[KOTOR]

I have 8 days of vacation time coming. We live in Connecticut and are kind of undecided on what direction to head off in. North to the Cabot trail or South towards the dragon via Skyline drive and the Blue Ridge P.arkway. People that have been to either or both please chime in and suggest what direction to go in. Aprreciate additional info you can offer based on your personal experience.
Thanks!!

 

[Sutherland]

I have done most of the Cabot Trail and it is something to see, but I have not been to the south area yet. Having traveled through many parts on Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and many of the New England states Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York the one thing I can say is there are alot of very nice places out there to ride and see. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Flip a coin doesn't matter what side comes up either would be a great ride IMO.
Regards.

 

[Bigfoot]

I've ridden to both but haven't as yet traveled the Blue Ridge Parkway in its entirety.

Getting through Maine and the route past the border to Nova Scotia is fairly straight with not a whole lot to see and do.
Moose fencing and tons of wildflowers with ever changing scents is about it.
Be careful with fuel consumption as there are long sections of roadways with no gas stations.

Once you get to Halifax it becomes fun and I recommend you spend an entire day there.
I arrived during a "Tall Ships" festival which I really enjoyed along with a few dozen oysters on the half shell and quaffing down a pint or two at each of their breweries.
There are a few very nice hotels right at the harbor and I highly recommend you stay at one so you can walk around, drink, eat, and be merry with a more relaxing atmosphere. (In other words, don't drink and drive)

The Cabot Trail was very nice and I'm happy that I've experienced it.
Ride it counter clockwise to maximize your views.
Traffic, while I was riding it, was minimal which increased the fun factor for me.
There are also other "trails" to ride in Nova Scotia if you have the time.
I enjoyed talking to the people of Nova Scotia as much as I enjoyed riding on their roads.
I found everyone whom I talked to very, very friendly and sometimes hard to understand due to their heavy Celtic accents.

If you've ever been arrested in the states on DUI (that's how they word it), you'll most likely be turned back at the border.
DUI in Canada is a serious offense.
They take people off of tour buses at the border and send them back to the US.

I've been to the Dragon twice on two different bikes and enjoyed the experience even though Zoom-Splatt traffic was high and Tennessee State Troupers were everywhere.
If you like being around LOTS of motorcycles with varying degrees of riding skill levels, then that area is what your looking for.
The Parkway can be congested which cuts my fun level in 1/2.
There are plenty of other good motorcycle roads in that area with less traffic that should be visited.
Check this site for road construction on the BRP before you leave home.

http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm

Skyline Drive has an entrance fee.
Check out this site for more information as to speed limit, traffic congestion, and the like.
http://www.exploreboonearea.com/BlueRidgeParkway/BasicsoftheParkway/tabid/312/Default.aspx

Whichever area you decide on, plan your trip well.
Motels near the Cabot Trail need to be booked before you leave or you might be shut out.
Motels/Hotels near the Dragon are equally hard to get into without prior bookings.

Have a great riding experience.

 

[Pointman]

Haven't been on Cabots but the BRP is worth riding though I prefer the southern half.... many of the side roads coming onto the BRP warrant exploration especially the Diamondback and NC80 was freshly paved when I went through last year.

On down to the Dragon it's only the start - do it a few times the stretch out there are many many roads in the area more worth the riding

Check out all the maps:

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

Six Gap is probably my favorite due to very little traffic and also has fresh pavement on part (348), the previously mentioned Diamondback, Cherohala skyway and the Moonshiner 28 at least down to Highland.... then there are any number of side roads worth exploring... we usually stay in Robbinsville and after dinner at El Pacifico or Carolina Kitchen we'll explore the local neighborhoods.

There is also Fontana, the Foothills Parkway and 441 through the mountains (don't miss Clingman's dome!) which makes for a nice full day loop which we do at least once a year

Just as a note on my own personal planning I always go to the furthest destinations on the longest vacation stints and keep the closer stuff for times I can't get aways as long for what ever reason.

Sounds like you'll have a nice trip no matter where you go so have fun!

 

[Oldman47]

The last time I was on the Cabot Trail was as a child in a new, back then, 1956 Chevy wagon. I would love to ride it again today as an adult. As a child most scenic routes looked alike to me back then but I have learned that not all such are alike. I have recently ridden the Pig Trail in Arkansas and the only lookout point was a great scenic view to me. The Cabot trail has far more than one scenic vantage point so it should give me plenty of opportunities to enjoy it. When I am riding a scenic route I find that my mind is completely on the riding part, so scenic turn outs are worth their weight in gold.

 

[Rollin]

My wife and I did a lap of the Cabot Trail last year. Also went to Peggy's Cove, Baddeck, the CitadelandHalifax. We also went to Prince Edwards Island, Acadia N.P. andNiagara Falls.We really enjoyed the trip.

 

[40caliber]

my wife and i leave friday the 18th for 12 days in nova scotia. i will do a review when i get back on the 30th. We are taking the new ferry from portland maine to Yarmouth nova scotia. i have planned 3 days at the base of the cabot trail incase the weather gets questionable. that way i know i will see it (hopefully).
The ferry one way with bike cabin (with view) and 2passengers is $579. more than a hotel room but you board in portland at 8pm and you wake up in Nova Scotia! (t takes 2-3 days off the trip up. well work the vacation day savings. i considered taking it back but figure i want to see New brunswick.
if you took the ferry both ways it might be enough to make your 8 days worth it. What i have learned through my research is NS is pretty big! and fair amount of riding to see it all. of course, i do like to get off the bike and see things from my feet from time to time.
BRP is on the bike list, but Cabot trail is on the bucket list! My dad crossed the U.S. 10 times in 10 years on a gold wing. He also went to Nova scotia and AK. (rollin, you guys would hit it off). He is 72 now but would love another bike trip to Nova scotia.
good luck on your choice.

 

[rabidtunes]

I have done both, but only the BRP from Cherokee to Ashville.

BRP and the Dragon are HEAVILY patrolled by LEOs. If you like to push the limit, Cabot Trail may be more fun.
I did the Cabot twice and only saw a few LEOs, and these were in the more heavily populated areas.
This is not to say the dont patrol. I just didn't run into any.

The Greater Eastern NC area has some fantastic riding that could take up and entire week of riding. Some of the riding I even liked better than the Dragon, which was a blast.

Cabot Trail is an absolute blast with some of the best scenery I have ever seen. The roads up there were, for the most part, impeccable. Definitely not the standard CT crap you are used to.
As for Cabot Direction, you could debate which way is better.. I liked counter the best, but I also road Counter Clockwise first.
If you choose NS, take Maine Route 9 "the Airliner".. Cross on US1/NB1 in Calais ME.
Rt9 is a very fun, and fast road if you dont run into traffic or deer/moose.

My first trip was by myself so I did three days on the Cabot Trail, the last day was spent Geocaching, then had to hightail it back because of Hurricane Irene.
On my last trip, we did three days on the Cabot Trail, then down to Halifax and road the shore down to Peggy's Cove. Then caught the ferry out of Digby to get back to St Johns NB.

When traveling i dont push it. I usually max just over 500 miles a day. My max was 800. So for me it is a two day trip riding to either location. (I live a few miles up the road from you)

Either place will do you just fine for scenic. In my personal opinion, the challenging roads are more plentiful in North Carolina, especially if you are looking for some clover leaf type rides.. (staying in one local and hitting as much area as possible) Nova Scotia you would be hotel hopping a bit more.

I may still have some ride routes on GPX files, should you want them.I can also give you some places to stay in both locations should you want them.
With nothing much else to say, I don't think you can go wrong with either location.
If you have any questions, shoot me a PM..

 

[rabidtunes]

ps. I havent been, but if you have time, i have heard Prince Edward Island has some good riding also..

 

[Rollin]

ps. I havent been, but if you have time, i have heard Prince Edward Island has some good riding also..

Yep!
Part of our route -

 

[Sutherland]

Have not done 9 but did take # 1 from Calais to Bar Harbour was a nice part of a ride in 2010 while heading from Nova Scotia to NH for VMC meet, and you are correct Nova Scotia has a lot of riding there are over 7200 KMS of shore line it is bigger that it's picture on a map.
Regards

 

[stilcrazee]

Back in May myself and 6 others rode BRP from near Deals Gap all the way to end of Skyline. We passed (opposite direction) a few LEOs and had 1 "Safety check on Skyline, looking of DUI. No other law observed and we ran 10-20 over limit with ease. If I were to do it again as a vacation/sight seeing ride I'd probably looked for other roads as well. While it is nice it can become boring.
We were on somewhat of a schedule.

 

[Pointman]

Back in May myself and 6 others rode BRP from near Deals Gap all the way to end of Skyline. We passed (opposite direction) a few LEOs and had 1 "Safety check on Skyline, looking of DUI. No other law observed and we ran 10-20 over limit with ease. If I were to do it again as a vacation/sight seeing ride I'd probably looked for other roads as well. While it is nice it can become boring.
We were on somewhat of a schedule.

Be warned - my understanding is that a speeding ticket on the BRP carries a starting price of $500...

 

[Bigfoot]

In these 5 states-Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, Nevada, and New Hampshire you can be fined up to $1,000 on a first offense.
Potentially, up to a year in jail if you were speeding in a construction or school zone.

InVirginia, just don't speed.
$300 fine for ANY speed over the limit.
Go over 80 MPH and you could be charged with a felony.

I go into PUTT-PUTT mode when traveling through revenue generating states.

Some states have very lenient speeding laws, but you'll have to read the article to find out which ones.

 

[KOTOR]

Thanks everyone!! Were leaning towards the Cabot trail so it looks like North this year and South next year.
As far as speeding goes I travel as fast as I am comfortable, which also means that I don't go fast enough to draw attention to myself. Lol.
Thanks again.

 

[Pointman]

Thanks everyone!! Were leaning towards the Cabot trail so it looks like North this year and South next year.
As far as speeding goes I travel as fast as I am comfortable, which also means that I don't go fast enough to draw attention to myself. Lol.
Thanks again.

Since you asked the question you owe us pictures rom both trips! Have fun and enjoy!

 

[notaharley]

In these 5 states-Georgia, Illinois, Norin ah Carolina, Nevada, and New Hampshire you can be fined up to $1,000 on a first offense.
Potentially, up to a year in jail if you were speeding in a construction or school zone.

InVirginia, just don't speed.
$300 fine for ANY speed over thet.
Go over 80 MPH and you could be charged with a felony.

I go into PUTT-PUTT mode when traveling through revenue generating states.

Some states have very lewho's t speeding laws, but you'll have to read the article to find out which ones.

You would have to be trying to outrun a cop to get a $1000 fine in NH! That article was b.s. Whoever wrote it was making stuff up. NH--particularly dealing with the State Police-- is a great state to tour in, and we have some of the nicest officers you will find anywhere. They have adopted a policy of "shepherding" instead of the old "us against them" mentality.
We love motorcycles up here, and the police will treat you courteously and kindly. Just ask anyone who's been here.

An inspection violation is $75 and speeding tickets start around $57and go up depending on speed. 25 over is an arrestable offense and maximum fine is $361!!

Drive sensibly within 5 or 10 of the posted, and you'll be fine.

 

[cdnbacon]

I reside here in Halifax Nova Scotia, send me a PM if you;re require any additional info or would like to know some decent places to stay or other things to do while here. I would strongly suggest while here in Halifax to take a ride out to Peggy's Cove, it's windy and beautiful views are had once there! It's about 45 minutes outside of the city and a great place to have a bite to eat or walk about. The swissair flight 111 memorial is also located just down the street.
Again, send me a message if I can be ofany assistance.

 

[40caliber]

Il I just crossed over in the ferry from Portland to Yarmouth today. The seas were calm. The service on the boat was outstanding and the food was good. The prices were a little high for food but not really when you remember you are on a cruise ship in the. Middle of the ocean. My biggest fear had been lashing the bike to the boat. I've never lashed a boat to a truck never mind a boat. The website stated the owner was responsible to tie it down. In reality the guys working there did it all had great equipment and finished the bike in 5 minutes! When the boat hit port, they had already taken the straps off and we were gone!!! Bikes fine weathers fine We are in lunenburg and the wife is already sleeping. We are heading to grand pre tomorrow. Cabot trail later in the week. Come on up the weather is great

 

[KOTOR]

Cabot trail trip was fantastic!! Put a total of 2,100+ trouble free miles on the XCT.

Day 1 - ~245 miles to Portland Maine. Explored the town while we waited for our cruise ship/ferry to pick us up. Left at 9:00 PM and arrived in Yarmouth at approx 9:00 AM.

Day 2 - ~ 400 miles to Baddeck NS.

Day 3 - ~ 200 miles on the cabot trail. Perfect weather!!

Day 4 - ~ 555 miles to Bangor Maine.

Day 5 - ~ 400 miles to Lake George NY.

Day 6 - ~ Lake George to Mt. Equinox Vt. Not sure about miles but we never made it up the mountain because of poor visibility. Never the less riding around in Vermont is never a bad thing.

Day 7 - ~175 miles to home.

A great vacation. It pays to carry your rain gear, not one drop of rain on the whole trip. I will now attempt some pictures.