Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Grizzly]

Thanks Grizzly - that looks great.  Too far for us at 5000-ish miles though I think.  That sort of mileage in a fortnight is fine with my friend and I, but I suspect our BSRs might get a bit vocal on the subject! 

I've printed it out and we can look at incorporating some of it at least though.

I don't want to try to put too much into this one trip, so that we see a lot, just passing through, with no time to stop and enjoy anything though.  Main emphasis on this trip has to be Canada, as I've never set foot in Canada, but been to the US lots of times, so if we're having to shorten any part, it needs to be the US part, as I want to see as much of Canada as I can - might never make it there again....

Jim

Well, that's completely understandable.  Not knowing what areas you've already seen, all I can tell you is that this next map will give you some of the best riding routes that I've ever traveled along and is now cut down to 3,200 miles.

Whatever you decide on I'm certain that you'll have the trip of a lifetime!

Ride safe & enjoy,
Grizzly

[Eqcons]

Well, that's completely understandable.  Not knowing what areas you've already seen, all I can tell you is that this next map will give you some of the best riding routes that I've ever traveled along and is now cut down to 3,200 miles.

Whatever you decide on I'm certain that you'll have the trip of a lifetime!

Ride safe & enjoy,
Grizzly

Many, many thanks Grizzly! 

Your input (and that of others!) is going to be invaluable in planning this trip, and as has been said, planning is half the fun! :-)

Flights are now booked and paid for - and I've emailed the dealership confirming we want the bikes.  We've had a look for a hotel for our first night, and it looks like the Quality Inn at Arlington, which is very close to the dealership where we are renting.

The serious planning starts now! 

Jim

[Bungy]

As others have said, unless you have an express reason to go, I would avoid eastern Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba, there's not a lot to see. You can easily find enough to do in western Alberta & BC. As Leo has mentioned, if you rent f/ GAHD you could head west to the Columbia Ice fields, north to Jasper, S to Kamloops etc. You could then easily spend 2 weeks exploring BC, ID, WA & western Montana. I don't think you should have a any problems w/ the bike crossing the border, it's a rental after all & you'll be returning it to the same place @ the end.

[Eqcons]

As others have said, unless you have an express reason to go, I would avoid eastern Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba, there's not a lot to see. You can easily find enough to do in western Alberta & BC. As Leo has mentioned, if you rent f/ GAHD you could head west to the Columbia Ice fields, north to Jasper, S to Kamloops etc. You could then easily spend 2 weeks exploring BC, ID, WA & western Montana. I don't think you should have a any problems w/ the bike crossing the border, it's a rental after all & you'll be returning it to the same place @ the end.

Thanks Bungy! I know what you are saying about there not being a lot to see in the Prairie area - but we've done lots of mountains, and sometimes just meandering along quiet, flat country roads, stopping where and when you feel like it for a bite or a beer can be just so relaxing! 

Jim

[JCZ]

Victoria (and the ferry ride over) are well worth the trip.

When I planned my first trip up to BC, I searched an annual average monthly weather report.....Aug is their best riding month (least amount of rainfall and best temps) however, you're still subject to rain even in Aug.

Make sure you have your passports and medications intheir original prescription bottle(prescriptions for each).

You've got a great route layed out, I'd just suggest adding Victoria.  You could catch a ferry in Seattle and go over to Bainbridge Island, ride north across Hood Canal Bridge to Port Angeles (a beautiful ride).  Then catch the ferry over to Victoria.

From Victoria (be sure to see the Butchart Gardens and Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria) head north to Departure Bay where you'll catch the ferry back over to Horseshoe Bay (just north of Vancouver).  There you'll want to stop at the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

Just a few more suggestions for you to consider for your route.  It's all an incredable ride.

I have taken a rental car across the boarder.  Don't think a motorcycle would be any different.

You might want to reconsider the points that Bungy makes.  The same applies to riding across North Dakota and much of Wyoming.  It can get pretty boreing out there (and very hot to)

[Eqcons]

Victoria (and the ferry ride over) are well worth the trip.

When I planned my first trip up to BC, I searched an annual average monthly weather report.....Aug is their best riding month (least amount of rainfall and best temps) however, you're still subject to rain even in Aug.

Make sure you have your passports and medications intheir original prescription bottle(prescriptions for each).

You've got a great route layed out, I'd just suggest adding Victoria.  You could catch a ferry in Seattle and go over to Bainbridge Island, ride north across Hood Canal Bridge to Port Angeles (a beautiful ride).  Then catch the ferry over to Victoria.

From Victoria (be sure to see the Butchart Gardens and Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria) head north to Departure Bay where you'll catch the ferry back over to Horseshoe Bay (just north of Vancouver).  There you'll want to stop at the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

Just a few more suggestions for you to consider for your route.  It's all an incredable ride.

I have taken a rental car across the boarder.  Don't think a motorcycle would be any different.

You might want to reconsider the points that Bungy makes.  The same applies to riding across North Dakota and much of Wyoming.  It can get pretty boreing out there (and very hot to)

Thanks JC - you've given some good tips there! One of our party will be carrying lots of medication, so that part is great to consider.  Your little route from Seattle to Horseshoe bay should fit in Brilliantly!  We will be spending our first riding night with my friend's uncle who loves in Gibsons (ferry from Horseshoe Bay!) so if we change from riding straight up from Marysville to going down to Seattle and catching the ferry to Bainbridge, and following your route, then as long as we get into Horseshoe bay early enough to take the other ferry out again, that day will be perfect!  

OR:  What about if we take the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston on Bainbridge?  Are we missing anything worth the extra miles to Seattle?

Jim

[Eqcons]

Thanks JC - you've given some good tips there! One of our party will be carrying lots of medication, so that part is great to consider.  Your little route from Seattle to Horseshoe bay should fit in Brilliantly!  We will be spending our first riding night with my friend's uncle who loves in Gibsons (ferry from Horseshoe Bay!) so if we change from riding straight up from Marysville to going down to Seattle and catching the ferry to Bainbridge, and following your route, then as long as we get into Horseshoe bay early enough to take the other ferry out again, that day will be perfect!  

OR:  What about if we take the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston on Bainbridge?  Are we missing anything worth the extra miles to Seattle?

Jim

Had a look at that, and it can't be done in one day due to ferry timings - the problem one is the Port Angeles to Victoria.    Might be possible if we reverse the route though, and do it at the end of the vacation, need to spend an hour or so on looking at ferry timings in that direction...

Jim

[Bungy]

Thanks Bungy! I know what you are saying about there not being a lot to see in the Prairie area - but we've done lots of mountains, and sometimes just meandering along quiet, flat country roads, stopping where and when you feel like it for a bite or a beer can be just so relaxing!  

Jim

If you plan to take hwy 16 f/ Edmonton to Saskatoon & 11 to Regina, you won't be doing any "meandering", they're both high speed four lane divided highways that bypass all of the small towns.

[Eqcons]

Jim, the route from Regina to Rapid City is a long, desolate stretch of road filled with potholes and even some stretches of gravel. And you also chance filling up with bad fuel on the North Dakota stretch. Based on that info, you may want to make 2 adjustments to your trip that will take you into three awe inspiring parks. Rather than going east from Edmonton to Saskatoon, if you ride south to Red Deer and Calgary you can then travel to Drumheller and visit Dinosaur Park. From there you can travel to Medicine Hat, Elkwater Park then on to Montana through the Wild Horse border crossing. Plus its a much better and more scenic way of getting to Billings, Gillette, Rapid City and Sturgis.

On your back into Canada from Montana, before getting into Lethbridge you can take a side trip and visit Writting On Stone Provincial Park. Another park that will take you into a totally different world and is well worth a visit!! Then taking the Crows Nest Pass highway will take you folks through the Frank Slide area, which is an absolute must see when in Alberta!!! The highway from there to Vancouver/Seatle is breathtaking but not nearly as busy as other routes through the US or Canada. I've copied some websites that might be of help.

And if your going through Lethbridge and planning to stay the night, the city has great accommodations, excellent restaurants and some beautiful sight seeing. My wife and I would be glad to get together when you folks and take you for a short tour. Just a thought. Jerry  

http://www.traveldrumheller.com/
http://www.cypress.ab.ca/Community%20&%20Culture/Communities/Elkwater/Elkwater_main.htm
http://milkriver.ca/tourism/camping-sightseeing/writing-on-stone-provincial-park
http://www.albertaparks.ca/siteinformation.aspx?id=177
http://www.frankslide.com/

Hi Jerry - many, many thanks for that! Just the sort of info we need to have when planning!   

Got to love this site! 

Not sure we were going to visit Sturgis - after all, nothing to see when the bikes are not in town - but your other suggestions are great.  And we'd love to get together with you and your wife if time and route permits, so let's see what we end up with, and we can arrange that.

Jim

[Eqcons]

If you plan to take hwy 16 f/ Edmonton to Saskatoon & 11 to Regina, you won't be doing any "meandering", they're both high speed four lane divided highways that bypass all of the small towns.

Some days even that is a break though, particularly on days when we need to make miles.  I've done two high-mileage trips that were just mountains, and while the scenery is great, day after day of it can get pretty tiring! 

But the meandering part  is when we usually don't take the main highways - avoid them and go through the little places.

I appreciate your point though, and I suspect we'll be following your advice! 

[Weasels]

Just wondering which dates you went with, I should be around in July. Depending on your route I could meet up and ride with you for a few days. Show you some sites.

[Eqcons]

Just wondering which dates you went with, I should be around in July. Depending on your route I could meet up and ride with you for a few days. Show you some sites.

Hi Weasels,

We are there from 19 June to 4 July.

Jim

[Weasels]

Leaving on a trip May 29, don't know my route yet. Just now it will be to the South West US. I might be meeting with Geezerglide June 12 in Phoenix. We are going to try to go to the South West GTG June 15 to 17, I should be home by the week of the 20th.

Bill

[Eqcons]

We can tie up closer to the time, then Bill - hopefully we'll have our route better planned by then.

Jim

[9 1/2 Beers]

Leaving on a trip May 29, don't know my route yet. Just now it will be to the South West US. I might be meeting with Geezerglide June 12 in Phoenix. We are going to try to go to the South West GTG June 15 to 17, I should be home by the week of the 20th.

Bill