"Mark B" <mark_bert@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ee34047e-5464-41cb-a86d-cb7fca30d3db@p25g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> Thanks to all for the input. If there's any interest, here's the route
> we'll be taking http://tinyurl.com/5w29zc . I'll post a ride report
> when I get back.
>
> Mark B

Mark, I'm about a 3 hour ride from the Tobermory docks serving that boat and
have taken it a few times- it runs 4 times per day (fewer in off-season).
On one occasion (mid August) I arrived 1.5 hours ahead of the crossing time
(11am) I wanted and did not get on, I was bike # 21 and they only had room
for 20 bikes. (of course I was first in line for the next crossing 5 hours
later :-) ). They do take reservations for the first (6:30am ?) and last
(10:00pm ?) crossings.

Usually bikes go on first but they do have additional tiedowns if it's not
full, it can handle 2 or 3 hundred cars and transports on 2 levels. Also,
how many bikes and riders in your group - the cost may add up quick.

You may want to consider traveling down the east side of Georgian Bay and
not using the ferry - it's a bit longer in distance (maybe 60-80 miles) but
you'll save 4 or more hours in time. The hwy (69 and 400) from Sudbury to
Barrie is about 150 miles of great scenery riding through the Canadian
shield, (100 foot granite rock walls, lots of lakes, not much traffic, 4
lanes for the most part). A few very nice towns exist as well.

From Barrie to Toronto it's 6 lanes - expect very heavy traffic on Sunday
evenings etc. however other routes do exist. If you do take the boat route
you shouldn't see much traffic till you're about an hour out of downtown
Toronto.

If you want more info, email me off-line.

Tim.