Hey Guys, I posted about a trip across Canada last week: http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.p...=canadian+advic
After some advice and reconsidering, we are deciding to stay in BC and drive to Hyder, Alaska and head down the Pacific Coast. Some of you guys recommended staying in BC, so I'm calling you out and asking for advice. :beer: Any and all tips would be appreciated. I know the rode from Fort Stewart to Hyder, Alaska is unpaved. However I've heard the roads in Canada can be rough. True? Camping in BC? Gas stations across more remote areas of BC? One of us has hardbags, I have soft bags I've used on long trips, I have GPS, crappy tent, good sleeping bag.... If you have any advice on other parts of the trip...let's hear it.
awlittle, May 24 2006, 09:17 AMHey Guys, I posted about a trip across Canada last week: http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.p...=canadian+advic
After some advice and reconsidering, we are deciding to stay in BC and drive to Hyder, Alaska and head down the Pacific Coast. Some of you guys recommended staying in BC, so I'm calling you out and asking for advice. :beer: Any and all tips would be appreciated. I know the rode from Fort Stewart to Hyder, Alaska is unpaved. However I've heard the roads in Canada can be rough. True? Camping in BC? Gas stations across more remote areas of BC? One of us has hardbags, I have soft bags I've used on long trips, I have GPS, crappy tent, good sleeping bag.... If you have any advice on other parts of the trip...let's hear it.
I did Calgary to Hyder last summer....you have absolutely fine roads all the way to Hyder and nothing past there other than about 20 miles of gravel to the Salmon Glacier. You'll have to backtrack to get home for at least part of the way though.
Since there is no road south down the coast from Stewart BC/Hyder you need to go inland to get to Seattle which I see on your itinerary or blast west to Prince Rupert and take the ferry. I'm more than happy to help you with routing and the things to look for such as camping along the way, places to stop, eats, etc...may even be able to hook you up with my sister and brother inlaw in Stewart to show you around a bit. It's a great trip with mostly exellent roads, all fine for a VFR, you have to be sure to get "Hyderized", just don't plan to ride the next day :beer: .
Drop me an email and I'll provide details, picts, tips, whatever...could even meet to ride part of the way if you would like (depending of course on when you plan to be through this part of the world). BTW, this is much better than your original plans, the best riding is in the Pacific Northwest for sure.
HenryCdn, May 25 2006, 07:52 PMIn my opinion, the roads in the southern half of B.C. are all very good to excellent. I think you have to go adventure riding to find any rough roads.
I would be happy to suggest a route up, down, across or a loop through B.C..
Glad to hear about the roads. Please suggest away....any route from Hwy 93 that goes to Jasper gets to Hyder and ends up in Seattle.....or any route that is good enough to demand a detour. :beer:
BTW-are the bugs bad in BC in the summer? I'm guessing yes.
It's a great trip with mostly exellent roads, all fine for a VFR, you have to be sure to get "Hyderized", just don't plan to ride the next day beer.gif
We have already tried to speculate what concoction "Hyderized" is... email sent your way Bob.
awlittle, May 26 2006, 07:45 AMGlad to hear about the roads. Please suggest away....any route from Hwy 93 that goes to Jasper gets to Hyder and ends up in Seattle.....or any route that is good enough to demand a detour. :beer:
BTW-are the bugs bad in BC in the summer? I'm guessing yes.
Bugs aren't too bad, but get worse as you head north. Most of the roads are fine, but you'll find the roads stateside may be a little better maintained. RCMP and enforcement will be hit and miss - there is current campaign for the month of May to slow down freeway speeders (bikes and cars)... and generate revenue!... but the enforcement is fairly random and shouldn't be an issue. BTW, make sure your camera has plenty of memory - the scenery will be spectacular. I have been through the Canadian rockies a lot (Banff/Jasper area) - remember that you can get nasty hail/snow/sleet on short notice almost any day of the year in the mountains - expect the unexpected, and lots of wildlife.
To find a good route for riding in BC and Wash State, I recommend you get a copy of Destination Highway (http://www.destinationhighways.com/). Their reviews and recommendations are pretty accurate and you'll find some excellent backroads and alternate routes that only 'the locals' know about :thumbsup:
Thanks for the info Thumper. I've looked at the destination highways' website and thought it might be a good idea. I'll be going pretty far north so I'll bring bug spray and stuff to clean bugs off the bike and helmet. I look at pics of Banff and Jasper at least once a day. Dying to get up there. I have a 256 meg chip for my camera and plan on picking up another one. Anyone Stateside gotten tickets in Canada for speeding? I can't imagine that they would even bother giving a noncitizen a ticket. Am I wrong?
You may also want to alter your route to include Whidbey Island instead of heading back to the interstate and slabbing to Seattle. Done that, total boredom. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whidbey_Island
Thanks veefer800canuck, just the stuff I was looking for. We had hoped to take a ferry to Victoria Island but the price is high for us. Breaking up the slab is always hoped for...
awlittle, May 27 2006, 10:48 AMAnyone Stateside gotten tickets in Canada for speeding? I can't imagine that they would even bother giving a noncitizen a ticket. Am I wrong?
They will ticket anyone - I believe it depends on your home state whether or not it shows up on your driving record at home.
Re: the Duffey Lake Road, the road is bumpy and rough but spectacular. It will be repaved for the 2010 winter Olympics (in Whistler) but in the meantime the road demands your attention. I rode it half a dozen times last year and always enjoy it, but it is challenging at speed and eats a couple of bikes each year. I have pretzelled (is that a word?) 2 licence plates on that road, even with lots of preload dialled in - the bumps are deceptive but add to the fun. Whistler deserves a one night stay at least. The road from Whistler to Vancouver (the Sea to Sky Highway) is a great road except it is being widened and upgraded for the Olympics, so expect construction delays... gives you a chance to admire the scenery!
If you do decide to take a BC Ferry, get to the terminal at least half an hour before departure and see if there are any bikes waiting before the toll booths. Bikes get a group discount (I believe 6 or more) and riders will often group together to get the discount. Good way to meet other riders too and pick their brains about favorite roads! If you are on Vancouver Island, the road south from Nanaimo to Victoria is a nice road and occasionally spectacular through the Malahat. Victoria is a bautiful spot to spend a night if possible.
From Vancouver, I would head south-east through Washington State and take the road from Marblemount to Winthrop - DH rates this the best road in the state - it is amazing with great views, twisties and fast sweepers - probably the best road in the Pacific Northwest. Marblemount is half a tank of gas from downtown Vancouver - I rode it a couple of weeks ago and I am still grinning. From there, you may want to scoot over and check out Mt St Helens (not far from Winthrop), which is amazing and just happens to be surrounded by awesome roads - twisty heaven with the spectacle of the mountain... a must see.
I am not sure when you are planning your ride, but if it is in August, don't forget we will be exploring Oregan etc at this ride/meet:
Forgot to mention that the provincial campsites have an on-line booking/reservation system. The provincial sites are highly regarded (clean, safe, well-maintained, inexpensive etc) but fill up fast. I don't have the link but Google is your friend. Once your have your schedule, you may want to start booking...
I have heard lots of stories about tourists showing up at campsites, only to be turned away because they are all pre-booked.
End of thread · 11 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 15 Jul 2006