gnurob
Member
This stuff isn't backed up, so I'm going to skip the big ride report and just throw out some pictures and a few suggestions for anyone looking to ride the Connaigre and Burin Peninsulas, and considering the ferry from Bay L'Argent to Pools Cove.
A special thank you to Murph, for originally planting the idea in my head, and for offering a few suggestions in this thread, and also to Scooter for whipping up a great supper on short notice and the fine company of himself and his better half. Thanks!
The Burin Peninsula
First off, if you haven't been to the Burin Peninsula, get going. This is a treasure trove of beautiful highway routes with a healthy dose of off-road detours. Any adventure rider would be more than thrilled here, and the biggest complaint would be not spending enough time to get to know the place. On that note: plan a couple nights at least.
Everyone talks about the great drive to English Harbour East, and yes it is pretty great. However, I've come to realize there are no bad choices here. Take any side road. Take them all.
Oh, and while you're at it, take the trail from Jean de Baie to Rock Harbour.
Lastly, spend a day wandering around the St. Lawrence to Lawn to Lord's Cove trails, various beachs, and look outs. Charge your camera battery!
Road to Wild Beach
Wile Beach, between Jean de Baie and Rock Harbour
Wild Beach Broken Sea Arch (Do these get there own name?)
Road to Rock Harbour
Rock Harbour 1
Rock Harbour 2
Looking Back to Rock Harbour
This is a bit of a scenic drive, but short. If you're in Marystown, pop down.
End of the Road, St. Lawrence
Old Mining Roads by St. Lawrence
AKA Not a great place to be flying in 3rd by yourself. I'm still limping.
Roads/Trails to Shoal Cove Beach and Chambers Cove
Shoal Cove Beach, on the way to Cambers Cove
Getting Close to Chambers Cove
Heading to Lawn by the Old Highway
This was a fun ride, even with a lame foot and a bit of pain.
Sandbar Between St. Lawrence and Lawn
Fortune Head Lighthouse
Fenchmens Cove
Sunset in Frenchmens Cove
Frechmens Cove Park, Site 53
55 was also really good. 40+ were all great. The ones near the golf course had blinds erected which wasn't so great. Overall, this was an excellent well kept park.
The Bay L'Argent to Pools Cove Ferry
A. Don't make reservations: there are none.
B. Don't buy tickets at the docks: there is no ticket booth.
C. Wait at an unmarked dock: there is no terminal.
D. Board a ferry: pay somewhere along the route.
E. Watch your bike get soaked in sea water: it's an open foredeck.
Once you are used to all of the above, this is a fun little route. There's room for 6 bikes at a time, and hoses on the docks to rinse your bike. In hindsight, a medium weight roll of plastic sheet from a building supply store would have been dandy, small, and more than enough for a group.
Bay L'Argent
Loading on the Ferry
Arriving in Rencontre East (30 Minute Stopover to Pools Cove)
Rencontre East Boats
Rencontre East Slip
Six Bikes Can Fit on the Foredeck (Show an hour early if you're in a large group.)
Pools Cove
The Connagre Peninsula
The mountainous views and highways along here are just amazing. It's worth the price of admission: 150 km of not so interesting route 360 north of Conne River (but it's not all bad).
Unfortunately I had to cut a day out of my trip, and all of route 362 north of Pool's Cove. English Harbour West is probably the best part of this trip, but I don't know. A short same day route trip to Gaultois also would have been great. I've heard many good things.
PM me if you're thinking Connaigre Peninsula, Hermitage to Burgeo ferry, and returning on route 480 for 2017.
I drove to the end of the road looking at Pass Island. The trail is mostly enjoyable but it's a bit lonely. You'll find nothing there so this is probably best left as a group adventure. When you're in Sandyvill, take a detour to the east beach.
Harbour Breton has some good views. Take Dead Mans Cove Road near Hancocks Foodland, as the north east Hill Side Drive trail is quads only. The Southern Porn motel is well kept, the owner/manager is very friendly, and he may come up with some options for touring the area by boat, etc. Have a chat.
Ok, I'll admit I like taking pictures of Rencontre East...
Route 360 to Harbour Breton
Route 360 Leaving Harbour Breton
Hermitage (and Ferry to Gaultois)
Last Gas and Food, just North of Conne River
On the Way Home... a quick tour of Random Island
A special thank you to Murph, for originally planting the idea in my head, and for offering a few suggestions in this thread, and also to Scooter for whipping up a great supper on short notice and the fine company of himself and his better half. Thanks!
The Burin Peninsula
First off, if you haven't been to the Burin Peninsula, get going. This is a treasure trove of beautiful highway routes with a healthy dose of off-road detours. Any adventure rider would be more than thrilled here, and the biggest complaint would be not spending enough time to get to know the place. On that note: plan a couple nights at least.
Everyone talks about the great drive to English Harbour East, and yes it is pretty great. However, I've come to realize there are no bad choices here. Take any side road. Take them all.
Oh, and while you're at it, take the trail from Jean de Baie to Rock Harbour.
Lastly, spend a day wandering around the St. Lawrence to Lawn to Lord's Cove trails, various beachs, and look outs. Charge your camera battery!
Road to Wild Beach
Wile Beach, between Jean de Baie and Rock Harbour
Wild Beach Broken Sea Arch (Do these get there own name?)
Road to Rock Harbour
Rock Harbour 1
Rock Harbour 2
Looking Back to Rock Harbour
This is a bit of a scenic drive, but short. If you're in Marystown, pop down.
End of the Road, St. Lawrence
Old Mining Roads by St. Lawrence
AKA Not a great place to be flying in 3rd by yourself. I'm still limping.
Roads/Trails to Shoal Cove Beach and Chambers Cove
Shoal Cove Beach, on the way to Cambers Cove
Getting Close to Chambers Cove
Heading to Lawn by the Old Highway
This was a fun ride, even with a lame foot and a bit of pain.
Sandbar Between St. Lawrence and Lawn
Fortune Head Lighthouse
Fenchmens Cove
Sunset in Frenchmens Cove
Frechmens Cove Park, Site 53
55 was also really good. 40+ were all great. The ones near the golf course had blinds erected which wasn't so great. Overall, this was an excellent well kept park.
The Bay L'Argent to Pools Cove Ferry
A. Don't make reservations: there are none.
B. Don't buy tickets at the docks: there is no ticket booth.
C. Wait at an unmarked dock: there is no terminal.
D. Board a ferry: pay somewhere along the route.
E. Watch your bike get soaked in sea water: it's an open foredeck.
Once you are used to all of the above, this is a fun little route. There's room for 6 bikes at a time, and hoses on the docks to rinse your bike. In hindsight, a medium weight roll of plastic sheet from a building supply store would have been dandy, small, and more than enough for a group.
Bay L'Argent
Loading on the Ferry
Arriving in Rencontre East (30 Minute Stopover to Pools Cove)
Rencontre East Boats
Rencontre East Slip
Six Bikes Can Fit on the Foredeck (Show an hour early if you're in a large group.)
Pools Cove
The Connagre Peninsula
The mountainous views and highways along here are just amazing. It's worth the price of admission: 150 km of not so interesting route 360 north of Conne River (but it's not all bad).
Unfortunately I had to cut a day out of my trip, and all of route 362 north of Pool's Cove. English Harbour West is probably the best part of this trip, but I don't know. A short same day route trip to Gaultois also would have been great. I've heard many good things.
PM me if you're thinking Connaigre Peninsula, Hermitage to Burgeo ferry, and returning on route 480 for 2017.
I drove to the end of the road looking at Pass Island. The trail is mostly enjoyable but it's a bit lonely. You'll find nothing there so this is probably best left as a group adventure. When you're in Sandyvill, take a detour to the east beach.
Harbour Breton has some good views. Take Dead Mans Cove Road near Hancocks Foodland, as the north east Hill Side Drive trail is quads only. The Southern Porn motel is well kept, the owner/manager is very friendly, and he may come up with some options for touring the area by boat, etc. Have a chat.
Ok, I'll admit I like taking pictures of Rencontre East...
Route 360 to Harbour Breton
Route 360 Leaving Harbour Breton
Hermitage (and Ferry to Gaultois)
Last Gas and Food, just North of Conne River
On the Way Home... a quick tour of Random Island
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