On Tuesday of this week, my wife, son and I had planned our trip to Vancouver Island for the summer. We set the dates, booked the time and picked the place we would stay. I was just thinking ahead of what the truck should be packed up with and just asked " are we bringing any extra tents/sleeping bags just in case additional family joins us ?". My wife looked at me and laughed and shook her head no, "Cole and I are flying, we will rent a car for cruzin the Island. You can take your bike and enjoy your trip down and use it as "prep time" for the SUMSUM ride, as it would be "the smart thing to do". BAZINGAAAA!!!!! who am I to argue.
I camp and Wapiti Campsite in Jasper and have family that I see in the Nelson / Crowsnest area. As your well aware of the roads out of here, West or South are flat and straight and your lucky if you don't fall asleep and not a whole lot of "epic corners" to pick from.
When you get to Vernon, take Westside Road - you'll avoid a huge part of Hwy 97 right through Kelowna and be treated to a decent road with nice views.
Head North just a little, it dumps you out on the otherside of Okanagan Lake.
On the other end, you might want to adjust and go North from Castlegar, take the ferry across from Balfour to Kootenay Bay and hit the DH1 connecting back up to your route in Cranbrook.
Not exactly sure where I'll be that week(end) but if you need anything in the Okanagan Valley, feel free to touch base. (lunch, bed, etc.)
didit,
I plan to email you and see you for lunch and give you some of the loot for the SUMSUM gits. I am trying to get a buddy of mine who rides a KTM to join me, but he might be a week ahead of me when he goes to the island. Keep you posted.
I generally like to go out 39 from Leduc to 22 to Rocky Mountain House then 11 to Sask crossing then either North or South from there. I find the scenery better than just the straight shoot to Jasper. I hate that Jasper stretch. Hope you get rid of your Alberta strip while you are in BC. Just be careful of their 40 over law.
I haven't made my definite plans of when I'm going yet but I migh be in Vancouver around the same time you are. And then I'm riding east to Banff. Maybe we can meet up for a ride around Duffy loop with a few of the other guys who are up there.
[image: View Post]Nighman, on 25 March 2012 - 06:40 PM, said:
I generally like to go out 39 from Leduc to 22 to Rocky Mountain House then 11 to Sask crossing then either North or South from there. I find the scenery better than just the straight shoot to Jasper. I hate that Jasper stretch. Hope you get rid of your Alberta strip while you are in BC. Just be careful of their 40 over law.
I do like the Leduc / Rky Mtn route, but this trip my brother in law might meet up with me in Jasper. He will be coming in from Kamloops. I dont worry about the 40 over as I never see a ticket.... I dont speed. The money I save goes back into the bike / trips plus I hate giving money away for no real reason.
[image: View Post]tc339, on 25 March 2012 - 06:58 PM, said:
I haven't made my definite plans of when I'm going yet but I migh be in Vancouver around the same time you are. And then I'm riding east to Banff. Maybe we can meet up for a ride around Duffy loop with a few of the other guys who are up there.
I will watch your thread and when you get near the area, send me a PM.
[image: View Post]rdguy, on 26 March 2012 - 10:37 AM, said:
If you're planning on overnighting in Golden, Mary's Motel is used to bikers and is walking distance to a couple of pubs and restaurants.
Glenn
I have been there before, and there is also a great bed and breakfast in Revelstoke BC thats about $60.00. Name fails me but I know how to get there, a few good camp sites as well.
[image: View Post]Squamishvfr, on 26 March 2012 - 11:44 AM, said:
PM me if your up my way I'll do the loop with you.
Not sure what days off I will have.
I will let you know when I will be in Vancouver area. I still have to call Polarbears wife and ask if she can give him some sort of "day Pass". when I return, I know that I am leaving on Saturday the 14th about 10am and make my way back home.
[image: View Post]Gerrys02800, on 26 March 2012 - 01:38 PM, said:
[image: View Post]Squamishvfr, on 26 March 2012 - 11:44 AM, said:
PM me if your up my way I'll do the loop with you.
Not sure what days off I will have.
I will let you know when I will be in Vancouver area. I still have to call Polarbears wife and ask if she can give him some sort of "day Pass". when I return, I know that I am leaving on Saturday the 14th about 10am and make my way back home.
[image: View Post]BCmcrider, on 26 March 2012 - 03:11 PM, said:
I'm sure you know by now that you are welcome at my place if you make your way to Vancouver Island. If nothing else, we can do a loop around the area.
BC
I appreciate that and am well aware of it. I will have free time during the week as Theresa and Cole will go fishing again with my brother in law and his wife & son. They charter a boat and head out to sea for a few hours. I on the other hand, can just make it over on the ferrys before I begin to hurl chunks will not be going fishing ( river bed fishing only). I hope to meet Squamish and Polar even if it was just for a breakfast in Vanc/Surrey/Richmond on my way over.
[image: View Post]JoeBlow, on 27 March 2012 - 10:53 AM, said:
If you have time I would be happy to buy you a coffee as you come through Calgary.
Looking to do a similar trip out to BC this year - some great riding as you get into the mountains.
I will bug you before that, I am in Clagary at least every second weekend once the snow melts. I do day trips / weekend trip into BC. Leave work on a Friday, come back home late Sunday. Your more than welcome to join, anyone is.
[image: View Post]Gerrys02800, on 27 March 2012 - 11:04 AM, said:
[image: View Post]JoeBlow, on 27 March 2012 - 10:53 AM, said:
If you have time I would be happy to buy you a coffee as you come through Calgary.
Looking to do a similar trip out to BC this year - some great riding as you get into the mountains.
I will bug you before that, I am in Clagary at least every second weekend once the snow melts. I do day trips / weekend trip into BC. Leave work on a Friday, come back home late Sunday. Your more than welcome to join, anyone is.
Been riding my CBR 954 for the last 10 years but, now that I have added a VFR to the stable, will probably only use the CBR for shorter outings. Put on about 4500 km on a VFR in NZ this last Christmas so am familiar with the bike ... just not the specific one I purchased a few months ago :) Going to see if I can get the VFR home this weekend as the weather looks nice-ish through Saturday. Give me a chance to get the hard bags on and the GPS mounted.
Most of the snow is gone but the roads are still covered with gravel. There are some clowns on their bikes ripin around the city. I was on my way home last night in my truck and one guy was in front of me on his Shadow. He was looking down at the ground as the 18 wheeler in front of us launched rocks from his tires pelting my windshield and his helmet. I had to really back off and gave the rider at least 6 car lengths just in case he needed wiggle room ( single lane road ). Way to much gravel on the roads to be on a bike and the risk of going down is not worth the loss of my bike or life. There is a big difference in being excited and stupid about the season starting.
G.
Yep. They have a hot tub there, too. I've stayed there when doing the Golden Triangle on my road bike. Pretty good hotel and close to food and shops.
Sounds like a good trip, Gerry. Have fun!
[image: View Post]rdguy, on 26 March 2012 - 10:37 AM, said:
If you're planning on overnighting in Golden, Mary's Motel is used to bikers and is walking distance to a couple of pubs and restaurants.