We got off okay and met up in Whitby. There was an accident west bound on the 401 which caused a backup even on the east bound. The result was to delay our start to 1:00pm.
The drive was good and we made good time. We arrived at Lake Placid at 8:00pm. Hotel rates were outrageous because there is an Ironman Triathelon in the area and rooms are scrace.
We are excited to start day 2.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Plan
So here it is, The Plan. Leave Toronto, pass through the U.S. to New Brunswick, along the Fundy Trail to Halifax, along the coast to Cape Breton where we'll spend 2 days riding. Off to P.E.I. for lobster at St Ann's Church then head home through the New Brunswick, North Shore and across to Edmunston. Hopefully spend a night in Quebec City then Montreal for a quick visit then head straight to Toronto.
This will be about 5,000 km over 9 days. There will be time to rest when we are back in Toronto. Wisk us a safe, adventurous tour.
This will be about 5,000 km over 9 days. There will be time to rest when we are back in Toronto. Wisk us a safe, adventurous tour.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Packing for the Tour
This content has been gleamed from the "Motorcycle Touring Bible" by Fred Rau.
The packing space on a motorcycle is small so this means that packing must be tight and well thought out. To add complexity to the tour we have decided to camp out as much as possible. This means that a tent and sleeping bag are required. Azhar volunteered to bring a 4-man tent. All campers know that a 4-man tent actually means 2 people with little room for personal gear.
Ralph is riding a 2001 Suzuki, 1400cc cruiser. Azhar is riding a BMW 1200cc Sports Cruiser. The following describes what Ralph will be packing.
The Suzuki has 2 leather saddle bags. One bag will carry personal rain gear which includes a jacket and pants, waterproof gloves and a scraf. The other bag will carry extra riding gear such as a heated vest, synthetic armoured riding pants and chaps and selection of gloves.
I have a tank bag that rests on the gas tank where I keep maps, tools, snacks and small stuff that I may need during the ride with easy access.
I have a shelf behind the passenger back rest where I will store my sleeping bag, mattress and ground sheet.
Now, the important stuff like my clothes are stored in my motorcycle travel bag which I rest on the passenger seat and attach to the back rest. This bag is about a foot square and 2 feet tall. It also serves as a back rest will riding. The following will be packed into this bag.
Clothing:
2 T-shirts
2 causual shirts that can be worn to a respectable restaurant
1 pair jeans
1 pair causual slacks that can be worn to a respectable restaurant
I pair of shorts to wear under riding pants
3 changes of socks and underwear (laundry on the way or replace at a Wal-Mart.
1 pair of casual footwear (deck shoes would be a good choice because they pack small. I will pack my Keens which pack small and can accommodate most environments.
Personal Items:
- Shampoo and hand soap
- Nail clippers
- 2 small packets of laundry soap
- Sunscreen
- Disposable razor
- Pain killers (aspirin)
- Eyedrops
- Comb
- Tootbrush and toothpaste
- Earplugs
- small First Aid Kit
- Flashlight
- Tire repair kit
- Passport
- Spare bike key
In addition to the above I will have my normal riding gear that I wear such as boots, riding pants, riding jacket, sun glasses, helmet and riding gloves.
Did I miss anything?
The packing space on a motorcycle is small so this means that packing must be tight and well thought out. To add complexity to the tour we have decided to camp out as much as possible. This means that a tent and sleeping bag are required. Azhar volunteered to bring a 4-man tent. All campers know that a 4-man tent actually means 2 people with little room for personal gear.
Ralph is riding a 2001 Suzuki, 1400cc cruiser. Azhar is riding a BMW 1200cc Sports Cruiser. The following describes what Ralph will be packing.
The Suzuki has 2 leather saddle bags. One bag will carry personal rain gear which includes a jacket and pants, waterproof gloves and a scraf. The other bag will carry extra riding gear such as a heated vest, synthetic armoured riding pants and chaps and selection of gloves.
I have a tank bag that rests on the gas tank where I keep maps, tools, snacks and small stuff that I may need during the ride with easy access.
I have a shelf behind the passenger back rest where I will store my sleeping bag, mattress and ground sheet.
Now, the important stuff like my clothes are stored in my motorcycle travel bag which I rest on the passenger seat and attach to the back rest. This bag is about a foot square and 2 feet tall. It also serves as a back rest will riding. The following will be packed into this bag.
Clothing:
2 T-shirts
2 causual shirts that can be worn to a respectable restaurant
1 pair jeans
1 pair causual slacks that can be worn to a respectable restaurant
I pair of shorts to wear under riding pants
3 changes of socks and underwear (laundry on the way or replace at a Wal-Mart.
1 pair of casual footwear (deck shoes would be a good choice because they pack small. I will pack my Keens which pack small and can accommodate most environments.
Personal Items:
- Shampoo and hand soap
- Nail clippers
- 2 small packets of laundry soap
- Sunscreen
- Disposable razor
- Pain killers (aspirin)
- Eyedrops
- Comb
- Tootbrush and toothpaste
- Earplugs
- small First Aid Kit
- Flashlight
- Tire repair kit
- Passport
- Spare bike key
In addition to the above I will have my normal riding gear that I wear such as boots, riding pants, riding jacket, sun glasses, helmet and riding gloves.
Did I miss anything?
Other Adventures
If you are not familiar with the adventures that Ralph & Azhar acquire then check out their Pakistan trip at http://DestinationPakistan.com\
Planning the Tour
One would think that it would be a simple thing just to hop on your motorcycle and head off to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. But no! The time allotted to the tour is short. Azhar must get back to Toronto and work and only has the 9 days allotted for his vacation.
So we only have 9 days to get there and back. Getting there is 2 days at least which takes up 4 days of the allotted 9. That leaves 5 days to see Cape Breton and the Cabot Trail plus Prince Edward Island. We will be busy.
Okay, so what do we need to bring? There is not a lot of trunk space on a motorcycle and besides our clothes, we need to bring a tent and sleeping bags.
So we only have 9 days to get there and back. Getting there is 2 days at least which takes up 4 days of the allotted 9. That leaves 5 days to see Cape Breton and the Cabot Trail plus Prince Edward Island. We will be busy.
Okay, so what do we need to bring? There is not a lot of trunk space on a motorcycle and besides our clothes, we need to bring a tent and sleeping bags.
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