You might want to check the history of temps in June, August ain't hot LOL

 

Looks like the average difference in temperature between June and August is 3 Celcius. Maybe I should see if I can go a bit later in June to have more of a consistent weather.

 

The later in June...the better for weather!

 

Every year I head down and ride the Cabot Trail. I cut through New Brunswick & Nova Scotia. I generally go near the end of June, not just for the weather, but because it isn't quite tourist season yet. Hotels are cheaper, and the roads are empty.

If you're driving through New Brunswick (I enter at Edmundston). There are a couple of biker-friendly motels there. the first one is called "Le Praga" and the second one is called "The Happy Club". Praga is about $60 a night, and they have a locked garage you can keep your bike in. Happy is around $80, with a locked paddock. Both places are extremely biker-friendly, and great to deal with. really, I can't see a reason why Happy is more expensive - I generally choose Le Praga. Both have bars, and good foor. For food, I prefer Le Praga. The town of Edmundston has all the amenities.

I prefer to take the Trans-Canada Hwy through NB. It's very scenic through the Appalachians. There are regular "Big Irving" gas stops & coffee shops, etc. Although it's a highway, traffic is light, and the scenery is amazing; especially through Grand Falls. There is also a "tourist route" highway that takes you along the St. John river. Very nice, and it pretty much parallels the highway, except you're down in the valley.

It should be noted that there are more French-speaking people in NB than in Que, but they are extremely friendly.

If you're going to the Cabot, and want to cut across Nova Scotia, I'd recommend heading North on Highway 6. It's called the "Sunrise Trail". It follows the Northern coastline along the ocean. The highway is not in bad shape here. Notable towns to stay in: Amherst - Tim Hortons, gas stations, really good sports bar with excellent steak (I can't remember the name, but it's behind the Tim Horton's). There are two bars - one is Dooly's, which caters to the <25 crowd, and another one (the name escapes me) which is more for, erm, persons like myself, with good live bands, and cheap beer. Look for the "Victorian" hotel. Owner is a biker, and the hotel is in two buildings - ask for the one around the corner, where your bike is hidden from the view of the road.

The ride across central Nova Scotia is boring, and really only necessary if you want to take a southern route - Peggy's Cove, Halifax, etc. the highway here is scenic, but in really crappy shape. After Halifax, it's almost a hundred clicks during the off-season before you see a town or gas station as you head East.

Antigonish is the crossrroads for these highways, and one of the last large towns before you hit the island. It's quite large, and has everything there you need.

Once you get onto the island, a town to look out for is Baddeck. It's the last large town before getting onto the Cabot. Very scenic. Lots of small hotels along there. One in particular is the Baddeck Inn. It's around $60 to $80 a night, and is set back from Lake Bras D'Or. Owned by a pair of young bikers, it's about an 8-unit jobbie that's set back from the highway, and is quite peaceful. Now that I've told you my secret, if I come out there and the hotel's full, I'm sleeping on your floor.

The East side of the Cabot Trail is the most scenic, since it's the National Park, and therefore gets all the federal funding. Costs $10 to get in. Nice riding, lots of sights. On the Northern end, look for a restaurant called the "Rusty Anchor" - they serve excellent clam chowder. Another notable destination isWreck Cove, just as you get on the trail - not only does it have a gas station, but their coffee is great.

On the Northerntip is a small town called Chetticamp, and this is where you will find civilization once

 

Jonny Cannon,
I appreciate the comments. Sounds like some good recommendations.

Does anyone have any recommendations on good campgrounds?

 

Wow Johnny Cannon. That was a lot of great info! It looks like we will be leaving June 28th and will be taking the ferry from Portland instead of Bar Harbor because of the ferry schedule and be in Nova Scotia on the 29th. Right now we will be 1 black RK, 1 black SG, and 2 red metrics. Maybe we'll see you there.

So you would recommend Baddeck while in Nova Scotia? What about Portland? Does anyone know a good cheap place in Portland to spend the night? Johnny the guy with the RK that is going with us also has a Deuce. Maybe we will meet up and have a dark one together. Thanks for the great info.

 

HD - I'll keep an eye out for you. I'd definately recommend Baddeck. The hotel I usually stay at - the Baddeck Inn, is about 300 feet off the highway, just as you enter Baddeck. There's a Tim Horton's beside a Big Irving gas stop just after the hotel's driveway.

I haven't stayed in Portland before, so I'm afraid I can't offer any decent advice on that town.

Cannon

 

we did it last year, rode up through calais, St. John, Fundy National park, cross the confederate bridge to PEI, ferry to Nova Scotia, Cape Bretton to Meat cove,(gotta do that, highest point) back down through Yarmouth and the cat to Bar Harbor. Nice trip. 10 days didnt get rained on once....

 

Been to Meat Cove, too. The ride around the Bay is nice to where the pavement ends at that old farmhouse with the big old horse. After that, I wasn't too fond of the gravel, but I agree - you have to do it at least once.

I went for 9 days last year, and it rained every single day; however, the year before I went for 12 days and the weather was beautiful. Anticipate 50-50 for rain, because the weather changes so much.

I'd definately recommend long underwear. When I was out there on my crotch rockets, I was wearing my Icon body armour - the TiMax suit, which is kevlar & titanium. Better for hot weather, so I wore my long underwear under it almost every day, as the temps weren't much above 20 degrees Celsius. If I'm wearing my leathers, which aren't vented, I generally will bring the long underwear just in case.

Cannon

 

This is some great information. I plan on traveling to Nova Scotia from South Carolina in mid-July. I look forward to hearing more of your experiences.