Canada West 2010 HU Meeting
 

Hello Members,

Anyone riding from Vancouver area to the Canada West HU meeting? Would like to hook up with others for the trip.

When are you planning on heading out? A few of us are leaving on the Wed. :scooter:

I've never travelled to that part of the Province, so not sure how long it takes from Vancouver to Nakusp. If you guys are leaving on Wednesday, I assume that it will be a fairly leisurely ride with stops along the way?

Wednesday may work for me.

I will post again when I have firmed up my schedule.

Thanks

A leisurely ride for sure. Planning on getting there early afternoon on the Thursday. Keep me posted on what you decide.

Thanks. Are you guys planning on taking the Coq?

I will most likely head there from Victoria as well. But my life is a bit up in the air right now. So who knows what will happen.

Last year I rode from Nakusp to Victoria in one day (about 700km's). So it's doable but I would definiltely recommend doing it in 2 days or at least 1 1/2 days to take better advantage of the great ride.

I'm also hoping, time permitting, to do as much of it off pavement as possible since I need the practice and experience.


...Michelle
www.scrabblebiker.com

I'm new to the dual sport scene, so the trip to Nakusp will be the longest ride I've taken. I think taking Hwy 3 to Grand Forks and then Hwy 6 to Nakusp may be a more scenic route, albeit longer. Long way round?

I can definitely attest to the fact that your suggested route is the most scenic one. And yes, it is a bit longer. The Coquihalla is actually reasonably scenic as well but it is a four lane, limited access highway and not really my thing. If you have the time do take Hwy 3 and 6.


...Michelle
www.scrabblebiker.com

Thanks for the advice Michelle. Hope to catch up with you along the way or in nakusp.

Thomas

I'm planning to leave on the morning of the 11th and take HWY 3 & 6 .... likely stop overnight in Midway, BC That's about 450 Klm from the Lower Mainland so a nice campsite by the Kettle River should look good by then.

Anyone else decided to go this way?

Hwy 3 & 6 seems to be the more scenic and leisurely route. I am trying to work my schedule to leave Vancouver on the 11th, but was considering a one day ride all the way to Nakusp. However camping half way seems a better plan. Problem is that I wasn't planning on bringing cooking gear.

Daryll (BlackBeast) is also leaving Vancouver on the 11th.

Perhaps we could all ride up as a group.

I will be leaving early a.m. of the 11th (probably 6:30 a.m.), stop in Hope for a bit of breakfast and then onward to Midway. Should get in to Midway in the early afternoon.

I will camp at Midway Riverfront Park Midway Campsite - Home Page

Pytheas, do you expect to leave early on the 11th?

John

to Nakusp leaving afternoon of the 11th
 

Greetings

I am planning on leaving say around 2pm on the 11th and camping at one of the forestry campsites along the Kettle river and then take the backroad over to hwy 6. Makes a nice trip..any interest out there.

Kevin

Kevin,
If you are available to leave around 9:30 on Wed, you welcome to join myself and 3 other riders heading in that direction. :scooter:

I have just registered....although not without some trepidation involving the possibility my bike will breath its last somewhere between here (Arizona) and there (Nakusp). On the other hand, Ive been talking this way for tens of thousands of miles, so I stand a good chance of seeing you all in a few weeks.

I have not been able to pay for my registration. The payment page seems to think that I should use my Paypal account, which I do not want to do for various obscure reasons. It refuses to accept my credit card instead, although the card company says they are not denying any charges. Then Paypal charges the card a dollar each time it is refused. It is all very mysterious, and I do not find it comforting that Paypal can access a card which I have not registered for their use, despite the fact that I am not using them for the transaction.

Anyway, maybe that will all sort itself out....somehow.

I am now 40,000 miles into a 42,000 mile trip, more or less---from Washington State to Tierra del Fuego and back by way of, in essence, everywhere possible. There is no way I will be in any sort of shape to make a presentation of any kind, but I would gladly participate in a question and answer period or panel discussion or anything of that nature, if someone wants to organize such a thing.

Otherwise I guess I will happily answer random questions which come up from any quarter, but questioners might wish to bear in mind that I tend to get less focused while simultaneously markedly more garrulous in proportion to the amount of beer available. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Lastly, if there is someone who can bring to the meeting a wrench appropriate for changing out my KLR countershaft sprocket, this would allow my very weary bike to perhaps ride around on dirt roads and trails this one last time before it expires. The right tool for the job is a socket and breaker bar plus a pipe extension, or a giant crescent wrench, or anything simiar. Please let me know if you can provide such a thing.

Thanks much, and thanks to the organizers!

Mark

(from the high Arizona desert, where frighteningly intense lightning storms wander hither and yon throughout the afternoons and evenings, causing flash flooding and a degree of nervousness in the intrepid rider-of-motorcycles, but no apparent lasting damage)

A new neighbor
 

'Oly smokes, you're in Bellingham? I live there (well, it's "here" for now), and am new to both HU and motorcycle riding. After signing up for news from the Lummi Island Group, and deciding that rumors of their existence have been greatly exaggerated, I figured I'd meet people from anywhere but here.

Will be posting questions about the Naskup meeting and such. And, being new, planning to come by 15-year-old, 4-cylinder, manual shift pickup truck (does 60 on hills, but only on the downhill side), since being already fully outfitted isn't a requirement for coming and getting an introduction to this life.

I'm heading to Tok tomorrow, then into Canada and down to Nakusp. Am planning on going the Route 37 and 16 way, rather than the traditions Alaska highway. The Lonely Planet (and a rider I met) suggest it's "better". Anyone got any thoughts?

Personally, I do find the Cassiar Highway (Hwy 37) more interesting. A side trip to Telegraph Creek (250km's return) is quite nice. Another interesting little side trip is from Meziadin Junction to Stewart, BC and Hyder, Alaska. When in Hyder you can get Hyderized if you wish :-)
A little further south, at Cranberry Junction, you can turn off southwest to New Aiyansh for a bit of gravel road and go through a geologically recent lava field. This spits you out into Terrace.


...Michelle
www.scrabblebiker.com

From Hyder go north on the only road out of town--up and over, down the other side, explore at will. Wonderful gravel and dirt roads through amazing terrain and scenery. To miss this part is to waste a trip to Stewart/Hyder.

And yes, Bellingham. Glad to meet. Most of my friends stayed at home watching TV and tending their lawns while clamoring for photos and written descriptions. If you're coming by truck, any chance of bringing a set of half inch sockets, breaker bar and short length of pipe for my countershaft sprocket?

Mark

(from some little town in an unexplored corner of Nevada)

I'm sure someone will have an assortment of tools that might do the trick.

Ah, an optimist. My countershaft sprocket was installed about 20,000 miles ago....with a crescent wrench and a long section of steel pipe. Normally, these items are not part of a motorcyclist's toolkit. I'm trying to ensure that I'll be able to downsize my sprocket--else there'll be no dirt riding for me.

And about Bellingham: it seems to me I've heard of at least five (5) Bellinghamsters planning long Latin American trips--a group of three and two singles. Odd that I'm the only one I know of who's actually already made the journey.

Looking forward to catching up with various folks in a week and a half.

Mark

Well, I just got back from 27,000KM's to Panama and back, whats another couple thousand? I'll be there! Heading off the Island Wednesday afternoon sometime, will camp near Ossoyos or midway perhaps and carry on to Nakusp via logging road north of grand forks Thursday morning. Looking forward to talking bikes and exotic places with everyone soon!

Patrick
'04 black KLR

Hi Mark,

if you are in Bellingham on your way up to Nakusp, call and stop in Chilliwack and I can change your sprocket here. We are planning on leaving Wednesday afternoon and stopping in Kelowna at a friends for the night and coming over Highway 6 Thursday morn.

Mark

Tools
 

hi
what size socket do you need I try to bring it along.


cheers nobby

Thanks to those offering help with my countershaft sprocket. The nut is a 27mm (also known as 1 1/16 inch), and it really takes a breaker bar to remove along with the socket. I did not mount it myself, but I watched it being done (in Mendoza, Argentina approximately 25,000 miles ago).

The reason for changing it on site is that my engine is nearing its death agony and needs some advantage off the pavement these days. The sprocket currently on there will do for highway, but not off-highway use.

I'm coming up from Montana, not from Bellingham. I didn't mean to monopolize the thread with my tale of woe, but if one of you can bring a 27mm socket and breaker bar that would be wonderful. Please indicate here if you'll do so. You can't all be riding giant shaft-drive machines, can you?

Thanks much.

Mark

(from Missoula, ex-Ushuaia)

Hi all,

I'm heading to the Nakusp meeting next weekend.

I'm leaving Victoria Wednesday afternoon and staying with my partner in a hotel in Penticton since she'll be there on business. From there I'm hoping to take the forestry/gravel/dirt roads to the Fauquier ferry terminal and on to Nakusp. Last year I stayed on the highway but I would love to have some company so I can go play in the woods this time around.

I know there are others going from the Island and Vancouver. Anyone care to join me for the off pavement part between Penticton and Fauquier?

I ride a BMW F650GS with knobby front and dual sport rear tire. So nothing seriously technical for me but regular gravel/dirt is OK. I'll be checking into the status of some of these roads for closures/conditions due to slides, forest fires, etc.


...Michelle
www.scrabblebiker.com

Is anyone heading out there from the Hamilton/Toronto area? A riding partner would be good.

Hi Mark,
I'll pack the wrenches and socket to replace your sprocket.
See you there.
Mark

Followed your RR closely; looking forward to meeting you.:scooter:

Thanks! Hope to see you there, make sure you find me to say hello, I'll have some beers on ice waiting...

Thanks, Mark. See you (and all others) in a few days.

Mark

(from northern Montana, soon Alberta)

Anyone going to be passing through Vernon or Kelowna thursday evening. Not sure if I can get all day Friday off yet but going to try my best.

I'll be leaving Vernon around 5:30 on Thursday evening. If that works, I'd love to have the company.
Howie

Damn, can't get all of Friday off. Brutal, not even sure if I can get Friday afternoon off!! Might not make it until late that night. Deffinitly ride back with you though. Look for a green/gold '77 Yamaha Cafe style custom that has no business pretending to be a long hauler haha. See ya there.

Ok, I'll resume monopolizing this thread. I'm now getting some emergency dental care (hubba hubba) in Fernie, and won't be there until Friday. On Friday, however, I'll be eagerly joining you all once I discard my baggage and change sprockets.

Mark

Damned old bikes, got a bad oil leak from my oil filter tightening nut, dealer says they're discontinued!!!!! JB weld to the reascue for now and hope it holds up. Talk about bad timing!!!

Where has everyone gone? I got up this morning and all you guys had gone (back to work!).

I've had a great time in Nakusp. Thanks to the organsiers and volunteers and everyone who's been so friendly and helpful. The presentations have given me inspirations and help and I'm hitting the road tomorrow looking forward to three more weeks in Canada and then two months in the lower 48. (I'll be pleased if my pictures of the National Parks in the US are half as good as Brian's)

And, as I went to TWO presentations in bears, I now have a "healthy respect" for them, rather than an irrational fear.

Keep it 'tween the hedges

Dom Giles

Vancouver > Nakusp wedensday
 

anyone going??? call me 604-802-5031 Paul

leaving wedensday (flexible} call me 604-802-5031 paul ,thanks

first meeting
 

Managed to get the time off work,:clap: so leaving tomorrow from Calgary. I hope there's still room !!

Looking forward to my first HU meeting!

Thank you Susan, Grant, presenters, and volunteers!
 

I just wanted to give a shout out to everyone involved in putting the HU meeting together! We learned about HU 2 years ago and realized we missed last years meeting by about a week, so this was the first one we've been able to make- and what an experience! Even if we hadn't made it to a single presentation- just to be there would have been enough! The atmosphere and the people were amazing! Just chatting with people in the campsites, looking at all the bikes; where people were from and where they've been was an awesome experience!
We know that this was the first of many meetings and hopefully one day it'll be us on stage talking about our travels and inspiring others to do the same!

If anyone would like to see our photos from the event (though mostly the coming/going) feel free to pop by my album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...e52be5d&type=1

I'll second that!
Huge thanks to Ekke & Audrey for their organizational skills. As ever, Grant & Susan, Horizons is a marvellous place to belong!
I had huge fun and learned stuff all day long.
It's such a blast meeting up with friends and making new ones.

simply put .......Thank you!

Kindest regards

Nevil

Great meeting
 

We will also add our BIG Thank you!! We learned a lot. Thanks everyone for the helpful tips and advice. Sara & Daniel Pedersen

Fantastic meeting
 

Fantastic events, people, food, facilities, & weather !

Thank you to all the contributors who make these events possible. It was my first HU meeting and I look forward to many more in the future.
:thumbup1::thumbup1:

Neil

Yes agreed. A great chance to meet with other motorcyclists who wander. Great food, company and site. Gracias a todo!