Nova Scotia Backcountry Adventure Routes

14/04/2024

Winter is over, and everyone is itching to hit the roads and trails. Before heading out, it's important to take stock of what tools you take along in case of a breakdown.
I feel that it's important to be able to do some basic maintenance and fixes so that you know what tools are involved.

Go through the tools that are required to take off your front and rear wheel/tire. Use a length of rope to tie the motorcycle to a tree, lifting the rear tire off the ground. If you are planning on getting new tires for the riding season, practice taking a tube out and reinstalling it on the old tire before taking it in to get changed. More likely than not, you'll be getting a new inner tube with the new tire install anyway.

Figure out what tools and supplies you would need to bend back a bent shift/rear brake leaver. What would be required to fix a broken clutch or front brake lever. I carry both a small vice grip and stainless steel hose clamps. Duct tape, tie wraps, and tie wire are indispensable for temporary fixes.

05/11/2023

As promised, I've taken the time to put my thoughts together on the Wolfman E-Base WP rackless luggage system.
https://youtu.be/5N7mlwQrmlI?si=7oTxNeNaKkbuyc2U

22/10/2023

Into the wild

This summer didn't really turn out as expected. My planned one week NSBAR route mapping trip instead turned into a two day adventure.
As much as I don't mind challenging trail conditions, large and deep puddles were a definite factor in canceling this year's scouting trip.
My two day trip started with a mad dash from Bridgewater down to Clark's Harbour. There, I was able to get my complimentary picture of the Cap Sable Island light house in the background.

I then rode back across the causeway and joined the rails to trails to Barrington for my last fill-up. The Rails to Trails took me to Clyde River, where I took the Upper Clyde River Road into the backcountry.

I had to take a connector section of paved road from Middle Ohio up to Kemptville. Don't be fooled. This section of Highway 203 isn't for regular street only motorcycles. The deep tire grooves, full lane potholes, and grassy cracks prove challenging at high speeds. Fortunately, with minimal traffic, the oncoming lane is a good option in certain sections.

At Kemptville, you enter the backcountry until exiting at Bear River. For those wanting a comfortable overnight stay, Birchdale Lake (Lodge and Cabin) is about
20 minutes in from where the pavement ends.
I continued past Birchdale for an hour or so and broke off the main route for a scenic side route that took me to New France. This had the stone remains of an old logging community and some wonderful camping locations with fire pits and grills. Unfortunately, the planned route was washed out at a stream crossing, so I took a challenging connector trail to Balancing Rock. This is a totally out of character rock when compared to the surrounding terrain.

Back on the Langford logging road, I looped back to Toms Savanah (there must be a back story). Here, a Y in the road takes you up to Tusket Lake. A series of dams help create this reservoir. In a few places, I was able to ride on the dam to enjoy the view.

There are a few side trails that lead to picturesque camping locations next to the lake. I found a wonderful spot to set up my hammock tent and stayed the night.

The next morning, I pushed on only to find out a part of the trail was flooded near the dam overflow. This section was rough and had about 8-10" of water in it. I used my map (osmand app) to find a way around. Unfortunately, that route was fairly wet due to the wet summer as well. I recovered from a mid speed wobble while entering a grass hidden cranberry bog. Fortunately, the front tire was on high ground. After trying to do a kickstand pivot turn, dropping the motorcycle twice and just dragging it around, I headed back to the last dam.

In the video, I make a last-ditch effort to get out of there or be forced to backtrack a long way. I had a granola bar for breakfast, limited filtered water, and was exhausted from lifting the motorcycle up a few times. I didn't have cell phone reception since the day before, so there were limited options.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=u2_eNuquY6Q&feature=shared

Once through the last dam, overflow, it was straight logging roads sections. For those with fuel range anxiety, the most reliable gas station (has fuel and is open) is just outside of Bear River on the reserve (L'Sitkuk Gas Bar).
Bear River is a really unique town. The river is paralleled by a winding gravel road into the town and is every motorcyclists dream. This is the first connection with civilization, and there are some good options for a hot, sit-down meal.

20/09/2023

I would like to follow up on Insta360 One RS action camera. I've been able to refine video recording by integrating the lavalier microphone and Insta360 GPS remote into how I do adventure motorcycling.

After a bit of experimenting, I've settled on mounting the remote to the clutch side of the handlebar with the supplied strap. The ability to check the camera and remote status is stellar. The large start/stop record button works well with a gloved hand.

The lavalier microphone integrates into the helmet cleanly, once the excess wire is tucked away in the cheek pad. I snake out the end to plug into the camera when I need it. Otherwise, it just stays tucked away for commuting to work.

I find that setting the audio gain down to -12db in the camera reduces wind and voice, but still captures the exhaust/engine note.

Stay tuned for a sample video on my Clark's Harbour to Bear River adventure.

21/05/2023

"The Competition". Choosing an action camera. Part Two

Thank you for coming back for part two, the final of this series (final). I feel that user interface is an important aspect of an action camera.

The Insta360 One RS can be configured with a forward or backward facing display. The display is small due to its modular design but is perfect for Vlogging and changing some basic settings. Simple swipe and tap movements navigate you through the menus. I find that connecting with the phone app is an even easier way to make setting changes. There are multiple custom presets, so dial in your optimized settings, and you're good to go for most situations.

How video files are handled after recording is another important factor. Exporting wirelessly to a phone with the Insta360 app is a breeze. The "Stories" video editor portion of the app is a full featured video editor but limits output to 1440p. This can later be uprated to 4k.
A straight export from the camera to a phone or computer can be done up to 6k. This is dependent on the video recording settings.
For faster transfer of larger files to a phone or a computer, a micro SD card reader is the way to go.
Online customer support and a vibrant Facebook community help in answering any questions you may have. I feel that the Insta360 One RS will be a good addition to my future content creation.

The following video was edited in about 15 minutes using the Insta360 stories app. This was my first time using the app. It is just a straight, uninspired recording (first time using the camera). Please set your YouTube video quality settings to high for 1080p viewing.
https://youtu.be/_lIVcDml61Y

10/05/2023

"The Competition!" Choosing an action camera. Part One

As I start creating more content and preparing for this summer's big adventure, it's become apparent that I need to look into getting an action camera.

In the past, GoPro would be the go-to option. It has innovated hardware and software and has dominated the actiin camera market. With new improvements every year or two and an abundance of third-party accessories, GoPro is one of the best choices. As with most things in life, there is no unicorn action camera.

In the last few years, other companies have joined the market. I ended up settling on the Insta360 One RS with 4k Boost lens. What attracted me to this brand and this particular model was its modular design.

The camera is comprised of the core module (LCD screen/processor), lens module, and battery. As hardware components continue being developed or updated, it is possible to upgrade portions of the camera. At present, I only purchased the 4k boost lens option(GoPro Hero 11 equivalent). In the future, I will have the option to purchase the 360 lens. This is far less expensive than buying two cameras when entering the action camera market.
Another thing I considered was the ability to replace only a portion of the camera if something gets damaged.

A big selling feature for me was the mounting bracket that keeps the core module, lens module, and battery locked securily together. The mounting bracket incorporates the standard GoPro design and works with any GoPro compatible hardware. At $26, it allows me to mount a bracket on my helmet, handlebar, and tripod. To move the camera, you push a small button to open up the bracket. This means that moving the camera to different mounting positions doesn't require aiming the camera each time as well.

I was also drawn to the GPS Action Remote. It allows you to control up to 4 cameras. The buttons are motorcycle glove friendly, and the display is clear and back-lit. It displays important information such as the shooting mode and camera battery life. A large LED light turns from green to red (audible beep as well), indicating that recording has begun. In picture mode, it is also possible to take a picture on the fly without even touching the camera.

The size of the remote and mounting hardware makes it possible to mount it on the motorcycle's handlebar (on the clutch side). The remote can also put the camera in sleep mode. Pushing the large record button wakes up the camera. This is perfect for sections of a route where you don't want to record but want the option to start at a moment's notice. This not only saves battery power but memory card space and hours of editing.
One main reason I wanted to get the remote was for "drive by" video sequences. This usually involves setting up the camera at a set location, turning around the motorcycle, riding out of the scene, turning the motorcycle around, driving past the recording camera, and then coming back to collect the equipment. On narrow, double track, that would entail kickstand pivots. That's a lot of time that the camera is recording for a very short final edit.

Lastly, I was really excited by the inexpensive mic adapter ($26). It's small, well placed design allows for a lavalier mic to plug in and stash in the helmet. It also has a USB C power cord plug that can provide camera power from either the motorcycle's USB charge port or a large capacity power bank, stored in a motorcycle jacket.
The icing on the cake is the ability to change the mic audio gain in the camera. The close proximity of a lavalier mic in one's helmet leads to a lot of avoidable voice distortion.

06/05/2023

As adventure riders, especially those that go off-road, upgrades, repairs, and maintenance are an ongoing challenge.

For those of us on a budget, choosing between DIY, brand name, or knock-off accessories and parts can be a tough choice to make. How much time would it take to fabricate something versus buying something new. Will a knockoff be as good a quality as brand name product?

Those who followed my adventures last summer, possibly remember I had an accident early on in the summer (July) and ended up using my dad's Yamaha XT250 for the rest of the year. What I didn't share was, the corners I cut to keep my insurance claim low. All cosmetic damage was left untouched. Most of the cosmetic damage that needed fixing was in areas I wanted to change or upgrade.

Today's project was fixing my rear turn signal lights by installing an Amazon knock-off tail tidy, also known as a fender eliminator. Fortunately, I was able to reuse me existing OEM turn signal lights, seeing as they actually survived the crash.

The project was straightforward. It came with the Honda wiring harness that had to be made up.

Build quality and design were good for a knock-off. Big win for the $50 dollar kit compared to the over $200 brand name option.

What are you doing to prepare for this summers adventures?

One step closer to getting ready for my big adventure. The next post will be about "Supporting the competition."

03/05/2023

Hello NSBAR supporters. I really appreciate all those that have hung around for the few months of down time over winter.

Even though it's been quiet on here, there has been a lot of things happening in the background, in preparation for my August NSBDR ride. I've been putting 2-4 hours a week into riding the roughest double track I can find to start conditioning myself. I would like to include you in this journey.

Over the next few months I will be preparing my motorcycle for this trip. A lot of the preparations will be home fabricated DIY projects. I will also share my ideas for inexpensive waterproof panniers and how to mount them.

To leave you hanging as to what is coming next I'll leave you with a picture to keep you guessing about future content.

Please be safe on the roads as many of you start this year's adventures.

26/03/2023

After a few months off, plans are being made to ride and map the NSBAR. I got my Rally back from the dealer and need to start making the required modifications to hold luggage for a weeks worth of backcountry travel. Stay tuned for future updates

19/11/2022

With winter around the corner there are still a few options to safely travel to local trails on sunny days.

Heidenau K60 Scout tires are available in a mud/snow compound. They come in a lot of sizes and are very well priced for a tire made in Germany.

For those concerned about road salt and frozen garden hoses, there is a simple and inexpensive solution. A pressurized spray bottle is perfect for spraying warm, soapy water in hard to get to spots.

06/11/2022

Hello NSBAR followers!

What a way to end the summer!! Today, I was able "prove" the Aylesford Rd to Highway 12 to Highway 14.

Thanks to those that gave me feedback on the start of the Highway 14 to Highway 101 sections (David Cullicutt Road, Canaan). Since I was there, I checked out the first few KMs.

To conclude, the NSBAR route that has been proven so far, is Cape Sable Island to Highway 14. That is roughly 500km of the 1300km

25/10/2022

Fall adventures can be some of the most rewarding experiences. Not only are the temperatures more comfortable but the views are breathtakingly stunning.

I find my riding style changes in the fall. After a summer of blasting through kilometers of gravel roads to reach a destination, I now find myself exploring for the best views.

With rocks and branches now hidden under leaves and once dry puddles filled again, it's nature's way of saying, slow down and enjoy the moment.

My favorite trails/roads this time of year, are the ones where the trees grow in a way that makes you feel like you're going through a tunnel. What are your favorite adventures?

P.S. I will start adding a video component in future posts. Thanks for bearing with me as I learn how to do that.

https://youtu.be/mV2S12i7czM

Changing Riding Conditions

15/10/2022

Assumed risk and private land use.

As explorers of the great outdoors, (on adventure motorcycles) we assume a certain amount of risk. Being out of our comfort zone and experiencing the unknown, is a great part of this adventure.

A challenging topic is landowner permission and respectful land use. Long adventure routes are often dependent on the permission of landowners to use private trails and driveways to link routes through public lands.

This week, I encountered such a scenario. I had discovered a route that links Bridgewater to Middleton on mostly gravel roads and trails. A small section of this route goes through a Christmas tree farm and private forest. The landowner was generous enough to leave this route accessible and posted clear signage for the public.

This is putting the landowner at great risk for potential excess noise and damage to road surfaces due to heavy acceleration. As adventure motorcyclists, we need to educate ourselves where these areas are, adhere to posted rules and be considerate in our riding methods.

To all landowners on the fence (no pun intended) on this topic.... yes, there are sometimes a few bad apples that wreck it for all of us. As stewards, entrusted with land (I have a trail going through my land), the shared use of private, land is one of the best gifts we can give to others.

Please share your thoughts and experiences on this topic.

11/10/2022

Waking up to the pattering of rain, knowing it's just going to be one of those days. Packing things up wet after a hurried breakfast. A full day of riding with hopefully a break in the weather. No such luck. Hours of riding in the rain and getting fully soaked through....

We've all been there. The weather doesn't cooperate for every adventure. Sometimes the best natural scenes are experienced in varying weather conditions. Often our best memories are made through overcoming these adverse conditions.

At the end of a day like this, where do you stay and try to dry out? As an adventure motorcyclist, it's challenging to have a schedule (and stick to it) and enjoy the freedom of ending up wherever you are at the end of the day.
Pre-booking a hotel or airbnb can be challenging. This is where accommodations, such can be found at Birchdale Lake are perfect.

Being over 8 km off the tarmac just next to Nova Scotia Backcountry Adventure Route, this wilderness paradise with it's off the grid cabins is the perfect treat after a long day riding. Owners, Sarah Garton Stanley and Tracey Erin Smith are welcoming and accommodating, making one's stay a memorable one.
Being off the beaten path (isn't that what we are all looking for) Birchdale Lake often has last minute openings available, perfect for an adventure motorcyclists relaxed schedule.

Please share your experiences of having to find last minute accommodations after a day of riding in the rain.

For more information on Birchdale Lakes please go to:

https://birchdalelake.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/147323925305587/?ref=share

01/10/2022

How do you plan your adventure? In an era of modern technology, is true adventure still a thing? Is true adventure only experienced with using paper maps? Or for the purist, is it picking a destination and stopping for directions along the way? Once a route has been chosen, is it important to reach that goal with exact navigation? Or is deviating from the original planned route part of seeing where the journey takes you?

Is the adventure the journey or the destination?

Maybe an adventure is all of those things and yet none of those things. If we are honest with ourselves, how we experience life is complex and wonderful! Who we are as people, often reflects how we choose our adventures. Uniquely individual.
Some of us may need the little extra certainty that modern electronic navigation offers. Maybe it is a tool that allows us to push further into the unknown. For others, the adventure is exactly not knowing and the experience of figuring it out on the way.

Share your methods of planning your adventure routes? Have your methods evolved over time or have they stayed the same?

20/09/2022

Small towns are essential for adventure motorcyclists!
Sunday finally arrived. My much anticipated Nova Scotia highway 8 to Kemptville route had been poured over for weeks. I had made some last minute changes that shortened the route but also reduced the amount of travel on tarmac.

On this adventure, someone joined me that I hadn't met in person before. Mostly I scout out the NSBAR routes solo.

Introductions aside, we traveled the 22km of tarmac from the kejimkujik where we met up to Victory Road (ROUTE HINT!). We slowly got into the rhythm of gravel road travel with it's constantly changing conditions around every corner.

After changing positions from leading to following, I noticed that my riding partners rear tire looked like it rippled under hard acceleration. Being new to motorcycling and only haven riden gutless, small displacement motorcycles it didn't sink in.

Fast forward to Bear River for fuel and lunch..... Upon arrival we found out the gas station was out of fuel. Being the last stop before going out into the middle of nowhere I wanted to avoid fuel range anxiety. One of the locals that happened to be there at the same time, suggested we could follow him to the First Nation's Gas Station.
What a relief! Filled up and ready to go, I had this niggling thought that something wasn't quite right before we headed out on our backcountry adventure. Sure enough, I noticed my riding partners rear tire just didn't look right. My gut feeling was right and it was so low, it didn't register on a tire pressure guage.
Unfortunately, the gas stations customer air compressor wasn't working. Back down to Bear River we went to the first gas station. No luck. Fortunately for us, the good samaritan happened to come back to the gas station we first met him at.
Being a local and knowing a lot of the towns people, he had us on our way in less than 30 minutes.

We were able to continue on our adventure due to the kind and helpful actions of this citizen of Bear River. You made our day!

This experience, further strengthened my resolve to continue working on the NSBAR because it will bring me through these little communities and maybe in a small way the extra tourist traffic will revitalize small towns in our beautiful Nova Scotia.

For those still following, please share your small town experiences while traveling around Nova Scotia (comment below)?

If you're wondering, the Highway 8 to Kemptville Route was a success and is doable for large adventure motorcycles as well!

P.S. I apologize for not having adventure photos. It rained most of the trip....

15/09/2022

As many of you know, when I come up with an idea, I usually try to think outside the box. Well this is one of those occasions.
I've come up with a concept that will allow adventure motorcyclists a preview of more challenging parts of their travel route.

I have called it Scoute The Route.

What is Scout The Route and who is it for?
It is actually for anyone who wants to enjoy Nova Scotia's Backcountry trails and gravel roads. Whether it be adventure motorcycling, hiking, mountain biking, off highway vehicle travel or overlanding with a 4x4.
Scout The Route will include videos and pictures of challenging trail sections, backcountry camping locations, historical points of interest, geological points of interest, etc.
It's primary purpose is to provide riders of varying sized adventure motorcycles and varying skill levels a preview of hill climbs, rough sections in the trail, water crossings, muddy sections, etc before embarking on their adventure. This information will be pinned on the map of a GPS route and then linked to the appropriate video or picture for viewing.

To make this happen, I need to acquire some more equipment for creating this digital content.

Over the next few months, I will be coming up with a multi tiered (early adopter perks) crowdfunding campaign and I need your help.
There will be something in it for everyone. Early adopters of the NSBAR will be the first to have access to various features provided by Scout The Route and route sections of the Nova Scotia Backcountry Adventure Routes based on donation amounts.

Stay tuned for further news and upcoming campaign

09/09/2022

Who is NSBAR for?
Those interested in exploring Nova Scotia on remote gravel roads and trails on their street legal adventure motorcycles.

What skill level is required?
Basic gravel road and trail skills. All routes are double track and as such provide you with different lines to choose when navigating various terrain.

Moderately difficult sections might include a hill climb with a clear line to choose (not steep), a short section of rough rocks that can be easily driven over (little clearance needed) and sections with some puddles and mud (but nothing that one can get stuck in). Moderate difficult sections are short and often have a visible work around.

Difficult sections would include steep hill climbes with no clear lines to choose (rocky), more than ankle deep mud, water crossings with more than 8 inches of water, and prolonged sections with large boulders to navigate over and/or around.

Difficult sections will have work around options but may be on tarmac.

What type of motorcycle is needed?
A motorcycle that is designed to clear objects on the trail, provide adequate suspension travel for rough terrain, have moderate fuel range and is fitted with tires appropriate for tarmac and off road travel. The motorcycle needs to be road legal because route sections are connected by paved, public roads.

09/09/2022

At age 43, my life changed (for the better). I discovered adventure motorcycling. With much deliberation, I purchased a motorcycle and proceeded to teach myself how to ride. Being winter and me being impatient, I learned to ride on rail trails in varying conditions of snow, ice and slush. I wouldn't recommend picking up a downed motorcycle on a sheet of ice for those considering my crazy antiques.
Fast forward thousands of kilometers and a motorcycle endorsement, I still drive to work year around unless there is a sheet of ice on the road.
Having exhausted local trails, being inspired by Backcountry Discovery Route videos and Itchy Boots adventures, I decided I needed my own adventure.
Thus was born the idea of the coast to coast Nova Scotia Backcountry Adventure Routes (NSBAR) project. This endeavor, is meant to make accessible, the resources needed by others to experience their own adventures in Nova Scotia.
Many thanks to individuals in Nova Scotia Facebook groups for sharing trail advice and the various people that have come on last minute rides to "Prove" a trail.