Thursday 10 July 2014

2014 Bike Trip Wrap-Up

After uploading pictures from my phone to the computer I took some time to go look through them. It's almost hard to believe in some ways that it's real. It seems that while one is on the road the days just go by, feeling almost like a whirlwind. As much as I enjoyed the trip (I'd do it again in a heartbeat, even knowing how much rain I would get) I probably tried getting too much into the 5 weeks. I sometimes refer to the last two trips as scouting trips, getting a feel for which places I'd like to return to someday. Having said that, it's impossible to see everything and to ride every road. Taking pictures (exclusively with the iPhone this year) and riding through new areas is what I enjoy, crowds and packed touristy areas not so much.

Photography goes hand in hand with new adventures, and it's a hobby that I can see myself getting a little more involved with. Over the long winter months the pictures are what trigger memories and help stave off cabin fever. It's also a fun way of sharing the adventures with others, mostly via the blog.

I spent the day doing laundry, washing everything that traveled with me, entering my trip information into the computer, and washing my (very filthy) motorcycle. As strange as it may seem to some, I had the itch to get on the road today after cleaning the hog. It becomes a way of life it seems, tempered by the necessity to work and earn money. Trip planning for next year is already in the preliminary stages and will continue through the winter months. It will be shorter and less miles I'm sure (my bosses at work may not be on board with this much vacation time every year). I want to thank them for allowing me the time to live some of my dreams, it really is appreciated!

Here's a few stats from the trip, those that know me personally know that I'm obsessive about keeping track of the numbers:)

17,458km
9 provinces visited
13 states visited (10 new to me)
$3778.72 spent on hotel rooms
$1435.61 spent on gas
64 fuel stops
1,031.428 liters of gas
$1.47/L average in Canada
$1.19/L average in the USA (in Canadian dollars)
47.8mpg - 5.9L/100km - 39.8 USmpg
944km was the most in one day
196km was the least in one day (touring PEI)
Just under $150 per day for lodging and gas

I had 6 non-riding days over the 35 days I was on the road, 1 because I wanted to let the rain pass by and the other 5 to spend time with friends and family.

Today I've had my current bike 1 year, 28,357km on the odometer so far. In 25 and a half months of owning bikes I've had 51,711km trouble free (including around 12 months of winter). My car is feeling neglected, only 36,000 on the odometer in 61 months, just how it should be! Sorry, but I did warn you I'm a stats freak:)

To any fellow bikers I may have met on the road and didn't wave to, I'm sorry. My arm would be falling off I had waved to each one, although I enjoy the tight-knit community of bikers when I'm on the road. Almost everyone I talked to was friendly, bikers and non-bikers alike, something that makes the trip that much more of an experience.

Adios for now, keep the shiny side up and the wind in your face. Cya somewhere on the blacktop:)


Starting to get some more color on the maps now, can't wait to see the remaining white ones!

Day 35

Today was the last day of this year's trip, making the decision in the morning to skip trying to get my tires changed. I can probably get a few thousand kilometers more out of them, and I'm broke. The ride wasn't going to be scenic, mostly just pounding pavement home. That's not to say I didn't enjoy the ride, I always still do.

From Hinton I headed east on the Yellowhead and then made the turn north onto Highway 44 just west of Edmonton. The route was a little longer than one of the alternate routes, but probably quicker as there aren't any cities to ride through. Until Slave Lake there were a lot of clouds, looking like I'd get a chance to ride through some thunderstorms. A few times I'd get some rain drops for a few kilometers but it never did start raining. After Slave Lake it was clear skies and warm, clouds only rolling in 40km from home.

Highway 88 north of Red Earth is a great road now that it's been paved all the way, smooth due to brand new surfaces, and nothing to slow one down. I did feel myself getting tired towards the end, stopping more often than usual just to stay alert. There's the potential for a lot of wildlife on the highway and I didn't want to get into a situation where I wasn't alert, possibly causing an accident. I never really ride with fear, but the two long trips I've taken have taught me to stay focused as anything could happen, usually because of something avoidable.

I caught a short shower about 20 minutes from home, not enough to even get wet. Another shower rolled through as I was putting my bike in the garage. I picked up a few things at the grocery store and then headed over to the folks for a coffee and to pick up the mail my sister-in-law Chrissy had faithfully collected for me while I was gone. Thanks Chrissy for keeping an eye on my place and going out of your way, I appreciate that a lot!

The ride today was the most kilometers I've done in a day, clocking in at 944km in 10 hours 30 minutes. I didn't make many stops as I didn't feel the need to.








Made it home safely, not one incident or breakdown in 17,458km! It's good to be home but I'm really going to miss being on the road and experiencing all the new scenery, and meeting so many great people.

Tuesday 8 July 2014

Day 34

This morning started off a little cooler than the last few, although not much and it didn't last. In the shadows it was actually chilly for the first hour and I though about putting on my jacket but it warmed up quickly. Having travelled the roads I'd be on today before, I didn't need to look at my Google maps, which added some more relaxation to the ride. I picked the route through Golden and Jasper for the scenery, which is better than highway 5 through Kamploops and Valemount in my opinion. It was a little more kilometers, there would be more tourists on the roads, but it was worth it.

Taking in the mountain scenery is so much better on a bike as there's nothing to obstruct the views, and I enjoyed this more than the last time I passed through in a cage. You get all the smells as well as the warmth of the sun. I stopped in Golden for gas and an ice cream at Dairy Queen before continuing on to the Icefield Parkway.

As much scenery as I've seen the last couple years, there is still nothing that beats the scenery right in my own province. The 250km or so that I rode on the Parkway today gets me every time. There aren't the awe inspiring switchbacks of Beartooth, or views from high up on the mountains, but being surrounded by mountains that reach to the sky is awesome! It's quite possibly my favorite place on earth and a certain peace comes with being there.

I stopped at the Saskatchewan crossing for a pee break and ended up talking with two guys from Wisconsin. My experience, limited as it may be, of the area seemed to help them decide what routes they were going to take. They had never been in Canada before and it was nice to hear them say they liked our country. Both of them mentioned that it didn't seem much different from the USA, and there really aren't that many differences other than prices, the money, and the way we measure things. They asked me some questions about our political system and the availability of work. We got interrupted a few times by some transient that would rant about Guns N Roses, Lady Gaga, and the BC premier. He was completely off his rocker, cursing the above mentioned parties, as well as expressing his desire to kill them. I'm not sure what he was on, but that man needs Jesus!

The temperatures at the Columbia Icefields was cold, so I put my jacket on for the first time since day 28. That was short lived because it was back to 30 degrees by the time I stopped in Jasper for gas. That town is hoping this time of the year, and I enjoy the touristy atmosphere there, but it was getting late and I needed to keep going.

As I rode from Jasper to Hinton it began to hit home that this trip is as good as over. It will be good to get home, go to work and make some money, but I'd love to keep this experience going. I will have been gone for exactly 5 weeks but it feels much shorter in some ways. When I think back to the beginning of the trip it kind of feels like a long time ago, but not really. The days tend to blend together, passing far too quickly. There is nothing I enjoy more in life than sitting on the bike and making miles through God's beautiful creation. I just need to figure out how to do this for a living lol! I rode slower than usual on that last leg, enjoying the evening and not wanting it to end.

I arrived at the hotel around 9pm where I'll spend my last night on the road. Tomorrow I'll make the trek home, unless by some miracle the dealer in Edmonton would have time to change the tires on the bike. I could probably squeeze a few thousand kilometers more out of them, which is probably what I'll do. They might even last until spring which would be nice for the bank account, though I doubt that's possible.


Made a few more friends from Washington state, the woman on the far left has a brother that does long distance rides on a bike as well









One of my favorite shots in the park, love how you can see the road for so far, tucked neatly between the mountains



These guys were enjoying their evening meal, not disturbed at all by the humans stopping to take pictures


My constant companion, at least on sunny days:)
The route today

Monday 7 July 2014

Day 33

After a great weekend in the Tri-Cities I was back on the road again today. I can't say enough about the hospitality shown by Stan & Jessie, making me feel like I was right at home. We shared great conversation over the three days and an evening I was there, they prepared amazing food all weekend long, and we all relaxed as much as possible. Time seemed to fly by much too quickly though, I guess that's what happens when you don't really keep a schedule.

Upon arriving in Pasco on Thursday we spent a little time catching up (I was mostly trying to cool down after a sweltering ride). We had made plans to go to a baseball game, eventually making it for the final few innings. The next night we returned to the same stadium for the Independence Day fireworks, which were really good. Seeing as how I never saw any Canada Day celebrations I decided to combine the two events. I enjoyed the display of patriotism, something that's very important to a country's future in my opinion. We often get caught up in all the problems of the day but when one takes the time to stop and think we have it really good in North America. Like the song says, at least we know we're free!

We were up until the wee hours last night talking, only retiring at around 1am. I had to pack my bags to get ready for today as I didn't want to do that in the morning. Once I laid down I couldn't seem to fall asleep, finally drifting off well after 2am. A 5 hour night isn't really enough, but the time spent re-charging over the weekend carried me over. We said our goodbyes, something I don't really enjoy as it brings with it a sense of finality. I look forward to the next time we meet, as I consider the two of them some of my closest friends. They left for a doctor's appointment and I pointed my front wheel north to begin the trip home. I wish you all the best in the coming weeks as you welcome a baby into the world Stan & Jessie!

It was already hot in the morning, and the temperature kept rising into the afternoon. As sweltering as it seemed at times, it is a welcome change from the damp and cold weather that I experienced so much of. I didn't really look at temperatures during the day, but it felt similar to the mid to high 30's that have been around for the last 6 days. The ride today took me through Moses Lake and up to the border crossing at Osoyoos, then up through Pentiction, Summerland, Kelowna, and ending in Vernon. I was at the hotel around 6, a little earlier than usual but I needed to catch up from the short night. Traffic in the Okanagan was heavy today, tourist season seems to be in full swing now. I'll probably ride to Hinton tomorrow and then do the final leg home on Wednesday. Both the front and rear tires on the bike are getting close to worn down, and if there's time I may end up replacing them in Edmonton.

Farm land a little north of the Tri-Cities

Following the Columbia River north

Leaving the River valley


Back in Canada, north of Osyoos 

Looking south at the Skaha Lake
Penticton in the left of the picture
Route I took today

Friday 4 July 2014

Day 29

Got another beautiful day for riding again, sunny and super hot. Highway 12 from Lolo, MT to Lewiston, ID is another must ride for bikers (cages too I guess). Winding it's way along the side of a river for most of it makes for great scenery, and helped to keep the air cool for a little while. It was piping hot all day, easily into the mid to high 30's I'm sure. One has to stay hydrated and also make sure to watch for sunburn.

After Lewiston the scenery changes more from mountainous to rolling hills and some farm land. It's quite arid so irrigation is required it seems for growing. As welcome as the heat was it's quite tiring and I felt completely exhausted by the time I reached Pasco. I'll be here for the weekend catching up with friends and relaxing. It will be nice to have some time to relax a little before the ride home to reality again.



They weren't lying, it was awesome!





My rich friends hooked me up with some front row seats;)
Re-united with my furry little friend