Northeast Ride Details
This loop would complete my goal of riding through all the US states AND Canadian Provinces (Hawaii and Nunavut not being reachable from my house, and therefor, not being included in my current counting). The trip includes extensive unpaved routes, and therefor would be best ridden without a passenger. The route would head northeast through Quebec, then riding the length of the Trans-Labrador Highway. A ferry would be necessary to Newfoundland, and another ferry to Nova Scotia. New Brunswick is the final Territory before reentering the USA in Maine. Some zig zagging will be necessary to include all the northeastern states, but it would be easily accomplished. This final loop would cover 4500 miles in approximately 14 days.
The trip is easily broken down into 4 sections.
Columbus, OH to Quebec City, Quebec
This section is entirely paved, and consists of about 900 miles of interstate and highways. It traverses the beautiful Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, and passes through Montreal and Quebec City. It would be easily rideable in 2 days, but breaking it into 3 days and riding smaller roads, or spending some time in Quebec could be favorable. From Quebec City, the roads become much smaller.
Quebec City, Quebec to Blanc-Sablon, Quebec
This 1300 mile stretch is generally the highlight of the entire trip, traveling through Labrador, and landing at the ferry to cross the Golf of St Lawrence into Newfoundland. This path used to be almost entirely gravel, but more and more is being paved. Still, it is almost entirely in the wilderness, and extremely solitary. So solitary, in fact, that the government offers free emergency satellite phones for travelers. You just have to pick one up (and drop it off) at one of several locations along the route. High speed riding can traverse this stretch in a mere 3 days, but taking more time to enjoy the vast nothingness would be ideal. The road passes a row of dams, with Manic 5 being the most famous. Beyond that, it turns to gravel nearly all the way north to Labrador City. The road turns east and remains gravel to Happy Valley Goose Bay.
St Barbe, Newfoundland to Woodstock, Nova Scotia
This 900 miles stretch takes travelers from the ferry out of Quebec/Labrador, through Newfoundland, across another large ferry to Nova Scotia, ending at the Canada/US boarder to Maine. While entirely paved, it is still a beautiful coastal ride on smaller roads and highways. This stretch is rideable in 2 days, but 3, or even 4 would be better. Also, timing the ferries can have drastic effects on timing in this stretch.
Houlton, Maine to Columbus, Ohio
While a straight shot home would only be about 1100 miles, some zig-zagging to see new states and get off the interstate will most likely bring this ride to near 1400 miles. Again, entirely paved, this stretch will not take entirely too long, and should be easily covered in 3 days.
