Aussie to ride in Canada Love some advice
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 127
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From: Australia
Aussie to ride in Canada Love some advice
Hi. Next year my wife and I plan to ride, utilising the HOG fly/ride program,from Vancouver - Calgary - Edmonton - Prince George - Vancouver. Weare thinking todo it mid July - mid August 2008.
1. Has anyone ridden Prince George - Vancouver? I looked on Google Earth and it looks pretty rugged but beautiful
2. Is this the right weather window?
Any advice/recommendations would be much appreciated
Many Thanks
Jeff
1. Has anyone ridden Prince George - Vancouver? I looked on Google Earth and it looks pretty rugged but beautiful
2. Is this the right weather window?
Any advice/recommendations would be much appreciated
Many Thanks
Jeff
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,823
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From: THE MARITIMES Canada
RE: Aussie ti ride in Canada Love some advice
This time of year should be perfect, the weather will be good (or should be) the back roads through most of BC are the best in Canada. I live on the East Coast (New Brunswick), but have been to BC a few times, I can't say what the roads are like in the other provinces.
This may help http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/cancities_en/
Enjoy the trip
This may help http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/cancities_en/
Enjoy the trip
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: St George, UT
RE: Aussie ti ride in Canada Love some advice
Rode some of that last year in June. Had excellant weather although we did get a little light rain once or twice. Trans Canada #1 is fine road out through the Rockies. You'll want to be sure and stop at Lake Louise on the way over to Edmonton. The mountains are rugged and some are glacial, but the roads are in good repair. Gas is expensive, was about $4.50 to $5 US per gallon (3.85 liters) and hotels were about $100 US minimum. Food likewise, so bring money.
You'll have a blast.[sm=biker.gif]
You'll have a blast.[sm=biker.gif]
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: right down from the FloraBama
RE: Aussie ti ride in Canada Love some advice
Jeff
Check out the Calgary Stampede, esp. the Chuck Wagon Races
Glacier Parkway from Banff to Jaspar, take the bus ride on the Athabasca Glacier
There are lots of hot springs in the area, great way to end a day.
Cowboy Parkway, esp the section south of Banff to the US border.
You're going to be close to Glacier Nat. Park, another super motor drive.
If you like Dinosaurs, check out the Royal Tyrrell Museum (near Calgary)
Don't drive at night. Lots of critters.
My last ride on the Glacier Parkway was mid July in 2005, froze my *** off in a light rain.
-fish
Check out the Calgary Stampede, esp. the Chuck Wagon Races
Glacier Parkway from Banff to Jaspar, take the bus ride on the Athabasca Glacier
There are lots of hot springs in the area, great way to end a day.
Cowboy Parkway, esp the section south of Banff to the US border.
You're going to be close to Glacier Nat. Park, another super motor drive.
If you like Dinosaurs, check out the Royal Tyrrell Museum (near Calgary)
Don't drive at night. Lots of critters.
My last ride on the Glacier Parkway was mid July in 2005, froze my *** off in a light rain.
-fish
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 130
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From: Whitley Bay, North-East England
RE: Aussie to ride in Canada Love some advice
you will love that
I am a Kiwi exiled in Europe and one of my FAVE places on the planet is B.C. - been there a couple of times. Just awesome.
Have fun!
I am a Kiwi exiled in Europe and one of my FAVE places on the planet is B.C. - been there a couple of times. Just awesome.
Have fun!
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 394
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From: Kamloops, British Columbia
RE: Aussie to ride in Canada Love some advice
Jeff, I live in Kamloops, which is 6 hours south of Prince George, in the southern interior of BC. If you're driving from Vancouver to Calgary, you will go through Kamloops. Its HOT here in July and August -- can get up to 40 degrees C. But its mostly sunny, usually very little rain in that time frame. (unlike June) You have two choices of roads from Van to Kamloops: the older Highway 1 or the newer Hwy 5 (aka Coquilhalla).
The roads are all paved and mostly good, a lot of 2 lane on Highway 1 so be prepared to pass motorhomes and trailers. Highway 5 from Van to Kamloops is 4 lanes all the way. The scenery is awesome either way -- lots of changes from very green, to desert, to mountains.
From Kamloops to Calgary you wil go through the Rockies, and you should stop in Banff. From Calgary north to Edmonton is flat, boring, straight and busy. From Edmonton heading west on the Yellowhead Hwy (5) you will again cross the Rockies, and should check out Jasper. (nice camping and hot springs up there). The Yellowhead is a favourite run of mine, lots of scenery and twisty roads. You go through Yoho National Park. Watch for Moose and Winnebagos, though.
Prince George is OK, very industrial, the biggest town in Northern BC. South from PG on Hwy 97 the roads are good, somewhat twisty at times, lots of places to stop. At Cache Creek, you can either continue on Hwy 1 south to Van, or head 80km east to Kamloops and take Hwy 5 (aka the Coquilhalla) back to Van. Your choice, takes about the same time, Coq is easier, Hwy 1 requires passing those darn motorhomes....
Mike
The roads are all paved and mostly good, a lot of 2 lane on Highway 1 so be prepared to pass motorhomes and trailers. Highway 5 from Van to Kamloops is 4 lanes all the way. The scenery is awesome either way -- lots of changes from very green, to desert, to mountains.
From Kamloops to Calgary you wil go through the Rockies, and you should stop in Banff. From Calgary north to Edmonton is flat, boring, straight and busy. From Edmonton heading west on the Yellowhead Hwy (5) you will again cross the Rockies, and should check out Jasper. (nice camping and hot springs up there). The Yellowhead is a favourite run of mine, lots of scenery and twisty roads. You go through Yoho National Park. Watch for Moose and Winnebagos, though.
Prince George is OK, very industrial, the biggest town in Northern BC. South from PG on Hwy 97 the roads are good, somewhat twisty at times, lots of places to stop. At Cache Creek, you can either continue on Hwy 1 south to Van, or head 80km east to Kamloops and take Hwy 5 (aka the Coquilhalla) back to Van. Your choice, takes about the same time, Coq is easier, Hwy 1 requires passing those darn motorhomes....
Mike
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Vancouver, B.C.
RE: Aussie to ride in Canada Love some advice
Best time of year.
B.C. is the closest thing there is to the South Island of N.Z. Roads are great, scenery is unmatched.
I'd suggest skipping going up to Edmonton and instead go south from Calgary/Banff into B.C.'s Kootenays.
I live in Vancouver but I'm originally from Kamloops. I am real familiar with B.C roads.
CN. .
B.C. is the closest thing there is to the South Island of N.Z. Roads are great, scenery is unmatched.
I'd suggest skipping going up to Edmonton and instead go south from Calgary/Banff into B.C.'s Kootenays.
I live in Vancouver but I'm originally from Kamloops. I am real familiar with B.C roads.
CN. .
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RE: Aussie to ride in Canada Love some advice
Comfortably numb is exactly correct. I am from Van. as well and would say that your absolute best bet would be to head south from Calgary through Banff and head over to B.C. There's really not a lot to see in Edmonton (extremely flat landscapes)I would alsosuggest taking the #1 instead of the coquihalla (#5)its a much more relaxing ride with little towns you can stop in at and just take in the scenery at moderate speeds. Thats the route I always take, I find the coquihalla to be a little like a racetrack for cages and 18 wheelers. Whatever route you decide to take I am sure you will have a great time. Good luck
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Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 264
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RE: Aussie to ride in Canada Love some advice
Hi I'm fromSaskatchewan(kinda ?? noreally flat here)but I have riden through the areas the guys have posted for you , I have been in both the good and bad weather. I don't have much to add but be aware, It will seem like there is just not enough time to do and see it all......
ENJOY
ENJOY
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 199
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From: Crofton, BC
RE: Aussie to ride in Canada Love some advice
Don't miss out on taking the ferry over to Vancouver Island.
We have some great rides over here.
Take the Tswassen ferry to Victoria and go North to Parksville, then west to Long Beach on the west coast of the island. About 50 km of the ride, the road is a little rough, but well worth the trip.
Your time frame is just right for great weather here.
Hope you have fun.
We have some great rides over here.
Take the Tswassen ferry to Victoria and go North to Parksville, then west to Long Beach on the west coast of the island. About 50 km of the ride, the road is a little rough, but well worth the trip.
Your time frame is just right for great weather here.
Hope you have fun.