Traveling the Continent by Motorcycle

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Added: Wed Nov 21st 2:29am
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Each year I go on a motorcycle adventure to somewhere on the North American Continent. I don't travel the main roads, but opt for the back roads and even dirt roads that criss-cross throughout our great country.

This year my destination was Eastern Canada. After working my way up the East coast from Florida, I ended up in Bar Harbor, Maine., where I explored for a few days before hopping on the Cat Ferry to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. If you've never been in Bar Harbor, I highly recommend it. It's absolutely beautiful.

The trip on the Cat Ferry to Nova Scotia was an experience in of itself. This big boat flies over the water at 43 knots. In no time we were pulling in to Yarmouth, which is a beautiful little city. My luck, I was chosen for a full customs search, and they did a thorough job, which delayed me about 45 minutes. After being given clearance, I scurryed into the city in search of a place to eat.

With a full stomach I set my sights on finding the lighthouse route along the south coast of Nova Scotia. I had identified 29 lighthouses that I wanted to see and get photographs, and it wasn't long before I spotted the first lighthouse. It was a majestic sight standing guard on the shoreline. I spent the next three days exploring Canada's 2nd smallest Province.

Next stop was Prince Edward Island, Canada's smallest Province. What it lacked in size, it made up for in shear beauty, whether it be the rolling farmlands of the interior or the breathtaking views from the coastal roads. I explored PEI for two days and absolutely fell in love with it. About a third of the roads I traveled were dirt, but all were well maintained.

From PEI it was off to explore New Brunswick, which is much bigger than the two previous islands. NB offered a new kind of beauty with more elevations. I saw signs everywhere to watch for the Moose. Hundreds of miles in NB and not one moose was sighted. What a disappointment.

Quebec was my next target. I had heard so much about historical Quebec City, that I couldn't wait to get there. In my haste I broke my vow to ride on any of the main roads, which ended up being a mistake. I was traveling around 55 in the right inside lane, when all of a sudden the back end of my motorcycle was going out from under me. I looked down and there as a car moving into my lane and it's fender was against my saddle bags shoving me over. I had enough sense to give it the gas and was able to save the motorcycle from crashing. I pulled to the side to wait for the car that hit me, but he slammed on his brakes forced his way into the outside lane, then he made a U-turn and took off in the other direction. This is a classic example of car drivers not looking out for motorcycles. A bit shaken, but not hurt and only minor damage I continued on to Quebec City. I was not disappointed, it's a grand and glorious old city that has been preserved over time. I spent all day riding and walking around the city and took about 400 pictures. I hated to leave Quebec City, but finally bid my ado and headed south.

I re-entered the US in Vermont and set my sights on upper state New York. More specifically Perry, NY. Perry is a small village that my wife spent part of her childhood. I had visted Perry in the 1960's, but didn't remember too much. I did remember that the downtown consisted of one main street about 6 blocks long. I was surprised that the downtown had not grown at all. It seemed that all of the buildings were pre 1960 era, and no neon signs. I even found my wifes old home, which was the same faded green color as I remember. I took another batch of pictures for my wife, thinking that she would remember quite a bit of it. She didn't much except the old house.

From there I headed to Ohio and the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. I have always wanted to go there, but never had the chance. I'm glad that I finally made it. They had a special "History of Motocross" section that brought back so many past memories. I have been a motorcycle fan for 50 years. I raced off-road cross country in the Mojave Desert back in the 60's and 70's, and when I moved to Florida I continued to ride and race motorcycles. When I retired from industry in 1991 I started a racing business, and have promoted over 500 motocross and supercross races since then. I really do have a deep seeded love for motorcycles.

From Ohio I headed south with my next objective been the moutains of Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina. For those of you that have never traveled the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, you're missing some of the most beautiful mountain roads anywhere.

Once I hit Georgia I knew that my journey was coming to an end. The next day was filled with mixed emotion. I hated to see the journey over after 30 days and over 6000 miles, but I was also anxious to see my wife, kids and grandkids.

I'm already planning next years motorcycle adventure to British Columbia and then down the west coast to Mexico.

If you're interested in seeing some of the photos from this trip and others, go to www.louwhitney.com