Need some tips for the Northeast !

[dlrides]

From upstate NY to VT you'll have to pick where to cross Lake Champlain. Bridge or ferry. It's easy, just limits the routes available.

Nothing like a ride on the ferry !


Consider buying the Delorme Gazateer's for NY, VT, NH, and ME.

Gazatteers are my GPS !

[mark1305]

Don, on the list of good things to see, I got the chance to visit George Washington's home at Mt Vernon about 3 years ago while on a 5th grade trip to Washington (if that ain't an adventure, nothing is). It's outside of Washington DC, so no city traffic snarls. I really enjoyed it.

Way back in the late 70s I used to travel back and forth between GA and Cape May, NJ where I was stationed at the time. Chesapeake Bay-Bridge-Tunnel are scenic. And there should still be a ferry between Lewes, DE and Cape May. I haven't been there since those days, but back then the NJ Turnpike was about as rough as some D/S roads I ride these days It also seemed like toll roads were everywhere, so you may want plan your routes to avoid them. If you transit up from the Jersey Peninsula, there was a highway along the eastern shore of the Delaware Bay through lots of farming land.

Rhode Island down along the bay through Bristol and into Newport is a nice diversion, too. I spent a summer in Newport back in 1990 or '91 in a shipyard. Had a blast. Scenic, historic, and good food ( especially lobster).

[Beez]

Damn Geode, all that stuff sounds really interesting. I think I'll be planning a long weekend around this list. Does the Arctic museum have any Antarctic stuff? Shackelton?

Originally Posted by geode

If'n you're into old machinery think about swinging by the Owls Head Transportation Museum in Owls Head, Maine. All exhibits actually work. Old planes fly, old cars drive, old bikes run.

Plus, if you go there, you'll be right on the Maine coast. The Owls Head Lighthouse is one of the prettiest and is accessible to tourists. And lobster and clams are on the menu of most every restaurant.

There's also a lighthouse museum in the next town over. And the Farnsworth Museum with a wonderful collection of Wyeth paintings is there too.

A bit further south, in Brunswick, Me, is the Perry / McMillian Arctic Museum with displays of early Arctic exploration. It's at Bowdoin College.

[bitterjoe]

Originally Posted by geode

If'n you're into old machinery think about swinging by the Owls Head Transportation Museum in Owls Head, Maine. All exhibits actually work. Old planes fly, old cars drive, old bikes run.

Didn't they have a vintage bike show last year sometime? Is that an annual event?

[TomN]

47 through the Catskills in NY is a fun paved road.

Good dirt roads:
Mt Washington Rd on the NY, Mass, CT border is fun.
Savoy Mountain State Forest in Mass has some good dirt roads
Kelly Stand Rd area near Bennington VT
Sandwitch Notch Rd NH very fun

[dlrides]

Big thanks to everyone ! This is what we needed. Keep them coming !

[Sandflea]

I gotta chime in here, in reference to the Del. Water Gap area NJ/PA boarder, you take that though towards Port Jervis NY, head up 97 past the hawks nest, to Hancock and pick up 30 or 28 and head north, or from Port Jervis head to 55 through Liberty to 19, then 47 though Catskill State park, lots of camping areas if need be, then north to 30. 7-9 days you have to make some time. Both 30 and 28 will take you into the Adirondacks at a pretty swift pace with nice views to boot. Once there most roads are worth taking in the direction you want to go. 30 will eventually take you to 11 to get to VT or you can cross over at Ticonderoga toward VT. Boy I can smell the sweet spruce air as I type. NYS has the best network of state campgrounds in that area and most, if not all will be open and almost every one has lakeside camping.
One point I need to stress, May and June in NE and NY is a total crap shoot. More than a few times in June I have had 30 degree weather, I have also had 90 degree weather, you never know. Snow could be a posibility in May. Rain, Rain, Rain, that means bring your rain gear without fail, Gortex is your friend and a good electric vest/liner.
Have a great time, I know you will, rain or shine!
P.S. Points of interest, NJ Del Water Gap Old Mine Road, Roebling Bridge on 97, Scottish Pub in Hancock, NY , 30 along Pepacton Res., Adirondack Museum, Fort Ticonderoga NY, Ausable Chasm NY, Lake Placid NY, Saranac Lake (brewery) , Nature Interpretive Center just north of Paul Smiths on 30 upstate NY. It's all eye candy when you get north of Lake George/ Lake Sacandanga

[EvilClown]

Originally Posted by Nocturnal

Don, good job on getting us started. *snip*

NH - Would Mount Washington be open in June and does anybody know how much they charge to drive a MC to the top? A friend at work said they charged him $25 to take his car up.
Crawford Notch looks like a nice ride but I was warned away from the Conway area because of traffic/tourist. Was I misled?

Still looking at VT and ME, but the Central and Northern areas look most promising.

ps. Covered bridges are always nice to see also. *more snip*

New England is a great choice for riding!

Mount Washington was $12 last October. A 'must do' at some point. If the road was closed for some reason and you wanted to get rid of some money the cog railway is a fun option as well.

I'm going to tell you just the opposite - GO to the North Conway area. There are ways around the traffic now which ironically hasn't been too bad the last few years. Make it a point to stop into Horse Feathers just for the Calamari Caesar salad!

There's a road to the top of Cathedral Ledge that is always a good stop to take in the view from.

If you feel like stretching your legs a bit more, the hike up Mount Willard from Crawford Station in Crawford Notch is not too tough. The view is incredible!

While in the area, take a ride across the Kancamagus Highway (Rt 112).

If you make it over to Vermont's Rt 100 (northern section is nicest, IMO) from Stowe, swing up Rt 108 through Smuggler's Notch (below). October is a great time for that ride!

The covered bridges will reveal themselves along the way! Enjoy your trip!

[Jolly705]

If you have map source I have an amazing route from about an hour north of NYC to Burlington VT. It takes you up route 30 in NY past all the lakes. It is a great ride I did it this summer. Shoot me a PM if you are interested.

[ny-wolcott]

[quote=TomN]47 through the Catskills in NY is a fun paved road. >

He'll never find it without an Ulster County map. And sometimes the pavement is questionable. :)

NY10 from Delhi to Speculator is a much nicer road than NY30 (after doing NY30 around the Pepacton Reservoir), then an easy ride past Sacandaga to Lake George, then across the ferry to VT.

Note: You can pass on the double yellow in VT if its safe to do so.!!

Call me when you get close and I'll meet you, and lead you through the area. Stop over at my place as well if you like. It's right along the way.

Dick

[edfetz]

Quote:

47 through the Catskills in NY is a fun paved road.

Good dirt roads:
Mt Washington Rd on the NY, Mass, CT border is fun.


+1 On the above roads.. Bash Bish Falls is a good stop right by Mt Washington Rd. Its right by Copake NY (RT22) on the NY / Mass Boarder. 47 is a Ulster County Rt. Look for Phoenicia NY on State Rt 28, 47 is west of that.

30 in June? Maybe at midnight not during the day, in my part of NY anyway.

Big Bike Adventure ride June 9-10 at the NH Int Speedway.

http://www.cff.org/Chapters/newengla...164&Event=5669

[LIVSTROM]

Any road in the ADK if the sun is out.

[JoeXT225]

I'm from Massachusetts and my reccommendation for New Hampshire travel would be for late spring or summer travel in the White Mountain National Forest area, particularly along the Kancamaugus Highway (NH Rt.112) from Interstate 93 / Route 3 in the Lincoln, New Hampshire area to the North Conway area (Rt 16). There is beautiful mountain scenery and several roadside "Scenic Vistas" along this wilderness route. There are also several National Forest Service Campgrounds along this route. My favorite mandatory stop for a swim in the Swift River is at a National Forest Service location along Rt.112 in NH called "The Basin." From there you can head East on 112 and then go north on Route 16 through Conway and N. Conway with many restaurant and lodging/camping choices in N. Conway. Traffic can get heavy there on weekends, but I still recommend going through there.

I believe if you continue North on Rt. 16 from there you'll be headed toward the Mount Washington Valley. From N. Conway you can also head west on Route 302. I'd recommend a stop at Attitash Mountain Ski Area in Bartlett, NH where they have a seasonal Alpine Slide, water slides and other recreational opportunities.

When I'm up in that area I usually stay in either Lincoln, NH or N. Conway, NH and drive a scenic loop route from Rt. 3 in Lincoln, NH north through Franconia Notch. There are several scenic stops in this area. I continue north on Rt. 3 to Route 302. Then 302 east (stopping at Attitash in Bartlett, NH) for recreation. Then into N. Conway for restaurants/entertainment/outlet stores. There are a number of entertainment / attractions in the White Mountain region. You can get brochures on the attractions there at most roadside information stops.

I'll try to post more New England recommendations if I get a chance.

Sounds like a fun trip. I've been looking forward to heading up that way on a bike myself, but so far have only been there in the family cage. I hope this helps with your trip plans.

JoeXT225

[mrfix]

If you go through western Mass on the way to rt 100, make sure you hit rt 7 to Lanesboro and go up and over Mt. Greylock, the views are about as good as it gets till you get to the white mountain area of NH.

[JoeXT225]

Hi DLrides,

I'd also recommend a coastal Maine and New Hampshire ride along Route 1, taking side trips off of this route toward the coast. You can take Interstate 95 north from the Boston, MA area and head through the Salisbury Beach area along 1A north into Hampton Beach in New Hampshire along the coastal route. Hampton Beach is a big stopping point and destination for motorcyclists who like to park and hang out along the beach (best during July-August) with heavy weekend traffic.

I'd then recommend continuing north through Rye, NH following the coast line. Route 1 north in Kittery Maine has "The Kittery Trading Post" restaurants and outlet stores. A ride along York Beach in Maine, with a stop at "Knubble Light" is a must if you are in the area. A small parking area on a point overlooking a small island and Knubble Light is a great place to stop and take in the coastal Maine scenery. Do ya like Lobsta or steamas?
How about ice cream?

You could continue north along coastal routes. Oqunquit has great beaches and a nice area called Perkins Cove. You can get of the iron horse for a while and walk along Marginal Way, a scenic walk from Perkins Cove. During the summer the traffic can be very slow in and out of that area, but it is worth a stop.

I'd continue north along Route 1 and take a right onto Mile Road (basically the only way in and out) to Wells Beach, Maine. At the end of the beach there is a municipal parking lot and a jetti you can walk out onto to view the beach to your south.

North of this area, Kennebunkport also has some nice coastal scenery.

North of this, Old Orchard Beach is a summer motel, restaurant, shop and amusement park area that might interest you. I've stayed at Hid'n Pines Campground along Rt. 9 in Old Orchard Beach. My wife liked the clean rest rooms. The kids and I liked the pool and short walk to local attractions.

Another great destination further north in Maine is Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor Maine. Very nice scenery. High speed Catamarran Ferry's can take you from there to Nova Scotia if you are interested. I've never been to Nova Scotia, but heard it is also very scenic.

A little furhter north is a scenic area called Schoodic point, that is also a part of Acadia National Park. Nice views. We saw a group of sea lions on the rocks and swimming off the point that was worth the trip.

To me, coastal Maine is just great scenery. I'd follow Route 1 with side trips toward the coastal roads, stopping at whatever looks interesting.

I've gone on long enough. It's starting to sound like I work for the Maine tourism bureau or something.

Enough for tonight.

JoeXT225