Topic: 4,500km road trip on a 250cc

[PJungnitsch]

A bike really makes a trip an adventure

Whether you like it or not!

[rrocket]

Yes.. People who don't ride don't understand, really. IQ "got it" on one of times we went out. You could smell the flowers, the fields, etc. You could feel the warmth of the sun...and the coolness as you drove through a shaded area.

You not only get to enjoy the scenery...you get to "feel" the ride too.

[Weels]

^ sort of like a convertible then.   

[rrocket]

^ sort of like a convertible then.   

Not the same. Not close even I'd say based on experience.

[johngenx]

^ sort of like a convertible then.   

I like roadsters and bikes for many of the same reasons.  The Miata also challenges your ability to bring a lot of stuff, lets you experience a lot more than in a closed car, and like a small bike, forces you to set a reasonable pace.  Relatively small fuel bill too!  (Nothing like a 250cc bike, but better than a lot of cars...)

[mlin32]

^ sort of like a convertible then.   

No; in any sort of automobile even a cabriolet, you're just not quite as part of the adventure.

When I ride, i enjoy it way more because I feel like I'm actually there. Like being there on a bicycle except faster, of course. You're surrounded by the air, the breeze, the smells....there's nothing really blocking the experience.

[Arthur Dent]

As far as immersion goes bike > convertible although I like both.

Day 7 had a lot less riding. I wanted to check out Tofino and the Island a bit. We hoped for some relief from the rain as well (no luck there).

[Arthur Dent]

We unfortunately we woke up to rain. Lots of rain. My buddy's tent was flooding a bit from the water on the ground. I'd put mine on a bit of slope so was better off. Not a whole lot of photos since the rain was coming down. It was only about 7C which was a shock after the 30C+ of up north. As we figured out what to do the rain slowed so we decided to stay local for the day hoping for improved weather. Our campsite was on the marina which was nice (photo from the day before).



There was a hike near a lighthouse at the edge of town so we figured we would try that. We finally got some good views of the ocean.




Built starting in 1915. Was automated in 1988. Near Ucluelet, BC

The rain was now a slow drizzle.



Still raining. I tried my plastic temporary poncho both on top of and under my bike jacket. Neither was terribly effective.



More Mitsubishi vans - this one a Space Gear version.



Back in town we found a yuppie sort of bakery. The food was ... edible. This Land Rover pickup was spotted from the window however.



And a second generation Toyota MR2



GMC Rally Six van far from home.



Next up was Tofino. I was so incredibly cold by the time we got there (30-40kms ride but I was soaking wet and tempatures around 8-9C).



The rain actually let up a little bit as we explored the town.



You can drive on the dock ... so we did. A fellow tourist was stunned that I had driven my bike from Alberta. As usual he was stumped as to how old it is.






1986 Subaru GL 4WD station wagon - The Subaru take on a surfer's wagon with Peugeot wheels.



Art Gallery





Love the Beware of Grandma sign.





An unusual Japanese import to see - Toyota Crown Majesta



Tofino is known for its surfers. Only a few out today due to cold. Plus it was raining again.



A cell phone doesn't do great beach photos.



We had a feeble fire that night due to the wetness. We had to dry out the wood (and our boots).

[ktm525]

You packed a hot dog stick?

[Arthur Dent]

You packed a hot dog stick?

Yup - a telescoping one from the dollar store. 

Is that a early 90's Acura Vigor at the stop sign?

Yes - A Vigor.

[Arthur Dent]

Day 8 - Off the soggy island

[Arthur Dent]

Woke to rain - surprise! And it was cold again - maybe around 5-6C in the morning. We packed up as best we could keeping the wet and dry stuff separate.

The rain briefly let up so we had a short tour of Ucluelet









Quite a few artists selling to tourists.

We head out on the road were I got very, very cold. Riding soaking wet in low temperatures with little sun at highway speeds is not a good combo. Despite having a schedule to keep by Port Alberni I demanded we stop at a McDonald's where I used the hand dryer to dry out my gloves. I gobbled up a warm breakfast sandwich as well.



As we approached the ferry at Nanaimo there were signs telling us the ferry we were aiming for was full and the next one two hours later was almost to capacity. Despite this we continued on where we were waved through onto the first ferry. Apparently news of trip head spread and we were famous ... or bikes are small and get to jump the queue. Either way we were on the first boat. In the line we meet another friend of mine who lived near by. He had a Honda CB300F which had only seen occasional use. Two became three as he joined for a couple days.





The wait was so long for some that game of catch had was in full swing.



Loaded up. Some random dude on a Ninja got placed in between us.





Vancouver Island to Horseshoe Bay (main land outside Vancouver the city)





This ferry was definitely less plush than the previous one but of course a lot shorter of a distance to travel.





Ferry terminal at Horseshoe Bay



Waiting to get off.



The road up to Whistler. Highway 99. We didn't explore Whistler itself after finding out you can't see anything beyond apartment buildings unless you park and take a bus into town. Bummer.



Honda CB300F



Packing priorities



There is a second generation Rx-7 if you squint really hard. I believe this is Pemberton.



We were out of room so I needed to strap parts of our dinner to the back of my bike. A few brave hot dogs buns sacrificed themselves so others could stay intact. Some young people laughed at us in the parking lot.







Fantastic roads up here! Not too many vehicles on the road.



A little bit more rain and subtle rainbow



Three bikes, one campsite. They charged us for each bike.



Tent drying as best we can with fading sun light.



Our new addition brought some Crown Royal. No cups so I needed to drink it out of a bowl

[bridgecity]

LOL at the last pic.  Great write up Mr. Dent, I’m enjoying.

[Brig]

Hope the weather/temps improve!  Being cold, wet and miserable is no way to spend a road trip. 

[Arthur Dent]

Day 9 - this day had the best roads of the trip

[Arthur Dent]

When we got up it was still cold due to the elevation. It is interesting how much the temperature changes and how easily you feel it on a motorbike compared to a car.

The roads were spectacular in this area of highway 99. The few photos I took don't do it any justice. Lots of curves, high up on the mountain with a large drop next to you. And hardly any traffic. The whole experience leaning in and out of the many corners was amazing. Hard to describe exactly ... sort of like sex ... you just had to be there.





Typical bit of road near Lillooet, BC.









Fracking awesome!







We fueled up and grabbed a gas station breakfast (Yum!) at Lillooet. Lillooet is traditionally one of the warmest places in Canada but not today as the temperature just about perfect for riding. What a morning. It is a good thing we had not done this stretch of road early on in the journey as this section would be a hard benchmark to compete against.



Not to be outdone by the mountains but there were also some colourful lakes.



As we progressed on the route the mountains were smaller in height.



The Honda



The big Suzuki



The landscape changed again to include ranches as we headed towards Cache Creek.





In Ashcroft, BC I had to stop outside Friendship Auto



This vintage car with tree through it first drew me.  Looks to be a Ford Model A with a different grill. If you search on Google Maps Street View the car is not there so must be a recent addition.



This Canadian market 1952 Dodge Coupe has to be a rarity. These Canadian Dodges used Plymouth bodies and Dodge trim.



A weathered 1940 Oldsmobile that appeared to be complete apart from some missing chrome below the headlights.



This Ford truck appears to be a driver.



A Seventies Mercury Monarch was also lurking nearby.



After Cache Creek My little bike struggled a bit for speed climbing the High Valley pass. The rider of the Honda CB300F told me after that he had a little power in reserve but not much.

We were initially puzzled by the colour of this lake but later learned it was near the Highwood copper mine.



We stopped for a quick bite to eat in Merritt (I think - some of the places blend together a bit)



We had to take a few big highways unfortunately as we headed into Kelowna. We said our goodbyes to the Honda and its rider and settled into a campground in Kelowa for the night. There we met up with some friends/co-workers of the V-Strom rider. A few adult beverages may have been consumed.

[ktm525]

Looks good. Next time go south from Merritt to Princeton and then over on the Princeton-Summerland road. About 20 k kms are gravel but quite compact and doable on street tires (5c?). Best part is it is relaxed pace. Road follows the Kettle Valley Railway right of way.

[Fobroader]

This is fantastic, keep it up!!!

[Arthur Dent]

Day 10

[Sir Osis of Liver]

 

This is my favourite thread.