Run To The Rock

[Gord]

This June I will be riding from Barrie, Ontario to St. John's, Newfoundland and back with 7 of my friends. Six will be riding Harley's, 1 on a Yamaha, and me on a Beemer. This is the most current edition of route map:

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/56572089-M.jpg

The route breaks down as follows:


Day 1 - Barrie, Ontario to Drummondville, Quebec - 725 km
Day 2 - Drummondville to Miramichi, New Brunswick - 710 km
Day 3 - Miramichi to North Sydney, Nova Scotia - 710 km
Day 4 - North Sydney (via ferry boat) to Port Saunders, Newfoundland - 500 km (riding only)
Day 5 - Port Saunders to Rocky Harbour - 590 km
Day 6 - Rocky Harbour to Gander - 460 km
Day 7 - Gander to St. John's - 520 km
Day 8 - St. John's to Arnold Cove - 460 km
Day 9 - Arnold's Cove to South Brook - 375 km
Day 10 - South Brook to North Sydney (via ferry boat) - 410 km (riding only)
Day 11 - North Sydney, Nova Scotia to Saint John, New Brunswick - 620 km
Day 12 - Saint John to Bigelow, Maine - 440 km
Day 13 - Bigelow to Cornwall, Ontario - 420 km
Day 14 - Cornwall to Barrie, Ontario


This will be my first adventure that is longer than a weekend so I am stoked already. Am already thinking about my packing priorities. I would certainly be interested in what you would pack (gear wise and other wise) if you were going on this type of trip. And certainly if any of you are familiar with any of the stops we will be making and could recommend sights to see or restaurants / bars to visit, I would appreciate it.

[brooksie]

Sounds like a great trip!
When you get to the end of day 11 make sure you try out the Ale House
in Saint John
If I am in the area, I will buy you a beer!

[Gord]

Brooksie - you are on! I know the Ale House having spent numerous business trips in Saint John and staying at the Hilton. Alas, I miss the Chez Cherie! I will be in touch closer to the departure date - perhaps we can arrange a rendezvous!

[brooksie]

It's a deal! Hope everything goes as planned
Make sure you stay in front of the pack to save your hearing! hehe

[Gord]

I am stoked about this ride this summer. I am taking my wife and kids to Mexico on March 11 for a week and they are all hyped, but I am already thinking ahead to June.

Sure doesn't help that the March 2006 edition of Cycle Canada has an article on riding in Newfoundland.

I am going to spend time developing my packing list and shopping list this weekend. I have never been on a two week journey on a bike like this before and am already getting paranoid that I will either overpack or underpack!

It is the lure of June that is getting me through the snows of February!

[arkline]

Gord,

Go here:

http://www.micapeak.com/checklists/

Various checklists for different kinds of motorcycle things. Or you can make up your own check list. Check it out. What was the total kilometridge you're gonna do?

Fantastic.

[Gord]

Ron - the planned total is 7400km or 4440 miles. I suspect there will be a little more with local side trips. Thanks for the packing pointers. I will be sure to follow it up.

[Arby]

Gord
My wife and I, along with two other couples, did a loop from Bar harbour up into New Brunswick, PEI, took the then new bridge accross to PEI.
Then the ferry back over to Nova scotia. Then proceeded up the coast (clockwise)around the Cape Breton Highlands. Then we proceeded south to Yermouth and got the high speed cat ferry back to Bar harbour. our loop was 2000 miles in seven days. We did all the tourist stuff, Stayed in B&Bs, Peggy's Cove ,the fort at Halifax, etc. Saw quite a few moose up close(too close).

It was a great trip. The people in the Maritime provinces were very bike friendly. The roads and scenery of Cape Breton equals the Califoria coast easily. Plus for us the exchange rate made it easy on the wallet.

We talked to a couple of Goldwingers and BMW GS riders who had done Newfoundland, but it sounded like more than I wanted to do. The ferry ride would have probably done me in.

This was in 1999, I think. Maybe Newfoundland is less remote now.
Just kidding.

One B&B we stayed at, was run by a little old lady whos' family had gotten the land by land grant from the King of England in 1822. She still had the original documents.

The bikes we rode were my 98 Buell S3 with factory hard bags, my friend had bought my 83 GS1100E Suzuki, and another couple rode up from Tenn on a CB750 Honda. the Honda was a little slow, but we managed to stay together.

Ours was a great trip. I know you guys will have a great time too.

Arby
(Bob)

[BobFV1]

Looks like a nice, relaxed pace and a beautiful route!

[Gord]

Well the paperwork (expenses and crap like that) from my trip to Zhuhai is done. Spent yesterday and will spend today and tomorrow planning for my return to China on July 16. Friday I am off work.

I'm now getting ready for the "Run to the Rock" with my Harley Riding friends. Picked up my bike from Open Road BMW in Newmarket on Monday. Had the 20K service and a new pair of Z6's done. She seems to be running way peppier than when I dropped her off. A little quicker off a standing stop. The gearing seems taller to me for some strange reason. Maybe its just me making up for 5 weeks of no motorcycle thrashing!

I've started the packing process. I will take Friday off work to do the final check and loading. We leave 07:30 on Saturday morning. Back June 30. Hopefully with some good pics and interesting (certainly not intelligent!) stories.

I am stoked. But Crikey, where is all the time going? I don't seem to have enough minutes in an hour let alone hours in a day.

[Pacific]

Gord,

That looks like a great trip. I'm on the other coast, and I'm also thinking about a trip for the summer, although heading inland from Vancouver Island is less appealing than the trip you've got planned. Something about the water that feels like a destination. Looking forward to the pics.

Jay

[Ricorider]

Gord,

I am new to this site but I wanted to offer my recent experience up in that area. I just got back from a great 9 day tour of Quebec and the Gaspe Peninsula. I was on my '97 R1100RS and my friend was on his '92 R100GSPD. Your trip bypasses the Gaspe but you might want to reconsider. If you head north on 132 out of Quebec, it is a great ride and you could still connect with Nova Scotia in a day or so. It is incredibly scenic and good riding roads but windy, kind of like the Big Sur coast of California (with French speakers!). Lots of great Quebecois cuisine and good beer. I took along my heated vest, long underwear and fleece-->it came in very handy. We camped with ease almost the whole route.

FYI, there are no BMW mechanics above Quebec. My friend's R100GSPD came down with a case of bad carbs after a ride on a dirt road (the RS kicked butt!) and we found out the hard way. It kept us from reaching Nova Scotia. We had to haul his bike back to Moto Vanier BMW in Quebec. They still don't know what went wrong. There may be a BMW dealer in Moncton, New Brunswick nearer the Cabot trail. Hopefully you won't need that. I'll try to get some pics uploaded soon. Write me if you have any particular questions. I have lots of fresh of info.

Safe riding,

Rich
Cambridge, MA

[BobFV1]

Gord,

I am new to this site but I wanted to offer my recent experience up in that area. I just got back from a great 9 day tour of Quebec and the Gaspe Peninsula. I was on my '97 R1100RS and my friend was on his '92 R100GSPD. Your trip bypasses the Gaspe but you might want to reconsider. If you head north on 132 out of Quebec, it is a great ride and you could still connect with Nova Scotia in a day or so. It is incredibly scenic and good riding roads but windy, kind of like the Big Sur coast of California (with French speakers!). Lots of great Quebecois cuisine and good beer. I took along my heated vest, long underwear and fleece-->it came in very handy. We camped with ease almost the whole route.

FYI, there are no BMW mechanics above Quebec. My friend's R100GSPD came down with a case of bad carbs after a ride on a dirt road (the RS kicked butt!) and we found out the hard way. It kept us from reaching Nova Scotia. We had to haul his bike back to Moto Vanier BMW in Quebec. They still don't know what went wrong. There may be a BMW dealer in Moncton, New Brunswick nearer the Cabot trail. Hopefully you won't need that. I'll try to get some pics uploaded soon. Write me if you have any particular questions. I have lots of fresh of info.

Safe riding,

Rich
Cambridge, MA

Rich - Welcome to the board! We look forward to seeing your pictures!

Gord - Ride safe, my friend. Looks like beautiful country. Remember when you are out there on the road, there is no place better - just the wind in your face and the open road in front of you. Ride on and ride safe!

[Gord]

An incredible 13 day ride to Newfoundland and back. The longest stint away from home on vaca without family ever. And the longest ride I have ever taken. And it was simply amazing. Learned a ton about riding in rain, snow (yes! In June!!), hail, fog, and brilliant 80+ Fahrenheit temps in a land where the weather changes by the hour. I have a ton of stories to write up (some of them may even be interesting!!), hundreds of pics to show for the adventure, and some lessons learned to share. All to be told over the next few weeks (I am now spending time with my family after being home only 1 week of the past 8).

The R1150R stood up well losing only a single wind screen bolt and burning 1/2 litre of oil. We had one Harley lose its shift linkage (which we were able to band aid), we had another one sheer a few bolts due to its suspension - fixable. We had another Harley high side into the Rhubarb. Fortunately rider escaped without injury and the bike remained rideable. Only the Yamaha Roadstar came out without something to replace or fix.

I am collecting up all our photos. Starting on typing up some of the stories. And can give guidance on where to go in Newf (it is an amazing place) for any of you contemplating making your own Run to The Rock. Coming soon.

[Gord]

Well the past two weeks have passed in a blur since I got back from Newfoundland. I have been slowly getting all the pictures we took arranged and expect to finish this work this week. Then into the stories....

- Fog, Rain, 80+ temp, sun, hail, rain - all in one day!
- Near moose collision
- Bar stalking
- My buddy's high side in Peter's River, NFLD
etc.

Problem is I am sitting in Toronto airport awaiting boarding for my return to China (back August 26). If connectivity is an issue for me (it was last time!) I may call upon some of my brothers (Frank? Allan? Bob?) to post some stuff for me.

I'm hoping you will find some of the stories and pics entertaining...one of these days at least!

[BobFV1]

Well the past two weeks have passed in a blur since I got back from Newfoundland. I have been slowly getting all the pictures we took arranged and expect to finish this work this week. Then into the stories....

- Fog, Rain, 80+ temp, sun, hail, rain - all in one day!
- Near moose collision
- Bar stalking
- My buddy's high side in Peter's River, NFLD
etc.

Problem is I am sitting in Toronto airport awaiting boarding for my return to China (back August 26). If connectivity is an issue for me (it was last time!) I may call upon some of my brothers (Frank? Allan? Bob?) to post some stuff for me.

I'm hoping you will find some of the stories and pics entertaining...one of these days at least!

Brother Gord -

Just Email it to me and I will get it posted for you - PM me if you need my Email address. Have a great trip back to China - take care.

PS - It was truly hardcore of you to work this motorcycle trip in during your interval back in North America!