Hey all,
I just got back this weekend. I didn't end up coming back via the US (had to go back to Calgary), but I did spend quite a bit of time in BC. It was definitely worth it. I will post a longer story with pictures etc. but the short version is:
Rode through to Wawa without issue.
Got a speeding ticket in Wawa. OPP are EVERYWHERE on 17.
Hit rain just past Nipigon. Rain + lots of road construction = offroading. That was eventful!
Thunder Bay to Edmonton was very straight and very fast (110 kph limits on highway 1). Never saw one police car the whole time.
Saskatoon is a nice little city. If you're going to go to Saskatchewan, skip Regina.
I passed a kidney stone in Edmonton. I spent a night in the hospital drugged on morphine... let me tell you, that stuff is something else.
Rode the icefields parkway (93) - just brilliant riding through the mountains. Great scenery.
Rode through the Okanagen valley to get to Vancouver. More brilliant scenery, and the roads are fun too.
Stayed in Vancouver for 5 nights. I love that city. I'd consider moving there too. Did 99 to Whistler with a riding friend.
Rode to Tofino and Victoria. More beautiful scenery and pretty good roads.
Took BC highway 3 back through to Alberta, and up the Kananaskis highway - highway 3 was simply brilliant. Very technical road, and a dangerous place to lowside or lose focus (no guardrails and a sharp drop). BC riders are definitely spoiled with all their options.
Got back to Calgary, then rode trans-can back to Kenora.
Took 71, 11 from Kenora to Thunderbay. (Took 17 the first time)
Caught the Tobermory ferry on the ride home.
Summary:
28 days
12,000 KMs
2 moto repairs (had to replace the chain, and front right bearing. the bearing exploded on me at speed. that was an interesting experience!)
2 times a person made a left in front of me (1 in vancouver. I was close enough to tap her window. I only gave her the finger though; 1 in Calgary, I left skid marks on the road and was about a foot from her bumper)
lots of dodgy motels
lots of fast food
1 hospital stay
3 ferries
...all on a Ducati Monster 696. I was the only non-Harley/non-BMW I encountered the whole time (not including in major cities), and they played up all the stereotypes
here are a couple of my fav photos:
Saskatchewan Badlands (between Regina and Saskatoon)
http://hphotos-ash4.fbcdn.net/289002_10150262601193181_516058180_7799138_5426310_o.jpg
Near Jasper National Park (Maligne Canyon area)
http://hphotos-ash4.fbcdn.net/289747_10150266939978181_516058180_7842020_8312862_o.jpg
I just got back this weekend. I didn't end up coming back via the US (had to go back to Calgary), but I did spend quite a bit of time in BC. It was definitely worth it. I will post a longer story with pictures etc. but the short version is:
Rode through to Wawa without issue.
Got a speeding ticket in Wawa. OPP are EVERYWHERE on 17.
Hit rain just past Nipigon. Rain + lots of road construction = offroading. That was eventful!
Thunder Bay to Edmonton was very straight and very fast (110 kph limits on highway 1). Never saw one police car the whole time.
Saskatoon is a nice little city. If you're going to go to Saskatchewan, skip Regina.
I passed a kidney stone in Edmonton. I spent a night in the hospital drugged on morphine... let me tell you, that stuff is something else.
Rode the icefields parkway (93) - just brilliant riding through the mountains. Great scenery.
Rode through the Okanagen valley to get to Vancouver. More brilliant scenery, and the roads are fun too.
Stayed in Vancouver for 5 nights. I love that city. I'd consider moving there too. Did 99 to Whistler with a riding friend.
Rode to Tofino and Victoria. More beautiful scenery and pretty good roads.
Took BC highway 3 back through to Alberta, and up the Kananaskis highway - highway 3 was simply brilliant. Very technical road, and a dangerous place to lowside or lose focus (no guardrails and a sharp drop). BC riders are definitely spoiled with all their options.
Got back to Calgary, then rode trans-can back to Kenora.
Took 71, 11 from Kenora to Thunderbay. (Took 17 the first time)
Caught the Tobermory ferry on the ride home.
Summary:
28 days
12,000 KMs
2 moto repairs (had to replace the chain, and front right bearing. the bearing exploded on me at speed. that was an interesting experience!)
2 times a person made a left in front of me (1 in vancouver. I was close enough to tap her window. I only gave her the finger though; 1 in Calgary, I left skid marks on the road and was about a foot from her bumper)
lots of dodgy motels
lots of fast food
1 hospital stay
3 ferries
...all on a Ducati Monster 696. I was the only non-Harley/non-BMW I encountered the whole time (not including in major cities), and they played up all the stereotypes
here are a couple of my fav photos:
Saskatchewan Badlands (between Regina and Saskatoon)
http://hphotos-ash4.fbcdn.net/289002_10150262601193181_516058180_7799138_5426310_o.jpg
Near Jasper National Park (Maligne Canyon area)
http://hphotos-ash4.fbcdn.net/289747_10150266939978181_516058180_7842020_8312862_o.jpg
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