Edmonton Alberta to Tofino Britsh Columbia
Edmonton Alberta to Tofino Britsh Columbia
July 17th 2015
It is 4:30 in the morning as I finish my morning coffee. The weather forecast called for rain today and I geared up to conditions. As my garage door opened reality has sunk in that it was going to be one wet day.
Being thankful for heated hand grips I hit the road for the first 100km of my journey heading south on highway 44 from Pickardville Alberta and then heading west on highway 16 the Yellowhead Highway. I met up with my riding friend Ed in Wabamun lake Alberta whom was also geared up to the rain conditions. Our next stop was for fuel in Entwistle, Alberta, the sheltered gas pumps was a great break from the pouring rain. We proceeded with our journey heading south on highway 22 the Cowboy trail. Even with the relentless rain I could not help but smile as our bikes navigated through the rolling hills and the sweeping curves. Our next fuel stop brought us to Rocky Mountain House Alberta. Having it been my first time to this area it was a shame the views were limited due to weather. I knew I had to return on a future ride to explore the surrounding areas.
We continued south on the Highway 22 as it snaked back and forth through these great foothills communities. Due to the rain our only stops were to change up our soaking wet riding gloves and to discuss the next segment of the ride. Upon arrival in Black Diamond Alberta a decision was made to start thinking on a hotel for the night to dry out. We decided to push ourselves linking on to highway 3 the Crowsnest pass and made it to Coleman Alberta for a distance of 700km. We found a room at the BCMI Inns.
July 18th 2015
We awoke to blue skies in the and dry riding gear. After our mourning coffee we back tracked to Lundbreck falls. Due to the poor visibility yesterday I was in awe at the sights that laid in front of us, as if seeing them for the first time. Is this the same highway? I thought. After a quick rest stop we turned our attention back towards the west. It was going to be a great day.
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| Lundbreck Falls |
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| Lundbreck Falls |
Our next stop was Frank's slide where we relived the sobering history of when on April 29, 1903. Over 82 million tonnes (90 million tons) of Limestone rock slid down Turtle Mountain within 100 seconds, obliterating the eastern edge of the mining town of Frank. An Estimated 70 to 90 town residents lost their lives in this tragic event.
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| Overlooking Frank's slide |
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| Frank's slide |
Following Highway 3 our ride took us through mountain towns of Sparwood and Fernie British Columbia. I could not help but wonder how this amazing part of the province has eluded me for so long. The temperature has now risen to 28 degrees Celsius. Smiles over took us as our exhausts echoed off the rugged that encompassed the highway.
Our next stop brought us to Creston British Columbia. We decided to stretch the legs and check out the property at Columbia breweries where Kokanee beer is brewed.
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| Columbia Breweries |
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| No Sasquatches were hurt during this photo shoot |
Leaving Creston we turned North on highway 3A riding the East side of Kootenay Lake. This section brought us through some intense curves that had us wanting more. On some turns you could see the numerous scrapes in the highway where previous riders have hit the road with their foot pegs. As we got closer the the ferry crossing at Kootenay bay a two water bomber's danced over head replenishing their water intake from the lake and discharging it off in the distance. Having just missed the ferry crossing to Balfour we took the opportunity for another stretch the legs moment and took in some of the sights of the impressive lake we were about to cross.
We caught the next ferry called the Osprey, crossing Kooteney Lake you could see where the Water bombers have been fighting a forest fire. The breeze off the lake was much needed as the temperature hit 30 degrees Celsius.
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| Toad Rock Motorcycle Campground |
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| Pavillion at Toad Rock |
Awaking early we disassembled camp and headed south past Balfour continuing on Highway 3A arriving in Nelson British Columbia for our first stop and a much needed breakfast and coffee break.
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| Nelson British Columbia |
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| Crows nest Pass east of Osoyoos |
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| Crows nest Pass East of Osoyoos |
After riding through Manning Park we arrived in Hope British Columbia for the night staying at the Colonial 900 Motel. During the Evening we decided that we were going to use up our free day ride and make a run up the Frazer River Canyon.
Morning could not have come soon enough. After our morning Coffee we took in the Othello tunnels which were close by. If you have ever seen the move Rambo with Sylvester Stallone these tunnels may look familiar to you.
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| Othello Tunnels |
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| Othello Tunnels |
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| Othello Tunnels |
We arrived at Pemberton British Columbia at the same time the Pemberton music festival was getting out. The next 32km to Whistler British Columbia was painfully stop and go in 34 degree Celcius weather. It took us an hour and twenty five minutes to cover the 32km distance to find out that it seemed that everyone wanted to make that left turn in to Whistler. The south side of Whistler brought us empty roads following the see to sky highway past Squamish and the bay at Howe Sound before dropping down to the ferry terminal at Horshoe Bay British Columbia.
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| Horseshoe Bay |
July 20th 2015
Taking in the sunrise with a morning coffee on the ocean, we decided to back track to Gibsons British Columbia for breakfast at the famous harbor view Molly's Reach. I am probably dating myself and some of you. But if you are Canadian and were alive in the 70's and 80's you have probably head of the cbc tv show Beach Combers where this restaurant was front and centre. Originally just a tv set investors turned it in to a working restaurant in 1995 and I am glad they did.
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| Beach Combers Persephone |
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| Molly's Reach |
After an impressive breakfast we rode oceanside north west following the sunshine coast highway where we will arrive at Earl's cove for another ferry crossing. At the ferry terminal we took in conversations with a few fellow riders exchanging stories on where we came from and where we are heading.
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| Ferry from Earl's Cove |
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| Ferry Terminal Earl's Cove |
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| Ferry Terminal at Earl's cove |
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| Ferry crossing |
After we arrived in Courtney we headed north hugging the Oceanside highway 19A for dinner in Campbell river and grabbing a room for the night at Passage View Motel. A great ocean side motel with reasonable price.
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| Had dinner at Quay West |
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| View from the room at Passage View Motel |
6:00 am we left our gear in our room and decided to take an exhilarating morning ride west on highway 28 to Gold River British Columbia for breakfast. Not being weighed down by extra gear we made great timing diving in to the turns on this lush island forest highway. Returning to Campbell River we checked out of our room and headed south on highway 19 eventually reconnecting on highway 19a towards Qualicum bay and Qualicum Beach British Columbia.
After lunch we continued on highway 4 winding along Cameron lake before entering Cathedral Grove. Cathedral Grove is a Douglas fir Eco system with some trees reaching 800 years. This is a great stop on the trip to take in these massive trees on the various walking trails that have been developed.
Walking around Cathedral Grove gave me a great appreciation to preservation of these trees and how fortunate I am to having spent many visits in the park. On the other side of the park the highway immediately turned in to 30km per hour curves that had us begging for more. Arriving in Port Alberni British Columbia we re fueled and continued our ride west on highway 4. Passing by Sprout Lake I pointed to the water bomber floating in the lake and explained to my riding partner the history of the Martin Mars Water Bomber the worlds largest water bomber. After Sprout lake highway 4 tightens up and its all curves on the descent to the Pacific Rim. Heading South on the Tofino Ucluet Highway to Ucluet British Columbia, we arrived at our campground called Wya Point. The Campground has impressive beach side camping spots but the road in is a very technical and steep single lane gravel road to the ocean which made it tricky for our 900 lb machines.
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| Wya Point |
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| Wya Point |
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| Wya Point |
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| Wya Point |
July 22nd 2015
Fears of incoming rain in the evening had us taking down camp a day early as to not get trapped at the bottom of muddy hill with our bikes. We followed the Pacific Rim North towards Tofino British Columbia We had lunch at nice ocean view restaurant before heading over to Long Beach for a couple hours.
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| Shelter Restaurant Tofino |
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| Long Beach |
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| Long Beach |
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| Long Beach |
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| Long Beach |
Leaving the sights and sounds of Long beach we rode back along the Pacific Rim and returning on Highway 4 to Port Alberni British Columbia where I will split ways with my riding partner Ed. I will stay in Port Alberni for the next couple days visiting family before my return ride.
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