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Trans Canada & US '06
We are currently planning a Trans Canada and US trip covering approx. 15000km for July to September this year. It will start in Vancouver with a lap of the Rockies in BC and Alberta then over to Toronto down into the US then head West back to and depart from Vancouver. I have a proposed itinerary if anybody is interested I can email it to the or should this be posted on this site? We are currently trying to track down 2 suitable touring bikes either FJ1200, ST1100, bandit or similar. We hope to catch up with the local HU communities as we go. Feel free to join us for all or part of this trip.
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I would love to have a look at your itinerary. If for no other reason than to better understand how one alots there time on a major trip like this.
You can email it to rickblan(at)telus.net. If you plan to be in Edmonton, Alberta give me a call. local 478-0113 oe you can reach me through the Edmonton Community. Cheers Rick [This message has been edited by Riq (edited 20 February 2006).] |
Sent off itinerary this morning to PM any suggestions you have would be much appreciated
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Bill I think the closest we will get to you without looking at a map will be Hells Canyon and Yellowstone NP. Different state I know but what sort of distance is this away from you? If you have contact details for the Locksmiths you speak of I will contact them for a chat.
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Hello, sounds like you have a great trip planned. I live about 300km from yellowstone park. If you are riding sport touring bikes you would enjoy the eastern entrance to the park. It is called beartooth pass. There is also some great viewing of wolves in yellowstone if you are lucky. Hells canyon is deeper than the grand canyon and has some neat country around it. I will give your contact info to my friends in the locksmith buisness. You sound like you are looking for sport touring bikes, let me know if you need any info or service once on the road.
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Bill we are looking forward to carving up these excellent roads we are reading about. When it gets closer we should organise to meet up, 300km is not big in the scheme of things is it. Do you have any contacts on the West Coast for bikes at all?
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Loxsmith, I too am planning a similar tour. Starting in May in Charleston, NC, then travelling clockwise taking in California, Vancouver, New york. I would be very interested to see your itinery, and maybe meeting up if paths cross.
Rob |
I am planning a cross-Canada trip as well.
May through June: Toronto to east coast (and back). July through August: Toronto to BC/Yuk. I'm putting the final details together in the next 2-3 weeks, and should have an itinerary (to follow anyway!) at that time. I'll keep an eye on this thread as we get closer to out start date. |
Here it is so far it is still evolving
DAY DESTINATION KLMS 1- 22/7/06 Surrey – Lillooet (BC)Shannon FallsWhistler Duffy Lake Rd out of WhistlerAccess From Mount Currie On Hwy 99 Turn right at the signed junction to Lillooet just past the small white church. You are on the road. From Lillooet Coming in on DH21 Hat Creek - Lillooet (Hwy 99) Coming in on DH40 Lytton - Lillooet (Hwy 12) Both DHs end at the bridge to Lillooet. Take it west over the Fraser River and turn left at the other end. (A right turn takes you into Lillooet.) When you leave the remaining bits of town, you're on the road. Fraser Cove Campground is located off Hwy. 99 N, Lillooet BC. We are located next to the Old Bridge which is located on Davis Rd (off Hwy 99 N). 294 2 – 23/7/06 Lillooet – Kamloops (BC) 172 3 – 24/7/06 Kamloops – Golden (BC) 360 4 – 25/7/06 Golden – Jasper (Alberta)Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise (6). It's reputation for being the most beautiful road in the world is well founded and it took us 8 hours to cover 230 Km of continuous World Heritige site scenery. So many pull outs with view points to the many mountain peaks, waterfalls, canyons and glaciers. The highlight was a hike up onto the Athabasca Glacier in the Colombia Ice Fields, an awsome experience to be walking on something this huge and ancient. 310 5 – 26/7/06 Jasper (Alberta)South of Jasper on the Icelands Parkway runs along the spine of the Rockies, mountains, lakes, glaciers, rivers R 6 – 27/7/06 Jasper – Clearwater (BC) 318 7 – 28/7/06 Clearwater – Vernon (BC) 240 8 – 29/7/06 Vernon – Castlegar (BC) 357 9 – 30/7/06 Castlegar – Creston (BC) 278 10 – 31/7/06 Creston – Radium Hot Springs (BC) 251 11- 01/08/06 Radium Hot Springs – Banff (Alberta)Borders Kootenay National Park at the junction of Highways 93 and 95 in the Kootenay River Valley, 12 miles (19 km) north of Invermere and 65 miles (105 km) south of Golden 137 12 – 2/8/06 Banff (Alberta)Open air hot springs. Lots of Aussies working in bars restaurants etc. R 13 – 3/8/06 Banff – Calgary (Alberta) 148 14 – 4/8/06 Calgary – Saskatoon (Saskatchewan) 614 15 – 5/8/06 Saskatoon (Saskatchewan) R 16 – 6/8/06 Saskatoon – Yorkton (Saskatchewan) 360 17 – 7/8/06 Yorkton – Portage La Prairie (Manitoba) 422 18 – 8/8/06 Portage La Prairie – Kenora (Ontario) 303 19 – 9/8/06 Kenora (Ontario) R 20 – 10/8/06 Kenora – Fort Frances (Ontario) 216 21 – 11/8/06 Fort Frances – Duluth (Minnesota) USA 262 22 – 12/8/06 Duluth (Minnesota) USA – Bike Service R 23 – 13/8/06 Duluth – Thunder Bay (Ontario) 304 24 – 14/8/06 Thunder Bay – Marathon (Ontario) 305 25 – 15/8/06 Marathon – Batachawana Bay (Ontario) 324 26 – 16/8/06 Batachawana Bay – Harrisville (Michigan) USA 378 27 – 17/8/06 Harrisville - Kincardine (Ontario) 597 28 – 18/8/06 Kincardine - Toronto (Ontario) 292 29 – 19/8/06 Toronto (Ontario) R 30 – 20/8/06 Leeanne arrive Toronto/Toronto to Nigara FallsCrossing the river to Canada, you get a great panorama of the falls from Rainbow Bridge. Canada’s Horseshoe Falls are wider, and the curved shape makes them especially photogenic fro Queens Victoria Park. The Journey Behind the Falls gives access to a spray-soaked viewing area beneath the falls (US$4). Minolta Tower 325 feet is closer to the falls and has better meal deals (US $4.50 admission). The observation towers offer another angle of the falls, as well as high-end dining: Skylon Tower 525 feet is higher and has a revolving restaurant (US $5.50). The Canada side is lovely at night, when colored lights illuminate the falls and the clouds of spray. The Maid of the Mist boat trip around the bottom of the falls has been a major attraction since 1846 and is highly recommended. Boats leave every 15 minutes from the base of the Prospect Park Observation Tower on the US side. Ph: 716 284 8897 $8.50 or from the waterside at the end of Clifton Hill St on the Canadian side Ph: 905 358 5781 US $7Rainbow Helicopters Ph 716 284 2800 does 10 minute sightseeing flights over the falls (50.00). Niagara Helicopters does similar trips fromCanada Ph: 905 358 5672. Whirlpool jet boat Tours Ph; 905 468 4800 does an exciting one hour round trip from Lake Ontario to the Whirlpool, downstream from the falls (US $34)Overnight Niagara on the Lake 15 mins drive outside of Niagara Falls Great B & B. Two separate towns, Niagara Falls, New York (USA) and Niagara Falls, Ontario, face each other across the Niagara River, which is spanned by the Rainbow Bridge. On the US side you can see side views of the American Falls and their western portion, the Bridal Veil Falls, dropping 180 feet. Take the Prospect Point Observation Tower elevator up for a vista 50c. Cross the bridge to Goat Island for other viewpoints, including Terrapin Point, which has a fine view of Horseshow Falls and pedestrian bridges to Three Sisters Islands in the upper rapids. From the north corner of Goat Island, and elevator descends to the Cave Of The Winds Ph: 716 278 1730 where walkways go within 25 feet of the cataracts ($6.50 raincoat provided)Organized Tours – Many tours stop at major sights on both sides and include a Maid of the Mist ride. Bedore Tours Ph:716 285 7550 is an established operator ($40-$50) 131 31 – 21/8/06 Niagara Falls – Cedar Springs (Michigan) US 305 32 – 22/8/06 Cedar Springs – Kalamazoo (Michigan) 328 33 – 23/8/06 Kalamazoo – Chicago (Illinois)The windy city, home of North America’s tallest building, the Sears Tower, and some of the greatest blues music in America 237 34 – 24/8/06 Chicago – Milwaukee (Wisconsin)The inspired riverwalk is a system of redeveloped walking paths along both sides of the Milwaukee River, with pubs and restaurants wedged beside the city’s central buildings. 148 35 – 25/8/06 Milwaukee – Visit Breweries (Wisconsin)Millers Brewing Ph: 414 931 2337, the free tour includes a slick side show followed by visits to bottling and distribution areas that give some idea of just how much brew is swilled. The generous tasting session often adds a Leinenkugel brand from the formed small brewery. Tours run 10am-3.30pm Mon-Sat. Two of the newer microbreweries invite similar tours. Five miles north, Sprecher Brewing 414 964 2739 offers tours at 4pm Friday and at various hours Saturday Afternoon. Cedarburg: A visit to Cedarburg is like journeying back 150 years consistently ranked as a favourite small-town getaway by visitors. It has charming specialty stores and art galleries, wineries, cozy restaurants and historic inns. Only 20 minutes north of Milwaukee. The inspired Riverwalk is a system of redeveloped walking paths along both sides of the Milwaukee River, with pubs and restaurants wedged beside the city’s central buildings. Visit the Harley Davidson factory ???????Cedar Creek Settlement browse through 30 shops, galleries and a winery in this restored, 1864 woolen mill. (N70 W6340 Bridge Rd Cedarburg) R 36 – 26/8/06 Milwaukee – La Crosse (Wisconsin)Travel through Wisconsin’s largest Amish settlement down a country road in Cashton about 13 miles south of Sparta. Then onto La Crosse on the Mississippi River - paddle wheelers have summer river cruises. It also had the worlds largest six-pack of beer at the Heilemen Brewery 357 37 – 27/8/06 La Crosse – Balsam Lake (Wisconsin) 265 38 – 28/8/06 Balsam Lake (Wisconsin) R 39 – 29/8/06 Balsam Lake – Minneapolis (Minnesota) 106 40 –30/8/06 Minneapolis – Sioux Falls (South Dakota) 382 41 – 31/8/06 Sioux Falls – Pierre (South Dakota)This land is sacred Sioux Indian Country with Oglala, Lakota and Dakota Indians living nearby and Hot Springsl 361 42– 1/9/06 Pierre – Rapid City (South Dakota) 394 43 – 2/9/06 Rapid City – Mt Rushmore (South Dakota)Mt Rushmore National Park & Hot Springs, Mt Rushmore and its carved granite faces of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt each 20 metres high from top to chinThere were two redeeming attractions Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore. I stopped at Crazy Horse first and was amazed how huge this monument is going to be. The welcome centre was really well done with real live Indians even working there, you know how hard it must be to find real Indians (even though I think a couple might have been Puerto Ricans due to the shortage of real Indians). The story on how this place began is amazing and how it started with a single mans dream and allot of hard work. They had some great live footage of when the guy started building it in 1948 by himself and for several years he did it by himself till he got married and had 10 kids to help him. Today 7 of the kids and his wife continue his dream ( he passed away quite a while ago). I don’t think it will be done for another 50 years. It is kinda funny that a Polish immigrant and his children ended up building a monument for the Native Americans. Mount Rushmore was impressive but it really paled in comparison to Crazy Horse, my advice see Rushmore before Crazy Horse. After getting several great photos I decided to try to put some miles on the bike and some distance between this horrible tourist trap called the Black 33 44– 3/9/06 Mr Rushmore – Buffalo (Wyoming) 372 45 – 4/9/06 Buffalo – Riverton (Wyoming) 286 46– 5/9/06 Riverton – Jackson (Wyoming)Jackson is a town in a valley surrounded by mountains, the town’s lively summer persona includes re-enactments of frontier justice with well played gunfights in the square. 263 47 – 6/9/06 Jackson – West Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)Situated atop a volcanic basin Yellowstone is home to thousands of active thermal features, including about 250 active geysers. Crystal cool waterfalls, steaming volcanic spouts, wildlife and wilderness from horizon to horizon. Buffalo Bill Historic Centre 203 48 – 7/9/06 West Yellowstone National Park –Idaho Falls (Idaho) 175 49 – 8/9/06 Idaho Falls – Salmon (Idaho) 411 50 – 9/9/06 Salmon – Grangeville (Idaho) 461 51 – 10/9/06 Grangeville – Hells Canyon Nat Pk/Cambridge (Idaho)Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, North America’s deepest gorge, Hells canyon is thousands of feet deeper than the Grand Canyon, plunging 8913 feet from Mt Oore’s He Devil Peak on the east rim to the Snake River and Granite Creek – offers some dramatic scenery 203 52 – 11/9/06 Cambridge – La Grande (Oregon) 465 53 – 12/9/06 La Grande – Levenworth (Washington State) 463 54 – 13/9/06 Levenworth - Surrey – Vancouver (BC) Canada 307 55 – 14/9/06 Vancouver to pack bike 56– 15/9/06 Leave Vancouver 57 – 16/9/06 Lose a day flying 58 – 17/9/06 Arrive Australia ------------------ Never enough time to fit it all in? |
Hope that wasn't to much info to post on this site!
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That is, unless of course you want to go through Seattle for some reason - and experience Seattle traffic. I try to avoid it as much as I can. ------------------ quastdog Seattle, Washington USA F650GSDakar |
Have been to Seattle before so it is not essential to go through there. I was hoping people would select a section as you did and give their opinion. I will change the route to what you recommended if it doesn't add much more in distance. Thank you for your input.
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I would suggest some changes in your route.
From Creston, BC go to Cranbrook then south to Elko. Going into the U.S. to Whitefish, MT. From there take the "Going to the sun road" through Glacier Park, then head North to Lethbridge, AB. On the return trip you would miss a lot if you concentrate on MT. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Going West on I-90 turn South near the town of Cactus Flat on rt-240. That will take you through Badlands Nat'l Park. It will bring you into Wall S. Dakota where you should visit Wall Drug. Instead of Rapid City I would suggest the town of Keystone, SD. You can see MT. Rushmore from the town. From there go to Custer State Park and Wind Cave Nat'l Park, it's like a small Yellowstone, without the traffic. On the way to Buffalo, WY there is Devils Tower Nat'l Mon. North of Buffalo is The Custer Battlefield Nat'l Mon. Going North to Billings, MT then Hwy 212 through Red lodge, MT. Continue on 212 (Beartooth Pass) http://www.colorado-west.com/cooke/beartooth2005.html to Yellowstone Nat'l Park. National Parks Pass, for $50.00 you can get this pass that is good for 1 year. It will get you into National Parks and Monuments in the U.S. It is for one vehicle. The big Parks like Yellowstone a motorcycle is $10.00 for one rider, if you have a passenger it is $20.00 It maybe worth it if you are going to several parks. You get them at the entrance gate to the Park. [This message has been edited by John Ferris (edited 07 March 2006).] |
Thanks John this is the type of info I was hoping for, your input is appreciated. In a couple of weeks after fine tuning I will post a revised itinary. Any suggestions on Hostel or cheap accomodation on your suggested route? Glen
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I have to agree with Quastdog, stay in Winthrop and take hwy #20. It's a great ride, and the town of Winthrop is a small old west style town that is a great place to stay.
I often go down this way from Calgary in the summer when I have a few free days. Drop me a line When you near Calgary. If I am home I can show you through the city. Ride safe, Mike. |
Mike the information is pouring in, both on this thread and PM. Feel free to join us for part of the ride. I will contact you closer to the time.
Thanks Glen ------------------ Never enough time to fit it all in? |
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Cambridge, Idaho isn't much - but it is gas and food for a while so don't forget to stop and fill up. Don't know that there's a motel in town. Not sure if there's a motel after Cambridge either, until you hit Baker City (or Joseph, see below). There's a really nice campground - nice toilets/shower facilities, well manicured lawns - owned and maintained by the power company on the Snake River, near the Oxbow Dam (at the bridge crossing the river back into Idaho, takes you up to the Hells Canyon Dam - not a bad ride up there if you have the time). When you leave the next day, I'm assuming from your route you are planning on taking Oregon Highway 86 over to Baker City and cutting up to LaGrande from there. Better - and I'm guessing you're maps aren't detailed enough - there's a really nice paved Forest Road a dozen miles or so west of the river that cuts up to Joseph, Oregon. (should be a sign to Joseph or ask at the campground). There's a few overlooks along this road down into the canyon along the way. If you couldn't get a campsite at the river, there's a bunch of forest campgrounds along this road. However, no potable water (rivers, but you'll have to boil or treat it to drink it). Of course, this brings you out north of LaGrande, but then again, LaGrande ain't that grand. You could continue on from Joseph to Hwy 204 and cut up to WallaWalla Washington. You're in Washington wine country then, so make sure you try a few bottles. I can highly recommend that ride - scenic as well as the road less traveled. You'll also be in better position to hit Winthrop the next day. Take the road (U.S. 97) from Wenatchee up through Chelan - runs alongside the Columbia River - and then up through the Methow Valley (S.R. 153) to Winthrop. ------------------ quastdog Seattle, Washington USA F650GSDakar [This message has been edited by quastdog (edited 09 March 2006).] [This message has been edited by quastdog (edited 09 March 2006).] [This message has been edited by quastdog (edited 09 March 2006).] |
quastdog I am keen to camp but the 3 others in the group are not, majority rules I am afraid. There is still time for them to see the light! We are learning more and more about the route everday thanks to the help of people like yourself. I have GPS mapping software that is very good for finding the minor roads that you speak of. Sounds crazy but I don,t own a GPS, work that out. You just can't beat local knowledge can you!
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Sounds like you are fine tuning the trip. On your itinerary you show being around yellowstone for a while. We are hosting a 1000 in 24 hours out of Helena Mt on the 17th of june. It will qualify for a Iron Butt ride. Have you checked out Motel 6 they are usaly the cheapest of the chain motels and they have a nice booklet of all the motels in the US. Definately a bland sort of place to stay but sometimes bland and predictable is good.
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Bill I will check that motel chain out. Would love to go for 1000 ride if we had the time, but I can see we will have to visit again and take our time. Hope we can catch up and listen to those drums of yours.
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Reply copy of PM. Rick thank you for the info, we seem to be getting very close to sorting out the bike issue. I have contacted several dealers in Vancouver and enquired about a buy back deal. They are offering 2 brand new ’05 Suzuki DL1000 Vstroms for $10000.00 and a guaranteed buy back at $7500.00. This equates to just under $3000.00 Australian. It was going to cost approx $3500.00 Australian to ship our own bikes and cause my brother inlaw in Vancouver and me a lot of headaches getting the complete crates moved to his house from the transport company. This would have required a crane truck etc etc, very, very messy. This seems to be the simplest solution yet, we will decide in the next week.
It is nearly time to contact the HU communities that we will be travelling through as the route info/suggestions coming back from the thread is drying up. ------------------ Never enough time to fit it all in? Can't beat local knowledge! |
Great stuff.
It sounds like a lock on the Suzuki's. The best deal and a great bike. How can you go wrong. Give us a yell on your way by and we'll have a cold one. Rick |
Yes I am very happy with the bike deal. You should know by now the reputation that Aussies have, we love a cold beer. After all this we will have to make sure we catch up somewhere, and it's my shout.
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Loxsmith:
I think your itinerary is way too ambitious, simply because you have not allowed any time to stop and smell the roses. I had a fairly close look at days 1 to 30. Each of the daily travel legs that you set out is reasonable; however, you haven't left very many days to overnight twice in the same spot. For example, you only have two overnights planned in the Rocky Mountain National Parks - heck, you could spend two weeks there and not run out of things to do or interesting roads to ride on. Unless you have an iron butt, I suggest you plan a 'rest' day (meaning, two overnights in the same spot) about once every 5 days - otherwise, you are going to get tired of the whole excursion very quickly. FWIW, I ride around Europe for two months each summer, have done so for the last 5 years, and rarely spend more than 3 or 4 days going from town to town before I want to settle down a bit. Also, I just completed a 10 day trip Toronto - Winnipeg - Kansas City - Toronto (by car) and was pretty darn fatigued when I got home yesterday - and that was driving a 12 cylinder luxury car, and staying in good hotels on someone else's budget. My average daily mileage was just about exactly what your proposed average daily mileage is. Also, a suggestion about your day 21/22 route - skip the entry into the USA and stay in Canada. It's becoming more and more of a huge PITA to enter the United States - it is a bigger headache to go into the USA today than it was to go behind the Iron Curtain 15 years ago. Honest. Michael |
Just to clarify that last comment about the USA - what I meant was that you might find it a bit too much of a hassle to go into the USA just for 2 days. I'm not suggesting you avoid the country - not at all - I'm only trying to point out that you might find that the border crossing process into the USA is a real headache, something that you won't want to do more than once.
Michael |
Michael I agree we have taken on a lot to cover these distances in the short amount of time we have available. Like everybody in this mad world we only have a certain amount of time available to fulfill our dreams. Ideally I would love 12 months to do this trip, but finances and other commitments do not allow this just yet. We had a US border crossing experience in '03, this was relatively uneventful, except we had to pay in US dollars and only had Canadian currency. We will look at changing our route to exclude this problem. Thanks for the feedback. Glen Cochrane
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I have to agree with PanEuropean that your schedule is pretty packed. As mentioned in other posts, my wife and I are crossing Canada from May to August this summer. From past experience I know I can cover 700 kms in a 12 hour period of travelling (with no major delays), but this is rather gruelling and tends to become a marathon if continied for days on end.
I have planned our route with a daily average of ~325 kms/day, with a rest day every 4-5 days. Our trip is 25k kms and I have given us 90 days to do it (with some built-in flexibility). We are also on a bit of a time schedule and, of course, a budget (most folks are!). The reasoning for this pace is based on a few factors: - this is a comfortable pace and allows us to stop 'and smell the roses', as Mike put it. - we do not have to head out each morning at the crack of dawn, nor will we arrive at our daily destination after dark. We can set up camp in daylight, or if in a town, we can see some of the local sights and have a relaxing dinner. - we can pull off the road for photo opportunities, snacks, or points of interest. - if we are really enjoying a town/city, or if we meet other travellers we can spend a day sightseeing, resting, or taking a side trip. Keep in mind that incelment weather will reduce your travelling speed as well. The purpose of our trip is to see Canada. I am Canadian and have seen so little of Canada it's almost embarassing!! We will not have another opportunity like this for years. So we decided not to barrell through the country on the Trans-Canada. Loxsmith...my route is 'generally' illustrated on my web site (motorcycle-overland.com). If you would like more detail or route ideas feel free to PM me, or contact me via my site. - Lorne |
Tax Refunds
If you are still interested, here's some information about getting your GST (7% sales tax) refunded on your purchases in BC in particular: http://www.britishcolumbia.com/infor...ails.asp?id=13
Here's the form to fill out for Canadian Tax Refunds for Visitors: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/gf/gst176/README.html And, here's some more general information about Canada and it's tax refund policies: http://www.english-vancouver.com/tax-refunds-canada/ Too bad you're not bunking in Edmonton for a night, I would have offered a comfortable bed and some great cooking. I'm planning a trip to Vancouver Island this summer...working my way up to some bigger trips. You'll have to post some pics of your trip. Have fun. |
Glen said:
We are planning a trip trans Canada and US starting July '06 and were hoping for some local advice. Is anyone aware if we purchase new bikes in Vancouver, whether the taxes we pay can be redeemed on departure? I have started a thread at (here, this thread). Any suggestions on the planned route contained in the thread would be appreciated. Please post all replies to the thread link above, this will keep it active. Thank you for taking the time to read this and all suggestions good or bad will be taken on board. Hello Glen: I live in Toronto, however, I work in Europe and will be here in Europe all summer. I don't think there is any way you will be able to escape paying the two VAT taxes (the federal GST, or Goods and Services Tax, and the provincial PST, or Provincial Sales Tax) on the purchase of a motorcycle in Canada. There are provisions to apply for a refund of these taxes if you export an article that you have purchased in Canada, however, it does not appear that you intend to export the motorcycle from Canada. This kind of means you are screwed, you will have to pay the two taxes. Whoever buys the motorcycle from you will also have to pay GST and PST, based on whatever price you charge them for the used motorcycle. Be aware that the motorcycle may also have to pass a used vehicle safety check when you sell it. The exact requirements for this safety check vary from province to province. If the moto is less than a year old, the safety check will be more or less a formality, provided the tires and brakes are in good condition (not worn out), however, it will cost you a few bucks - probably an hour's worth of labour at a moto dealership - to get the check done, and it is yet another PITA in the process of selling the bike. Lastly - be aware that in almost all parts of Canada, riding a motorcycle is very much a seasonal (summer) activity - if you try to sell one in the Northern Hemisphere fall, or at the end of the summer, you might have to take a bit of a knockdown price to get rid of it, because whoever buys it will likely wind up putting it into storage until the spring. Michael |
Hey, I'm traveling a very similar route to you guys, but I will be about 4 or 5 days behind you, and arriving in Vancouver around the 16th or 17th of Sept. On the first of september you are close to The Badlands National Park. It might be worth the detour to drive through the northen section. Theres also a free campground there, but no water I'm afraid. Check out http://www.nps.gov/badl/
Joe |
Thanks Mike, any recommendations on where to stay in Winthrop. We are not fussy just somewhere clean and dry.
Glen |
I'm gonna cross Canada this summer as well, but in the other direction. My first plan was to get from Halifax to Vancouver and back through northern US. That would be around 16000km in 60 days. After it was clear that my girlfriend wanted to join me on a 2 weeks strecth of western Canada I cut down the trip to "only" consist of Toronto - Halifax (or somewhere around there) - Vancouver and then back home to Europe and now this is still for 60days and will be around 12000km and that's only 200km/day. I do know that I have atleast 6 days of none riding and I'm planning of letting me have a few more... (Damn tourist in me woke up... ;) )
This gives me more then enough time to ride some nice gravelroads and to explore the Rockies abit more. I had some plans to try and "pop down" to Portland area to visit some transalpers in US but I don't know if I care to make the hassle with temp. import paper for the US for just a few days. And it gives me time to have some nice rides with my girlfriend on the westcoast, and Vancouver Island. Soo the planned 12000km will most likely be abit more. I guess we might pass each other on some stretches even though you have planned abit more "mainstream" trip. :D Soo if you see a black Honda Transalp with high frontfender, swedish plates then it's me trying to find my way around... Cheers, Zappa |
Zappa seems there will be a few out of towners touring around in the next few months. Our bikes are yet to be confirmed but we will look out for any travel bikes packed up high. Safe trip and see you on the road.
Glen |
Had a shake down trip of 500 odd km last weekend with the Givi luggage on the Blackbird loaded with all the gear, even had room to spare. A little more culling to do and change a couple of minor things, but overall it was close to the mark. I will remap the route soon with all the valuable info provided by the helpful people contributing to this thread.
Glen |
Zappa & loxsmith,
Perhaps we'll see you on the road somewhere in Canada. We are leaving in 3 weeks to cross Canada, twice. Plan is as follows: 1st leg: Toronto to Newfoundland/Labrador and back: May 21 to June 25 2nd leg: Toronto to Yukon, down to BC and east back to Toronto: July 1 to Aug 25. We're ridong 2-up on a black BMW R1150R. Cheers, |
My US trip
I'm off in a couple of weeks to begin a three-month round trip around the US. Wallenius Wilkelmsen already have my bike for shipping to Newark. I fly out to JFK New York on the 9th. My route so far will be -
Staying with a friend in Roebling NJ - collect bike - Wahington DC for a few days - Blue Ridge Parkway - FriendSTOC rally at Natural Bridge VA - Nashville - St.Louis - Wyalusing State Park - Wildcat Mountain State Park - Wabasha WI - Mount Rushmore - Crazy Horse - Little Big Horn - Yellowstone - Mount Evans - Monument Valley - Bryce Canyon - Las Vegas (wife arrives by plane) - we ride to Stovepipe Wells - Yosemite - San Francisco (leave wife in hands of daughter) - Phoenix - Tucson - San Antonio - Houston. I've not yet decided on the route back to New York but Natchez Trace has been mentioned. Fly back mid-August. Any comments or suggestions? |
Progress updates
If we all keep an eye on this thread we can each post our progress and have a better chance of knowing who is where. I look forward to meeting as many of my fellow travellers as possible.
Unless a miracle happens and I can find a suitable bike in Vancouver I will be shipping my CBR1100XX Blackbird (Which is actually blue in colour). For the Canadian section I will be solo and the US section 2 up. Travelling with me will be some friends 2 up on a red VFR800 I will be on the lookout for loaded travel bikes. Glen |
That's a good idea loxsmith, and I'm gonna keep my own thread alive as well. Just another 5 weeks until I leave and I get my motor back from the mechanics today soo I got a few things todo during the last weeks... ;)
Cheers, Zappa |
Dempster Highway
Don't forgot when everyone gets to Dawson City to head north on the Dempster Highway. Don't just go to the Arctic Circle, but finish the ride up to Inuvik where the real bikes live. Its a easy ride if it not raining.
David from Inuvik |
My US trip
If anyone cares to follow my progress around the US, please have a look at http://groups/msn.com/FROMSEATOSHININGSEAANDBACK
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Thank you; damn those forward slashes.
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Things are starting to happen. Our own bikes were crated this Tuesday and the ship leaves this weekend. Lots of the local HU communities are replying, thanks for the valuable info guys, much appreciated. The research is nearly as much fun as the trip itself.
Glen |
Bike Insurance
Anyone got any suggestions or recent experience on bike insurance for US and Canada ?????
Glen |
Not a problem
Glen,
Walk in to the first insurance broker you see in Vancouver and buy PL & PD (public liability and property damage) insurance off the rack. It is relativley cheap for a six month policy. I pay $120 for a year on my Trophy 1200. I would also think that a letter from your current company saying they will extend your coverage to Canada would suffice. If you want to purchase fire, theft or collision insurance the cost really escalates. Rick |
Thanks Riq my existing insurance company in Australia will not entend coverage to include Canada and US. I just had a quick look at motorcycle express http://www.motorcycleexpress.com/ when I get some time over the weekend I will try and work out what level of cover I need as they seem to have different terminology in policies than what we have here. I also see that if the policy is applied for through HU you get a $15.00 discount.
I will see if my contact in Vancouver also make some enquiries Glen |
About insurance I went the Motorcycleexpress way and I hope it's working (haven't had a accident yet so I can't tell... ;) )
It's not cheap but it looks like it's working though. I'm in Halifax at the moment and heading over to around New Glasgow area for some dualsport fun in the weekend of the 17-18th of June. I guess if someone intresseted (sp?) in it checkóut www.dualsport.ca and there events... Soo far my ride as been wet!!! Took the cabot trail in Cape Breton and I must say it's one of the best rides I would have done if it was in sunny weather... As of now I had to make the second half in thick fog, only had around 100m visability when I went down the east side and made we have a close look at the GPS to make sure which way the next curve went... Took awhile and had some close calls but it all went well. The west side was just splendid... So anyone around??? Guess not you all guess are at the west coast now... I do hope you got better weather then what I've had. One thing I got sure about yesterday is it's hard to get a 17" reartire in Canada/US most offroader got a 18" in doesn't fit that well. If anyone of you use a 17" reartire and need a new one try to find a Kawasaki dealer since the KLR650 uses a 17" backtire and is most likely to have a reartire for you. Cheers, Zappa |
Nearly there
It's all coming together, bikes are in Vancouver and have cleared Customs after a bit of stuffing around. Lucky we sent 'em 4 weeks early. (I will put a post in the travel paper work about a hint for everyone else from Australia travelling to Canada.) Now to sort out the bike insurance something about it being 50% dearer due to it being registered in a company name, another battle for tomorrow. Sounds like I am having a whinge, not really it's just good to see light at the end of the tunnel.
One and a half weeks 'til lift off! More as we get closer. Glen |
Well I've been in Canada for almost 6 weeks now ande I can say that the further east you go the nicer ppl you meet.
If you want to get some Dualsport riding done here's two clubs you can contact... http://www.odsc.on.ca http://www.dualsport.ca I've met up with both of thoose clubs and I've had a blast with it. I'm gonna be in Vancouver around the 26-28th of July so if you still there I and my girlfriend would love to met up and have a beer and soem food. I think i can give you some nice roads through Canada. Cheers, Zappa |
Last day at work
A big thank you to the following people who have contributed.
Riq Bill Ryder Rob Braybrooke Quastdog John Ferris The HUBB is a certainly a great place to do research. See you on the road. Glen |
The farther East?
One quick question Zappa. If you are traveling west from Ontario to Vancouver and you say the people are nicer the farther east you go does that mean that you are running into less nice people all the time?
Just wondering. Rick |
Riq we are in Jasper and have met some fantastic people along the way, biker travellers are a different breed. Even caught up with Zappa on the Duffey Lake Rd between Mt Currie and Lilloet the other day and had time for a short chat.
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Where Next
Are you still planning on heading South from Jasper?
I am in Regina however I will be headed back to Edmonton on Thursday night if you are going to be cutting west. I took the Jasper-Banff highway (93) last friday and reminded myself exactly how beautiful it is. Keep me posted, you never know where I might get to on the weekend. Riq |
Riq we are at a backpackers in Vernon tonight then heading to Castlegar tomorrow. We did the Icelands Parkway the other day, (Not sure what the highway number is, might be 93) from Lake Louise to Jasper and it must be the most scenic road that I have ever travelled. Bears, Glaciers the lot.
Glen |
Riq: Not to be rude but in my opinon the further east you go the more "talkable" is the people, of course not everyone is but the more east I got on the journey the less people started to talk to me in gasstations.
Sorry to say I guess there are a bunch of people to prove me wrong but I didn'r meet them. loxsmith: Nice meeting you, I do hope you graveladventure will work out great. /Zappa |
info on shipping yr bike from oz please :)
g'day loxsmith,
hope the trip is all you hoped it would be...and more :) when you get a few minutes, can you please let me know who you used to get the bike from brissie and how much it cost etc i am in full-on research mode and this aspect if my 07 trip is casuing much hair-pullage :( thanx mate jen :) |
Shipping
Honeybadger, when the return shipping is completed I will compile the total costs including all add ons. Got some riding to do, must go!
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Coming to Canada
Hi Im an Indian biker on RTW. Right now in UK flying to Toronto on 18th. From there go around Canada a bit and then go to US. Any body on this route at this time?
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We will be in Toronto on 19th in the afternoon, so if you are keen to catch up for a drink leave a message here with a time and a place and I will do my best to be there. I think we will be on the South West side of Toronto near Oakville?. Today we are in Ste Sault Marie.
Glen |
Bharadwaj
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Progress
Sorry it has been a while since we could get internet access, we are currently in Custer heading west, anybody keen to meet up let me know!
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Done and dusted
Made it home early this week, two and a half days on planes (Now there's another story to tell). Nearly 18000km completed on the bikes, some spectacular scenery, snow capped mountains, glacier fed rivers and lakes, wild bear, awesome roads and heaps of friendly people. Riding in the snow was a new experience for a Queenslander, and temps from -2 degrees C to +44 degrees C. Couple of minor bikes probs, overall weather was good (about 5 wet days out of 65), and the bikes were still shiny side up at the end of the trip. Can't beat that.
Only back long enough to make enough money to go again. Would I do it all again, shit yeah! Now where to next time????? Glen |
Riding Across Canada
If your leaving from Vancouver I would suggest that after you get into the mountains hitting hyw 193 (i think it was) and heading South to the Radium Springs then continue South into the US. The further South you go before heading East again the better. Unless you really want to see the prairies, but they are pretty boring. It only took 2 days to get from Kenora (ontario) to Calgary (alberta) because its just a straight boring ride. And on the way home I went through Montana, North Dakota ect, and it was equally flat and boring, another 2 day trip (long days though). The mountains in Alberta/BC are not to be missed though. Northern Ontario is nice riding as well, Sault Ste Marie and Thunder Bay to Kenora, is beautiful.
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