First Solo Adventure

[Graham Francis]

Hi all,
I'm planning my first ever solo tour to canada and then into the usa. i have 6 weeks for the trip. I now have all paperwork done and the frieght to take my xt1200z has been booked. I fly out on the 21st Aug and get my bike on the 22nd.
I will be starting in Vancouver and hope to make the Hubb meeting in Nakusp and finishing with the Hubb meet in cali towards the end, having had an amazing adventure in between. Below is a very rough route, mainly just showing the states i plan to go through. I'm hoping to meet new friends along the way and that will shape the trip as to where i go.
Please feel free to add any comments or advice. I'm planning on camping, and doing some light off road.

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...17&oe=59A6D02D

[gomgat]

Looks like a great trip, but looks like you are missing Banff and Jasper Parks in Canada , which would be a huge mistake and they are free to enter this year in case you did not know. Also need to ride Going to the Sun Road in Glacier Park. I will be at Nakusp and will try find you. Enjoy.

[Ride Far]

Agree with Gomgat, it would be a shame to miss Banff, Jasper and Glacier National Parks. Just nudge the upper line of your route to the east a little

[brclarke]

I'm going to third that, and agree that if you are in the area, head out to Banff/Jasper, and maybe hit Glacier National Park as well.

[markharf]

Adding my voice to the clamor: go lighter on the American Rockies (Colorado, Idaho, Montana) and much, much heavier on the Canadian Rockies (Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Waterton, and the American Glacier Nat'l Park). Be sure to make a leisurely pass through Yellowstone and past the Tetons. And if you can stand the heat--which apparently you believe you can, since you're headed into lowland Arizona--you really need to spend some time in the Four Corners area, where there are landscapes you won't see anywhere else in the world.

Lots of detailed advice easily found by doing a site search, or by merely browsing.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

[Graham Francis]

It would appear that by drawing a rough guide on google maps on my phone has misled people. the Route that you see was just to show roughly the states that i plan to go through.
I have actually planned to go through whistler, Jasper , Banff . Then coming down to Glazier NP heading south to Yellowstone. I have it all planned on maps, Garmin etc, although nothing will be set in stone, the idea is hopefully to meet up with other travelers and any of you people out there whose area (state) that i'm passing through.....

Everything is now in place (document wise), so just counting down the days.

[Riel]

Welcome (almost) to Canada Graham,

Having ridden a lot of BC allow me to make a few specific suggestions as well.

Head north from Vancouver on Hwy 99 through Whistler and to Pemberton.
Depending on your taste for adventure you can loop up to Goldbridge and back down to Lillooet (approx. 200km easy gravel road) with stunning scenery reminiscent of Lord of the Rings and certainly the road less travelled.
Or stick to slab and head straight for Lillooet...lots of twistys and watch for mtn goats enroute.

Enjoy a late lunch or early dinner in Lillooet and camp at or near Marble Canyon Provincial Park.

Next day emerge onto Hwy 97, stay left at Cache Creek and make for Kamloops.
Once there take Hwy 1 East until you hit Three Valley Gap.
At Three Valley Gap head south on Mable Lake FSR - again easy gravel road (motor home capable) with excellent scenery of the Monashee Mtns, Mable Lake, little traffic and part of the TCAT.

A few hours later you emerge in Lumby at which point you can park your ride in my shop and pitch your tent at my place.
I'm also planning on attending the HU in Nakusp this year and we can head together down Hwy 6 or find some back roads through the mtns.

Hope this gives you some inspiration and if you do want to connect before the HU event please PM me.

Bon Voyage

Riel

[Graham Francis]

Hi Riel
that all sounds fantastic i'll look into those routes. Hooking up and riding to the HUBB meeting would be great.
I will definaitly be in touch. Thanks again for your suggestions and invite.

Graham

[Graham Francis]

ouroboros2015
i agree, ive not planned to much on this trip, i have rough routes and places that i would like to see, i'm open as to how i get there and obviously local knowledge is always gratefully recieved

[Graham Francis]

Well this has all come around very quickly, just 4 weeks today and i will have started this great adventure. Hubb meetings in canada and california have been booked. Bike is off to the frieghters on the 11th Aug.
Very excited to get this first solo adventure started.....

Graham