XSNorth 2012

[hamjam]

Ah Poutine.... Heart attack in a bowl Lovely
Phil

I'll pass ok already have the shirt

[madmax-im]

You all know that this is shaping up to be a southern contingent of riders going up to Halliburton...we should organize a ride together...why not? Beats riding solo.

[madmax-im]

Need some advice on crossing the border...One possible route I googled takes me up I 81 all the way to Thousand Islands Bridge then west on 401....The other way would route me thru Buffalo either crossing at Peace bridge or further up at Queenston Lewiston Bridge...The route thru Buffalo takes me around Toronto area...and is actually further than the first route I mentioned.
so my question is which crossing is best? I have only been over the Thousand Islands crossing.

[dpotter58]

The route that came up for me is north on 81 to Alexandria Bay, west on 401 to Bellevile than north on 62

[DeanR]

Ben, and others coming from southern lands, cross at the Thousand Islands but take the Cape Vincent/Wolfe Island Ferry to Kingston instead of the bridge. An hour longer for me but way more fun. You get two boat rides! One free and the other cheap. Wolfe Island is full of windmills. I might do both ends of the lake, one for Friday and the other on Monday, if I can find some tolerable route around the west.

[Huron52]

The route that came up for me is north on 81 to Alexandria Bay, west on 401 to Bellevile than north on 62

I would suggest this route as well. If you don't need to go through Toronto on a bike, I wouldn't!

Now if you really really had to cross near Buffalo... I have heard Lewiston (just up the river) is better.... But then I would find a route that takes you north of Toronto on the west side of it.

[Phoenix Rider]

Ben, and others coming from southern lands, cross at the Thousand Islands but take the Cape Vincent/Wolf Island Ferry to Kingston instead of the bridge. An hour longer for me but way more fun. You get two boat rides! One free and the other cheap. Wolf Island is full of windmills.

Yes, the ferry is better for crossing over. The border customs are much more lenient. The Canadian side is nothing more than a booth the size of an outhouse and they seem really inconvenienced to get of their stool to ask you questions. Definitely avoid the city.

Wayne

[JeffH]

Southern Contingent group

You all know that this is shaping up to be a southern contingent of riders going up to Halliburton...we should organize a ride together...why not? Beats riding solo.

Agree, beats solo. I will likely travel up to western NY via WV or OH on June 23 or 24. That depends on the weather and what else is going on then. Will be staying about 65 miles southwest of Buffalo for a few days. Then on June 29 I will ride up to Buffalo and cross at the Peace Bridge. Same on the way back south on July 2nd. If you want to mess with riding the beautiful scenery zig-zag from MD-VA area up to BUF then we could meet up there in BUF early AM of Friday Jun 29, cross into Canada and ride north on the QEW to blow out the carbon. Toronto traffic could be a bit messy but we could have plan A,B,C or even possibly hook up with MaxiumPhil for the trip to Haliburton. Jeff

[Phoenix Rider]

I might do both ends of the lake, one for Friday and the other on Monday, if I can find some tolerable route around the west.

Hey Dean, If you decide to come to the rally and you want to go west on monday, I am off for that week. I'll be glad to pick a route and ride west with you.
Wayner

[madmax-im]

Yes, the ferry is better for crossing over. The border customs are much more lenient. The Canadian side is nothing more than a booth the size of an outhouse and they seem really inconvenienced to get of their stool to ask you questions. Definitely avoid the city.

Wayne

Awesome advice I will most likely be staying with friends in Phillipsburg NJ so heading up from there...I have done I 81 and over Thousand Islands Br. 6 times back in 2009. 2 trips to Jim Jordan's home and the third trip was when I trailered to XSNorth. I am not keen on city traffic at all and Dean... Thanks for the ferry suggestion that sounds like the way to go...

[DeanR]

Hey Dean, If you decide to come to the rally and you want to go west on monday, I am off for that week. I'll be glad to pick a route and ride west with you.
Wayner

Not an 'if' Wayne. Two XS weekends this year!,, although the actual XS will likely stay in the garage. Ohio (XSEast is always a must do) and Ontario. Much fun.

Still not sure about the Port Carling ST thing the week before.

[Phoenix Rider]

Not an 'if' Wayne. Two XS weekends this year!,, although the actual XS will likely stay in the garage. Ohio (XSEast is always a must do) and Ontario. Much fun.

Sounds good Dean. Have you booked your room yet?

Wayne

[madmax-im]

Not an 'if' Wayne. Two XS weekends this year!,, although the actual XS will likely stay in the garage. Ohio (XSEast is always a must do) and Ontario. Much fun.

Still not sure about the Port Carling ST thing the week before.

Yeah I feel exactly the same although I really would like to have the XJ at XSEast...more than likely I'll be taking the ST on both rallies...oh make that 3 rallies if I make the XSive Riders rally at the Iron Horse in Stecoah NC

[Phoenix Rider]

Yeah I feel exactly the same although I really would like to have the XJ at XSEast...more than likely I'll be taking the ST on both rallies...oh make that 3 rallies if I make the XSive Riders rally at the Iron Horse in Stecoah NC

BNE, It doesn't matter what you ride just as long as you show up safely.

Wayne

[madmax-im]

Hey Dean, If you decide to come to the rally and you want to go west on monday, I am off for that week. I'll be glad to pick a route and ride west with you.
Wayner

I too might be persuaded to tag along....