Highway 31 - Eh !

[bubba zanetti]

A surprisingly clear morning here had me thinking of a ride up the Slocan to check out the mountain tops for snow and early fall colours. I did not have a lot of time, but days like this cannot be missed. So out of Castlegar to get gas and see where I get.

Highway 6 begins at "The Junction" with 3A and can be very relaxing ride when traffic is low in the mornings. From Crescent Valley to Slocan City it is a meandering two lane road that follows the Slocan River and affords lovely views of the steep mountains on either side. When your reach Slocan City, the road narrows and some tight corners begin along with some lovely scenery, steep cliffs and beautiful mountains. ( The following two are not my photos, my camera is acting up today and very similar images came out blury)





At New Denver is the junction of 31A and 6 and as I was already feeling cold, I decided to shorten the trip, head over to Kaslo and check out the final section of new pavement on what is, in my opinion, BC's most entertaining road.

It was not long before the twisties began as you climb out of one valley and follow the tight mountain pass into another. New snow has dusted the taller peaks and a definite chill was in the air. Winter is just around the corner at these elevations.



A beautiful road to be sure, but one that demands attention whether it is the sudden corners, rock on the road or large animals. Rounding one blind 50kph corner I encounter this gal trotting across the road. I decided to stop and take a look and luckily she was curious of me too. I managed two quick pics before she bolted through the bush making a noise like a tank ... hardly dainty my dear ! The thought of hitting a moose has a way of keeping one on his toes.




At about 1100 meters the corners begin in earnest with a rushing stream on one side of you and rock walls on the other. A few old wooden bridges remain, small torrents rush from the rocks and the effect creates an exciting ride as you begin your descent towards Kaslo.



Here the pavement is barely cool as the last 15km to Kaslo were just done a few weeks ago and it is beautifully smooth and predictable. There are even a couple of strategically placed straights to allow for passing  





Here too came clouds today and temperatures dropped to about 8C. I stopped to snap a pic and dig for my electric vest. Alas I was wrong in thinking it was there and so back on the bike to shiver my way into Kaslo.




A short jaunt and hardly a ride report but my way of heaping praise on a special road that I believe now deserves the coveted DH1 designation.  

Here's to Highway 31 ... Eh !??  

[faststage1]

That's magnificent!
Ain't it great living here. As I write this I'm sitting in my hotel room in Scotsdale Arizona. Yup its warm here but the roads are flat and straight. A literal motorcycle hell. Here on business, I wish I was home riding or getting my ski's ready for opening day at Silverstar.
Great post, I'm home sick.

[Fast Blue]

Yep- thanks to your input on my great western trip I also rode this hwy  -

Very fricken EH

[RedNeil]

mmmm 31a ... it's a lil' bit of motorcycling nirvana. But does it have it to get the DH#1 award?  It's a bit on the short side, there's always rocks on the roadway, there's that friggin moose that hangs by the side of the road near the lake, tourists and their RV caravans block the twisty bits and the straight stuff only lets you pass and cach up to the next set of RV-ers, the RCMP like to sit by the Sandon turn off, the wooden bridges are DANGEROUS in any weather, there's a beemer rider parked by the side of the road taking pictures every 3 km, logging trucks weave into your lane for no reason, there's rumours of  permanent photo-radar set up in Retalak and the locals are dropping bags of gravel in the corners to slow folks down... need I go on?    

Well some of that may be false.. but it's what I tell my friends so I can keep the road to myself.

After years of visitng the area, I think the locals are catching on to the fact the the motorcycles are not going to go away and they might as well try sell stuff to them rather than just complain about it.  Places like http://www.toadrockcampground.com/ that cater to motorcyclists will benefit from the increase in two wheeled tourism.  Good on them I say...  

 

[bubba zanetti]

mmmm 31a ... it's a lil' bit of motorcycling nirvana. But does it have it to get the DH#1 award?  It's a bit on the short side, there's always rocks on the roadway, there's that friggin moose that hangs by the side of the road near the lake, tourists and their RV caravans block the twisty bits and the straight stuff only lets you pass and cach up to the next set of RV-ers, the RCMP like to sit by the Sandon turn off, the wooden bridges are DANGEROUS in any weather, there's a beemer rider parked by the side of the road taking pictures every 3 km, logging trucks weave into your lane for no reason, there's rumours of  permanent photo-radar set up in Retalak and the locals are dropping bags of gravel in the corners to slow folks down... need I go on?    

Well some of that may be false.. but it's what I tell my friends so I can keep the road to myself.

After years of visitng the area, I think the locals are catching on to the fact the the motorcycles are not going to go away and they might as well try sell stuff to them rather than just complain about it.  Places like http://www.toadrockcampground.com/ that cater to motorcyclists will benefit from the increase in two wheeled tourism.  Good on them I say...  

 

You forgot to mention the Pine Beetle poop that damages paint and gums up fuel injection. Otherwise, that is a rather comprehensive list !!!  

[ZED]

Wonderfull pavement.  Not that crappy tar and chip stuff but real thick black stuff
There are a lot of blind corners and a couple of wooden bridges, just to make sure you're paying attention.

Here's what it looked like two weeks ago.

[ajf]

Perfect timing to whet my appetite for my favorite road.  I've got the bike and gear packed in the trailer and I leave for New Denver tomorrow.  Can't wait!  (I hope the rain holds off . . .)

[Kootenanny]

mmmm 31a ... it's a lil' bit of motorcycling nirvana. But does it have it to get the DH#1 award?  It's a bit on the short side, there's always rocks on the roadway, there's that friggin moose that hangs by the side of the road near the lake, tourists and their RV caravans block the twisty bits and the straight stuff only lets you pass and cach up to the next set of RV-ers, the RCMP like to sit by the Sandon turn off, the wooden bridges are DANGEROUS in any weather, there's a beemer rider parked by the side of the road taking pictures every 3 km, logging trucks weave into your lane for no reason, there's rumours of  permanent photo-radar set up in Retalak and the locals are dropping bags of gravel in the corners to slow folks down... need I go on?    

Well some of that may be false.. but it's what I tell my friends so I can keep the road to myself.

After years of visitng the area, I think the locals are catching on to the fact the the motorcycles are not going to go away and they might as well try sell stuff to them rather than just complain about it.  Places like http://www.toadrockcampground.com/ that cater to motorcyclists will benefit from the increase in two wheeled tourism.  Good on them I say...  

Actually, the worst hazard on 31A are the hordes of bikes with Alberta plates clogging up the corners...

[ZED]

Actually, the worst hazard on 31A are the hordes of bikes with Alberta plates clogging up the corners...

Hmmm.... Don't recal ever seeing another bike in my mirror.   Pickups and minivans with alberta plates yes.  They're about the worst.  Never seen a cruser on the 31A, but that would do it.  

[Somebuddy]

Thanks for the great pics bubba, definitely a stretch I need to do sometime.

[Kootenanny]

Hmmm.... Don't recal ever seeing another bike in my mirror.   Pickups and minivans with alberta plates yes.  They're about the worst.  Never seen a cruser on the 31A, but that would do it.  

Lots of cruisers on 31A.  Lots of slow cruisers.  And a good many of 'em have Alberta plates...

But there also seem to be a lot of Ducatis on that road, too.  I've seen the odd 998, 999, 999R, Multistrada 1000S, Monster S4R, and most recently a 1098.  Again, strangely enough, they all seem to have red & white plates to match the red paint...

What I seldom see on 31A for some reason are garden variety Big Four sportbikes.  They're around, but they don't seem to be as common as the exotics (or the cruisers!).

[Baz]

Hey before you go mouthing off about those Alberta plates, just remember they're probably actual BC residents who are coming home to visit from working in Ft. Mac, with their new truck.  

But look a rubber liped swamp donkey!

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1/JimFisher1956/DSC02524_edited.jpg

Nice picts BTW.

[ToadRide]

HA!!! Halarious, Baz.

[Canuck]

When I crashed on 31A there was a guy from Olds, Alberta who stopped and gave a lot of help, so them Alberta guys are fine. I don't remember him too well, but I do remember his beautiful wife and her low cut top and long tanned legs as she kept leaning over me in the ditch to ask if I was all right. Who says crashing is all bad?  

[faststage1]

mmmmm.....loooong......taaaanned....... .leeeegs

[Sam_Nom]

mmmmm.....loooong......taaaanned....... .leeeegs

Oh... At first I thought you were refering to the rubber lipped swamp donkey.  
Must read more thoroughly.

[drsmig]

Nice pics Bubba.  I need to load up the trailer and get out there for one more weekend before the weather closes out on us.  I am afraid to ride across now no matter what the weather man says.  I don't trust him.