6 Reasons to Ride to Canada This Summer
Already ridden all over our great country and looking for new adventures? There's a lot more to our neighbor to the north, Canada, than geese, hockey and poutine.
1. Trans-Canada Highway is a Biker's Dream
There's undoubtedly a sense of wonder in knowing that a stretch of road can take you from one side of a continent to the other. The U. S. of A. has got its Interstate system, sure, but for a motorcyclist looking for a direct northern route across the continent expanse, the Trans-Canada highway has got you covered. There's so much to be said for the highway as a biker. The vastness and geographical variety of the Trans-Can are great, but the lack of traffic compared to American interstates make it an absolute must-travel for true biking enthusiasts. As a special bonus, if you make it to the West Coast and hop the ferry from Vancouver to Vancouver Island, you can make it all the way to "Mile Zero" of the system in Victoria.
2. New and Different Rocky Mountains to Explore
The Rocky Mountains arguably provide the most beautiful natural sights in all of North America, and they don't end at the border. Canada has a whole other selection of Rockies to explore. As a motorcyclist, you'll appreciate banking into the tight turns as you climb, but the change of pace is rewarded with one of the most picturesque drives in all of North America. The mountainous areas of eastern British Columbia also have a wealth of hot springs, such as Harrison Hot Springs just off the Trans-Canada Highway. These rejuvenating springs may be just the thing a weary traveler needs as a destination. After all, what could be better than taking a hot bath after burning rubber on the highway all day?
3. Favourable Exchange Rate
If you're an American, a trip to Canada is even better when everything is be cheaper across the board. While differences in tax and supply mean that certain items (such as liquor) will come at a steeper price even after the currency exchange, a strong US dollar makes most items cost less. If you're taking a cross-country trek across Canada, you'll find your dollar goes quite a bit further than when travelling in the States. Sadly, as a rider you'll also find that Canadian gas prices tend to fall into that "more expensive up north" category, but a Harley-Davidson won't need a ton of juice compared with most other vehicles anyway.
4. Variety of Cultures from Coast-to-Coast
Much like the United States, Canada comprises a vast range of regional cultures. Taking the full Trans-Canada plunge, you'll see everything from the rustic Maritimes to the outdoorsy West Coast. If you want a shorter bike trip and still want to see a range of sites, plotting a course between Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes provinces will show you a wide range of Canadian living, all within a few days. If you like sightseeing, Ottawa's historic government buildings are a sight to behold. On the other hand, if you're looking to socialize and experience the culture firsthand, Montreal is known for its excellent biker community.
5. The Praries and the Open Road
If you're planning a motorcycle ride looking for that pure sense of open-road freedom, the Canadian prairies are one of the best options around. While there are also plenty of flat, open places in the American midwest for riders to get that, it's hard to deny the beauty and spectacle driving across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The Canadian open road is more like America of 50 years ago, when there were a lot less cars and people around.
6. Exploring The Vastness of the Wide-Open Canadian Coutryside
Canada is geographically larger than the United States, however, the population is only a tenth the size, and the majority of that living close to the US border. Needless to say there's a lot of open space out there for an adventurous biker to conquer. The Trans-Canada highway can take you to any province, but that is only the starting point. The road network stretches far up into the Canadian north. As with any great trip, there are plenty of opportunities for interesting detours, and getting yourself pleasantly lost. Those same opportunities may exist riding in the USA, but in Canada the middle of nowhere is a lot farther from everything, if the goal is to get away from it all.
For help with your bike's service needs, check out the how to section of HDForums.com
