Suzuki 2 Strokes

The 10th annual trip into BC from Calgary went very well with decent weather and great riding. After leaving the main group H2Rick and I made it onto the island and completed the round trip of approx 2400 miles.
Sadly Uncle Rick had a spill at Rogers Pass about three hours from home that damaged his bike and his shoulder so that put a damper on the return journey of which hes informed you of already.
Here are the first of some photos I'll be putting up of things as they happened along the way on our trip.





Some of the early arrivals at the restaurant in southern Calgary before breakfast.
Fred, member Buffalo Guy, sitting closest to the camera on the left next to Rick did not go, but he still came to see us off.



After leaving Calgary, its about an hours jaunt south to the town of Nanton for everyone to top up on gas.



A regrouping at the junction of Hwy 22 and Hwy 3, we are now approx 200-plus miles from Calgary by this time.



John and Ron pose for a photo at the station in the Crows nest pass region. This year we had four Bandit 1200s in the group, only the 2nd generation version was missing.



Tims at 'the pass' was busy as usual with some riders in the group having a refresher. Some of us opted to wait outside.



At Cranbrook a storm was coming through the valley so we opted for two spots to park and wait it out next to the Esso station. We still got rained and hailed on anyways regardless of the love and hemp we seemed to be getting parked here.



Home Style Cafe in Kitchener, near Creston, is the place for good food and our first camp site which is just across the road. Thats Big Dave and his maroon coloured Gold Wing trike in the photo.




Big Al hams it up for the camera in the 'Riders Ranch' campground.



Kirk at left, the campground owner brought some beer over to welcome us to his place.




Some of the group sitting around the fire as the first day closes. We never seem to get the group all together for a photo op.

The second day saw us heading up the eastern side of Kootenay lake on the 3A for the ferry over to Balfour. This is a great road for riding before the trip over to the other side where the road continues.
We were all there just in time to make it for the next scheduled ferry crossing; once over, the ride continued to the town of Nelson. This is where Rick and I left the group for the continuation to Castlegar and then into the Christina Lake area for the night.
The next day we were onto Rock Creek, then Kelowna, then over the pass west of Kelowna and into Merrit finally getting to Vancouver in the evening.



Looking westwards to Balfour from Crawford Bay on the eastern side of the lake.



Motorcycles get the side sections of the ferry for parking during the trip. They don't secure it during a stop, they just keep the engines pushing it against the wedged layout of the bumpers as they load it up.



Rick in an earplug moment.



Getting closer to the Balfour inlet.



The inlet is quite a narrow section, this is the southern shoreline close to the town.



Two maroon Bandits in Castlegar at the DQ.



Christina lake on a beautiful day while we were there.



Uncle Rick poses with the lake services sign.



A campground on the southern side of town near Christina Lake, there are very good facilities here, showers, laundry etc. We used this place last year as well and highly recommend it.



Breakfast stop at the A&W in Grand Forks on the beginning of the third day.



A gas stop near to Rock Creek, here is where we made a detour northwards from Hwy 3 onto Hwy 33 and over the pass then into Kelowna.



After a few hours riding and then we were into Kelowna, it was now cooking somewhere in the mid 30s, C that is, not F degrees.



Just west of Kelowna we made a right turn onto Hwy 97C and headed over the Pennask summit and into Merritt, it was way hotter here than Kelowna for sure, even though it was late evening.



After leaving Merritt we rode south down the Coquihalla and took a break in Hope for something to drink. Vancouver was only an hour away and a stop at my aunt, the next day we would be leaving for the island.
Ironically, this Chevron station is the same place where the GT rectifier issues caused us to hold up two years ago on a warm Sunday afternoon, just like this one.
Luckily this time we had no issues other than being tired and thirsty.

On the morning of the fourth day it was onto the ferry and over to Naniamo, then a long ride up to Campbell River on the inland island Hwy. Then we would refuel and make the journey over to Strathcona park and into the Buttle lake campground. The next day we would check out the inlet operations at Gold River on the west coast of the island.


At the Horse shoe Bay BC ferries terminal in north Vancouver



Bikes go to the front of the lines all the time.



The view of surrounding land in the Georgia Strait just after leaving the terminal



The campground spot in Buttle lake.



We got a fire going but had nothing to eat, Campbell river was about 25 miles away to the east and Gold river the same in the other direction.
Oh well, we just did without dinner for this one night.



The next morning I strolled down to the campground lake and took this photo, it looked quite gloomy for good weather.



We packed up and headed to Gold River for Breakfast



The interior was well appointed and the breakfast was excellent.




We took a short ride down to the inlet to see the log boom operation and the seaplane base.



A stop in the town at the entrance and information centre was in order before we left.

Heading back to the Strathcona park region from Gold River we took some photos along the way before a refuel back in Cambell River. Then the trek back to Qualicum beach on the IIH and the detour to Port Alberni, then onto Ucluelet were in the plans for this day. The next day we were going back to Vancouver to tackle the final leg of the trip using the northern route through Whistler and Cache Creek.


Rick does his thing in this photo by beautiful Upper Campbell Lake



The Bandits look more like pack mules.



Close up of the wooden carved park statue.



A scene at the waterfront in downtown Campbell River



A quick lunch and a rest stop at Boston Pizza in Port Alberni.



Our campsite in Ucluelet, like last year the weather was again lousy.



The following morning looked like this,,,soooo



We did this,,, LEAVE ASAP



A typical Port Alberni street view



Bandits back in Naniamo at the ferry dock.



On the ferry looking a bit tired but good to know this year we saw more of the northern island



Ferry cafeteria scene.



On the top deck where its always windy on the crossing

Back in Vancouver from Naniamo in the afternoon we encountered the rush hour traffic situation. That was interesting in itself as all the roads were blocked and we were in gridlock for over an hour to go less than five miles.
We took a nights rest at my aunts place again and headed out the next morning for Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Duffey lake and finally Lillooet where we would camp for that night.



Leaving Vancouver and riding up the Hwy 99 the first place we stopped was in Porteau cove. I saw this place in a video from a friend and I just had to check it out.
Its definitely a location where you can pull up a chair and just relax. Soothing breezes blow up the inlet constantly, its a perfect calming spot for some R&R.



Looking southwards down the inlet.


The jetty and ferry dock, it appears to be unused.


Looking northwards towards Squamish, its far away in the distance at the end of the inlet.




The jetty and ferry dock as viewed from the boat ramp breakwater.


The jetty has elevated lookouts from where this photo was taken of the shore and boat ramp.


The beach and its creek inlet.


A quick stop in the town of Squamish


The small town of Pemberton which is located a few miles north of Whistler.


Rick points to the mountains at Duffey Lake, this place is spectacular for scenery AND the road that runs through it.


More Duffey Lake scenery








West of Lillooet where Cayoosh Creek cuts through the mountains, we passed over no less than six wooden plank one lane bridges that spanned this fast moving creek on our trip into Lillooet from Duffey Lake


Looking westwards at the viewpoint overlooking the Cayoosh canyon


Looking eastwards at the same viewpoint.


Looking southwards at the same viewpoint

In the BC hydro campground at Seton Lake just west of Lillooet, it was well maintained and the campsites were raked and level which is good for tenters. Basic toilets were all that was offered as well as a four foot tall hand pumped standpipe.
I thought of taking a shower under it at night late when no one was around, but the water was seriously icy cold,,, however I've done similar baths before so its possible if the need arises in another visit.
We setup shop and went into town for some dinner items, some ice, beer, water and juice for beverages, then various bratwurst dogs were purchased as well as macaroni and potato salad. As the fire simmered down we stuck the dogs on and had a meal.
The next morning we packed up, headed into town for some breakfast, then started the journey eastwards to Cache Creek and Kamloops.



We moved in and set up shop in this site.



Smile for the camera??, we looked at it suspiciously for the timer to go off, then it was too late.



Some of the meat for our meal doing nicely on smoldering coals.



An elderly couple came in the campground for a spot and were touring on this Ural with a sidecar.



Lillooet main street view in the morning.



Lillooet main street view in the morning.



At the junction of Hwy 99 and 97, just a few miles north of Cache Creek.



At the viewpoint about 10 miles west of Kamloops, you can just make out the town at the far eastern end of the lake.



A CN freight train on the northern side of the lake meandering along the shoreline.

Once we'd hit Cache Creek we were now on the TCH, so it was quite easy to move at higher speeds east and sadly back towards Calgary to end our trip.
From Kamloops we quickly passed Prichard, Chase, Squilax, Blind bay, Sorrento, Tappen and Salmon Arm. From there the TCH passes through the towns of Canoe, Annis, the Shuswap lake region and into Sicamous, the houseboat capital of Canada. From there its onto Craigellachie, then past the Three valley gap hotel and into Revelstoke.



A lunch break and a refuel in the small town of Sorrento.



A street scene in Salmon Arm looking west



A street scene in Salmon Arm looking east.



A photo op at the Shuswap lake sign about two miles west out of Sicamous. This large lake is a haven for all sorts of water sports activities during the summer months.



The place where the tracks finally met for completing the rail system across Canada at Craigellachie.




The monument to commemorate the event, it has a stone from each province in its base as well as one from Craigellachie in Scotland. The various flags are representing each province in Canada. The real track is just outside the chain link fence to the left. They actually paint the last spike with gold paint so you can identify its location.



The western entrance into the town of Revelstoke.



Bandits at the 'lamplighter' campground office in Revelstoke.



Our spot in the lamplighter, plus showers and all the amenities.



Rick ponders the weather as the approaching storm closes in with lightning and thunder.



As cozy as this looks I need an air mattress, eight plus days of virtually lying on the ground gets annoying.

Now for the final leg of the journey, to ride from Revelstoke back into Calgary. Sadly after leaving the town of Revelstoke and making a stop at Rogers Pass Rick had a spill entering the parking lot on some gravel.
His actual accident from a visual point wasn't serious, but what happened was he got pinned under the bike as it fell on him. However you look at it, a 500 pound bike loaded with gear falling on you and trapping you under it is going to hurt.
After some re composure and conversation, he made the decision to ride back home and nursed his shoulder by resting his arm on the tank bag once he was up to speed.
After Rogers Pass we proceeded east on the TCH and into the town of Golden for a refuel and another rest for Rick, then we were moving again towards the town of Field.
Just east of Field we made another stop at the Spiral tunnels to have a look around and give Rick another reprieve as I took photos and let him rest up.
From there we were soon at the Kicking Horse Pass and the BC and AB border which I'm sure made him very happy. Once over the border it was Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore in that order and then a 60 mile jog into Calgarys city limits and back to home.
Rick was the worse for wear but he braved the odds and made it back safely. For two days I gave him some help since his shoulder was in bad shape and he could not use it or his left hand.
Being a 'lefty' and his left shoulder/hand being out of commission he was not happy to be forced to use his right hand.
Rick you did well, its not easy having to ride in pain for about four hours, lets hope your recovery is going to be a speedy process.


After this years ride and the route we took, all I can say is 'Roll on 2012' for the next tour of BC, I can hardly wait.
PS* I also want to test out my new air mattress I just got too*




Looking southwards at the Rogers Pass marker location.



Looking northwards at the Rogers Pass marker location.



The Rogers Pass marker



A crest for each province is laid around the perimeter wall of this marker and a map of Canada made up of mosaic tiles is laid out inside the four legs.



It is a known fact that if snow is going to fall in Canada during the summer months, Rogers Pass will get it first.



We also stopped at the railway spiral tunnels to have a look around and for Rick to take a rest.



Rick props up on some rocks at the Spiral tunnels parking lot holding his left arm.



He looks good here but I have to help him in and out of his jacket so all is not well one bit.
The Bandit was damaged on the other side so from this angle you can barely see the duct tape on the windscreen holding the broken parts together.



The TCH passes right by the Spiral tunnels viewspot.

Oh man...... it's amazing out there, now I have to add BC to my bucket list.
Looks like you guys had a grand ole time, no wonder you're already thinking about next years ride. Glad you were able to enjoy your vacation.

So sorry Rick took a spill, although he got hurt, it could have been much worse. He's a tough trooper riding 3 hours with a rotator cup injury.

BTW, Nice shorts and great legs, but where in the world did you get your sense for fashion?!?

but where in the world did you get your sense for fashion?!?

HaHa, I'm on the road for over a week, I'd say the clothes under the bike gear only need to be clean and not a fashion statement.
I mean really, whos going to be looking for a matching shirt and pants on a biker/camper in a campground. I'll leave that to the HD guys who probably have matching socks and underwear,

That is a great show Allan and best wishes to Rick for being a real trooper to finish the ride in that shape .. speedy recovery Rick .

I'm glad you enjoyed it Dave, in total I took more than 600 photos, so there's lots of memories to re-live in the years to come of this trip.

"The next day we were onto Rock Creek, then Kelowna, then over the pass west of Kelowna and into Merrit finally getting to Vancouver in the evening."

Man, did you guys ever stop riding? I mean I've done some hard rides (sleeping in the woods and on rocks) but you older guys really put me to shame here.

Very glad you shared the pictures Allan, what a beautiful Country! And glad to hear everyone had a good time with the one obvious exception toward the end with Rick. Let's hope he has a fast recovery.

Thanks for the good wishes, gents. The ride from Rogers Pass back to Cowtown was the longest 3 hours of my life, bar none. Thankfully Allan was there to run interference behind me so that the crazy drivers on the TCH didn't try to run me off the road. Having no left hand mirror really sucks but on a busy road it's ten times worse. Proper shoulder checks with only a right hand for balance are pretty much impossible. Riding through the snowsheds/tunnels with only a right hand was a new experience too....one that I don't wish to repeat any time soon.
All in all, I was lucky to get off as lightly as I did.....however my faithful Bandit needs lotsa pieces replaced before she's ready to go for next year's riding season. Luckily it all appears to be fixable by myself so I'll be pulling everything apart this coming Labour Day weekend and making up my list of required bits. All being well, I should have her fixed up before she gets put away for the winter....but MY riding is done for the 2011 season, unfortunately. C'est la vie, as they say in Paris.
Thanks for sharing all those great pics, Allan. I will/will have to get you to send me some of those for MY album. I'll try to get some of my shots up on PB sooner rather than later.