Trans-Canada route help/suggestions please

[redhededgreg]

I'm getting an early start (what else is one to do with freezing rain and snow in the immediate forecast) planning a trans Canada (west to east) trip for this coming May-June. I'm pretty settled only on the first part of the route and would appreciate any suggestions from those with local knowledge or first hand experience on routes I am considering. Sorry I don't have the KSA's to post a route map but the following is my early blue print with possible variations:
Will ride up the Oregon and Washington coast to Port Townsend where I will take the ferry across to Burlington, Washington and ride the North Cascades Hwy to Omak. Go north from there and cross into BC @ Osoyoos.
From there, continue north to Vernon, Revelstoke and east to Lake Louise.
From Lake Louise and Castle Junction I'm considering 2 options (comments welcome):

either east to Calgary, Saskatoon and eventually working south to Minnedosa and to Hwy 1 into Winnepeg, or,
from Castle Junction going south on 93 back to Elko and then east on the Crowsnest Hwy to Lethbridge and on to Medicine Hat where I'd pick up '1' ande follow into Winnepeg.
third option would be to angle SE on '1' from Calgary to Medicine Hat and to Winnepeg.

Next segment will be Winnepeg to Thunder Bay and on to Wawa. From Wawa there are several options. I've made the trip between Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa and appreciate its beauty so I know that's there. Territory new for me would be any other route east from Wawa. I'm considering 101 east to Matheson, then south on Hwy 11 which I could follow south to North Bay and take 17 from there into Ottawa and on to Montreal (my primary destination). A possibly more interesting route looks to be branching off of Hwy 11 south of Matheson onto Rte 117 and following that all the way into Montreal.

Obvious concerns would be road conditions keeping mind I'm on an ST not a GS. And, of course, petrol stations. I'll probably carry some extra fuel and will watch closely to check distances between towns (perhaps an exageration in some areas I'm considering). It should be obvious I'm not necessarily looking for the shortest, quickest, most direct route. Any route suggestions or other considerations coming from local knowledge or personal experiences would be appreciated. At this point it looks like this will be a solo trip in case that raises other issues based on my considered routes. Mostly camping-have had good experiences with the Provincial Parks in the past.

After a stay in Montreal, I hope to continue on to Nova Scotia and then will start my return trip.
Thanks

[just-a-guy]

Greg,

I am a GS owner in Sackville, NB. I have a few suggestions for you once leaving Montreal:

- up through Quebec to the Gaspe peninsula. Round the peninsula and into NB through Cambellton.

- the NB coastal route is pretty: Caraquet, Tracadie and down to Shediac

- the alternative is to follow the St. Lawrence south side out of Montreal to Riviere de Loups and then down to Edmundston NB. That part is not the greatest road. 4 lane from Edmundston to Fredericton

- You can spin off that towards Saint John (even cross to Digby NS on the ferry) or continue along the Fundy coast

- NS coastline along Parrsboro, Five Islands is spectacular....

hope that helps.

Sandy

[redhededgreg]

Thanks very much for the suggestions Sandy. Those look like very nice coastal routes. Have you had experience with Atlantic Motoplex? I expect to be just about due for a 18,000 mile service at that point in my trip and it looks like their location near Moncton would be pretty convenient.

[just-a-guy]

I purchased my 800 at Atlantic Motoplex. I have nothing but good things to say about the place. Sales guys were great and Shawn in Service has treated me very well. The next closest dealer is Quebec City.

[Leisha]

Don't leave yet, wait till June or July!!!

[decoats]

Or July? Tony says, 'Or July'?
May or June ought to be ok.
What a trip! Sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun.
Watch your gear closely. The economy has put a lot of desperados out there everywhere.
Have fun.
dc

[redhededgreg]

I'm planning a pretty leisurely travel schedule. Only place I really want to be at a certain time is Montreal, for the F1 weekend and race, June 13. So, will probably leave Portland late May or 1st part of June. Assuming no problems by then with travel in the northern areas (please correct me if I'm wrong). Having lots of fun with route planning and looking at maps. Pretty set on travel to the BC border then up to Revelstoke and Lake Louise. Still considering multiple options to get from there to Thunder Bay and also a couple different options from Thunder Bay to Montreal. Thanks to Sandy for the Atlantic Provinces suggestions.

[Dano]

I bike this area every year. My summer home (camp) is near Lake Superior.. As you said the trip from Wawa to the Soo is beautiful and it is. On section you may be interested in is to turn north at Nipigon(11) instead. The road there is more breathtaking than the coastal road although after about the 1st 200km it does flatten out. You can always go over and then down thru Hornepayne(631) and back onto 17 at White River since you are in no rush. Keep your gas full along here and eyes peeled for moose. Only cell coverage in the towns and not very many people on the roads. Just an FYI. If camping, last year i was all thru here for a week in July and the warmest day was 21 degress c. The average was 11-14 and rain. This is not to say i could not be 31 like it was the year before but, welcome to Canada!

[redhededgreg]

Thanks for that suggestion. I was looking at the Nipigon route as an alternative and following it to Matheson where I'd either continue east on 101/388/393 to Rouyn-Noranda or go south at Matheson then east on 66 to R-N (gotta admit I'm intrigued by a town named Swastika-picture of bike by town sign a no brainer). Pretty much planning to avoid 17 this time as I've done that route 4 or 5 times before. Instead looking at R-N to Val d'Or and south on 117 all the way to Montreal (unless I learn that's a poor choice for whatever reason-but looks good on the map to me right now). Thanks again for your thoughts. Any others appreciated.

[Dano]

I did an Iron butt last year all thru Val D'Or and Rouyn Noranda. Roads are fine and beautiful. We came up from near Mont Tremblant Ski resort and Ottawa. Wawa across is ok but road can get bad. I have been as far as Chapleau on from that what i heard it may be more GS thru to Timmins area. If i hear nmore about this roads i can fill youo in and you can decide. I will send a few links when i find them re construction on roads in Ontario and Quebec. Might give you an idea where to avoid. If you have any question feel free to ask. These will give you something to look at.

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/conditions/

http://www.quebec511.gouv.qc.ca/en/

[redhededgreg]

I'm semi-settled on my route as far as Montreal and have my lodging lined up there for the GP weekend. From there will travel on for a first time visit to Quebec City and spend a night or two there. Question for the knowledgeable on routes from there. Pretty sure I will continue east eventually on 132 all the way around the peninsula and down into NB. Going east from Quebec City, considering riding out the north side of the St. Lawrence and taking the ferry across from Baie-Comeau to Matane. Good idea? or, better to just ride up the south side of the St. Lawrence the whole way? Looks like the north side route would be, as the poet might say, the road less traveled, but looking for some hometown knowledge of either route and a recommendation.

[Northern Element]

New Brunswicks North Shore looks pretty much covered. Heading south past Miramichi on highway 11 your going to want to take highway 134 at Kouchibouguac. This gets you heading towards the shore. At Rexton take highway 505, then 475 at St. Anne De Kent. Next road is 535 at Bouctouche. This gets you Cocagne then back on the 134 to Shediac. Beautiful scenery throughout and French Acadian Culture at it's finest. Basically when I'm touring I take every road that heads closer to the shoreline. Sometimes this results in dead ends with minor backtracking involved; more often, discovering quaint loops with hidden gems like fishing wharfs and coastal settlements. Hope some of this info helps.

[redhededgreg]

Thanks Dean! Exactly my thinking on coastal routes. I usually just try to stay as close to the coast line as possible. Many trips along the Pacific coast on the left side of the continent here-really lookin forward to seeing the Atlantic side. Thanks for your suggestions.