NH to Wellsboro the Long Way

[tomm]

Sue and I are taking the long way to the rally in Wellsboro next month, going via the Toronto area. I just finished up 18+ years with Nortel, one of the last to go, and have many friends in the Brampton area, many of whom I've never met but have spent hundreds of hours with on the phone. Looking to change that.

Anyway, the plan is to head west from New Hampshire through the Adirondacks to the Thousand Islands, and work our way to Barrie via Peterborough, staying north of the 401. Then south to Wellsboro, and home through the Poconos after the rally.

What I'm interested in is recommended roads from the Thousand Islands to Barrie, and things to see along the way. Not interested in sights in Toronto per se, as I've probably already seen most of those. And the most motorcycle-friendly way back towards Buffalo from the Toronto area.

Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom

[ringadingh]

Highway 7 would be a good alternate to the 401. It runs e/w a little north of the 401.
Youll be passing through my neck of the woods in your travels to Barrie.

[cnc]

I imagine you will cross into Canada via 81 and the Ivy lee bridge. If you do, you can take the Thousand Island parkway instead of the 401 headed toward Gananoque. It runs along the river and is very pretty.
it ends at Gananoque and from there you could take hwy 2 which will bring you into Kingston.
From there you could work your way up up to 7.

Another way to cross that could be of interest to you is go to Cape Vincent on the US side, take the ferry to Wolfe island I don't know the cost but it is a short distance. Drive across Wolfe Island, it's all farm land and the only paved road leads from where you would land to another larger ferry that is free and would take you into Kingston.

If your into a little sight seeing Kingston is a very old town with lots to see including Fort Henry.

[tomm]

Thanks. I will check into those. They sound like what I'm looking for. It will be a very leisurely ride with lots of stops for sightseeing. Could see spending a couple of nights in the Kingston area.

After last year's 9000 miles in 5 weeks, I promised my wife that this year's trip wouldn't be quite so intense. Especially since I'm hoping to convince her to ride out to Colorado again next year for the national.

[cnc]

Tom since you mention a leisurely pace I should also mention both Alexandra bay on the US side and Gananoque on the Canadian side have boat tours that tour the 1000 island area. If your into doing that go on one that includes a stop at Bolt castle. Google Bolt castle for an amazing story and details about the place. Been there many times over the years, well worth the visit.

[tomm]

Originally Posted by cnc

Tom since you mention a leisurely pace I should also mention both Alexandra bay on the US side and Gananoque on the Canadian side have boat tours that tour the 1000 island area. If your into doing that go on one that includes a stop at Bolt castle. Google Bolt castle for an amazing story and details about the place. Been there many times over the years, well worth the visit.

Hi Norm,
Checked out that Boldt Castle over the weekend. Definitely looks like it's worth the visit, and going to add a boat trip and that to the plan. We like going through those old mansions. I grew up in RI and have done most of the old Newport mansions as well. The Vanderbilts had a camp in the Adirondacks not to far from where we plan to stay the first couple of nights. We're thinking of seeing that too. I suspect it's more than a few lean-to's and an outhouse, having seen both the Breakers and Biltmore House. Thanks.

Tom

[tomm]

So, we left for the rally this past Sunday and are now in Kingston, Ont.

Norm - did the boat tour out of Alexandra Bay and visted Boldt Castle. You were right. Well worth the visit. Thanks for suggesting it. Glad we got there yesterday though. The NY HOG Rally starts there tomorrow.

Tomorrow we ride to the Toronto area before heading down to Wellsboro next Monday.

Ride safe everyone. See you on Monday.

[cnc]

Cool look forward to meeting you Tom.

If you came up the 1000 island parkway and through Gananoque then onto hwy2 to Kingston, then you passed right by the Marina where my boat is. It is about 4-5 miles east of Kingston. I guess we almost crossed paths as we were there for the weekend and headed home Sunday evening.
Ride safe.

[Loafer]

tomm hoping you will post some photos of your trip.

Have a great and safe trip!

[tomm]

Originally Posted by Loafer

tomm hoping you will post some photos of your trip.

Have a great and safe trip!

I will. Thanks.

Incidently, we came across Rt 4 from White River Junction to Rutland, and were amazed at the amount of washout from those floods. That whole area where Rt 100 from the south joins Rt 4 was pretty much destroyed on the river side. And the washout on the river banks showing how high the water rose is just unbelieveable.

I think I remember you saying your son was stranded by those floods. I can see why now.

[Loafer]

Originally Posted by tomm

I will. Thanks.

Incidently, we came across Rt 4 from White River Junction to Rutland, and were amazed at the amount of washout from those floods. That whole area where Rt 100 from the south joins Rt 4 was pretty much destroyed on the river side. And the washout on the river banks showing how high the water rose is just unbelieveable.

I think I remember you saying your son was stranded by those floods. I can see why now.

That road was one of the ones that took so long to get reopened. The
damage was amazing as you saw. Take care.

[tomm]

Originally Posted by cnc

Cool look forward to meeting you Tom.

If you came up the 1000 island parkway and through Gananoque then onto hwy2 to Kingston, then you passed right by the Marina where my boat is. It is about 4-5 miles east of Kingston. I guess we almost crossed paths as we were there for the weekend and headed home Sunday evening.
Ride safe.

By the time we finished the cruise out of Alexandra Bay and had dinner, it was getting pretty late, so we crossed via 81 and took the 401 to Kingston. BTW - those two bridges on 81 are pretty high, especially the first one. Today however we went back up the 401 to Gananoque and then the parkway up and back. Then Kingston via 2, so we would have passed your Marina then.