Touring Canada's Gaspe Peninsula

[bob_menton]

Just made a motel reservation in Burlington, VT for 4 days in July 2006 for the BMWMOA rally. The motel's mapping info said it's only 75 miles from Burlington, VT to Montreal.

And since Sharon tells me she's never seen Montreal or Quebec, think I know what I'll do after the rally. Not sure what to do in Montreal - big city - but as I recall it's only a 4 hour ride from there to Quebec.

And Quebec is a neat city! I had dreams of staying a night or two at the Chateau Frontenac, a magnificent fortress-like stone-walled hotel in Quebec high on a hill overlooking the St. Lawrence River. But when an Internet search revealed that rooms start at $700 per night (:(), I decided to re-think that brilliant idea.

Question is, what to do after Quebec. I can head directly back to the USA, but I've always had a hankering to ride around the Gaspe Peninsula. Does anyone know if we'll find adequate motel coverage around the Gaspe?

Also, I have a bike-riding friend who rode the Gaspe - he told me that while the natives were friendly in Montreal and Quebec, they were not-so-friendly around the Gaspe. Guess I could try to knock lots of rust off my 2 years of high school French. Anyone having direct experience with this, your comments will be most appreciated.

- Bob

[patrick2000]

Bob,

I've ridden around the Gaspe a number of times. Lodging is not a problem, as there are a multitude of small towns that have independently owned establishments, as well as bed and breakfast faire. I found the folks in the region very friendly and accommodating. Camping facilities are plentiful, and scenic roadside parks with picnic tables appeared to be the gathering place for locals, especially at lunchtime. The peninsula lends itself to motorcycling and you are sure to meet many fellow motorcyclists from both US and Canada should you chose take this trip. The language barrier can be a problematic, but it can be overcome by creativity.

Hope this helps,
Patrick.

[bob_menton]

Yes it does help, Patrick - thanks. I'll be having long conversations with my wife about where we'll ride on that trip, and thanks to input such as yours (and the others), I'll be urging that we ride the Gaspe Peninsula.

- Bob

[BlackWing18]

Hey Bob, just read your post about the summer touring plans to include parts of Quebec...I have been all over the province and personally find the Gaspe to be a little overrated. Mind you if you have never been it is worth a look-see, but if I was on a bike with a choice, ( this has to be 'qualified' as my choices are limited when 2-up...), I would cross the bridge into Quebec City and keep heading East into the Charlevoix Region towards the Saguenay River. The roads are spectacular and the scenery better!! Stop to see the whales at Tadoussac, and keep going East, take the ferry back across the St. Lawrence river at Les Escoumins to Trois Pistoles OR even better, go on up to Baie-Comeau and cross to Matane, (my personal fav.). Then take Hyw 195 and 132 thru the Matapedia Valley, (one of the most famous salmon fishing rivers in the world...) to Campbellton New Brunswick. Now for some more wonderful roads, go southwest on Hwy 17 untill you hit the TransCanada Hwy, then south along the St. John river valley towards Houlton Maine. I95 begins there and you can beat the feet home if you want. OR , keep on the TC Hwy towards Prince Edward Island, Confederation Causeway, Nova Scotia and the Cabot Trail, then take the high speed Cat ferry back to Bar Harbour Maine....yum my mouth is watering just thinking of the possibilities :-).
Let me know if you want any more info,
Jim W.