Allan is on the road !

[H2RICK]

Saturday morning greeted us with a little bit of overcast which stuck with us most of the way to Trail, the next major town on our route. On the way there from Christina Lake, we rode over the Bonanza Pass which is in the midst of some great scenery but as we were up at 1500+ metres above sea level (5000+ ft) it was quite a bit cooler than the surrounding valleys. Into Trail for gas and breakfast after some very interesting grades and curves to get from the small towns of Rossland and Warfield into the valley that holds Trail itself. Trail is a mining town that goes back to the 1880's or so and the lead/zinc/silver mine and smelter are still going strong. SWMBO worked for this company (and its successor) in their Calgary office for 38 years and she and I have been to Trail numerous times. Heck, she even got to go underground in the mine on one of her trips.
Away from Trail and Allen needs some injector oil for the Buffalo so we hit a Canadian Tire store where they finally had his brand. We had been searching unsuccessfully for this oil since waaayyy back in Kamloops but this is the first place we found it......and in the nick of time, too.....so Allan was now all smiles again. Now all we had to do was to find the bike salvage yard in the village of Fruitvale that Allan had spied last year.....when we didn’t have time to stop. We looked in vain for the yard this trip, so the rumours we’d heard about its demise must be true.
Off toward Salmo and the Salmo-Creston Pass where last year’s ride included an unscheduled stop for a single vehicle car accident that we arrived at long before the police and ambulance. Yours truly had done duty as a traffic cop until the real police arrived.
This time, though, there was nothing exciting happening and very little traffic which is always nice because this road, although scenic, is quite boring. We cruise on into Creston with some nice temps to greet us after the coolness of the Salmo-Creston Pass (1774 metres ASL or 5800+ feet) and get fuelled up once more. We’re starting to have some fairly solid high overcast now and this tells me we’re getting closer to “sunny” Alberta.
Away from Creston we head for Cranbrook, the next major town on the route. The cloud increases in thickness and it’s getting gloomier and gloomier and cooler and cooler.....but it’s not raining so I can live with that. This is very unusual weather for this part of BC which is usually smokin’ hot at this time of the year with temps in the +30 to +35 degree Celsius range (85-95 deg F). We gas in Cranbrook and head off down the road to Fernie, figuring on finding a place to bunk there for the night. The sky gets more and more ominous the further east we head......and we pick up a few sprinkles of rain heading into Fernie....but nothing serious enough for us to suit up with rain gear, thank Heaven.
No place to pitch our tents in Fernie because it’s the weekend and the locals have tied up all the sites at the provincial park just outside of town. Oh well, on to Sparwood and we’ll watch for any ditch camping sites along the way.......if we have to go to that extreme.
Fortunately Sparwood has a community campground with lots of room, although it is fairly close to the highway...and the railway track.....but beggars can’t be choosers. We get set up and go for dinner across the highway.
Before we hit the sack, Allan quizzes the teenage kid running the campground office about what life is like in a small town in the middle of nowhere, what his social life is like, school life, etc etc. It always amazes me what people will tell a total stranger who takes the time to ask !!! Allan, as some of you know, is VERY inquisitive.
After Allan's little "Q & A" session, we call it a night with some on and off showers which are predicted to stop by morning....hopefully.

[H2RICK]

The final packing of the tents and gear took place on this beautiful Sunday morning with lots of sunshine but the temps were a little on the coolish side. We headed for the “World’s Largest Truck” tourist attraction on the east side of Sparwood and found this little restaurant right next to the site. For some reason, we had never eaten there in all the times we’d stopped for photo ops. Turns out it’s a good place to eat breakfast with lots of interesting memorabilia and antiques jammed into this tiny diner.
Breakfast done, we headed east in a glorious morning. A quick stop for gas in Blairmore and then we headed on to the Frank Slide site where back around the turn of the last century half a mountain fell down on the town and totally buried it. The death toll has never been verified because census records in those days were a little less exact than they are today. It must have been a terrifying experience to be awakened in the middle of the night to a sound like the end of the world.....which it was for many of the residents at that time.
Off on the final leg on Highway 22 north towards Calgary. This road winds its way through the foothills of the eastern slopes of the Rockies heading right through real cowboy country as there are many working ranches along both sides of the road. This is quite a deserted route with no towns (or much of anything else, for that matter) along its length for almost 90 minutes or so. The weather gods were still smiling on us as this road is quite open and strong winds can make this part of the ride a real challenge. There is zero protection from the wind anywhere along the whole route....but we lucked out this time. However, the sky ahead of us to the north was getting darker and darker as I stole glances over my shoulder to the brilliantly sunny day we’d just left behind, wondering if maybe we should just turn around......but, no....home was strongly calling....for me at least.
We finally made it into the village of Longview, the first “civilization” you come to heading north on the route. The ominous skies made us wonder about our rain gear once more but, after gassing up, we decided to take a chance and not cover up. In the event, we made it to Casa H2 in Calgary in a rapidly cooling afternoon with LOTS more of those ominous clouds piling up.
We got the bikes unpacked and Allan immediately started cleaning the Buffalo because it had to go into winter storage in the next couple of days. Allan was returning to Barbados on Thursday so everything HAD to be done by Wednesday night because he wouldn't be back in Calgary until Christmas time.
He was in the midst of the cleaning job when the hail started.....and did it EVER come down for about 20 minutes or so !!! The roofs of all the houses looked like the dead of winter, the hail on them was so thick. The lawns took on a distinctly whitish hue with many of the hailstones being quite a size. It finally quit hailing and proceeded to rain in absolute sheets. We had missed all this by about an hour or so !! We had left Calgary in the driving rain and could have come home the same way....if we’d been a little later getting up or if we had tarried a little more on the road.
After the nasty little storm had passed, Allan was back out in the driveway working away on the Buffalo once more.
So, our trip was complete.....Allan’s 3rd and my 9th. Next year will be the 10th Anniversary Ride and I aim to be on it. Allan figures that since he didn’t get to see Long Beach for the SECOND year in a row, he has a good excuse to come back to Cowtown and try one more time. Well, we’ll see.....

Here’s a link to some selected pics from the trip.....more or less in chronological order. Some are mine and some are Allan’s as you’ll see.....although I have to say that Allan was faaaarrrr more diligent about taking pics than I was.....

http://s73.photobucket.com/albums/i234/ ... ip%202010/

[oldjapanesebikes]

Nice pics !

[Buffalo-guy]

Thanks for the memories, Rick. Having been at most of those places at one point, or another, your colorful narration was almost like being there in person,.......almost. Sorry I missed it ...again. Has Allan flown home? Haven't seen him in a few days, or is that weeks. See ya sometime soon.
Fred

[H2RICK]

Thanks for the compliments, guys. With my memory the way it is, it's amazing that I remembered as much as I did.....although the pics helped tremendously, of course. Maybe a guy should keep a little journal of each trip.....well, maybe NEXT trip.....if I can remember to buy a little notebook.
Fred, Allan is lonnngggg gone as of Aug. 26th so that's why you haven't seen or heard from him.
He'll probably be back for your annual Christmas party.....which I'll probably miss AGAIN due to the family thing happening in Manitoba.
SWMBO hasn't informed me of which day we're leaving town so MAYBE the dates will work out this year. I haven't heard from Allan about his proposed travel dates for Christmas yet.

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Rick thanks for posting up the journal and some of the photos, it was an eventful trip all but for not seeing the beach on the island due to the constant heavy fog, so maybe next year it can be done,again.
At first i did not like the canyon road due to its overall arid appearance, but now i look back at the pics and other info, I will have to say its pretty impressive given what amount of rainfall it gets per year.
So its worth taking another stab at it again in 2011and checking into it further.
Heres some more pics from the lot taken, with info.


Vintage CP double as it heads westwards just outside of Banff. I've always liked this CP livery and this model of the EMD FP series.


The bikes at an overlook spot just north of the Columbia Icefields parkway


Looking northwards from the overlook area, its a long ways down, from the edge here to the lowest point below is 2,000 metres.


Looking southwards from the overlook, you can just see a part of the main glacier under the cloud cover.


Rick likes his picture taken, hes all smiles.


At the 'crossing' on the Icefields parkway, its one of the few places for gas. Theres no physical station here, its just rows of pumps, you fuel your vehicle and pull forwards in queue to a small kiosk and pay.


The Pet Can station in Blue River, I had not noticed it before, but we actually parked in the shade of the sign.


Mount Robson, its spectacular and it should be, its the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies


The town of Jasper, looking northwards, taken from the Pet Can station.


Wildlife in the campground outside of Jasper passing by.


Osoyoos visitors centre and metal artwork


The town of Creston on main street looking west towards the Kootenays


The mining town of Trail, looks really busy,hmmm.


Rossland at the junction by the Esso station.



Christina Lake, well ok to be fair only the southern part of the lake is shown here.


Every year so far i've done the trip, I take a pic of the Buffalo and the sign here, so for 2010 here it is again.


Rick and the Buffalo at the Deli in Princeton


The northern part of Princeton township and its bridge.


Similkameen River flowing by the Campground in Princeton


One side of one of the many decks on the Coastal Celebration ferry as it fills with vehicles.


Town of Port Alberni on Vancouver island.


The entrance to Cathedral Grove park on Vancouver island


Can you spot the people next to one of the 'small' trees.


Approaching the inlet at Naniamo, the island in the middle is up for sale.


As the ferry nears the inlet area at Naniamo this is the view south.


We get the frontal section on the 'Queen of Cowitchan' for the trip over to the island.


Looking back towards the mainland on the the upper deck of the ferry.


The Fraser River canyon near to Spences bridge.


Cute little miner icon at Cache Creek.


A view from the overlook near Savona, thats Kamloops at the other end of the lake in the distance.


Rick and I tried out Red Robin in Kamloops, it was pricey for the meal but the smoothies were good.


One of the best fruit markets in the southern Okaganan, seasonal freshfruit, home made preserves and lots of local wine is good fare.


Taking in a photo op at the Hells Gate tram entrance.


A beautiful summer day in Western Calgary, the Rockies are about 60 miles away and clearly visible.


The small town of Longview, looking southwards, its about 80 miles due south of Calgary.

[Scorch]

Nice pictures, thanks for sharing.

[H2RICK]

Thanks for the additional pics, Allan. They fill in some of the "blanks" in my Photobucket collection. For some reason I didn't have the train pic and that's now added to my audio/visual record of the ride, thank you.
Great shots from the viewpoint at the top of the Big Bend Hill, too. The scenery around the Icefields is truly spectacular, IMO, and it's only 2.5 hours from Cowtown. A guy should really go up there more often....

Rick likes his picture taken, hes all smiles.

I think that was actually a grimace as the feeling returned to my extremities after the nasty ride in all that cold rain. Uggghhhh.....

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Ok then Rick, so you are sort of saying its the Icefields again for 2011? thats fine by me. I'd really like some photos of the big hairpin loop from the mountain overlook and a riding video of it as well.

[Joiseygirl]

You guys are so lucky to have been able to ride your bikes across BC and take in all the beautiful scenery it has to offer. Rick you did a great job of narrating and documenting the trip and now that Allan added pics to the story, its even better! I'm sure the photos don't do justice to some of the places you visited. Thanks for sharing your experience, perhaps you'll inspire others to do the same on different rides throughout the US, Canada and maybe even Europe.

I try to visit a place I've never been to every year, but I know I'll never be able to take a trip like that on a bike. I stopped shortly in Victoria while on a cruise to Alaska this summer, it left me wanting to return to BC, perhaps Vancouver. There are so many places I'd like to see on my "Bucket" list. We'll see how things fall into place for me this year.

[H2RICK]

Thank you for the kind words, joiseygirl.

it left me wanting to return to BC, perhaps Vancouver.

Well, Vancouver is okay for the touristy kind of things.....but to a rider on a ride, it's just another big city to be avoided, IMO. It has its charms....but only if you're in a cage, IMO.
However.....the REST of BC has lots to offer a rider....especially the East Kootenays.....which have some serious riding roads. I could ride those roads happily for the rest of my natural life.

Ok then Rick, so you are sort of saying its the Icefields again for 2011? thats fine by me. I'd really like some photos of the big hairpin loop from the mountain overlook and a riding video of it as well.

Why not, Allan ??....assuming we get better weather......and then we can head down #5 (BORRRRRING....so we'll ride faster ) from Jasper again but turn off and head towards 100 Mile House and down to Lillooet so we can ride the Duffy Lake road as we head for the coast. We'll have to keep a closer eye on the weather forecasts so we don't get rained out at Long Beach again....
This time we could come back UP the Fraser Canyon and then work our way down to Vernon, do the Monashee Pass road and then ride our brains out in the East Kootenays as a grand finale. You'd have some REAL videos after a trip like that !!!
But NO Red Robins....my bank account is still in shock from THAT tab !!!! BC = Bring Cash.....

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Rick that idea sounds great on the 2011 route and it would be most welcome by me, plus I'd get to take in the 100 mile house and Duffy lake road as a bonus.
Oh come on Red Robin wasn't that bad now was it??? ok so they did poke out your eye a bit.

[H2RICK]

ok so they did poke out your eye a bit.

A BIT ????!!!!! I felt like asking them where their masks and guns were !!!
The "greeters" and the waitresses eased the pain somewhat, though.... ....but it was STILL the most expensive meal I've EVER had in a burger joint!!! .....without alcohol, even.....

[stevegt738]

Nice ride report & great pics guys, looks like you had a great time. Glorious country you got to ride through, nothing like that here.
We've done 3 week long trips on the DL this year and had a blast on all of them.

[H2RICK]

nothing like that here.

Steve, I'm sure Oz has LOTS of interesting places to ride through. You maybe don't have anything as impressive as the Rockies to LOOK at BUT I know you have lotsa good riding roads there because I've seen pics and videos of them. You ALSO have a zillion miles of beaches where the fog/drizzle/rain NEVER bothers you....unlike Long Beach where Allan and I got rained out.
What we need to do is arrange some kind of swap thing where we get to ride each other's roads for a month. I think a circumnavigation of Oz would be the adventure of a lifetime. Our buddy Muzza has done it back in the day, IIRC, the lucky sod.