The Maritimes

[pdedse]

I was looking at a map of Canada yesterday, checking out possible "new-to-me" motorcycle rides in the upcoming years. I'm left coast so it's natural for me to look straight north. This summer I finally had my first entry into Canada and got to explore BC a little bit.

As I started to "head east" on my map, flipping throuh the pages, the last section was labeled "The Maritimes". What!? Apologies to the Canadians here, but I don't remember ever hearing / reading anything about "The Maritimes"...and I'm generally pretty good with names of countries, regions, etc. Didn't have my reading glasses on, so I couldn't make out the smaller labels on the map. Had to google it and found more familiar names make up the area (N.Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PE Island). I was relieved because I'm familiar with these names, though still quite ignorant on "what's there / what's it like).

I have a sister who recently set up her retirement yeas and now lives in Cape Cod. One day, I'd like to visit her on the bike as I want to do a long East Coast trip before my expiration date comes up. And now I see "The Maritimes" isn't really all that far away.

So...what's it like? I can do the net searches, but would enjoy hearing from those who live there / have ridden bikes there. Care to share any personal info / photos / places to visit / routes to consider?

[dave]

Hi pdedse. I grew up in Rochester, NY, and have ventured into Canada more times than I can count. Friends and I actually pitched our tents and slept in a park in the city of Toronto about 40 years ago (completely illegal I'm sure, but it was very late, and we didn't want to search any longer for a legal park to camp in). I haven't been further east or north than Toronto, but I do have a lot of experience in Niagara Falls (been there more than 50 times I estimate because the wife and I visit there twice each year when we visit relatives in Rochester). I highly recommend visiting the Falls, and on both sides (American / Canadian). Our favorite restaurant is on the Canadian side, called the Skylon. It's a revolving restaurant, just like the one in Seattle, but (in my humble opinion) better, because the sights are much better. There are a lot of beautiful roads in the Finger Lakes area of NY, and I also recommend riding down to Watkin's Glen, if you have the chance. One word of advice though: Bring rain gear, and beware of radar traps on the freeways.

[Rocky_imp]

I hope you make it to Cape Cod and eventually up to "The Maritimes."
The Cabot Trail in the highlands of Cape Breton Island is probably the crown jewel of bike roads in this province, but there are plenty of coastal roads with towns and villages to explore. Motorcyclists are very welcome here; the people are friendly, and we have great seafood.
I think your best option is to Google Tourism Nova Scotia for their web site and the many links on the Google page to explore. The web site is very good and can keep you entertained for a period of time as it covers just about everything to see and do with great pictures. What you can see and do will depend on how much time you have.
The present web site is geared to fall travel, followed by winter and then spring. Spring is probably the best time for you to explore the site, but the fall offering is very good and will certainly give you a good sense of the province.
I recommend getting an old-fashioned paper map of the province that you can spread out and see where the roads and towns are.
Gas is expensive, but the American dollar is worth about $1.25 which helps a lot. Who knows what it may be next year.
If you're interested in PEI and New Brunswick, I would Google their tourism sites too.

[peterbaron]

Been few times to Maritimes = East Coast provinces = beautiful.
My most favourable/visited are:
the entire Gaspe Peninsula,
Nova Scotia > Cape Breton - counter-clock trip
PEI
Never been to Newfoundland and Yarmouth/NS area yet

Very sure our member Rocky will chime in as he is the boss of entire NS province and his headquarter is located in Halifax, where he hides all his five beautiful bikes

[GoldOxide_imp]

The U.S. has some wonderful maritime coastal attractions too, so between that and Canada there is plenty of riding destinations.

I prefer the western coastal regions more (U.S. and Canada). The Cabot Trail region (Cape Breton Island, NS) of Canada is okay - but limited in riding range. Choices, choices, choices.

[Rocky_imp]

Been few times to Maritimes = East Coast provinces = beautiful.
My most favourable/visited are:
the entire Gaspe Peninsula,
Nova Scotia > Cape Breton - counter-clock trip
PEI
Never been to Newfoundland and Yarmouth/NS area yet

Very sure our member Rocky will chime in as he is the boss of entire NS province and his headquarter is located in Halifax, where he hides all his five beautiful bikes

PB, you're too much

[peterbaron]

Been few times to Maritimes = East Coast provinces = beautiful.
My most favourable/visited are:
the entire Gaspe Peninsula,
Nova Scotia > Cape Breton - counter-clock trip
PEI
Never been to Newfoundland and Yarmouth/NS area yet

Very sure our member Rocky will chime in as he is the boss of entire NS province and his headquarter is located in Halifax, where he hides all his five beautiful bikes

PB, you're too much

PB, you're too much
Rocky, this is not a laughing matter.....expect few visitors next season

[GoldOxide_imp]

A ride-out to PEI province could be an attractive daytime journey pdedse.

[peterbaron]

My last week 4 day/3 night trip

https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Toronto,+...653226!3e0






PERCE, Que

https://www.novascotia.com/

[GoldOxide_imp]

If you are a fresh-from-the-sea salmon or tuna lubber pdedse, I'd say Pacific coast salmon is much more enjoyable than Atlantic coast. Again, an opinion.