Sport-Touring Outta Calgary??

[Dakota_c69]

Say you have 4 days off in a row....Where is a good SPORT-Touring trip outta Calgary???  5 days??  New to sport-touring and will hopefully be getting a new bike this week or next, so I thought a lil 'pre-planning' was in order.

Glenn.

[ST1300Rider]

Cue the Kootenay gang......

Anything in Alberta isn't much more than a day trip, and none too sporty at that IMO.

[ajf]

I'd just get to New Denver or Nakusp by the shortest route and take day rides from there.  Many of the roads in the area are worth riding over and over.

If you want to make an actual trip out of it, roads not to miss in this area:  Creston north to the ferry; from the ferry north to Kaslo; north from Kaslo along the lake to the end of pavement and back; Kaslo to New Denver; south from New Denver to the end of the lake; Fauquier/Needles to Lumby.

If you want to continue west, I'm not that familiar with the Okanagan - too hot for me most of the time.  The road from near Penticton to Apex ski resort is great.  Others will give you advice on this and the Kamloops areas, I'm sure.

Further west, don't miss the road from Merritt to Spences Bridge and the short but great road from Princeton to Tulameen.  The road from Lytton north to Lillooet is pretty good, and has great views of the Fraser river / canyon.

In the time you have, you could probably do all of these roads in a continuous run, then head north from Kamloops to Jasper, then ride home along the Icefields Parkway to take in the scenery you missed while riding all those twisties.

[Kootenanny]

I'd just get to New Denver or Nakusp by the shortest route and take day rides from there.  Many of the roads in the area are worth riding over and over.

Actually, no..just head south into Montana and Idaho--lots of great roads down there!

Bikes with Alberta plates are like weeds around here--they proliferate in the spring and summer and choke out the local cultivars...

[andreychuk]

What are you looking at buying?
I'll be in the area starting on the 14th.
Going top the Sun road is awesome

[High_Side]

  Like was already mentioned further up the thread go to Nakusp, try the Monashee (I just got back from this yesterday and had a great time), hit Kaslo, New Denver, Silverton, Nelso and Creston.  Or, head down through Sandpoint Idaho, down through Moscow, and the snake river canyon, and tie it all together with a run to Missoula over the Lolo pass.  I've got a lot of pics of these routes if you are interested.

  Cheers,

  High_Side

[birdrunner]

Head South to Montana on #22 cross Rockies on Going to the Sun Road to Kalispell area.

Follow East side of Flathead lake to Missoula, take Idaho 12 over Lolo Pass.  Head north back into Canada, and hit the Kootenays on the way home.

I like riding the State, not as many idiot BC plates on the road,  the people like Canadians, and gas, food, lodgings etc are cheap.

If you ride the States, make sure you buy some travel insurance,  $50 dollars worth for me paid out $85,000.

Even with the insurance, the States are cheaper.

[doenitz]

The east side of Flathead Lake to Missoula was dug up for construction in late May.  You might want to check road conditions if you head down that way.
 +1 on all the other recommendations.

[Kootenanny]

If you guys thought I was being negative, it's because there was a letter to the editor in the local rag just recently about "Nitwits on Motorcycles" running recklessly over 31A from Kaslo to New Denver.  The letter was generated because some idiot (from Edmonton, I believe) posted a video on YouTube about going from Kaslo to New Denver in 10 minutes on a 'Busa...now, I think the video was speeded up, because that would mean an average speed of 250km/hr, but it's this kind of crap that generates negative public interest, which in turn generates increased police presence, and pretty soon the fun is gone.  And for those of you who'll just say "Don't speed," well, that ain't gonna happen--but I don't ride recklessly fast, like some of the riders "from away" that we see up there.  

If people are gonna come here to ride, that's fine, but let's not get carried away (like 250 km/hr on 31A) and let's not crash and burn; we don't want 31A becoming "Dragon North."  Just keep a low profile and don't get the locals riled!  

[ajf]

Kootenanny, I think you've got a good point.  Something I've noticed more and more often in the Kootenays in the last few years is people pulling over as if they are terrified of me when I catch up to them on a bike.  This never happens to me when I'm on the same roads in the Vette.  While superficially it's nice that they get out of the way, there's really no problem passing on a bike and it does disturb me that I'm frightening them just by my presence.  I think there's some collective wisdom developing among the locals that motorcycle riders are dangerous.  This can't be good in the long run.  We're a very small minority with no influence when it comes to making decisions about enforcement and penalties.

[ST1300Rider]

You can't put the blame entirely on those from "away". During lunch at the Mushroom Addition a few weeks ago I overheard a Vernon rider who was leading about 8 sportbike riders, all from BC, say... "New Denver to Kaslo....road race, last one to the bakery buys". There wasn't one voice of reasoned response raised in answer. Of all the riders who passed me on 31A that week (3 runs), none were from Alberta.

[Kootenanny]

You can't put the blame entirely on those from "away". During lunch at the Mushroom Addition a few weeks ago I overheard a Vernon rider who was leading about 8 sportbike riders, all from BC, say... "New Denver to Kaslo....road race, last one to the bakery buys". There wasn't one voice of reasoned response raised in answer. Of all the riders who passed me on 31A that week (3 runs), none were from Alberta.

Ok, ok, maybe they aren't all from Alberta...and I know there are more than a few locals who like to ride quickly over the pass.  In fact, I've been accused of going pretty fast through there myself...but ask any local, come summer around here, the Alberta plates equal or exceed the locals in number.  Hey, I don't mind riders from away enjoying the road (I lead the BBBBQ ride over 31A every year), but I'm NOT doing 200+ km/hr...

The thing is, for years, people would ride the road, the few "from away" who knew about it would come, but it was never so much of a problem that the locals were actively complaining about it.  What I'm more annoyed about is the guys who race over the pass with video cameras, then post 'em up and brag about their speed...that DOES get noticed by the locals, believe it or not (the letter to the local rag was specifically about that most current video...like the writer said, how long until someone else decides to see if they can make it in 9 1/2 minutes?).  As I understand it, the Tail of the Dragon in the Southern States used to be a nice road enjoyed by locals and a few others who knew about it, but with the advent of the internet, it has become a "major destination" for motorcyclists, to the point that most local riders avoid it...now, where's the fun in that?

[ST1300Rider]

Kootenanny

I understand what you're saying and I sympathize. The internet, more riders, less awareness of the damage stupidity can do, all issues. The whole boasting thing on YouTube is an indication of how unaware a lot of people are of the results of their actions. Or they just don't care. I don't have an answer. And yes I'm one of hose "Albertan"  riders that slip over the border in the depth of night to spend a few days on BC's magnificent roads. Been doing so for years, and hope to continue. I also understand I'm a guest in someone's "Home" so to speak and try to behave accordingly.  

[KLRchickie]

Whilst we sympathize with Kootenanny's point, see the attached for how we spent the last 4 days (stinking Google map link won't work ) it is very true that looking for good rides *within* Alberta won't net you much.

1662km by Monster odometer, this is the sort of trip we'd usually do in 3 days from Calgary, but we didn't put in as long of days as we sometimes do.  ZED was recovering from a cold & KLRchickie was breaking in her Monster muscles, so the shorter days suited us well.  We spent the nights in Cranbrook, New Denver (with the jaunt across the 31A to Kaslo & up to New Meadows & back after dropping off our luggage at the Valhalla Inn), & Radium Hot springs.

For us, the trip between Kaslo & New Denver is more of a *40* minute trip.

Yesterday, we waited out most of a short deluge under the overhang at the general store at Brisco, the rest of the trip we had good weather (cold in Alberta, comfortably warm in BC) though there were some majorly threatening clouds south of the highway as we got into Alberta just after lunchtime today.

It is very true that a large number of the bikes you see on those roads are from Alberta, I think all the license plates we saw in & near New Denver were red - of course the pair of Ducati's looked out of place amongst all that chrome too .

It was a good long weekend - too bad we have to work again tomorrow...

[ZED]

Unfortunately the sphere of the 'Cow Town Playground' on a long weekend has widened to include not only the invermere valley, but the Kootenays and beyond.

We spend as much time as possible throughout B.C. in the summer.  I'm originally from B.C. and consider myself currently exiled serving some kind of penance here in Calgary until I can get back.  We notice that most of the bike plates are from Alberta, even the one's that have run off the road.  Almost every trip we see a motorcycle accident involving an Alberta rider in B.C.  That doesn't look good for those of us who wish to go to the nearby B.C. playground.  Neither does boasting about how fast you can do said stretch.

Here are some thoughts for the folks that travel from one place to enjoy the roads in in another place.

1.  Settlements have a speed limit for a reason.  It's mostly due to noise.  Short shift, and keep it slow and quiet.  You may live in the suburbs, but others may live in a more 'wilderness' area.  Do you want to live next to a race track?  If the sign says slow to 60 from 90, then it's likely because it's a small settlement.  Don't piss them off unless you want a cop sitting there to hassle the next rider (possibly yourself) next time.

2.  Leave room for error (yours or someone else's) and the unexpected.  You are riding on public roads.  This isn't a closed track.  Yes, I have scraped parts on the 31A, but that's more of an exception than a rule.  I'll leave those parts hanging low on my touring bike so they warn me when I'm going at it a bit too hard.  Riding at 9/10 will likely get you one of the following:
    a. A deer
    b. A head on with another rider
    c. A head on with a car that has drifted over the line
    d. A low side complete with a visit in the local flora and fauna when you hit that bit of gravel you    
       weren't expecting.  
You can say you're willing to risk your own injury all you want, but each injury adds into the statistics.  When they get too high some bureaucrat (who's likely never ridden the road) will come up with a great   solution.

3.  Stay on your side of the road.  Leave room for the folks on the other side to drift.  This weekend I met two BMW riders in a corner .  The first rider was riding right at the Yellow line and leaning into my lane.  The second rider was In My Lane!!!  What kind of room does that leave me if I drift wide or try to avoid a bit of gravel.  We're both very lucky I was going slow and easy and could avoid him or it would have made a mess of KLRChickie's Purple Monster that I was testing out.  (See point #2)

4.  Pass only when safe.  There aren't many marked passing spots on the fun roads, so when you do pass, make sure it's quick, safe, and doesn't piss off the local you are passing.  If it's not looking like you're going to get a chance, pull over.  It'll be more fun to wait for a clear break and have a short section of the road to yourself than to ride someone's a$$.  When KLRChickie and I ride the twisty parts of B.C. we tend to have standard meet up points to re-group, but sometimes we'll regroup early because I couldn't enjoy the section as much as I would like due to other road users.  In 5, 10, 15 minutes the road will still be there.  What's the rush?  You're not at home.  Spend quality time in your recreation environment.  Don't rush it.  (I'd like to tell that to the folks that drive the #1 but that would be a much much longer post )


Now, don't get me wrong, not meaning to sound preachy here, but these are some really basic things that people need to be thinking about.  I see a lot of folks (usually from Alberta) riding in B.C. that don't think of them.  Let's make sure it's no-one from here and let's make sure we don't get our 'local playground' taken away.

[doenitz]

I rode 31A about a month ago at more-or-less legal speeds.  I was most impressed at the courtesy of the other drivers who pulled over to let me pass.  I am somewhat disappointed to think that they did it because they thought I was a squid.

[alphabet man]

I personally only want to keep out the the Blackbird, vasalined speedo wearing Albertan riders out of BC   Nah just kidding Jeff

You guys are partially right, having lived in the Kootenays all my life I can tell you the folks from Alberta as well as those that moved here later in life and now hold the rank as "locals" have had  a huge impact on the area. In the early 80's (yah so what I am old) I could ride Creston to Crawford bay any day of the week in any month and not be to bothered with to much traffic getting in my way, but now trying to get around the behemoth RV's (mostly with Alberta plates) just makes it no fun so I only ride there in the Spring and Fall. But hey those Alberta plates have had a huge positive monetary impact on the local economy, it's kept Nelson alive, sustained Red Mountain, well you get the picture. It's great IMO, once I learned to share. As far as bitching about  damn Albertan dangerous motorcycle riders it's kind of like pot calling the  kettle black, we have our share in BC also, very few local Kootenay riders can honestly claim they have not ridden those roads in a rather spirited fashion that other non bike riders might consider dangerous, including myself and you also Geoff, though video and you tube will be problem, I say we track down the bastard and hang him at the ESSO at the bottom of the hill  

[Rigger]

You arent that far from the mountains.  Take a ride up and down the Icefields Parkway.  Good road.  Make sure you have a full tank of gas.  The ONLY gas stop on the whole highway is at Sask River Crossing.  You wont believe your eyes when you see the scenery.  It is mind boggling.  

[Kootenanny]

As far as bitching about  damn Albertan dangerous motorcycle riders it's kind of like pot calling the  kettle black, we have our share in BC also, very few local Kootenay riders can honestly claim they have not ridden those roads in a rather spirited fashion that other non bike riders might consider dangerous, including myself and you also Geoff, though video and you tube will be problem, I say we track down the bastard and hang him at the ESSO at the bottom of the hill  

Yes, this is very true...and I'm sorry to have sidetracked this thread!  My issue isn't with people coming to ride the road, and fast if they wanna...I do enjoy meeting other riders up there, from wherever...my issue is with those who refuse to keep a low profile, who insist on attracting attention to themselves.  Particularly negative attention.  The kind of attention that posting videos on Youtube of 200 kph rides over 31A might attract.  Come, ride, enjoy...but let's keep a low profile!  Lots of locals actually do live in New Denver and Kaslo, and not all of them are fond of motorcycles.

Case in point:  I was riding up from New Denver a year or two ago, with a couple of guys on Ducatis.  Now, I generally keep it pretty reasonable until I'm past the last house on the road out of town (only one corner before that, anyway), because I don't imagine the locals really enjoy listening to bikes running WOT past their homes.  One guy (from Alberta, wouldn't cha know) got a bit impatient, and roared past me and on up the road.  OK, he wants to ride fast (and this guy is VERY fast), but geez, couldn't cha wait another 2 minutes, until we're beyond the residential area before opening up those Termis?  That's the kind of thing that generates complaints...

So, I apologize for any perceived animosity--come on over, enjoy the roads, have a good time--just keep it within reason and out of the papers, OK?

[birdrunner]

You arent that far from the mountains.  Take a ride up and down the Icefields Parkway.  Good road.  Make sure you have a full tank of gas.  The ONLY gas stop on the whole highway is at Sask River Crossing.  You wont believe your eyes when you see the scenery.  It is mind boggling.  

I just returned from Colorado and hit a small section of that highway.  Dispite seeing for the umteenth time, I was still blown away.  For scenery over a long distance, there's nothing I've seen in  to match  (and I've seen a lot of N. America).  It's a good thing the road's not very technical, as there'd be tons of people driving off the highway if it were.   The only downside is you must have a Parks pass to ride it..... they check.