GPD323

If you have always wanted to try Canada, I say do it. That way years from now you won't be thinking you wish you had. There are some really beautiful areas but scenery gets boring to me. I want twisty roads and low traffic volumes. Problem with Canada is you are always on major roads for the most part. There is nothing like we have around here where there are lots of off the path narrow roads everywhere. Canada has nothing like that. The road system is very limited and because of that, all the traffic has nowhere to go except the main roads. Add to that, the speed limits are ridiculously low. Plus if you get caught 30 KM per hour over the limit they will impound your bike. Canada has nothing on Oregon, see map!

riceman

I don't know that I've ever regretted even the shittiest ride! any day on two wheels is a good one!

What I meant by disappointed is that I only have so many opportunities to sneak away for 3-day weekends (only a handful per summer). if one of those weekends is spent with two days on the slab and one day on roads with too many cars to enjoy the pavement, i don't know that the scenery will be able to make up for it. not if i can't even lay eyes on whistler. I might put off the Canada trip until i can weasel out of 4-5 days and spend more time getting there and more time up north. I'm not sure. good news is, the plan is to take this trip (wherever i end up) in mid august, so i have time to figure it out.


Maybe something like this will be more doable on a 3-day run until i can steal away more time off:

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Shel...47.5673202!3e0

GPD323

I have done that exact same route, only difference is I came in over the border in Sumas. Hwy 20 is OK for sure. More of and ST type of road. Omak to 97 to Oroville is fairly straight but not much traffic.

A few years back our first stop was Osoyoos and then east on 3. Cheers.

riceman

I've not hit 97 north of the omak area. I assume it's much like the rest of 97: boring, but a means to an end. I've only ridden 20 once, but absolutely loved it. My hesitation is that I'll be riding most of 20 once already this summer...

Oh well, there are worse problems to have =)

One thing I'll have to figure out is how long it takes to do the border crossing.

Arnbo

Not to mention the price of fuel.
Ridiculous prices! Per Litre

Flyboymedic

I've got pics!

Attached Thumbnails

   

Flyboymedic

I think you'd be happy with this route from all I've heard.

Although I've never done most of these roads, I've been figuring out that most of them are scenery type roads and the best roads for fast, out-of-the-way twisties are here in the US NW & NorCal.

All this talk has me wanting to go back up there and explore all those roads for the reasons listed previously. I don't want to wish I had done them and never did.

Cougar

I've crossed the border several times in the last few years and the longest it has taken me is less than 1/2 hour.

There's a ride report on the Icefield Parkway in this month's Rider magazine.

GPD323

Border crossing can be fast or not so fast. I have found coming back into the USA seems to take more time. I had to unload my entire bike of all side cases and top case, tank bag and open all my storage items to include the small cooler I carry. Was grilled for at least 20 minutes asking all sorts of questions about where I lived, where I was going, did I have a job? The last question the lady (USA Border) asked was if I had more than 15 thousand dollars on me!

Never did this going in to Canada. Get the enhanced DOL licence.

Personally Oregon and Northern Ca are the best places to go. You will never be on a side road like this in Canada.

Scribbles

One thing that Lower BC has that is unique is the several hundred miles of abandoned railroad grades open to motorcycles. Here's a route that uses 5 miles of the trail and gets you off the main highways.

LINK
(From Otter Lake to Thalia is gravel rd, from Thalia to Brookmere is rail trail. Both were in really good condition last year.)

Here's another, to get you away from the main highways. (All paved, IIRC)
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/49.2...!1m0!3e0?hl=en

Last year I did a 4 day loop riding from Hope to Rock Creek on the rail trail system.

Longrides

Be ready to pay more for fuel food and hotels it can be expensive there with all the taxes.

Me and the wife have done several trips up there, like it alot. Just not the prices.

We did Nighthawk crossing went west thru Manning park back to the states at Sumas on a 2 1/2 day trip. Did a four day trip to Nelson BC to.

riceman

still cheaper than a psychiatrist

well damn... that IS intriguing. I think i may have to revist that at a later date. I've got a couple buddies with adv bikes that would probably have a killer time with that!

I wouldn't have thought that BC would be void of twisty back roads, but i think you're right... it's more about scenery up there. I enjoy that too, but i was thinking i would find the best of both worlds. I don't know if 2 slab days are worth it to me to only see some pretty stuff. I will dwell on it some more and decide. I may have friends tagging along, so that may also change things a bit. Worst case scenario, we can dip up into canada, ride 3 heading east, drop back into wa and hit 20 back to their place. otherwise, maybe say to hell with it and run 99 north until we're tired of it and then figure something else out.

I do want to say thanks for all of the input. I was walking into this blind, not knowing what to expect and I feel like i have a lot better idea of what i'm getting myself into thanks to y'all. it's appreciated.

-Chris

Cougar

wtf??? $1.00 us = $.074 cn...

riceman

I'm told that, even with the exchange rate being in our favor, that things are still a bit spendier up there. Fuel and whatnot, i had been forewarned about. hotels and food though, i guess i should have assumed.

Scribbles

From last years trip,
Gas was about 80% more. (currently $3.66/Gallon Canadian)
Restaurants about 30-40% more.
Alcohol was at least 60% more.
Groceries were about 30% more.
Campgrounds were about the same.

With the current exchange rate, it's not too expensive.