BC - guy riding cross Canada

[skidlid]

Hi...

I am leaviving Victoria at the end of June, riding cross Canada to check out the town I grew up in. I haven't been back since 1983ish. I am planning on spending some time in Kingston on my way.... reminds me a lot of Victoria from what I have read on the net. I've heard there are some great rides in the area. Any advice of must rides from the experts and sites to visit would be appreciated. Thanks ...

[Shaman]

I am leaviving Victoria at the end of June, riding cross Canada to check out the town I grew up in. I haven't been back since 1983ish. I am planning on spending some time in Kingston on my way.... reminds me a lot of Victoria from what I have read on the net. I've heard there are some great rides in the area. Any advice of must rides from the experts and sites to visit would be appreciated. Thanks ...

Since you are coming from B.C. to the West, I would suggest riding through Prince Edward County along the perimeter.  Loyalist Parkway to Wellington, then Bloomfield, then through near West Lake to Cherry Valley, Milford (there's a cheese factory you will pass... ice cream or fresh cheese) , South Bay and around Waupoos to the Lake on the Mountain.  From there you take the ferry back to the mainland and you can turn North on Lennox #8 to Hay Bay and then either North to Napanee or South to #33 again where either one takes you East to Kingston.

A good ride from Kingston, perhaps one of the best, is north on #10 (Perth Road) to Westport, then North from the West side of town until you hook up with the #511.  The 511 takes you to Calabogie.  It's a wonderful ride.

Landmarks... hrm... the Marine Museum, Jones Falls, Confederation Park, Fort Henry, chocolate factory in Smith's Falls, Boldt Castle, 1000 islands parkway, Gananoque Casino... can't think of any more right this second.

[GRUNT_Jarksbro]

Since you are coming from B.C. to the West,

Short trip

[skidlid]

Since you are coming from B.C. to the West, I would suggest riding through Prince Edward County along the perimeter.  Loyalist Parkway to Wellington, then Bloomfield, then through near West Lake to Cherry Valley, Milford (there's a cheese factory you will pass... ice cream or fresh cheese) , South Bay and around Waupoos to the Lake on the Mountain.  From there you take the ferry back to the mainland and you can turn North on Lennox #8 to Hay Bay and then either North to Napanee or South to #33 again where either one takes you East to Kingston.

A good ride from Kingston, perhaps one of the best, is north on #10 (Perth Road) to Westport, then North from the West side of town until you hook up with the #511.  The 511 takes you to Calabogie.  It's a wonderful ride.

Landmarks... hrm... the Marine Museum, Jones Falls, Confederation Park, Fort Henry, chocolate factory in Smith's Falls, Boldt Castle, 1000 islands parkway, Gananoque Casino... can't think of any more right this second.

Thanks for great suggestions! I now seem to recall seeing an episode of Motorcycle Experience where they did a segment on Prince Edward County and the cheese factory. I have put the rides on my list and I'm looking forward to spending sometime exploring the area! I can't wait to get off this island for a while.... Thanks again for info! 

[Geoff in Almonte]

If you are gonna be doing the 511,  the Black Donald Lake Road is also a must do......18km/132 corners.  Head west from Calabogie on 509 app 20km....watch for the signs for Griffith and turn right (north).  When you get to Griffith turn left on HW41 and enjoy a fast run to Denbigh, turn right at the 'Swiss Inn' in Denbigh and go to the stop sign (app 18km).  Turn right thru Schutt and right at the stop thru Quadeville to Eganville.  From Eganville follow the signs for the Bonnechere Caves (Well worth a visit ) to Douglas.  Go straight thru Douglas (Dont take HW60) across the bridge to the stop at HW132.  Turn left towards Renfrew, but turn right onto the Opeongo road.  This will take you into the back end of Renfrew.  At the stop at the main drag in the 'Frew turn right and then right again almost immediately  Follow this road to where it meets the 509 and turn right to go back to Calabogie and take the 511 back thru Lanark (bear right at the end of the village) onto 512 thru Mcdonalds Corners and Elphin.......I could go on and on and on.....but basicly any of the 500 series roads in this area are great motorcycle roads.

Check out the website for Great Ontario Bike Roads.

Geoff in Almonte

[skidlid]

If you are gonna be doing the 511,  the Black Donald Lake Road is also a must do......18km/132 corners.  Head west from Calabogie on 509 app 20km....watch for the signs for Griffith and turn right (north).  When you get to Griffith turn left on HW41 and enjoy a fast run to Denbigh, turn right at the 'Swiss Inn' in Denbigh and go to the stop sign (app 18km).  Turn right thru Schutt and right at the stop thru Quadeville to Eganville.  From Eganville follow the signs for the Bonnechere Caves (Well worth a visit ) to Douglas.  Go straight thru Douglas (Dont take HW60) across the bridge to the stop at HW132.  Turn left towards Renfrew, but turn right onto the Opeongo road.  This will take you into the back end of Renfrew.  At the stop at the main drag in the 'Frew turn right and then right again almost immediately  Follow this road to where it meets the 509 and turn right to go back to Calabogie and take the 511 back thru Lanark (bear right at the end of the village) onto 512 thru Mcdonalds Corners and Elphin.......I could go on and on and on.....but basicly any of the 500 series roads in this area are great motorcycle roads.

Check out the website for Great Ontario Bike Roads.

Geoff in Almonte

Thanks! I have my map out now and am highlighting the roads :-) How are Ontario roads in the summer for sand/gravel/ tar snakes? The sand and gravel isn't really an issue here on the island but road maintenance crews have some real some nut jobs laying tar snakes in the most inconvenient places over the last couple of summers. Makes it hard to find a good line on some roads.  I'll check out the website... sounds like more great info! Thanks!

[Shaman]

How are Ontario roads in the summer for sand/gravel/ tar snakes?

The ones we've given you are magically almost free of all of those.  You will find gravel, however.  I found a good amount of it on Saturday... with predictable, but ultimately, happy results.  For some reason, Ontario likes to paint the white line about two inches from the stuff.

[quotes]The sand and gravel isn't really an issue here on the island but road maintenance crews have some real some nut jobs laying tar snakes in the most inconvenient places over the last couple of summers.[/quotes]

The only tar snakes that jump to mind in this area are around Milford, Ontario.  Not bad riding there, but easily skipped for better roads. 

[skidlid]

Thanks for all the input! I got home last week from a 3 week ride! It was f*&%ing hot in Ontario!!! I left Kingston on July 11th and the following 4 days were about 44 degrees with the humidex! I am soooo not used to that kind of heat... or the bugs that came with it. Got stuck in several road construction delays of 20-30 minutes! The Camelback was my most treasured companion!

I arrived in Kingston to heavy downpours and thunder on Friday the 8th and Saturday was kind of wet and generally... well, wet! I had come from Nortrh Bay that day. Really nice ride on the #60 to #35, onto the #118 and the #28. Great roads, little traffic and nice brisk pace:-) The #62 down into Belleville was a little rough and not terribly exciting but fun noe the less. It started raining in Madoc and got worse as I roade through Belleville to hook up to the #2 for the run into Kingston. I road Bath Rd on Sunday before meeting up with a friend for lunch. Kingston is a really cool town! Quite a bit like Victoria actually.

The Monday I left involved a stop at the Honda dealer for my 19.2 k servicing and a new rear bun... 2 hrs and $600 later I was back on the road. Good experience at the dealer... great people and especially Junior! Bath road again to the ferry and spent a couple of hours in Prince Edward County before doing the back roads up through Peterborough and on to Owen Sound for the night. I took the the Manitoulin Island Ferry the next morning.... nice way to avoid Sudbury!

Had a great time in Ontarioo! Only saw 3 cops... going the other way :-) I want to come back next year and explore some more! You all have some nice riding there! Thanks again! Hope to see you on some of BC roads some day! BTW, it's way cooler here... 23 degrees today... zero humidity and no bugs! :-)

Take care and ride safe!

P.S. tomorrow I am trading in my '04 F4i for an '05 CBR 1000 rr :-)