NE Bound - Requesting Route Assistance

[2andblue]

Hello Group -
Our planned trip to SE United States via the BRP may be getting scrubbed from recent COVID spikes and also looks like consistent unstable weather next 10 days (from the WX guessers), trying to have a carefree time without rain gear / rain each day if we can help it...

Nonetheless - We have a 10 day trip coming and thinking about 1 of 2 trip themes or possibly a mix thereof.

1. Technical, Twisty, Deep in the Woods, Mountains, Lakes and away from traffic / people
2. We have been aspiring to visit the plethora of Maine lighthouses - concerned traffic mid-August on coast will be a detractor

If you have some recommendations please chuck them out - we'll put all the inputs together then plan and share the 10 day tour, live pictures etc. Starting the research online right now as well. @S Smith is there a depository of COG routes from previous events NE?

Thank You in advance!

Wayne, Carol and Blue

 

[S Smith]

Starting the research online right now as well. @S Smith is there a depository of COG routes from previous events NE?

They were saved in the old online COG library. They have not yet been migrated to the new site. Email me with the towns or states of interest and I can see what there is.

 

[bobct]

Wayne,
Whereabouts you coming from?
Staying north and west of the tri-state (NJ/NY/CT) metropolitan area is key especially during morning (5:30-9:30 AM) and afternoon (11:30am-9PM) is key before entering the New England area. Getting across the Hudson River during daytime is a big part of the problem and what roads you are left to get off the interstate after crossing the Hudson. Catskill and Beacon NY bridge crossings in that order are my daytime Hudson river crossings, the later one offers some back road getoffs before getting into the CT traffic problems. Upstate NY going towards VT Hudson river crossings are plentiful as the river is small compared to its metro area width and you can get to Maine coast through VT NH woods.

Our coastline riding during the summer season is to go onto the coast from the most obscure roads you can find, hit the coastline for X amount of miles then head back out inland. Again trying not to hit the morning influx or afternoon outflux of beach traffic.
I don't think the northern (north of Portland) Maine coastline traffic is too bad.
Canada lifted non-essential border crossings, but I dont think the US reciprocated by lifting Canadian crossings into the US yet.

Let us know when and where you are coming in and more advice could be given on routes, and maybe a meet and greet. We have a BBQ run near the Beacon NY crossing I mentioned coming up.

 

[2andblue]

We will be headed north Friday the 13th, likely crossing further north than south from NY to VT.

We are eyeing several nice Byways in Maine, Acadia, Several routes in NH, etc..

 

[bobct]

Route 9 through Bennington Vt to Wilmington Vt then 100 north is a good ride. The 2011 National was held in W Dover Vt on rt 100 and there must be some routes saved from there.
Kancamancus hwy from Lincoln NH to Conway NH is a great mountain pass rd, halfway to Conway take a left on Bear Notch Rd into Bartlet Nh then turnaround and go back up Bear Notch Rd and get back on the Kancamancus. In Conway you can pick up rt302 towards Portland Maine or there is another route in Conway that will head more north into northern Maine.

Another site to check out:

Acadia Camping Trip

northeast's motorcycling community

www.newenglandriders.org

They have a camp out planned for Aug 18 -22nd in Arcadia!
Nice group of riders, all kinds of bikes, Goldwings, FJR, Harleys, sometimes a Connie, good group of people.
Look in the rides section and there are a lists of past trips with routes.
They have lists of BONE, best of northeast roads, attractions, etc.

 

[2andblue]

Thank You Bobct - The NER site is an outstanding resource of roads, maps, trips, etc - very user friendly. I will use this and a few other resources to bring this trip together.

Thanks Again - great share!

Wayne, Carol & Blue

 

[Jeff]

I went through that area coming back from Nova Scotia and found that the traffic was heavier then expected, but one thing I enjoyed was the climb up Mount Washington. You have to pay to go up it, but I would do that again.

 

[2andblue]

Driven up in car a handful of times also have climbed / hiked up Mt Washington a couple times - nice views and change of altitude zones is cool. It’s a good day climb and down for average joe - other than cramp-ons for icy / snowy sections nothing other than usual hoping gear needed. Also taken the COG railway up and down couple times - that’s an interesting experience.

The traffic along the coast and in the heart of the tourist areas yes agreed is heavy. Hoping central AND northern Maine and northern most NH / VT are as I remember less traveled.

 

[chrismpero]

Have fun!

 

[bobct]

if you get held up on your departure the Cog NE group is planning a ride and eat around rt84 on the east side of the Hudson on Saturday the 14th, meeting up at 10 am and I'm sure you can get tips on heading north and east of there to get to rt9 Vermont.

 

[2andblue]

if you get held up on your departure the Cog NE group is planning a ride and eat around rt84 on the east side of the Hudson on Saturday the 14th, meeting up at 10 am and I'm sure you can get tips on heading north and east of there to get to rt9 Vermont.

Thank You - just got lassoed for a business communique Friday morn… Hopefully I can jump ship immediately thereafter otherwise I may be taking you up on the mentioned ride.

 

[2andblue]

We have made final arrangements and GPS map plotting. 8 days carving these mountain ranges: Poconos, Catskills, Adirondacks, Green, White, Mahoosucs, Berkshires, Taconics - Marcy; Jays Peak; Whiteface; Washington; Sugarloaf and Kathadin the more notable mountains we will visit, amongst many others.

Acadia National Park, then onto the furthest east mainland points, lights and many waterfalls along the way.

Then no trip to Maine would be complete without visiting Madawaska Four Corners Park and America’s First Mile HWY.

Trip will clock about 3,000 miles.

 

[2andblue]

Thank You to all who helped with ideas and links to resources, this trip is for you!

Wanted to also mention we will be completing the 4 corners challenge within the state of Maine as well. Fun way to recognize the machines that eat hundreds of miles for the mere reason because they’re there. Rules are you must visit 4 predetermined points within the state, get a gas receipt and photo from each and then you’re rewarded with not only the experience but a shirt, badge, certificate and best of all you are allowed to purchase a brick paver that’s engraved with your name that is displayed at the 4 corners park, Madawaska, ME.

We have been Iron Butt, Wisconsin Rural Route, U.S. National Lighthouse Society and now going for ME 4-Corners certified that we are just plain nuts for getting out and riding.

Will drop a few pics along the way!

Wayne, Carol & Blue

 

[2andblue]

Roads are awesome and weather now cooperating.. Had some heavy storms last night, RS4’s sticking like glue: wet, dry, acceleration and braking…

Humongous kudos to Sabastian from Griffin Motorsports of Schenectady, NY who re-flashed the firmware from our HJC RPHA 20B SENA units that became corrupted - Sabastian was patient navigating the SENA update software and really rather cruddy interface spending no less than 90 minutes refusing to give up. Sabastian really saved the day / trip.

More pictures to come.

 

[2andblue]

We trekked ~400 miles across many mountain ranges in VT and NH. Few pics below, great day.

 

[2andblue]

Few more pics from the day. Off to Maine tomorrow for 3 days and >1,200 miles of Mountains, Forests, Shore and more…

 

[2andblue]

So far great scenery and picture perfect weather. Mountains, stream pic-a-nic and a lake stop. Roads are not in best condition but can’t have everything…

 

[2andblue]

Where the sky / landscape ends and water begins I still can’t tell!

 

[2andblue]

Rode to the eastern edge of the United States today. The non-foggy photos were taken just minutes before arriving at the Quoddy Lighthouse when a mega fog bank rolled in.

 

[Motomaniac]

Rode to the eastern edge of the United States today. The non-foggy photos were taken just minutes before arriving at the Quoddy Lighthouse when a mega fog bank rolled in.

Checked out all the pictures and you two are on a great, very fun adventure! Thank you for sharing!

 

[2andblue]

Acadia was nice today - LOTS of traffic, anyone who knows us: not our thing… Beautiful scenery from points on Cadillac Mountain.

Little windy - this our wild hair.

Chased the sunset home where ‘Blue’ made a stop at Stephen King’s house, quite a property and glad so approachable.

 

[2andblue]

Tomorrow we are off to Madawaska for First US Mile HWY and the 4 Corners Park then back to home-base in Bangor.

 

[2andblue]

Kancamancus hwy from Lincoln NH to Conway NH is a great mountain pass rd, halfway to Conway take a left on Bear Notch Rd into Bartlet Nh then turnaround and go back up Bear Notch Rd and get back on the Kancamancus. In Conway you can pick up rt302 towards Portland Maine or there is another route in Conway that will head more north into northern Maine.

Bear Notch Road was recently paved and road surface is like a tabletop! After a sighting run this road is incredible to let the C-14 growl ! Thank You Bobct for the suggestion - stellar!

 

[bobct]

Thanks for posting pictures of your touring adventure. Haven't been on bear notch road in years but did leave an impression as a great MC road with no side streets and I beleive 1 driveway to a cottage if my memory is correct. Thanks for the update on the newly paved condition. Safe travels.

 

[2andblue]

First US HWY Mile (Fort Kent, ME) and Four Corners Park (Madawaska, ME).

Due to TS / Hurricane moving toward the area we are bugging out a day early to avoid the worst of the weather.

Been a great trip - many more pics, will select a good sample and share.

 

[2andblue]

Forgot to mention this mishap…. we stopped for lunch yesterday outside a small one horse town with a deli / gas station in NE Maine. We deployed the Helinox chairs under some pine trees and enjoyed our sandwiches overlooking Mt Katahdin. Peaceful, quiet, beautiful.

Lack of time management 40-45 minutes had burned by before we knew it. Folded up the chairs, packed up our soft cooler and went back to Blue (our 17’ C-14) and noticed oh no I left the key ON and lights were full on.. I tried to start and no go, barely cranked! Immediately I shut everything down then tried to crank without the headlights on - little faster but no go.

First thing I’m now thinking since we have seen nobody for at least 1/2 hour of our stay I’m in for a walk or a decent wait to get someone to jump or call AAA in - zero cell reception.

We packed everything but our water, took a position under the same pine trees for 10 - 12 minutes to let voltage rebuild in the battery.

Went back to Blue turned her on, hit the starter and she cranked over as strong as ever and fired up….

Finding I am, for whatever unearthly reason, forgetting to turn off the key after I hit the kill switch when stopping someplace.

We got so lucky.

 

[zarticus]

Forgot to mention this mishap…. we stopped for lunch yesterday outside a small one horse town with a deli / gas station in NE Maine. We deployed the Helinox chairs under some pine trees and enjoyed our sandwiches overlooking Mt Katahdin. Peaceful, quiet, beautiful.

Lack of time management 40-45 minutes had burned by before we knew it. Folded up the chairs, packed up our soft cooler and went back to Blue (our 17’ C-14) and noticed oh no I left the key ON and lights were full on.. I tried to start and no go, barely cranked! Immediately I shut everything down then tried to crank without the headlights on - little faster but no go.

First thing I’m now thinking since we have seen nobody for at least 1/2 hour of our stay I’m in for a walk or a decent wait to get someone to jump or call AAA in - zero cell reception.

We packed everything but our water, took a position under the same pine trees for 10 - 12 minutes to let voltage rebuild in the battery.

Went back to Blue turned her on, hit the starter and she cranked over as strong as ever and fired up….

Finding I am, for whatever unearthly reason, forgetting to turn off the key after I hit the kill switch when stopping someplace.

We got so lucky.

I got into the habit of NOT using the kill switch on Motorcycles & just using the key to shut off.

 

[2andblue]

I got into the habit of NOT using the kill switch on Motorcycles & just using the key to shut off.

I used to always use the key then ‘switched’; may need to go back before I strand ourselves somewhere or wreck a good battery.

 

[bxrbob]

You may want to look at adding a small jump starter when traveling multiple days. I bought a unit from this company numbered 22S but looks like it has been replaced by the 44S. When I received my unit they also had a 50% coupon for next purchase. SO I also bought the jump pack for cell phones.

Weego Jump Starters- Fastest, Easiest, & Safest | Weego Portable Power

Portable battery jump starters from Weego are by far the fastest, easiest, and safest way to jump start your engine. Backed by a 24-month warranty!

myweego.com

 

[2andblue]

You may want to look at adding a small jump starter when traveling multiple days. I bought a unit from this company numbered 22S but looks like it has been replaced by the 44S. When I received my unit they also had a 50% coupon for next purchase. SO I also bought the jump pack for cell phones.

Weego Jump Starters- Fastest, Easiest, & Safest | Weego Portable Power

Portable battery jump starters from Weego are by far the fastest, easiest, and safest way to jump start your engine. Backed by a 24-month warranty!

myweego.com

This is a good idea - Thank You!

We frequently ride in locations where we won’t see another vehicle for 20+ miles, I always carry basic tools and a simple air pump.

 

[2andblue]

We are official Maine 4-Corners Finishers - YAY!

1. Grafton Notch State Park
2. Lubec Post Office
3. Madawaska 4 Corners Park
4. Kittery Trading Post

We touched all corners of Maine with many miles, smiles and locales in-between. I liken the rural desolate landscape of Eastern ME to the Dakotas, was quite surprised the dozen upon dozen upon dozen miles of barren straight highway.

 

[2andblue]

We are back in the furthest NE corner of PA - about 2-1/2 hours to home.

As fate / luck (lack thereof) would have it - as we are bugging out back to home, racing this soon to be hurricane, both my wife and I have come down ill. Nothing stinks worse than a great vacation ending a day early than being sick while trying to burn miles and it’s god awful hot .

If it were easy anyone would do it.