Inzane route planning

[baldo]

Alright gents (Canadians in particular).

I'm starting to plan my trip to Billings this June. I'm coming from New England, and was considering taking part of the trip through Canada. Preliminary thinking crossing at Niagara Falls and working our way across. Either up through Michigan/Ontario and across the UP.

I know nothing of the area and would welcome any advice,,,,,

Thanks,

Bob

[Woton]

We hear you.  BikerGirl and I have ridden these states before but we are hoping to hook up with some friends in the Twin Cities, and then ride across the northern US states to Billings.  This ain't North Carolina, and that's what is part of the fun!!

Good Lord willing it is going to be a wonderful road trip.  We have family in West Yellowstone that we hope to catch on the way home.  From there - who knows?

Having made this trip by car in the past...Niagara Falls and then the Niagara-on-the-Lake area for the wineries, etc would be a special side trip.  We like the Canadian side of the Falls for lodging but be ready to see the view and sights from both borders.  The Canadian dollar is much better for US tourists than at our last visit - WOOHOO!  Update that passport if needed!

[fudgie]

If you come thru NE give me a holler. You can look at my Trump poster collection.  I'm kidding, but do give me a shout.

[msb]

Whole lotta nothing through Manitoba,  Saskatchewan (except for a very accommodating member in Regina that I know of) ,  and eastern Alberta.... but if you can get through that,  western Alberta and a "slight" detour    through BC will put you on some of the best motorcycling roads and best scenery anywhere. Down through Post Falls ID en route to Billings will put you at our annual Valhalla rally which is being held the Friday and Saturday before Inzane (check out details on the BC regional board) ,  where a bunch of our regular attendees for this event from AB,  BC,  and WA will  be carrying on to Inzane. Lots of friendly folks all through Canada,  expensive gas, but otberwise  great value on your American buck.
The endless miles I rode in a straight,  flat line through middle America to get to WV,  KY,  etc this past June was well worth the effort,  and I'm sure you will find the same when you get to  Billings,  whichever route you choose,  and all that area has to offer. Good luck with the planning.

[Beardo]

Thanks for the "exception" Mike.    I think that was referring to me...unless you found another member in Regina...I sure haven't.

You'd probably want to head south before you get to Manitoba. Not a lot of good riding between Ontario and Alberta unless you like endless horizons or testing your no-hands riding skills for hours on end. The only time we get to use the edges of our tires is on clover leafs or if we take a quick 10 hour rip south or west.

The Great Lakes area would be nice to tour, but not not much for twisties. Your US dollar is worth a lot right now but gas and motels are more expensive here so it'll likely cancel out. Some cool historical stuff along the Great Lakes if you're into that kind of thing.

I've always wanted to go to the Maritime provinces on the bike.  The East coast is on our future ride list.

For me, Alberta and BC are God's country, but that's a little out of your way.

You can't go wrong though. Canada, like the US, is full of friendly people and lots to see.  If you've never been there before, it's probably worth going to. 

[msb]

I think that was referring to me...unless you found another member in Regina...I sure haven't.

 

[Gryphon Rider]

You'd probably want to head south before you get to Manitoba. Not a lot of good riding between Ontario and Alberta unless you like endless horizons or testing your no-hands riding skills for hours on end. The only time we get to use the edges of our tires is on clover leafs or if we take a quick 10 hour rip south or west.

For those who haven't seen the prairie provinces, it might me a refreshing change from what they've seen elsewhere.  I've actually heard Americans comment on the beauty of the prairies after having ridden it.  It sounded ridiculous to me at the time, as someone who grew up riding in my parents' car back and forth from Calgary to Saskatoon, Swift Current, and Regina dozens of times to visit relatives.

In fact, I travelled to the Cypress Hills (the part south of Maple Creek) on the November 11th weekend for a church retreat, and really enjoyed the scenery on the way back (the way there was at night for the Saskatchewan part).  We saw a few deer, about 50 antelope, and a couple of coyotes nearer than usual to the highway.  Even saw some swans in a slough with some ducks.

[Beardo]

Good point GR.

We tend to take for granted the beauty that we live in and have become accustomed to.  We do have lots of wildlife and there's nothing like a prairie sunset.  I guess that's why I mentioned that if you haven't been somewhere, it's a good excuse to go, you'll see it through a fresh set of eyes.

Strongly recommend against riding at dusk or after the sun goes down, there's too high of a chance of hitting a deer.

[RDAbull]

Bob, I have taken a couple of trips through the middle part of Canada and have loved the rides.
Once from Detroit to Toronto, down through the Falls back to IN.  The second was around Lake Michigan & Superior.  The Toronto trip was like riding here, good roads and pretty smooth.  The trip around Superior was beautiful.  The road was busy and a lot of places were slow because of camper and fishing traffic.  There were several places where it was hard to pass but when you are not in a hurry it provided many places to stop and enjoy.  Cutting through Michigan and catching the UP is also a great ride.  You could run through Northern Minnesota and North Dakota on that route also.  My Brother and I are planning the MN, ND route out and the WY, CO, KS ride back.
I still owe you a beer, hope to make that up next summer.

[Woton]

If you come thru NE give me a holler. You can look at my Trump poster collection.  I'm kidding, but do give me a shout.

Not sure the Trump poster collection would add to the experience, but I do appreciate the offer 

[Gryphon Rider]

Strongly recommend against riding at dusk or after the sun goes down, there's too high of a chance of hitting a deer.

Yeah, it was after dark when heading south from Maple Creek when a buck appearing on the right shoulder motivated me into the left lane.

In June, when Inzane is happening, doesn't sunset in Saskatchewan happen late enough that sensible VRCCers already have their teeth in a jar and a Matlock rerun blaring from the TV?

[baldo]

If you come thru NE give me a holler. You can look at my Trump poster collection.  I'm kidding, but do give me a shout.

I just might take you up on that. I have a friend in Falls City that I was going to see. Where are you in relation?

[baldo]

Bob, I have taken a couple of trips through the middle part of Canada and have loved the rides.
Once from Detroit to Toronto, down through the Falls back to IN.  The second was around Lake Michigan & Superior.  The Toronto trip was like riding here, good roads and pretty smooth.  The trip around Superior was beautiful.  The road was busy and a lot of places were slow because of camper and fishing traffic.  There were several places where it was hard to pass but when you are not in a hurry it provided many places to stop and enjoy.  Cutting through Michigan and catching the UP is also a great ride.  You could run through Northern Minnesota and North Dakota on that route also.  My Brother and I are planning the MN, ND route out and the WY, CO, KS ride back.
I still owe you a beer, hope to make that up next summer.

I've heard great things about each of these areas. I need to figure the extra mileage going up around the lakes.....sounds like it would be worth it.

[Woton]

In June, when Inzane is happening, doesn't sunset in Saskatchewan happen late enough that sensible VRCCers already have their teeth in a jar and a Matlock rerun blaring from the TV?

Clearly a man who has been to Inzane several times...

[Oss]

My Trump-Pence sign was still up when Baldo and Meathead left my house

So your collection is probably safe Fudgie

Sure gonna miss coming to Inzane, it could have been an epic few weeks
but its not every day you can see your oldest girl get married

[fudgie]

If you come thru NE give me a holler. You can look at my Trump poster collection.  I'm kidding, but do give me a shout.

I just might take you up on that. I have a friend in Falls City that I was going to see. Where are you in relation?

I forgot to add Indiana in there.  NE Ind, not Nebraska. Although Nebraska is pretty neat.

[baldo]

If you come thru NE give me a holler. You can look at my Trump poster collection.  I'm kidding, but do give me a shout.

I just might take you up on that. I have a friend in Falls City that I was going to see. Where are you in relation?

I forgot to add Indiana in there.  NE Ind, not Nebraska. Although Nebraska is pretty neat.

That's OK, I've got friends in West Lafayette, too...