I need to get out of town soon to keep my sanity. I cant stand the same scenery, roads etc..Working my ass off 60 70 hrs a week, endless it seems. My dream vacation would be to just pack minimal shit and just head out with a buddy on a ride somewhere cool. Only problem is no one is able to take the same time off as me. I need to get the fuck out period. So what does anyone think about going on a long couple day road trip solo? Crazy? I think I might do it. No one could go with me to the two day racing school in NH and that was still awesome...any experiences with this out there?

I know exactly how you feel. My boy and I were thinking about riding to Canada before the summer is over. My brother goes to Seneca University so we could crash at his dorm. We also wanna ride to Atlanta. Not sure if we're gonna do the ATL trip this summer but Canada is almost definite. If you're gonna do it solo just take it easy, get plenty of rest in between stops and don't push yourself if you get tired. See if you can't convince one of your boys to take time off and head out with you. You never know, he may need a vacation as bad as you. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

I've been both through nova scotia canada and PEI and atlanta. I'd so Canada, hands down any day of the week over atlanta....

and yeah, fly solo man. in the end that's all we got anyhow. not sure how an extended road trip will be on a race bike but I'd say go for it http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Yeah, you are right on, in this sport it all comes down to you. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I think it could be a pretty ballsy trip solo. Wing man would be ideal for many reasons, but either way could be unforgettable ride-just what the doctor ordered. Thanks for that input guys.

I've been both through nova scotia canada and PEI and atlanta.



WHAT!!! And you didn't stop in to say "Hi" !! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/disappointed.gif Just kidding! Did you go over the Confederation Bridge to get to PEI or did you take the Ferry? I live in the village at the entrance to the bridge on the PEI side. We do have some nice roads here, but you got to watch for potholes!! Anyhow, hope you had a good time while here! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

my wife and I actually flew from cincy up to halifax and rented a new grand am.. took the ferry across to PEI and spent a week. weather was BEAUTIFUL and plenty of sweeeeet roads. saw a ton of bikes and very few police. that the people up there were super friendly. beautiful country, great weather and good peeps. just what the doc ordered. I swore the next time I went up there it would be on a bike. we'll be moving up to NYC next week so that puts me that much closer.

no doubt once you arrive you'll hook up with some other bikers man. they'll have your back.

What you could do is travel up mass into Maine and take the ferry across to Yarmouth N.S. The ferry would allow you to bypass alot of the mundane major HWY travel and they tie all bikes down so no worries about them tipping over. Then once in NS take the south shore scenic ocean route to Halifax(pop about 400,000) and stay there a night or so, very good downtown bars and restaurants if you like that stuff. Then travel off to Cape Breton Island and do the famous Cabot Trail. You could hit P.E.I, pretty decent beaches. Then travel back down to Yarmouth via the Annapolis Valley HWY 1, it is a secondary road that winds its way through small villages etc. The only thing is gas prices are taking a beating here lately, it's about a $1.04 a litre and supposed to go even higher. Today it's about 30Celsius or 90F. It doesn't actually start to cool off until well into Oct. If you decide shoot me a PM and I could hook up and do a bit of the ride. Later

Prince edward isle seems to be the place to go, the weather still warm in early Sept? Did you say the ferry is out of Halifax? Im gonna get started on an itinerary, figure out what I must bring, want to travel as light as poss. Im already pretty much set on going with or without company. Anyone feel like going up for a few day excursion, let me know, the more the merrier. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

All of my long distance road trips have been solo flights. It's actually nice not having to set any pace or itinerary but your own. It ain't as formidable as it may seem. I've done solo round trips in excess of 3500 miles each. (far as Delaware in the US) If you decide to do the Atlantic, ya gotta check Cape Breton as one of the stops.

Stoopid, I gotta get over that bridge one of these days and check out your rebuild on that bike. We're still waiting for part 2 on that in the oil cooler forum, btw. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I live near the ferry though, so maybe I'd do the bridge on the way back. (It's cheaper getting off the island)

Wow, I think you just spelled out my trip, that sounds perfect. Thanks, and I'll definitley shoot you a PM before I head up. Now Im all excited for the first week of Sept. Cant wait to hit the road http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

actually the PEI ferry crosses at Caribou.


http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/detail.gif

I"ve done multi day rides out of MA to other places. But from your previous posts I don't think I would ever ride with you http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Were you just at the Jason Pridmore school at Loudon this past monday and tuesday? (8/8-9)

I'll be doing a long ride next month. My dad and brother will be driving my truck with the trailer, but I'll be riding. We're going from Tacoma, WA over to western MT. They'll probably stay on I-90, but I'm going to break off and ride 12 over Lolo Pass. Twisties for 77 miles. Should be a good time!

I"ve done multi day rides out of MA to other places. But from your previous posts I don't think I would ever ride with you http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Were you just at the Jason Pridmore school at Loudon this past monday and tuesday? (8/8-9)

I have had some crazy posts, no I did Penguin 2 day in june on my 05 1k- thanks http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Did you say the ferry is out of Halifax?



ferry is the wood island ferry. it leaves from where "caribou" is marked on the map above. I think its maybe 3 hour drive from halifax if memory serves.... be sure to take a digital camera. the scenery is second to none and some awesome sunsets/sunrises to boot!

Thanks fun2fly-the map is perfect, im gonna print it out and bring it with me. Also thanks shuki for the heads up. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

Actually, depending on what road you take, the ferry is less than 2 hours from Halifax. I live inside 20 minutes from Caribou.

But, the better road is to follow the eastern shore out Halifax (hwy 7) and turn inland at ... 374? I'll have to check that number, but it's just past Sheet Harbour. It's a rough road for part of that stretch, but it's like 25 miles of potholes and patches to negotiate and then smooth sailing to the ferry. That trip would be 3 plus hours. The eastern shore is as fun as the one up the coast from Yarmouth.

I need to get out of town soon to keep my sanity. I cant stand the same scenery, roads etc..Working my ass off 60 70 hrs a week, endless it seems. My dream vacation would be to just pack minimal shit and just head out with a buddy on a ride somewhere cool. Only problem is no one is able to take the same time off as me. I need to get the fuck out period. So what does anyone think about going on a long couple day road trip solo? Crazy? I think I might do it. No one could go with me to the two day racing school in NH and that was still awesome...any experiences with this out there?



Do it you will not regret it.

I went on a 5 day road trip on my ZX7R back in the day by myself and it was awsome. Complete stress reliever.

Take a back brace with you.

Stay away from Atlanta! Dont get me wrong, I LOVE ATLANTA! Lived there for 10 years, but the damn traffic. We are crazy drivers too.

Atlantic Canada is absolutely beautiful. Don't forget the Cabot Trail when you're up there. Lots of twisties with a view of the ocean.

Don't forget about taking the bridge!! Maybe you can do that on the way back!! It's 9km long or approx. 6 miles (I think). I might be done of my bike by then!! This summer is going by way too fast!!


Hey Robben, yeah, i know, episode 2 is well over due!! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bitchslap.gif Hopefully I will get time this weekend.

http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/bridge0.jpg

Wow, that thing is beautiful! is that in the north west of NS? going to PEI? Whats the name? Thanks. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

you can get to PEI by airplane or by ferry but if you want to drive to the island this bridge is the only way on or off http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif It's called the confederation bridge.

http://www.confederationbridge.com/en/maps_directions/index.asp

Nice, thanks for that info. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It's free to get on the island, no matter which way you take. They only charge ya to leave. The bridge is cheaper than the ferry. You could do it as a counter clockwise loop and get a free ferry ride.

Since we're pushing our Atlantic provinces, here's a pic of Cape Breton from July I took...

http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/l_lookoff_july05.jpg

Hey, thanks for the suggestions, pics and stuff. Any other tips you guys might have are greatly appreciatd. Sweet bike by the way Robben. Vintage gixxer...badass machine. Id like to find me one of them too sometime. I remember when those came out...me and my friends couldnt stop talking about them. Really changed the face of sportbikes. Thats looks like a real nice example of a very classic ballsy machine. Im gearing myself up for this, havent told my girl yet, or my kids and family...I dont think they will be too surprised though. Still gonna see if I cant get someone to go too.

sorry my bike is great (for the track) sitting and riding on her sucks donkey balls

ill leave the "trips" to my car. Sure maybe a cruise would be something i might try later, but it'll have to be on either a busa or some other more upright kind of bike. sport bikes are race bikes minus the pretty stuff racers add. they are still the same dimensions though

Thanks for the compliments. Mostly stock, a cnc triple's the only bling, and I still have the original safe if needed. It's really comfortable for l/d trips, which reminds me, I noticed your lineup in your sig. Which bike were you thinking of using? The bus or the k5?

There's also a thread in the starting lineup somebody posted looking for ideas regarding a long distance trip you could check out.

If you need any more enticement, I've got a few more pics of scenery. One thing about the Atlantic provinces you'll discover is the friendly folk. I came out here in 97 for work, and stayed on permanent.

You can also check this link to a free motorcycle tour guide, Motorcycle Tour Guide NS (http://www.motorcycletourguidens.com/) and there's a link on the main page to NS tourism.

I wish I still had my two other bikes. I sold the 94 to get the 05, which I traded in http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif for a new sick quad.(which I still have). Couldnt stand being without a bike after 5 weeks, so I got my 03 Busa. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I just put a pair of Yosh rs-3's on her last night and sounds awesome. So it looks like the Busa. Did track days on it and stuff then came to realize I had to get myself off of the 05 before somethng stupid happened, just waay to nice, fast, light, comfy, sick race bike for me. Hard to explain, had to get rid of it. It was meant for a different world-not mine. But yeah post all the pics you got, the ones in the guide link were beautiful too. The more I see em the more I am psyched to go. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Well, the busa's a good bike for fast touring, I hear. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif You'll have a blast. Here's a few more appetizer pics for ya.

Found these surfing over the last while, saved 'em for just such occasions. I'm usually too busy riding it to stop and take a lot of pics. Trying to take the ultimate one picture that sums up what the trail is about. Haven't done that yet, but I keep trying. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/CabotTrailPic01.jpg

http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/CabotTrailPic02.jpg

http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/CabotTrailPic06.jpg

Couple more... Sorry bout the cruisers, but try and picture your Busa in there instead. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/CabotTrailPic09.jpg

http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/CabotTrailPic10.jpg

http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/CabotTrailSunset.jpg

I've been to N.S. and PEI on a 10 day road car trip. It was great and would really like to go back again. I've also been on a 3500mi road trip by myself. In 91 i took my CBR600 from NY to Ohio the long way. I went south down the Blue Ridge and then North through West Virginia. I had an experience right out the movies with 2 hillbillies chasing me at 125 through W.V. It was crazy and I remember it like it was yesturday.

Bottom line is that its always better to go with a friend on a long road trip but going at it alone beats not going at all. You will always remember your road trips.

Come to think of it , I could use a road trip.

So when ya leaving?

Going the first week in Sept. After Labor day weekend. Wheather should still be warm enough, let me know if you want to go. My buddie is trying to get some time off too. Be cool going with a few other riders.

Holy crap! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Those roads are amazing. What route is that? Definitley on the itinerary. Thanks again http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Holy crap! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Those roads are amazing. What route is that? Definitley on the itinerary. Thanks again http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif


The Cabot Trail itself. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/banana.gif If you look at that map with the ferry routes posted, it's the top left quadrant of Cape Breton (the loop shown right above the name).

If im still unemployed im in.

Holy crap! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Those roads are amazing. What route is that? Definitley on the itinerary. Thanks again http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif


The Cabot Trail itself. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/banana.gif If you look at that map with the ferry routes posted, it's the top left quadrant of Cape Breton (the loop shown right above the name).



Thats where I nearly hit a Moose. I think I was close to Pleasant Bay when the monster came out of the woods. That area is spectacular !

Well, I dont know what to hope for you-job, or road trip http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/dunno.gif...but we'll keep eachother "posted" http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/spit.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/rotflol.gif

Well, I dont know what to hope for you-job, or road trip http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/dunno.gif...but we'll keep eachother "posted" http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/spit.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/rotflol.gif



Same here

ichin, im in the same boat..i need to get the fuck out'a here too.
i live in the middle of the state of california..and i wana go to rexford
montana(right on the canadian border) to see my best friend..(he
already has a squaw lined up for me).
im gona pack what i can in a back pack and go, hopefully this fall.

Sound nice...you likem squaw...squaw givem you many moons of comfort for long journey on steel horse... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/rotflol.gif. Seriously though, how long of ride is that? I've been thinking about how I should pack. Considering a pack bungeed on the back, and a tank bag. Anyone ever use one of those? I dont want to ride with a pack on my back the whole time ya know? Either way I cant wait, a buddy of mine is trying to get his shit squared away so he can go with me. Im going either way. Also been thinking about tools and such for emergency situations. Any ideas I get I'll post, you do the same. Good riding.

Used a tank bag for small, easy to grab stuff, plus the rainsuit. Had a sport backpack (with vented side pockets for shoes) cargo netted to the rear cowl. I'm not one for wearing a backpack either, and certainly not a long haul. As for tools, I kept a multi-tip screwdriver in one of the side pockets on the tankbag, along with a couple wrenches common to my bike. (8, 10, and 12mm) and one of those metric allen key sets that look like a jack knife. Don't forget a small can of chain lube. I always forget to mention it, but never forget to bring one.

Remember your charger for your cell phone. That's all I can think of for the mo'.

Crap, I have the first week of September booked for vacation, but unfortunately the bike is nowhere near street ready (see pic). Otherwise I'd have met you somewhere on the island and shown you some of the (look around slyly) ...secret motorcycle roads! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/upload.jpg

uhh, the fender is going to be painted... black of course!!

Looking good, bro'... Much more assembled than the last set of pics. Do you know if ... never mind. I'll PM ya.

That sucks, is that your 88 750 ? Do any mods to it? Classic bike. Like to see some pics of it when your done. Maybe hook up for a few cold ones when Im up there anyway. EH? Get Robben to come out too...you out there Robben?...We must tie one on http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

I did 6000 miles in 12 days solo ( 9.5 days of riding) from Dallas to Seattle and back on my 98 Triumph Daytona with a few modifications. At the end of the trip I was willing and capeable of riding 600 miles a day for another whole week. I'd love to do it again and would reccomend it to any bike nut.

Wow, that is alot of miles. Kind of makes me feel more comfortable about doing my trip, I think I might do about 1500 total in apprx. four days. Not too much all considered.

I'm in http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'm always up for a beer or two or .... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

Yep, that's my old '88 !! I have a bit more done that that picture. The clip ons are on, all handlebar controls, main wiring harness, the intake manifolds and air box. I hope to have the engine running on the weekend. Wish me luck!! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

Dude, you gotta get that machine done, sounds like it could be possible http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/dunno.gif...be cool to go out for good GDC ride http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bounce.gif..but really, good luck and I'll keep my fingers crossed. Approximatley 3 weeks till me and hopefully a bud or two venture up. I know Robben is in, could have a good crew to blast around with. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif