NOVA SCOTIA July 2008

[mark]

Pete, I was wondering the same thing, mainly because I'm wondering what jacket and pants to wear.

According to the tourist literature, the average daily highs are in the mid 70s or so. Overnight lows probably in the 50s.

I think I'll be fine with my 35-degree sleeping bag, but I'm utterly undecided on other gear. I'm not sure whether I should wear my leather jacket, which is comfortable up to about 80 degrees with all the vents open, or my mesh jacket, which is fine no matter how hot it gets, and which has zip-in windproof and thermal liners for cooler weather. All I'm clear on is that I won't be wearing my Triumph waterproof textile jacket because it's got no venting and gets too warm over 70 degrees... which means I'll need to get a rain jacket to pack along.

Pants are also a big question mark. Leather? Mesh, with a liner for cooler weather? Waterproof textile (but unvented)? Venting in the pants isn't as important to me, so I'll probably go with the waterproof ones.

I guess I'll have to wait and see how the wind protection on the V-Strom affects my perceived temperature while riding. The leather jacket may be too hot at 80 degrees with the lack of direct windblast (so far my only frame of reference is on bikes with no wind protection).

It's funny, I'm a very light packer when it comes to general travel. I can live out of a small backpack for a week, easily. But in this case I'm not quite sure what to prepare for, so I'm tending to think of every likely possibility and trying to come up with a solution that will work for all of them. My German planning/logistics gene is having a field day.

--mark

[Hoss]

A Nova Scotia Trip eh?

All I can say is Do Eeeeet! You wont regret it.




We went in June, just before tourist season. That worked out well as it was pretty empty up there. My biggest regret was not having enough time around the Cabot. It would have been nice to sniff the flowers and check stuff out, and then have a separate "fun" run.


If your riding out and are into Covered Bridges, Heatland New Brunswick has the world's longest covered bridge. Cool to see, but may not be worth going out of your way.

[TonUp]

Hoss!

Thanks for the pics and info. We are riding the Cabot Trail at least twice.



Tito

Ton up!

[Boondox]

We're down to a foot of snow. Won't be long before I can set up the tent in the yard and make sure all the pieces are still there!

I still need a sleeping pad. Probably go for the full length wide version so all of me fits on the pad. Got my twinlight dual headlight adapter, but with the snow today it was just too cold to mess with small wires. Ditto for the Hyper-Lite (which had no instructions). I did manage to install my handguards; they look big and gnarly, but riding in sub-zero temps will make them my new best friend.

We ought to connect over good beer and go over the trip, what to take, how much $$ we'll need, the camp vs hotel thing, etc. Sounds like Tito is getting a head start on the whole beer thing...

Pete

[TonUp]

Beer!

I agree we should get together soon. I am getting a new front tire and synthetic oil in the WEE Strom soon. I am also getting a new tent a little bigger than my current North Face Tadpole 23 which is great for one.


Tito


Ton up!

[mark]

Agreed, let's meet up soon. Maybe go for a ride and chat over lunch about the trip. I need to do some serious prioritizing of accessories/equipment, as finances are tight at the moment; it would help to get a better idea of trip details.

I need better wind protection for the Strom (bigger windshield and/or Madstad bracket); accessory power socket; radar detector and GPS mounting solution; tank bag; side cases; skidplate; sleeping pad; and possibly a new tent. We should also discuss stuff like camp stoves, tire repair kits, and all the stuff I haven't even thought of.

This coming weekend won't work for me, but the following one should be fine.

Of course, we could also use this thread to start bouncing around some ideas.

--mark

[Boondox]

Sounds like we have some of the same concerns, Mark. And I like the meeting in person idea. Would like to get used to each other's riding style before setting out for Canada. Next weekend sounds good, Tito!

Hey, I thought radar detectors were illegal north of the border..?

Pete

[TonUp]

I should be around, I am pretty sure I am on Call for work so I can't venture very far or very long. We can meet somewhere close to Middlebury maybe. I will know by Thursday for sure.


Tito


Ton Up!

[mark]

I can't do this weekend -- out of town until Saturday afternoon, and Sunday is the Motorcycle Awareness Day in Winooski or Colchester or whatever town Fanny Allen is located in. So let's shoot for the weekend of April 26/27. We can invite the RAT pack along for a ride, then the three of us can sit and chat about the trip.

Hey, I thought radar detectors were illegal north of the border..?

They are. The radar detector is for US touring. Need to work it out by mid-May so I can use it on my ride down to DC to visit the parents. It'll be staying home for the Canada tour.

--mark

[Boondox]

This Saturday is my 13th anniversary, so I really ought to stick around. Might swing by Colchester on Sunday. Middlebury the following weekend sounds great!

That Tadpole 23 sounds really nice. It was one of the tents I was considering if my 20 year old POS falls apart like I hope it will...

Pete

[TonUp]

I am Teaching in Rutland on the 25, 26, 27.

The Tadpole 23 is great for one.


I am sure we can get together in May before the BASH. I am also teaching on May 16, 17, 18.


Tito


Ton Up!

[mark]

Inaugural RAT ride of the season is the first weekend in May, and as it happens it's the Rt 140 ride (on May 3). Sounds like that might be a good time to meet and chat about the trip.

--mark

[TonUp]

Mark & Pete!


Day one!


http://www.tourismsaintjohn.com/files/f ... ?section=1


Tito


Ton Up!

[mark]

Nice. And they have a campground right in the middle of town. How convenient!

--mark

[mark]

By the way -- I just noticed that the ferry to Nova Scotia offers a fare discount to AAA members.

We should probably make ferry reservations. We can add this to the list of things to discuss on May 3.

--mark