Best of the NW Canada/US ride in July

[Netnorske]

Well it looks like this modified ride has moved to the probable stage! I'm planning a long loop up to Prince George, BC then south through Jasper NP into Montana, eventually riding south on Hwy 93 to Challis, Idaho before heading west back toward Washington. It will end up being between 2200 and 2300 miles. Planned dates will be Saturday July 2 to Saturday July 9.

This will be a pretty aggressive ride....with RIDE being the key word here. This is not an official "guys only" ride, but if your spouse/GF does not come along.....that would be all good. We can make better time riding solo....so give that some thought.

Here is a modified list of overnight stops including mileage and ride times estimated by HD Ride planner:

Sat July 2- Everett, WA to Williams Lake, BC 388 miles 8h 9m
Super 8 Williams Lake

Sun July 3- Williams Lake, BC to Jasper, AB 367 miles 6h 58m
Best Western Jasper Inn and Suites

Mon July 4- Jasper, AB to Cranbrook BC 313 miles 6h 50m
Super 8 Cranbrook

Tues July 5- Cranbrook, BC to Hamilton, MT 340 miles 6h 48m
Super 8 Hamilton

Wed July 6- Hamilton, MT to McCall, ID 367 miles 7h 24m
Super 8 McCall

Thur July 7- McCall, ID, to Enterprise, OR 270 miles 5h 38m
Best Western Rama Inn and Suites

Fri July 8- Enterprise, OR to Sandpoint, ID 246 miles 5h 20m
Days Inn Sandpoint

Sat July 9- Sandpoint, ID to Home

If you would like to join us from the beginning or join us (or break away) at any point along the way, you are welcome to do so. Drop a note in this thread and chime on in. There are no plans for any real touristy sight-seeing, as the scenery itself will be the main attraction. This is a riders ride....so come prepared to do just that... !

I have reserved a suite for four guests (all accounted for) at the Best Western Jasper Inn and Suites for the evening of Sun July 3. The room has 1 queen bed and three single beds for $305.00 CN (AAA rate including all taxes). I have me, Lomax and Ballast and Canuckrider in the suite.

At all other locations I will reserve a room with two queens beds for either myself....or to share with another rider (Lomax). I would suggest making reservations at these same places when you get a chance.

So far it looks like me, Ballast, Lomax, and Canuckrider anyone else up for a great ride....??? Let me know what you guys think....

[schoeney]

Hi Kris,

I will probably jump in for part of this ride but not sure when/where and probably won't know until June so I am not much help until then. I need one of those cushy government jobs that I am paying for.

If you have not ridden HWY 200 from 56 to Missoula it is a nice treat. Little traffic, nice road.

[rickyboy]

Kris,
I don't mean to piss on your cornflakes, honestly!... but just to be clear here,....are you planning to leave your place on the 2nd and reach Williams Lake that night? I'm just thinking that it takes me about 6 hrs. to ride from Langley to 100 Mile House. Williams Lake is about one hr. from 100 mile. And you're what? an hour outside of Abbotsford ?
The estimated time between Williams Lake and Dawson Creek is 9.5 hrs..
6.5 hrs. to get from Dawson to Jasper
And Jasper to Creston which is 379 mi - about 8 hours.
the next leg of the journey from Creston BC to Salmon ID is about 7 hrs..
Salmon to McCall ID is not so bad at 6 hrs.
McCall ID to Moses Lake ...again isn't too bad at 6 hrs.
And a short ride of 3.5 hrs from Moses Lake to Everett

It's all doable for sure but there a few long days. These numbers are all without stops.

I might ride part way with you from my cabin or Abbotsford to 100 mile house so I can visit with my folks.

[Netnorske]

I get what you are saying Rick....long days those first three are. I might leave my house around 5:30 or 6:00am that first day and get through the border before the crowd hits. From then on, my plan would be to get an early start each day....like around 7:00am....and ride pretty hard the first half of the day before lunch. If we do that, even including fuel and lunch stops, we should be at out destinations by 5:00 or 6:00 pm at the latest.

Also, ride times are usually somewhat less than what Google estimates...especially considering we will be rolling a tad over the posted speed in most cases. But.....your point is well taken....they are some long days in the saddle no doubt. Like I said in the OP....this is a riders ride....not much room for loggigagging!

I will take a good long look and am not opposed to tweaking things a bit if it means more riders would tag along.... !

[ballast]

If I can get the week off then I am in. I'll take a piece of that room in Jasper.

Keep your fingers crossed I should know by tonight.

[Netnorske]

I gave some thought to what Rick said....and have modified the route to keep things a little more manageable. We will still catch the best eye candy and roads in the great NW! Check out the OP for the new itinerary.

Rider list:

Myself
Lomax
Canuckrider
Hammer
Ballast...??
Schoeney....??

[rickyboy]

And "rickyboy" as far as "the 108 ranch". Maybe, I hope.
Nice talk'in to you Kris.

[canuckrider]

Looks do-able to me! Yeah, some pretty aggresive riding and long days, but I'm up for that.

I could hook up with you at Cache Creek, or 100 Mile House. Or perhaps, seeing as July 1st is a holiday here in Canada, head out to Abbotsford that day, stay at Hammer's and join you in Abbotsford on the 2nd.

Put me down for one of the single beds at Jasper.

I've submitted my vacation request a couple of weeks ago and haven't heard back yet. I'm meeting with my Boss next week so I'll have that on my agenda of things to discuss.

[Netnorske]

No prob Al. As for the stop in Jasper.....I now have all four spots in my suite accounted for (me, Lomax, Ballast and Canuckrider).

At this point you will have to book your own room or share with another rider...but Jasper is spendy in the summer....eesh! The riding around Jasper including the Icefields Highway will be soooo worth it though.... !

[ballast]

Unless management or the union F with the calendar I am in.

[lomax]

......I'm liking the modified version Kris. It definately will take some of the pressure off and leave a little time to "smell the roses". The mileage shown doesn't quite jive with mine. I've probably screwed something up. Could you post a google map of the route? All in all, it will be a terrific ride!! :)

Mike

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by lomax

......I'm liking the modified version Kris. It definately will take some of the pressure off and leave a little time to "smell the roses". The mileage shown doesn't quite jive with mine. I've probably screwed something up. Could you post a google map of the route? All in all, it will be a terrific ride!! :)

Mike

For some reason or other....I can't link to my google maps. Even in the Redwoods Rally thread....none of the ride maps are showing up. I don't know what the deal is. Anyways....it should be a great ride for sure!

[vulcans2]

Kris,

I assume that you will be leaving McCall and riding down Hwy 95 to Cambridge, then out to Hell's Canyon to get to Enterprise. Be advised, if you don't already know, that the road we refer to as Pine Ck. Grade (actually it's a paved forest service roads) washed out last year due to heavy rains and is no longer passable. Maybe sometime later this year if the weather cooperates. This road takes you to Joseph, OR, then Enterprise. Other than that, you'll have to ride out to Baker City and head north, on the east side of I-84, through Union, OR to get to Enterprise.

If you are looking for a great place for lunch by the time you get to Hell's Canyon, about a mile and a half after you turn onto the road going to Baker City, on your right there is a store that usually has gas in it's pumps, and next door is the Hell's Canyon Cafe. That guy serves what is probably the finest hamburger I've ever eaten, along with french fries that are superb. I'd love to join you for part of that leg, but I'm not sure what our schedule is that far out yet.

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by GregO

Kris,

I assume that you will be leaving McCall and riding down Hwy 95 to Cambridge, then out to Hell's Canyon to get to Enterprise. Be advised, if you don't already know, that the road we refer to as Pine Ck. Grade (actually it's a paved forest service roads) washed out last year due to heavy rains and is no longer passable. Maybe sometime later this year if the weather cooperates. This road takes you to Joseph, OR, then Enterprise. Other than that, you'll have to ride out to Baker City and head north, on the east side of I-84, through Union, OR to get to Enterprise.

If you are looking for a great place for lunch by the time you get to Hell's Canyon, about a mile and a half after you turn onto the road going to Baker City, on your right there is a store that usually has gas in it's pumps, and next door is the Hell's Canyon Cafe. That guy serves what is probably the finest hamburger I've ever eaten, along with french fries that are superb. I'd love to join you for part of that leg, but I'm not sure what our schedule is that far out yet.

Thanks for the heads up. I rode that road last year on a trip to Hell's Canyon. We are planning to ride up through Baker City and around to Enterprise....

[elvis]

Originally Posted by Netnorske

Thanks for the heads up. I rode that road last year on a trip to Hell's Canyon. We are planning to ride up through Baker City and around to Enterprise....

Kris, I'm not sure when you rode that road and I don't know exactly how you're gonna ride this time but we were in Joseph last June and took this photo:



Since you're staying in BestWestern, Enterprise (great choice by the way), I'd highly recommend The Embers Brew House in Joseph. 17 micro brews on tap and simply the best burger ever...

Cheers,

Elvis