Did the ride from Missouri and we went in May thinking it would be easier finding hotels since it was early and school was still going. No trouble to we hit the coast and rooms were hard to find, make reservations.
great riding and eating along the way in upstate New York and on the coast
I,ll add some more advice and pics--Niagara Falls? This is on your way-Finger Lakes region/ Lake George-Lake Placid -Whiteface Mt area/ north to Ferry Crossing of Lake Champlain or higher to cross into Grand Isle Vt--head to Mt Mansfield area[Smugglers Notch] many B&B,s in the Stowe area---make your way to St Johnsbury take 93 to Littleton Nh then 302 to Bethlehem and onto North Conway----Stay here for at least 2 nights--ride Mt Washington Auto road[weather permitting] rt16-2-116-93s-112 [Kancamangus] back to N Conway. Leave this area and head rt2 to Bangor Maine[I stay at the Fireside next to Casino] head to Bar Harbor[do Acadia National Park-make sure to ride up Cadillac Mt] I would do at least 2 days in this area. Head south on the coast [not as scenic as some think] but a bucket list thing,, Rockland Rockport Camden Bucksport Belfast are all nice to ride through ,and food is great on the coast. Red,s Eats in Wiscasset is a famous stop for Lobster roll--[just keep in mind] traffic is horrendous on rt 1 especially on weekends---either stay in Portland and check out waterfront or Old Orchard Beach for nostalgia. A must stop before heading towards Mass [if you choose to] is Bentleys Saloon in Arundel Maine[about 20-25 minutes south of Portland] . Rt 1 from there down to Salem Mass could be done ,but I.d do this on a Monday Tues or Wednesday[ Ask WMBailey for further advice from here]----keep us informed of your trip and dates and must see things when you get closer to knowing the timing of adventure
Here are a few more pics of some of the areas mentioned From Maid of the Mist ride in Niagara Falls
Scenic overlook of Lake George
Mt Washington Hotel in NH
Top of Cadillac MT Acadia Park Maine
Cadillac Mt
Typical Maine coast--lots of rocks
View from tower of Bridge near Bucksport Maine
Bentleys Saloon with group of Queens of The Road[I was their tour guide for 3 days]
" I have some some great rides from the Adirondack region of upstate NY (Lake Placid/Saranac Lake/Saratoga/ Lake George) over to VT (Green Mountain National highway) thru Stowe, Smugglers Notch, up to Jay’s Peak, into NH with Kancamagus highway and white mountains to Maine coastline of Camden/Rockland to Portland thru Massachusetts (Gloucester, Salem, Ispwitch, Essex and Hamilton) on your way thru Boston to Cape Cod and then onto Newport RI."
we have done these exact roads....fantastic time and scenery.....take him up on it.....
I too eventually am planning on this trip, maybe as soon as spring 2019. Haven't yet decided my trips for next year but the north east is an area I haven't been to yet via bike (and never been past NYC period).
I was wondering about camp sites out that way. I know there is a ton of places to find BLM and public land to camp in out west, but think camp sites may be a little fewer out east. Though even when I plan on camping a lot on trips, it seems I spend about half the time in hotels/motels.
Vermont has some of the best riding. Almost every road is great, mostly in good condition, lots of towns and places to stop. Honestly, love the whole state for riding.
Northern 1/2 of NH is OK, north of Concord. Lake Winnipesaukee is my second home, Meredith and Wolfborough are great towns to stop in. A lap around the lake is a good ride. North Conway, the Kanc (112) is a good ride to do once, but the "less popular" side that goes from Lincoln toward VT is even better.
Sure, a ride up or down Rt.1 is worth a trip.
Never been a huge fan of Maine riding, lots of desolation or traffic, but again, the coast is ok.
Stay out of MA. Seriously, ride through as little as possible of it. I jest ( a bit, again, the coast can be ok, but the traffic ... Ugh.
We are also planning a New England trip. we will fly in and rent. i have rented from Moms south several times over the years. Too far to make the haul from Fort Worth and still have time to ride.
As a lifelong New England resident here's my thoughts. As you are coming from the west (I assume your are not flying and riding ) I would consider Niagra Falls a worthwhile stop. If your papers are in order, the view from the Canadian side is much nicer. From there work you way through the Finger Lakes region of New York and then cut North East to the Adirondacks. Thousand Islands/Alexandria Bay at the start of the St. Lawrence Seaway is a popular spot. Any route through the Adirondacks will be scenic. Cross Lake Champlain using the Port Kent, NY to Burlington, VT crossing. Plan on spending the night in Burlington. Lots of great places to stay and eat.
Heading from Vermont to New Hampshire take Rt 2 out of Burlington, the 302 to Wells River, stay on 302 into New Hamshire then 112 towards Lincoln. Continue on 112 (Kancamagus Highway) to Conway. Spend the night in Conway. If the weather is nice ride up Mt. Washington (the most dramatic mountain scenery this side of the Rockies) Leaving Conway reconnect with 302 into Maine. 302 will take you into Portland. Just like Burlington another great place to stay and Eat.
From Portland head to Acadia National Park. As mentioned Rt 1 in Maine can be quite congested and you only catch occasional glimpses of the ocean, but there are nice small towns, and if you want to see how ships are built, stop in Bath, Me. To see more of the picturesque Maine coast, my suggestion is to spend a bit of time in Acadia, travel outside the park which is on Mount Desert Island, on RT 3, Rt 102 and 102a. You'll see a lot more coastline, quaint fishing villages and most importantly, less tourists.
I'm not a big seafood guy with the exception of WHOLE BELLY clams (not clam strips) If you'd like to try them the best I've ever had, then stop at the Seafood Ketch Restaurant in Bass Harbor, on Mount Desert Island. (Note: clams are dipped in tartar sauce, which is mayonnaise and sweet relish. Most places use to little relish, ask for a side of relish and add a bit to the tartar sauce) Lobster Restaurants (sometimes called "Pounds") are everywhere. Look for ones with mostly Maine license plates on the vehicles parked in their lots.
Now a bit about lodging in New England, Other than Burlington, VT and Portland, ME, your are going to have to work to find lodging. Starting when you are in mid state New York, I would call a day ahead to find accommodations for the following night. In addition, try to hit Maine midweek.
I've ridden just about every road in northern New England. If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me.
11-16-2018, 06:24 PM
