Guzzi or no, this trip is going to happen. I need route suggestions.

[Toecutter]

Riding out the Victoria and might want to come back through Northern Washington and Montana, then back into Alberta...

anyone have route suggestions? Happy to hear them!

Also... low/no ethanol fuel in the States? Who carries it?

[Perazzimx14]

Planning your trip around non/low ethanol fuel is going to be interesting.

[Toecutter]

I'm not planning it around it, I'm asking a simple question, so when I do roll into a town, I can make an informed choice.

Thanks for the input.

[ITSec]

You'll have trouble getting ethanol-free fuel without bending yourself out of shape. Regarding low-ethanol fuel, there's no way to know how low, since that's a blending issue at the refinery. The pump will only tell you that it's 10% or less. It could be anywhere from 0 to 10%.

For the route, the first decision is whether to take the ferry back to the BC mainland or to take the ferry from Victoria to the US directly. Don't forget your passports in either case. Assuming you are coming back to the BC mainland before crossing, AVOID the big crossing south of Vancouver. The commercial truck crossing further east is a lot easier and less crowded, and there are a couple other choices too.

The most interesting major road across Washington is US 2 - very scenic, well paved, good access to services, and so on. It is a mix of 2 and 4 lane, depending on where you are. For your overall path, I'd say the best place to turn north again would be Spokane, where US 2 bends north a bit. In northern Idaho it meets US 95, which you could follow north to the crossing at Eastport/Yahk. I've crossed there many times, and never had an issue (though in the old days it wasn't always a 24-hour port). Continue on BC 95 up past Ft Steele and Radium Hot Springs, and grab a cabin at the springs with some time for a hot pool! If you like, a very nice cut-off is here, following 93 to bypass Golden. You'll miss the tunnels of the main road from Golden to Banff, but you'll also get some great alternative scenery and avoid traffic on the Trans-Canada. You know the best roads home from Banff; I like the Icefields Parkway using the Rocky Mountain House cut-off out through the foothills, since the northern part of the Parkway drifts west and adds a lot of miles.

One alternative you should consider is actually to stay in Canada. The road along the border is often overlooked. From Hope, BC, follow BC 3 east. It winds along the southern edge of BC with some fantastic riding. Consider a side trip north into the Okanagan as far as Penticton or thereabouts to hit a few of the wineries. Very nice motorcycle-friendly bed and breakfasts are in the area too. Return south to get the section of BC 3 from Osooyoos, past Castlegar, up to Cranbrook and then join BC 95 as above. This southern route is one I haven't ridden for a few years, but I have plans to get back.

[Toecutter]

Thanks IT, we're taking 3 on the trip out west... we've considered coming back slightly north, too.

[Moto]

Riding out the Victoria and might want to come back through Northern Washington and Montana, then back into Alberta...

anyone have route suggestions? Happy to hear them!

Also... low/no ethanol fuel in the States? Who carries it?

I believe which brand stations carry no-ethanol gas differs from state to state, or even city to city. Around Madison, I have Shell, BP and Kwik-Trip stations that provide it. I have begun to think its availability may be tied to the presence of large motor boating populations, and probably to city size. Out in the countryside of Wisconsin it is harder to find the product.

There are apps for your phone that try to identify no-alcohol gas, I believe. You should get one of those, if you have a smart phone.

As for routes, I recommend US highway 2, eastbound out of Everett, WA, through the Idaho panhandle, and right across Montana and North Dakota. It's very scenic in western Washington, northern Idaho and western Montana (it goes through, or at least skirts the southern border of, Glacier Park), and is lightly used in the other reaches, meaning you don't have to give up too much time for the privilege of leaving the Interstate. It's the original U.S. highway designated as the main east-west route near the Canadian border, pre-Interstate. A national treasure for the nostalgic, I've enjoyed it right across North Dakota and Minnesota too.

Have fun, and make sure to appreciate some of the small, remote towns along the way. Give us a report (with pictures) when you're done.

Moto

[ITSec]

Thanks IT, we're taking 3 on the trip out west... we've considered coming back slightly north, too.

For a northern alternative, without going all the way up to Prince George, you're pretty much stuck with the old Trans-Canada (which I prefer to the tollway over the hump). However, following 97 up to Prince George and then the Yellowhead back home is rather nice. BC 5 from Kamloops to Tete Jaune Cache is a nice road, but probably familiar to you.

[wavedog]

Hwy 2 in Washington is ok if you like to deal with road construction, motor homes, lots of traffic, and time wasting congested tourist trap towns. Hwy 2 also dumps you out on the Columbia river basin which is ok, but its dry straight and fast. A more scenic and fun route is Hwy 20 over the North Cascades. Go to Okanogan, north to Tonasket, to Kettle falls, then to the Pend Oreille River, follow south to Hwy 2 across Idaho. Lots of good side roads along the way. If the North cascade Hwy 20 is closed due to a slide or whatever, go south to I-90 and go over Snoqualmie Pass. When Hwy 20 gets closed then every body heads for hwy 2 and it gets to be a mess. If you do take Hwy 20 then at Burlington get on the South Skagit Hwy to go up river. It is a very pleasant and scenic ride. It will join up with Hwy 20 and avoid a lot of traffic thru a couple of towns. If you do take I-90 then on the east side of the mountains go to Ephrata, Soap lake then follow along to Dry falls then to Coulee Dam. In all fairness, Hwy 2 between the Columbia river and Spokane is a nice ride. Lots of good riding and good scenery up there. Study a map. Enjoy and have fun.

[sturgeon]

I'm not planning it around it, I'm asking a simple question, so when I do roll into a town, I can make an informed choice.

Thanks for the input.

http://www.pure-gas.org/

[Moto]

... A more scenic and fun route is Hwy 20 over the North Cascades. Go to Okanogan, north to Tonasket, to Kettle falls, then to the Pend Oreille River, follow south to Hwy 2 across Idaho. Lots of good side roads along the way....

That's right! Ignore my earlier recommendation of Hwy 2 from Everett. The better route is Hwy 20 through the Northern Cascades. They're reminiscent of the Alps, I thought. Sorry for my confusion; I had mistaken the route number there. What I said about the remainder of US 2 still stands.

Moto

[Tom]

If you're darker in color, expect a little more scrutiny by Customs on the U.S. side.  Otherwise the routing that's recommended, I'd give a thumbs up too. 

[JayDee24ca]

I would stay on the US side of the border area unless you like dealing with pokey drivers and chip trucks that seem to dominate highway 3 on the Canadian side. The traffic on number 3 is nuts. The roads in northern Washington are great, and seemingly deserted, it is great riding.
John D.

[roadventure]

Hwy 2 in Washington is ok if you like to deal with road construction, motor homes, lots of traffic, and time wasting congested tourist trap towns. Hwy 2 also dumps you out on the Columbia river basin which is ok, but its dry straight and fast. A more scenic and fun route is Hwy 20 over the North Cascades. Go to Okanogan, north to Tonasket, to Kettle falls, then to the Pend Oreille River, follow south to Hwy 2 across Idaho. Lots of good side roads along the way. If the North cascade Hwy 20 is closed due to a slide or whatever, go south to I-90 and go over Snoqualmie Pass. When Hwy 20 gets closed then every body heads for hwy 2 and it gets to be a mess. If you do take Hwy 20 then at Burlington get on the South Skagit Hwy to go up river. It is a very pleasant and scenic ride. It will join up with Hwy 20 and avoid a lot of traffic thru a couple of towns. If you do take I-90 then on the east side of the mountains go to Ephrata, Soap lake then follow along to Dry falls then to Coulee Dam. In all fairness, Hwy 2 between the Columbia river and Spokane is a nice ride. Lots of good riding and good scenery up there. Study a map. Enjoy and have fun.

YES!  I just rode Highway 20 (west to east) in July.  I agree, it is a very nice and very scenic ride.  Also very good road conditions.

[John A]

A more scenic and fun route is Hwy 20 over the North Cascades. Go to Okanogan, north to Tonasket, to Kettle falls, then to the Pend Oreille River, follow south to Hwy 2 across Idaho. Lots of good side roads along the way. If the North cascade Hwy 20 is closed due to a slide or whatever, go south to I-90 and go over Snoqualmie Pass. When Hwy 20 gets closed then every body heads for hwy 2 and it gets to be a mess. If you do take Hwy 20 then at Burlington get on the South Skagit Hwy to go up river. It is a very pleasant and scenic ride. It will join up with Hwy 20 and avoid a lot of traffic thru a couple of towns. If you do take I-90 then on the east side of the mountains go to Ephrata, Soap lake then follow along to Dry falls then to Coulee Dam. In all fairness, Hwy 2 between the Columbia river and Spokane is a nice ride. Lots of good riding and good scenery up there. Study a map. Enjoy and have fun.
[/quote]

20 over the north cascades is one of my favorites, Washinton pass is a good one!

[Sheepdog]

I don't know if it will work on your route, but US12 from Missoula, MT to Lewiston, ID is beautiful. US95 from Lewiston, ID to Boise, ID is likewise unforgettable. Both routes follow rivers so the twisties compete with the scenery for your attention. The only bad part of these roads is that there is ZERO cell coverage.

[wavedog]

US12! A great ride. Be sure to take a photo of your bike by the sign that says 'winding road next 99 miles'. While in Lewiston take the time to ride the old Spiral Hiway. Go up and down a few times - its a hoot. Then, from Lewiston, head south to WA129 and go ride Rattlesnake grade into Oregon. Wow what a ride. From there the siren call of the Snake River canyon beckons. The road, I hear you calling.

[Tom]

Fun rides but I don't think he wants to go that far south.  He'll be in 4 wheels.

[wavedog]

Tom, I hear you. I just got a little carried away thinking about all the good riding in the PNW.

[Sheepdog]

Careful on the Spiral Highway...its heavily patrolled.

[wavedog]

Yes, last time I was there the police station sits on the hiway close to the turn off for the old spiral hiway.

[Tom]

Yeah, I did a U-turn through their parking lot to get back to the right hand turn to the Spiral Highway.  I was coming down 95 from Couer d 'Alene.  Refueled at the bottom and was going to play in traffic but didn't have enough time to go back up.  I was headed to John Day for the National.  Got in with barely some light in the sky.   

[Toecutter]

Thought I'd come back with an update:

We left on the morning of the second, made it 45 minutes into the ride before my wife noticed my kickstand was dropping, again... and the sky opened up started pouring. We geared up, and pushed on, hoping to make it to Highway 11 and Crescent Falls. An hour and half later, with the rain getting worse and the temperature dropping to the single digits, and the crotch in my rain pants having given up (resulting in a swimming pool inside the rain pants) we met up with my buddy in Rocky Mountain House and gave up for the day. Splurged on a Hotel room, and hung up all the gear to dry in the room.

Lit out the next day, pushing for Canal Flats. Weather was ok, some drizzle, grey skies for all of highway 11 until we hit 93/95 on the way to Lake Louise. It started pouring again, as we fell in behind the parade of rental motorhomes doing 60 kph, and tourists that think nothing of stopping mid highway on blind corners and hills. Pulled into Lake Louise to fuel up, wife's V7 wouldn't start. She'd been running her heated gloves and vest on high for most of the morning. Quick charge and back on the road.

Rained until we hit Radium, and then the sun came out. Fueled up (consistent 4.5 L/100 km on the V7s). The ride from Radium to Canal Flats was nice, warm, dry... a bit busy traffic-wise, but nothing out of control.  We pulled into the "Kootenay RV park", new owners. First view of the grounds is a "What have I signed up for", but it's a great campground, bike-friendly, with great, friendly management. The tent sites are fantastic. Back off the highway, great views, quiet. And the "Fireside Restaurant" across the highway is home to some great, simple, stick to your ribs, homecooked meals. Breakfast was fantastic. 

Day 3, Canal Flats to Osoyoos.
Highway 3. And it was awesome. Traffic was light. Weather stayed awesome all day long. By this time, the kickstand was being held up with a bungie cord. Nothing was helping. Slow speeds, it would stay up... highway speeds, it would creep down. The ride through the Kootenay Pass was fantastic, and the ride out of the mountains into Osoyoos was a ton of fun. So many switchbacks and corners. Some construction, though; however, it being a holiday Sunday, no workers present.

Osoyoos? Pretty town, but stay the hell out of the "campgrounds". Cramped, dirty, loud, no services at night. We got in late, left at the crack of dawn. My buddy split off at this point to wind his way back home, and my wife and I headed off for Victoria. The ride into Hope was nice, but rain began again on the way out of the mountains, and stuck with us all the way to Vancouver. The ride from Hope to Van was terrible. Highway 1 was bumper to bumper with the long weekenders heading home. It took us forever, sped up once we hit the 17 to the ferry though, Apparently "80" in Van means "120" to the locals. Ferry ride was nice, about 10 of us on bikes, my wife and I stayed with them on the parking level, about 1:45 to the island. We got off to do the 30 minute rip into Victoria, and the sky opened up again, with a vengeance. We pulled into our B&B about 4 hours late, thanks to Highway 1. Hung everything out to dry, showered, ordered pizza and sacked out.

Back up the next day, packed up, decided to spend one more day in Vic, and left the B&B to find a Hotel at a reasonable rate. We checked into "Hotel Zed. Funky, clean, inexpensive (relatively), with motorcycle parking and a fantastic restaurant... and a hot tub, and about 20 minutes walk to downtown. Spent the day on a self-planned walking tour Vic's brew pubs. Noticed my rear end slinging just a *bit* of oil on the rear rim. Cleaned it up, kept an eye on it.

Back up, back to the ferry, and back towards Highway 3. Didn't want to take the northern routes, didn't want to take the Trans Canada. So we took the 1, to the 3 again, figured we'd see it from the other angle. Weather was beautiful til we reached Hope, and then we geared up for a rainy, cold ride through the mountain. Lasted til we reached the summit, and then the sun came out.  Checked rear end. Yup, Oil slinging. Cleaned it off. Gear off, and down into wine country, where we stopped for a lunch of fresh fruit, roadside, and watched bikes go by. Checked rear end, no drip. Awesome. But weird. Started off again, loving the weather and roads & lack of traffic.... came over a rise about halfway between Keremeos and Osoyoos and... the valley vanished. About a km ahead of us was a WALL of water. We pulled over, geared up.. again... and set off. We hit that wall, and it's like someone turned out the lights. Black, absolute deluge. Stuck with us to Osoyoos and showed no signs of letting up in the distance. We pulled into a Super 8 and got the last room available. Heated outdoor pool and hot tub. We went out to dinner at a local Italian joint "Campo Marina"(woohoo carbs!), and it was excellent. Fantastic staff, great food, and we sat beside an old Hippie couple celebrating their 56th anniversary. We drank wine and shot the shit for hours, and then My wife and I headed back to our room and stayed in the pool til  the wee hours.

Next day was chilly but nice. No rain. Rode into Ft. Steel and decided to call it a night, we pulled into the "old" Ft. Steele campground (bottom of the hill, NOT the top), This place is bike friendly, quiet, and CLEAN. Absolutely fantastic site. Owners are a little anal about things, but it works, obviously. I'd 100% stay there again on my way through. Check it out. Be respectful of their rules, they deserve it. Owner and his wife are very nice people, very friendly. rear hub... no leaks. ?? ok, then.

Off again next morning, couple of bears, some goats on the road, with a stop at the Fireside Restaurant again... did I mention this place has great food? And off. Not sure how far we planned to go, but away we went.

Hit Lake Louise and had enough, it was cold, and raining, again. Struggled to find a room for the night, settled in. Word of advice... just stay the hell out of Lake Louise, or Banff, or Jasper... just pass on through and find somewhere else to stay. Overpriced, underwhelming and crowded. Rear hub? Slinging oil. Go figure.

Next day, final leg, heading for home. 85 km to the turnoff from Lake Louise, we hit hail. Not a lot, but enough. And rain. And it took us 1:45. And we had a snow warning for the Bow Summit... that never materialized, but temps dropped low enough that the threat was real. At one point we ended up behind an RV caravan about 2 km long. It sucked. Reached the turnoff to Highway 11  angry and edgy. The first half of Highway 11 from 93/95 is very pretty and very quiet. We took the opportunity to recharge at turnouts and scenic areas. Rear hub slinging oil, hard.

Last half of highway 11 is very... Albertan. In that, it's... functional. Straight runs, bordered by trees, and no view to speak of.  We hammered down, and did it between 130/140. Gassed up in Rocky Mountain House, hub dripping hard.

Last stretch, 2:15 home. Halfway in, my wife comes roaring past me, motioning me to pull over. I do.

My left saddlebag is on fire. Literally. Smoke. Flame. Strap broke, bag laid on pipe. Burned through bottom of it, burned through my tool wrap, loctite all over my pipes, baseball sized hole in bag (was using surplus haversacks as throwovers), tube of contact cement, patches, tire plugs, all of it a melted, smoking burning mess. Thankfully, it didn't reach the bottle of Methyl Hydrate (for my campstove). Spent some time on the side of the road repacking. An hour to go. Rear hub now visibly dripping when stopped.

Made it home.

3500 km. 8 days. Moose, Deer, Goats, Bears, Coyotes, one really brave chipmunk. High of 30 degrees, low of 0. Sun, rain, hail. Lots of great people, great places, shitty places, and in between.

Always wanted to ride through the rockies and kootenays. It was awesome. Looks like I'll be riding the CB750 for the remainder of the season, though. Til I figure out the final drive.

[Lannis]

Thanks for writing up your trip.   Always good to hear about other folks' motorcycle experiences!

About the trip itself as you described it, I'm ... I ... I'm at a loss for words.   

Lannis

[Daniel Kalal]

Strap broke, bag laid on pipe. Burned through bottom of it...

Was this a bungee (hateful things I stopped using) or a real strap?  It sounds like you had a very near thing!

[Toecutter]

It was the strap for the haversack. Heavy, webbed cotton duck. It just slipped through the buckle over time, I guess. When I started out, the bag was a good 5" above the muffler. It lasted that way for 7 days, not sure why it decided to give up the ghost on day 8.

[kirkemon]

The most interesting major road across Washington is US 2 - very scenic, well paved, good access to services, and so on.

Leavenworth is great!

[Toecutter]

About the trip itself as you described it, I'm ... I ... I'm at a loss for words.   

In a good way, I hope !?

[Sheepdog]

Leavenworth is great!

Leavenworth has the best Oktoberfest celebration I've ever attended...unforget table.

[Lannis]

In a good way, I hope !?

Well, there's good in everything, and in this case it's a realization on my part that a motorcycling vacation that would have been "The Motorcycle Trip From Hell" for me turned out to be an enjoyable trip for you ... and that maybe I need to learn to roll with the punches more, and make lemonade from sour lemons, to invoke two highly over-used old sayings.

Like, your kickstand failed and had to be worried about and finally tied to the frame, then your rain gear failed and you had to ride all day with a wet crotch (Oh, the chafing!).

Next day you're back in the rain (in the same failed rain gear), then you pile up behind a bunch of slow rental RVs (that's frustrating), THEN you find that a Guzzi V7's charging system isn't up to a job that any Yamaha or Honda could handle ... then a visually unappealing campground which, however, turned out to be OK.

Then you found a lousy dirty campground at Oosoyos, and the rain started again the next day (and I'm feeling really chafed and red around the nether regions now).

Then you had another day on the road with pouring rain compounded by terrible traffic, now I'm sore and wet AND my knuckles are white with traffic either stopped or speeding by hosing me down with gritty road spray.

No riding next day, and you notice that your bike's rear drive is starting to blow oil.   NOW the concern is not only "Will I make it home on this?" but as an old retired guy, I'm trying to fit a $2000 rear drive job into the budget and wondering why I didn't stick with chain-drive bikes.

THEN a ride through a wall of water (I assume in the same rain gear) and through three towns of which I would have had high expectations but they turned out to be "Overpriced, underwhelming and crowded".   Then behind another RV caravan under threat of snow, with the rear oil leak getting worse and slinging oil onto rubber places that it shouldn't be.

Then highway 11 in Alberta - a dead straight functional road just to be endured.

And THEN your motorcycle catches fire.  It's almost like a "How much Worse Can it Get?" adventure story.

In your summary, you had a great time and I'm really glad you did.   But I can say that I've been on a lot of long motorcycle trips (two 2000+ mile trips just this year, there IS a high side to retirement), and I've NEVER had this kind of discomfort and trouble all packed into one journey.   I'd have to add up a lifetime of trip contingencies to add up to this ONE trip of yours ....

So I guess words didn't fail me, with a little encouragement.    MAYBE I'll be able to laugh next time if all this happens to me at once ....

Lannis

[Toecutter]

HAH!

I loved it. Every minute of it, really... other than the wet crotch. And no... I stopped at a workwear store that first evening and bought a pair of Carhartt rubber overalls. Those rain pants hit the trash that night.

It was an awesome trip, can't say that I had much to complain about... other than rental RVs. The entire concept of Rental RVs was created by Satan himself.

My wife and I have trips that always result in the unexpected, and that, honestly... if I may appear a bit cliche... is where all the fun happens, where we meet the nicest people, see the most amazing things and have the greatest experiences.

As for those three mountain towns? Well, the only one we pass though on this route is Lake Louise, but I've been through all three more times than I can count.

The ride around those places is staggering scenery-wise. Truly beautiful. The towns themselves? Tourist traps, through and through. Go for the ride, and camp. Don't stay in town. Find a campsite between towns.