, probably the last chance we'll have according to my cousin. Anyway, we'll be starting out in Boston but that's as far as we've got. Need some suggestions on making the tour please.

We have 2 thoughts - first one is to head up Maine to Quebec, then follow the St Lawrence west. Come back via Niagara. The second is to go more directly, probably via Niagara, and then go round the Great Lakes to the Dakotas before working our way back. We do need to stop off in Ohio (Columbus) one way or the other. Time isn't an issue - we have weeks to ride if we want to use it.

Suggestions? What are the best places to visit and see en route? We have millions of Marriott points from my prior employment so hotels are definitely not going to be an issue!

<posting from Bordeaux, France > Let me know when you are in the area, we can go for a ride. We will be home mid July.

[brianbeemer]

Will do! Always nice to meet up with fellow riders. How's the weather in Bordeaux? Was wet there last week when we were in France :(

[garry_kramer]

Will do! Always nice to meet up with fellow riders. How's the weather in Bordeaux? Was wet there last week when we were in France :(

Bordeau was a bit cool. Paris is cool & wet. We are here for 2 days then off to Juno Beach

later

[lucky26]

Take a look at staying in the States and crossing at Cornwall, ON. This will keep you out of the Montreal traffic, Toronto is going to be bad enough for one trip. I live just north of Toronto and would like to join you and Gary for a ride if the timing works out.
Cliff

[brianbeemer]

Never had any problems in Montreal before. Worked there for 3 months during the winter of 96-97 and had a few rather cold days! I like the city, and so does SWMBO. We lived in an apartment block right near the centre. I'm sure speaking French without an American accent helps........as did the Saltire proudly displayed on the bumper!

[ironbuttwannabe]

We plan to somehow get to Toronto to visit an aged aunt, probably the last chance we'll have according to my cousin. Anyway, we'll be starting out in Boston but that's as far as we've got. Need some suggestions on making the tour please.

We have 2 thoughts - first one is to head up Maine to Quebec, then follow the St Lawrence west. Come back via Niagara. The second is to go more directly, probably via Niagara, and then go round the Great Lakes to the Dakotas before working our way back. We do need to stop off in Ohio (Columbus) one way or the other. Time isn't an issue - we have weeks to ride if we want to use it.

Suggestions? What are the best places to visit and see en route? We have millions of Marriott points from my prior employment so hotels are definitely not going to be an issue!

If your coming back to Columbus you should ride route 60 and 555. 60 goes right through Zanesville. But is nice north and south of Zanesville. Then ride 555. They are both nice curvy roads.

[wkclark]

If you're riding, you have simply GOT to spend some time in the White Mountains of NH, the Green Mountains of VT, and the Adirondacks in northern NY state. The run along the St Lawrence seaway through Quebec will be downright mind-numbing :eek: by comparison. It is plain and simply some of the most beautiful country -- and greatest riding you'll encounter on the planet.

Unless you're in a big hurry (or in the rain), stay off any highway starting with the letter "I" and you'll be fine :thumb:. Lake Winnipesaukee, the Kangumangus Hwy, & Crawford's Notch in NH. Rte 100 (North/South) in VT is a rider's dream, and The Adirondacks Rte 9N picking it up near Lake George is not to be missed.

Enjoy your break and ride safely.
Keir

[was]

If you're riding, you have simply GOT to spend some time in the White Mountains of NH, the Green Mountains of VT, and the Adirondacks in northern NY state. . . .simply some of the most beautiful country -- and greatest riding you'll encounter on the planet.

Enjoy your break and ride safely.
Keir
+1. I also agree with Cliff about crossing over into Canada at Cornwall or Ogdensberg, each of which is a quick ride from the Addirondaks. You could wend your way south to Toronto on the 401 to see your aged aunt in Toronto, head south-west to Michigan, and drop down into Ohio.

HOWEVER, since time is not an issue, why not do all or part of the north shore of the Great Lakes? Form Cornwall/Ogdansberg, wend your way over to 69 and ride north around Georgian Bay. Connect with 17 to Sault Ste. Marie. At that point you could drop south through Michigan to Ohio, or go west into Wisconsin before heading to Ohio. HOWEVER, since time is not an issue, you also could continue on 17 north over Lake Superior and thru some very pretty scenery (lots of great vistas of the lake, cliffs, etc.) to Thunder Bay, from which 61 will take you south to Grand Portage, Minn. HOWEVER, since time is not an issue . . . ;)

Whatever you choose, enjoy the trip and ride safe.

[brianbeemer]

Thanks for all the inputs. We've got the ride up sorted (sort of!) - from north of Boston up into NH and eventually end up in Burlington VT for the night. Round the top of the lake and across the northern Adirondacks into Canada (as suggested) and we plan to hit Ottawa for a couple of days - never been there in summer, so why not? The next stop looks not so interesting - Sudbury (mining) - but the area is hilly and lots of lakes, plus there's a pow-wow on Manitoulou Island we are going to try and get to. From there down to Toronto for 2 nights - actually about 50 miles west - followed by a blast back to Boston for Labor Day.

We have to be back in the UK earlier than expected as SWMBO has been accepted on a PhD course and she has to prep for it starting 9/20, so the ride won't be as long as hoped for, but a good 9 days anyway. The jetlag will be interesting as we usually wake at 2-3am for the first week or so we get to the US, but we can always ride early and have the roads pretty much to ourselves.

Next year we are planning a long way ahead and hope to make it a 3 month trip from coast to coast - and include CCR 2008. We may truck the bike to Chicago and pick it up there then head west, over to British Columbia, down the west coast to LA, over to Vegas, etc. Dreaming, but it will happen, not necessarily that route.

Incidentally, having spent 6 months once commuting weekly to Detroit to consult to one of the big 3 I don't have very happy memories of Michigan. Sorry guys. :o