Driving from Tampa, FL to Montreal, QC Canada

[AngryAmish]

Hi there. In mid-May of this year I will be doing my first long distance trip. 1500 miles. I'll be driving from Tampa, FL to Montreal, QC Canada.

 

My question would be. What kind of gearing should I bring with me for the trip ? How is the weather north of South Carolina. In Florida the only jacket I use is a Joe Rocket velocity mesh jacket. What do you recommend I use and bring (clothing). The longest I have done in a trip was from Tampa to Orlando.

 

Thanks !

[AngryAmish]

BTW I drive a 2007 Yamaha Royal Venture.

[BradT]

Mid May, you better have a decent coat, gloves, and gear to keep dry. Can be warm or cold. Most likely you could see both warm days cool/cold evenings.

 

Lets face it it's Canada and early in the year, be prepared, should not have to worry about snow.

 

Sounds like a nice ride, enjoy.

 

Brad

[Wade 2000]

I'm in central OH so I can give you the 2/3 way stats. May can have some cool mornings but after the suns up a couple hours its all good. Once you get up to the lakes it can be pretty cool even well into June so prepare accordingly.

You will love the Venture on the long ride. My wife and I routinely do 700+ miles per day with no complaints.

[AngryAmish]

Do you recommend overpants or just regular denim jeans and a rain pants in case it rains ?

[Venturous Randy]

Are you going to do any mountain riding, such as The Blue Ridge Parkway?

Also, are you going to join our little family?

RandyA

[AngryAmish]

I am going up the 95 all the way to NY, then take 87 north to Canada

[AngryAmish]

You know, I may just take the 81 North and get off at Blue Ridge Parkway. Is it chilly in the mountains in may ?

[Carbon_One]

Adding rain pants over your jeans will not only keep you dry but warmer too. A decent light weight jacket to break wind will keep you warm on those cool to cold riding times. Same can be said about adding a raint coat over the jacket. Layering with a sweat shirt helps a lot as well. You can always take stuff off if too warm.

Enjoy your trip and keep us posted on your progress.

Larry

[AngryAmish]

.......... and yes, Venturous

[AngryAmish]

Thank you Larry

[Jayceesfolly]

I am going up the 95 all the way to NY, then take 87 north to Canada

 

 

Unless you are a very experienced rider, I wouldn't go up 95 and travel thru Washington, DC & Baltimore, & Philly & Newark, & New York unless you have traveled that route before and are familiar with the traffic. The traffic is terrible and is a virtual parking lot during rush hours. I-95 is a very heavily traveled and congested route. I would avoid it unless you have a valid reason for going that way.

 

I would suggest you take 95 to I-26 just north of Columbia SC and then take I-77 to I-81 and follow 81 all the way to NY and cross over the border at Kingston and then QEW to Montreal. It is about 50 to 60 miles longer, but will save you a lot of hours sitting in traffic during rush hours in the cities.

 

Of course, if you want the excitement of close encounters with crazy cagers, go around the Beltway in Baltimore or DC at the beginning of rush hour when they still can drive at 75 MPH, before the rush begins and it becomes a parking lot! Everyone should experience it once in their lifetime.

 

I drove a truck to those cities on a daily basis for 6 years and the best time to drive there is between 9 PM and 5 AM. Outside of those hours, the traffic is so heavy that you can't make any time on the road.

 

That's my

 

 

Jim

[Barrycuda]

Unless you are a very experienced rider, I wouldn't go up 95 and travel thru Washington, DC & Baltimore, & Philly & Newark, & New York unless you have traveled that route before and are familiar with the traffic. The traffic is terrible and is a virtual parking lot during rush hours. I-95 is a very heavily traveled and congested route. I would avoid it unless you have a valid reason for going that way.

 

I would suggest you take 95 to I-26 just north of Columbia SC and then take I-77 to I-81 and follow 81 all the way to NY and cross over the border at Kingston and then QEW to Montreal. It is about 50 to 60 miles longer, but will save you a lot of hours sitting in traffic during rush hours in the cities.

 

Of course, if you want the excitement of close encounters with crazy cagers, go around the Beltway in Baltimore or DC at the beginning of rush hour when they still can drive at 75 MPH, before the rush begins and it becomes a parking lot! Everyone should experience it once in their lifetime.

 

I drove a truck to those cities on a daily basis for 6 years and the best time to drive there is between 9 PM and 5 AM. Outside of those hours, the traffic is so heavy that you can't make any time on the road.

 

That's my

 

 

Jim

 

+1 on the above quote. I too drove over the road and those are some of the worst spots to be in with a tank, let alone a 2 wheeler. I live in spring hill Florida, about 40 miles from Tampa. I use an overpants in the cooler and wet weather. For just win gear in he hotter months I have a set of FROGG TOGGS. I get them larger so they go over the jacket and pants. Other things to consider: hidden spare key, some phone numbers, a camera for great pics to send to us. I am sure others who have more knowledge will continuentondrop in, as those others have already. Safe riding!!!

[XV1100SE]

Saturday May 25th is the MarCarl VentureIn in Brantford, Ontario. If you come back thru Ontario you should stop in. Lot of local members as well as some from Upper NY State and Michigan are there. http://venturerider.org/forum/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=328&day=2013-5-25&c=1

 

7 hour ride from Montreal to Brantford - http://mapq.st/ZFrJnB. Depending on your timing, you could stop on your way to Montreal or on your way back. You could come thru the Detroit or Buffalo area.

Edited March 12, 2013 by XV1100SE

[Brake Pad]

New jersey is hard to get around

 

 

 

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=17932+Southwest+29th+Lane,+Miramar,+Florida+33029&daddr=36.9199242,-76.0478682+to:Qbiog%C3%A9ne+Inc,+Montreal,+QC,+Canada&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=43.113014,-73.556213&spn=1.70223,3.56781&sll=36.686041,-73.883057&sspn=7.477038,14.27124&geocode=FetzjAEdy2k1-ymTJ8Te6qPZiDGL_aGH1NjXzw%3BFXRaMwIdBJp3-yld65G-8uy6iTH4fPajj4hGtg%3BFbkwtgIdzz6d-yGByPQmONR9HClTAJAMaxrJTDGByPQmONR9HA&oq=montreal+QB&t=h&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=7&via=1&z=9

[djh3]

I'm looking at a simular trip only in Sept.I was trying to get a feel for the weather then also.

If you have rain gear that is the "standard" type poly/rayon or whatever it will give you some wind protection above what the Froggs will I belive. If thats what you have then I dont think you need chaps. I too think layers is the way to go, does your mesh jacket have the liner? Long sleeve t-shirts are a good base over the newer type wicker shirts. Sweat shirt under you jacket. My legs on this bike haven been a problem really getting cold with the lowers on the crash bars.

A tire plug kit with a way to inflate the flat if need be. I have one of the things that uses the c02 cartridge. Good luck and report back please.

I am in the center of the state and was looking at the I-75 to I-26 charlotte to 81 route to around saracuse route. I have a buddy that lives in NC that I would pick up when I got there.

[Marcarl]

I suppose it depends on the reason for you going to Montreal, but if it's for the ride, stay away from any cities, find some country to get around them. And even though the city may show up in a specific area, don't count it, it's usually a lot bigger than the map shows. And Hey, if you ride some country you get to see what the land is actually all about, and get to meet the folks who make it work.

And YES, you are welcome to join our VentureIn, you might even meet somebody you like. I know, Brad will be there, but he can be avoided.

[AngryAmish]

Hi everyone, left this morning from Tampa and arrived at Brunswick, GA. for the night. All is good, striving to arrive at Roanoke VA tomorrow evening. Will keep you posted!

[djh3]

So did you get the drivers backrest on? Hows it working for you? Enjoy your trip and stay safe man. When you start heading up into South Carolina you'll probably want to move over into the left side of the lanes, the right is pounded out pretty goor in spots so keep a heads up. Oh and they like to hide right there at the Ga SC boarder by that really pretty "welcome to" sign.

[motorcycle_1300]

I95 is a very busy road lots of trucks and lots of construction. you might want to take the more inland route.

 

up to Jacksonville to catch 95 then

I 95 to to I 26 to I 77

 

I77 to I 81

 

I 81 to Binghamton, ny then I 88 to I 87

 

I 87 to the border at Rouses Point

 

from there you know the way

 

I find this to be a lot easier than the I95 route Although the I95 route looks a few hours shorter there are several cities along that route with bigtime traffic jams that can eat those hours pretty fast.

 

However you go have Rain gear handy a swaeat shirt and your Jacket should be warm enough if you stay dry

 

have a safe trip

 

Al

[jonesy]

The inland route is a much more enjoyable ride. I've done both but prefer the inland route.

[BradT]

Not sure your routing but getting real cold up here hope you have some warm clothes. Also not sure your timing or plans but Marcarl has a meet on Saturday. Only Day's ride to Montreal after that.

 

Enjoy and keep us up to date on your plans.

 

Brad

[djh3]

It seems most everytime I have had to drive around that way I make atleast one extra lap. :rotf:I drive for hours and then go "hmm that looks familiar" You idiot youve been going in circles. Needs a bypass like Houston. Thru traffic goes on a road overhead and you dont get all the "local" traffic. Just folks trying to get the heck outa there.

[AngryAmish]

Hi everyone, arrived at Blacksburg Va last night. All went well. This morning heading towards Wilkes-Barre, Pa

[AngryAmish]

So did you get the drivers backrest on? Hows it working for you? Enjoy your trip and stay safe man. When you start heading up into South Carolina you'll probably want to move over into the left side of the lanes, the right is pounded out pretty goor in spots so keep a heads up. Oh and they like to hide right there at the Ga SC boarder by that really pretty "welcome to" sign.

 

Backrest is awesome, no fatigue!!!!!