2015 - Day 4

I departed Orem, UT this morning under overcast skies, and by the time I made the turn onto highway 6 it started raining lightly. It rained on and off all the way down to I-70, never for long and not heavily. I pulled into a gas station shortly after hitting the interstate to let a rain storm pass through, and then continued on to Moab.

Hoping to check in early I made my way into town, and after chatting with another traveler for half an hour I was able to bring my gear into the room. As I was unloading the bike another big rain shower passed through, so I took a half hour break in the room to let it pass by.

With the sun coming out behind the rain, and temperatures just right, I made the short ride up to Arches National Park. Planning to travel through quite a few National Parks, I purchased the annual pass which should hopefully save me some money.

Riding through most of the Arches NP was pretty amazing, the views are incredible and the rock formations are awesome. The pictures I took don't do justice at all to the scenery, one has to actually be there to experience it. Seeing some of the sights requires some hiking, and I got some of that in as well, but would need more time to fully explore. Some of the hikes are quite long, 5km+ to see some of the arches that make all the brochure photos, so there wasn't enough time for me to get it all in today. I'll see how tomorrow goes, but I may try and squeeze in one more night here if I don't get to see all I wanted to see.

After seeing that I headed back to town for some dinner, and then took a little time to plan ahead. The rooms down here are expensive, and reserving rooms ahead of time would have saved me a lot of grief as well as money I'm sure. It seems like as I look ahead that hotel costs are going to be substantially higher than last year, especially considering how weak the Canadian dollar is right now. Anyway, onto the pic's.

Waiting for the rain storm to pass by

Finally sunny, time to see some stuff

Strange how this one almost looks like a painting on my iPad

Your's truly

2015 - Day 3

Once again I got off to another late start to the day, this seems to becoming a routine that I'll have to correct. It was another chilly morning, to be expected as the city of Butte is over a mile above sea level. The skies were overcast, the forecast calling for rain along the route that I'd be taking today. Today will be another day of pounding pavement, though a lot of what I'm riding today is new highway to me.

About 150km into the day's ride I pulled over to throw on the rain gear, clouds on the horizon threatening some precipitation. Maybe I've finally become a biker, because the prospect of rain doesn't really bother me anymore, though sunny riding is still a lot more fun. I've also accumulated great gear by now that keeps me dry, worth every penny.

Not long after getting ready I rode through a short shower, but skies turned sunny as I crossed the state line into Idaho. Two years ago I came into Idaho Falls from the east, funny how towns look totally different when you come in from a different direction. I took a break to eat lunch and fill up the gas tank, then continued south on I-15. The US Interstate system really is an amazing engineering feat when you consider how many thousands of miles of highway that's been built in this vast country. It always amazes me too how the interstates are always in good repair.

Today was voting day in Alberta, triggering my mind to wander to politics as I rode. I'm glad I was able to vote in the advance polls before leaving as I'm a firm believer in excercising my right to vote. Over the years many have paid a high price so that we in the free world can continue to have a say. From politics my mind wandered to many of the issues in society today. It's too bad that those issues seem to dominate the media, overshadowing how richly blessed we are in North America. How great would it be if we could focus on how much we have, not on how much we want! One thing that I really enjoy about my bike trips is that I get a chance to disconnect a little from media, getting a chance to talk with everyday people from all walks of life. There's a lot of good ones left, but sadly they're usually not the squeaky wheel getting the grease. Anyway, I'll get down off my soapbox now:)

Somewhere between Pocatello, ID and the Utah state line the rain started again. It was only raining lightly and man did it smell good as the rain washed everything down. I was not really looking forward to dealing with the traffic of the Salt Lake City area at the end of the day's ride, but would rather get through it today than deal with it in the morning. Traffic started getting quite heavy by the time I got to Ogden, and it got down right gnarly by the time I got to Salt Lake. We were down to 40km/h at times on the interstate! Thankfully it started flowing better once we got south of Salt Lake.

I'll be spending the night in Orem, just north of Provo, which puts me in a great spot for tomorrow. I'm planning to get off the interstate as I make my way down to Moab, where I'll spend the afternoon and at least one more day taking in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. I'm looking forward to spending a little less time in the saddle as my back and butt are quite sore today. Doing some more walking and picture taking is probably just what the doctor ordered.

This is where I stopped to put on the rain gear

Showers await:)

Just north of Idaho Falls

Time for a little break

Smoke break, looks gnarly up ahead

Was nice to get to the hotel a little earlier, gives me a chance to catch up on the blog and enjoy some sunshine

My workspace tonight, go Flames!

2015 - Day 2

I got off to a later start than I had hoped for today, for some reason the morning just seemed to pass quickly. I am on vacation I suppose, but I do like to get started somewhat early so that the day doesn't get away from me as quickly. There are advantages to traveling light, loading the bike for the day takes hardly any time when one only has to secure one bag.

The air was chilly as I left Red Deer, the perfect temperature to shake any remaining cobwebs from the brain. The sun was shining, and as the miles passed it brought promise of a warm day ahead. Passing through Calgary on the Deerfoot Trail was a breeze, having to hardly slow down at all. I stopped in Okotoks for a coffee with a friend and ex-coworker. The break went a little longer than I'd planned but it was good to catch up and relax a little.

I only left there at around 1pm, with a lot of riding yet to do to make the goal that I'd set for myself. By now it was warm enough for me to start shedding some layers. Shortly before 4:30pm I had successfully crossed the border and was back in the USA.

A quick fuel stop in Shelby, along with a much needed replenishing of fluids for myself, and then I was back on the highway headed south. The wide open spaces of southern Alberta and Montana are pretty awesome, as one can see for miles all around. The temperatures by now were in the mid 20's so it was nice and warm for riding. 

I-15 from Great Falls to Butte has some amazing scenery, just wild and free country that inspires the soul. It seemed to also inspire my trusty steed, as we carved through some of the tighter sections at well over the posted speed limits, the roar of the engine calming my spirit. There is just something about the state of Montana that calls me, and if I ever were to move it would be one state that I would highly consider.

After another fuel stop in Helena I set out on the final leg of the day. The smell of campfires, BBQ's, and the sweet smells of summer filling the air. It was right around 8pm when I departed Helena, the sun starting to set behind the hills and mountains I was riding through. As it does in spring/early summer, the air began to cool off rapidly, though it was still pleasant as I arrived in Butte.

By the time I'd had a quick snack and checked into my room it was after 9:30pm. I was thouroughly tired so maybe it was a blessing in disguise that the wi-fi in the room didn't work at all. The TV remote didn't work either so I took it as a sign that I was supposed to shower and call it a night after a little relaxation. I've been riding hard, considering that my body isn't used to sitting on a bike all day, and it took no time to fall asleep.

Kind of boring scenery but you can see as far as the eye allows

Almost in Lethbridge

Waiting to cross the border 

You couldn't have paid me enough to trade places with the people in that airplane

This is why I ride!

Down in that valley is Helena

Something I do a few times each day, would be nice to have a much larger fuel tank

My home for the night, Butte, MT

2015 Bike Trip - Day 1

The last few days have been busy as I made preparations to leave on my annual bike trip. After working out of town all winter, I was looking forward to taking some time in May to do a little planning for the road trip. After a chat with my bosses, and learning that the month of May might be a little slow at work, the thought of leaving early took root in my mind. I decided Friday that I was going to leave Monday, and took the day to catch up things in town that I needed to get done before leaving.

For some reason I had it in my mind that I was going to need a lot of time on the weekend to get ready, but by Saturday afternoon I had decided that Sunday morning was going to be the departure time. Now that I'm in my room for the night I'm glad I decided to just leave this morning, I would have been bored at home and would have regretted it if I had waited until Monday.

The sun was shining brightly as I made the final preparations and packed my bike for the next three weeks or so. Despite the sunshine the temperature was cold, right around 2 degrees Celcius (35F), as I  got rolling down the highway. I had dressed warmly but the wind still found a way to cool me down, and by the time I stopped for the first cigarette I was already quite cold. Clouds rolled in shortly as well, though that made no discernable difference in the air temperature.

Making the first gas stop of the trip in Red Earth gave me a chance to warm up a little, and then I was back in the wind. Not long after leaving Red Earth the sun started poking out a little more, and by the time I arrived in Slave Lake for some food the temperature was up to 5C (41F). Looking west as I rode it looked like there was some bad weather out there, and I was very thankful to have this route down highway 88 instead. Coffee and chilli from Tim Hortons hit the spot, giving me energy for the next leg of the day. Not long after leaving Slave Lake I pulled over to gear up for my first rain riding of the year. It rained lightly for a half hour or so, and I was so grateful for the awesome gear in the saddle bags. Getting wet today would have been nasty with the cool temps, and I was able to stay completely dry.

I felt like a complete rookie as I babied the bike into Westlock, the fuel tank almost as empty as I've ever run it. There was around a liter left in the tank, but I would have felt like a fool had I run it out of gas. I do pack a gallon of gas in a can that's built to sit in the back corner of a saddlebag just in case.

Passing around Edmonton on the bypass was smooth, and once I got on the Deuce heading south I opened up the throttle, running pretty much the whole way to Red Deer in the hammer lane. By now the temperature was up to 12C (54F), which already felt quite balmy. Pulling up to the hotel felt good, as I was more than ready for some dinner and a hot shower.

As I sit here now I can feel that I'm going to be tired for the next few days as my body adjusts to traveling on a motorcyle again, but it's a good kind of tired. I'm looking forward to the days ahead as I get a chance to once again see new roads and stunning scenery, and hopefully some conversations with new friends as well. Hopefully those of you that choose to follow via this blog can enjoy the trip vicariously.

Loaded and ready to roll

It looks so warm on the picture:) The trees are just starting to sprout leaves now, though it's hard to see in the pic

Saw a lot of that to the west of me today, thankfully I only had a little rain and no snow!

I went in there and got nice and warm, after a quick dinner

This is what Westlock looked like a little over 2 hours after I passed through!! So happy I missed that, would have never guessed it was going to snow as it was sunny when I passed through. (photo credit to uncle Andrew)

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.