Just another version of the same ride.
Canada-Pacific Coast Ride
Friday, September 30, 2016
7:43 PM
Misfit and I had already hit two borders this year, GOTF in April and Atlantic coast after Inzane in June.
I was asked if I had a route planned, sure I do, north and west, and a map, no more was asked.
Depart Colorado Springs Friday Sept. 16 to return Sun Sept. 25. no problem.
Friday
Ready to roll Friday morning, just trying to get as many miles as we can get today.
Up I-25 through Wyoming I-90 west into Montana hwy 89 north. Ran into some nice swippers just before
We got to Great Falls for the night.
Saturday
Continued on hwy 89 to St. Mary, at the entrance to Glacier National Park we decided to purchase an annual pass good for two bikes, anticipating visiting more parks on this ride.
Hopped on 93 heading north, stopping in whitefish for lunch, good food, better pie.(huckleberry)
During lunch break it had begun to rain, rain gear on, down the road ,cross the border, up to hwy 1, east to Banff. While checking out down town Banff, decided we should move on down the road a ways, Calgary was just 70 short miles east on hwy 1 (don't know what that is in Km) sounded like a good spot to stop.
Sunday
Next morning noticed that across the street was a car wash, the girls got a much needed cleaning.
Ok, back to Banff, visiting Lake Louise( lakes an rivers are blue in color around here from the rock silt in melting glaciers, most prominent in July and August).
Hwy 93 north to Banff National Park , Jasper National Park.
Banff to Jasper ride was suggested by Clint Peters, thanks Clint.
Hwy 16 west to 5 going south, holding up in Blue River. (cherry cream pie)
just keeping the girls dry
Monday
Started raining last night after we rolled in, still raining this morning. Heard through the locals that Kamloops has a Walmart, guess where we're headed. Water proofing spray was in need along with a headlight. Already pasted two parts store on Sunday, closed. We're off to Kamloops and Walmart.
Did I mention how good the roads are, lots of swippers, love it. Nicest people you'd want to meet.
Made it to Kamloops, we're all dry, waterproofed, headed south southeast 5 to 5a to 3 to 97 back to the states. Taking route 20 west to Winthrop Wa, staying here for the night, motel manager lets us use the water hose to clean the road grim off the bikes. Ate diner at Three Finger Jacks, Damon and I both had the fish and chips, best I've had. Get there early they tend to run out of pie. There is a little store directly across the street that makes a great ice cream cone.
Tuesday
Thanks goes to Clint again for the next route, hwy 20 west Winthrop to Rockport , stopped at Lake Diablo for some pics and information, seems this area is home to around 300 active glaciers. Ok enough standing around, back on the bikes for the worst route of the ride, I-5 south from Arlington to 100 miles south of Portland, haven't seen this much traffic since we were on the east coast. Had clear roads all the way to Grants Pass Or, good place to stop. I think we ate at the black bear that night, fish and chips. Damon had the coconut cream, I had blueberry cobbler (soup).
Wednesday
Left Grants Pass going west on 199 on a quest to find some big trees, on the way we even ran into the pacific coast. Seems there used to be around 2 million acres of the giant redwoods, now only 100.000 acres remain.
Checked out a couple more redwood forests 40miles south of Eureka ca. on hwy 101, called it good.
Starting the return ride in the late afternoon seemed like a good idea. Leaving Eureka on hwy 299 east was another good choice, either we've really lucky picking the roads or all the roads out this way are made for riding. Made it to Willow Creek for the evening.
Ate at the Pizza restaurant, loud, meal took to long, it was really LOUD!!!
Sorry Misfit.
Thursday
left willow Creek early on 299, no breakfast, in a hurry to get back to this awesome road we left the day before.
Even with the road construction it was still awesome, just guessing maybe 300 miles worth of exceptional mountain road. Then we hit the flat land, hwy 395 north, who moved Nebraska?
no trees, nothing for miles except what Damon refer to as the mud hole, or was it a big mud hole. Hwy 20 east to Ontario Or. Where we stayed the night
mud hole
Friday
Took 95 north out of Ontario Or. Hwy 13 to hwy 12, we made it!! Lolo pass, I was thinking Damon had enough of the flat land asking if we were getting close about 60 miles earlier. Up and over, sure was glad we took the time to do this road. Rode into Missoula for a late lunch and pie.
Down I90 to Butte, motel 6 where are you.
best pie of the ride
Saturday
Heading for Yellowstone and Grand Teton today, remember that annual park pass, didn't need it for the redwoods, it'll come in handy today. We rolled up to the gate, reach for my wallet, attendant says something to me, I look at Damon , its free today, Damon just cracks up.
Had a nice leisurely ride through Yellowstone and the Grand Teton National Parks, stopping to take a few pics before heading to Rawlings for the night.
Sunday
Today we'll be heading back on old formialier roads, but for the last 8 days, about 4200 miles, were all new to me, I'm thinking Misfit too. You're a great riding/ traveling partner. We'll have to do this again, maybe get the boys to ride along next time.
"wherever you go, there you are"
