gnurob
Member
Ok, I had such a good time, I'll take a stab at a ride report for anyone that hasn't yet rode the Discovery Trail. This is primarily routes 230, and 235 which is roughly from Carbonear to Port Blandford, looping around the Bonavista Peninsula. Some of the many places include Trinity, Port Rexton, Port Union, Elliston, Bonavista, and King's Cove. There are many more amazing places along the way.
(This was also a family trip with my daughter, mother, and sister. We had a fantastic time, but for the sake of a ride report, some of those details are absent. Parent tip: make reservations and plan your supper times as the restaurants are busier than two year old's are patient.)
If you're entirely impatient and just want a feel for the sights along the way, here is a link to my iCloud photos that you can view from any web browser.
From St. John's, my total distance was 849 kilometers, however 380 km was the return trim from Clarenville. In other words, the loops and a fair bit of exploring resulted in 469 km.
My Tracks
Day 1: Getting to Trinity East
It is slightly quicker to take Route 230 directly from the Trans Canada Highway at the overpass between Clarenville, and Port Blandford, however Balbo Drive and Main Road take you through some nice scenery. If you're in the mood, you can take the train tracks which follow the road, you won't loose sight of the road. After the green bridge head for the road. Main Road turns 90º to the north (left) and it is easily missed. If you find yourself on Route 232 after Georges Brook, you're on your way to a 65 km round trip dead end to Bunyan's Cove. Do you think the road signs are vague to help tourism in that area?
Green Bridge
Since I was staying in Trinity East, I decided to ride north and take a 17 km gravel road from Rolling Cove which exits almost directly across from a trail to the house I rented in Trinity Easy. Literally the next lane over. There were many places to pick from, but I choose just a few to spend explore further. They were Red Cliff, Tickle Cove, and King's Cove, and they didn't disappoint.
Red Cliff, Tickle Cove, and King's Cove
From top to bottom, left to right:
Tickle Cove (top) and Red Cliff (middle and bottom)
King's Cove
I think this picture pretty much sums up and perfect little King's Cove is. This would be a great spot to plan on stopping to eat whatever you packed (there's probably not a restaurant), lose the boots for hikers, or just relax.
Riding on, the 17 km gravel road is in better shape than some asphalt roads. Third and fourth gear was the norm with hardly any loose stone. Other than a couple ponds, there isn't much scenery. Lockston Path Provincial Park is 5 km from the Trinity side. I drove around the whole park and pretty much figured that the ~1-50 sites were on the better loop, with the exception that some river adjacent spots could be nice.
A nice lady, who happens to ride a G650 GS, moved to Trinity East from Ontario, set up several houses as rentals, and is in semi-retirement with style. Her places are just perfect and have a great view of Trinity and Fort Point Lighthouse. May we all be as smart as her.
Be sure to take the gravel trail between the Geo sign and the red building at the back of the parking lot. This is passable on street tires and the easiest way to find Eagle's Peak (the route by road is about as straight as a wet noodle flung at a wall).
Eagle's Peak
Day 2: Exploring the Trinity Area
As well as the amazing scenery just about everywhere, the highlights of this area include Trinity; and it's many shops, restaurants, and historic places; Fort Point Lighthouse; and the Random Passage fllm set just past New Bonaventure.
Trinity
There is so much to do in Trinity it really deserves it's own right up. Top of my list would be the shows put off by the fine folks at the Rising Tide Theatre.
Fort Point Lighthouse
The lighthouse is visible from nearly anywhere in Trinity or East Trinity. Skip the left turn to Trinity and head south to Dunfield a few minutes down the road. The road turns to a well maintained gravel road about 4 km long. There are plenty of views along the way.
Random Passage
Admittedly, this is a film set and not authentic, however it is a great representation of life in rural Newfoundland a couple hundred years ago.
Note: You have to walk about a 1/2 kilometer so footwear other than motorcycle boots is probably a smart idea.
Q&A
If anyone comes up with a question, I'll edit this post #1.
Cheers
(This was also a family trip with my daughter, mother, and sister. We had a fantastic time, but for the sake of a ride report, some of those details are absent. Parent tip: make reservations and plan your supper times as the restaurants are busier than two year old's are patient.)
If you're entirely impatient and just want a feel for the sights along the way, here is a link to my iCloud photos that you can view from any web browser.
From St. John's, my total distance was 849 kilometers, however 380 km was the return trim from Clarenville. In other words, the loops and a fair bit of exploring resulted in 469 km.
My Tracks
Day 1: Getting to Trinity East
It is slightly quicker to take Route 230 directly from the Trans Canada Highway at the overpass between Clarenville, and Port Blandford, however Balbo Drive and Main Road take you through some nice scenery. If you're in the mood, you can take the train tracks which follow the road, you won't loose sight of the road. After the green bridge head for the road. Main Road turns 90º to the north (left) and it is easily missed. If you find yourself on Route 232 after Georges Brook, you're on your way to a 65 km round trip dead end to Bunyan's Cove. Do you think the road signs are vague to help tourism in that area?
Green Bridge
Since I was staying in Trinity East, I decided to ride north and take a 17 km gravel road from Rolling Cove which exits almost directly across from a trail to the house I rented in Trinity Easy. Literally the next lane over. There were many places to pick from, but I choose just a few to spend explore further. They were Red Cliff, Tickle Cove, and King's Cove, and they didn't disappoint.
Red Cliff, Tickle Cove, and King's Cove
From top to bottom, left to right:
- A kilometer past Tickle Cove down a easy trail
- Red Cliff
- Start of the trail past Tickle Cove
- Green bridge in Georges Brook
- 17 km gravel road (this passes Lockston Path Provincial Park
- Along the Tickle Cove trail
- King's Cove trail
Tickle Cove (top) and Red Cliff (middle and bottom)
King's Cove
- King's Cove Lighthouse Trail and Pat Murphy's Field
- One of many trails around King's Cove
- King's Cove Lighthouse
- View from the point
I think this picture pretty much sums up and perfect little King's Cove is. This would be a great spot to plan on stopping to eat whatever you packed (there's probably not a restaurant), lose the boots for hikers, or just relax.
Riding on, the 17 km gravel road is in better shape than some asphalt roads. Third and fourth gear was the norm with hardly any loose stone. Other than a couple ponds, there isn't much scenery. Lockston Path Provincial Park is 5 km from the Trinity side. I drove around the whole park and pretty much figured that the ~1-50 sites were on the better loop, with the exception that some river adjacent spots could be nice.
A nice lady, who happens to ride a G650 GS, moved to Trinity East from Ontario, set up several houses as rentals, and is in semi-retirement with style. Her places are just perfect and have a great view of Trinity and Fort Point Lighthouse. May we all be as smart as her.
Be sure to take the gravel trail between the Geo sign and the red building at the back of the parking lot. This is passable on street tires and the easiest way to find Eagle's Peak (the route by road is about as straight as a wet noodle flung at a wall).
Eagle's Peak
Day 2: Exploring the Trinity Area
As well as the amazing scenery just about everywhere, the highlights of this area include Trinity; and it's many shops, restaurants, and historic places; Fort Point Lighthouse; and the Random Passage fllm set just past New Bonaventure.
Trinity
There is so much to do in Trinity it really deserves it's own right up. Top of my list would be the shows put off by the fine folks at the Rising Tide Theatre.
- Mussel farm
- Restaurant at the docks
- View from the wharf (no guarantees my daughter will be there on your trip)
- Rising Tide Theatre at sunset
Fort Point Lighthouse
The lighthouse is visible from nearly anywhere in Trinity or East Trinity. Skip the left turn to Trinity and head south to Dunfield a few minutes down the road. The road turns to a well maintained gravel road about 4 km long. There are plenty of views along the way.
Random Passage
Admittedly, this is a film set and not authentic, however it is a great representation of life in rural Newfoundland a couple hundred years ago.
Note: You have to walk about a 1/2 kilometer so footwear other than motorcycle boots is probably a smart idea.
Q&A
If anyone comes up with a question, I'll edit this post #1.
Cheers
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