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Canada 2009 motocycle trip
The statistics are:
| Distance |
4800 miles |
| Left |
July 27 |
| Returned |
August 16
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| Duration |
21 days |
| '07 Yamaha VStar 1300 |
49.6 MPG
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| '07 Yamaha FJR 1300 |
47.9 MPG
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This vacation in part came from not having been to the Northwest for a while, the Canadian FJR Riders held a rally in Nakusp, BC which was too early in the year for us to attend, and the Western FRJ Owners held a rally in Moscow in July. We want to hook up with some friends in Bend, Or on our way to Moscow so we left on a Monday. After the WFO Rally, we met some friends in Newport, Wa and Sandpoint, Id and then spent some time exploring Alberta and British Columbia. Except for a few days, the daily route was eat breakfast and be on the road about 8:30/9:00am, ride, stop, take pictures, have lunch, stop and "smell the flowers", check-in to the motel, have dinner, fall asleep, and repeat until done.
The trip was great, great scenery, and interesting countryside!! The trip was only "spoiled" by having to go back to work and getting tired of eating out! Saw numerous places where we'd like to spend more time.
Thanks goes out to members of Delphi Forum's _V Star 1300 Riders_ and The Motorcycle Tourer's Forum and FJRforum.com for their postings on rides in this area and 1-on-1 feedback.
Click on image for link or larger image
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Day
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Where |
Map |
Discussion |
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1
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Foster City, Ca to Mt Shasta., Ca |
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Distance: 304 miles
The original plan was to get up and ride straight through to Bend. Roy had a medical emergency Sunday, so we didn't get going until 12:30pm
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2
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Mt Shasta, Ca to Bend, Or |
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Distance: 218 miles
Made it to Bend, got the correct medicine for the eye, and had a great dinner with our friends.
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3
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Bend, Or to Enterprise, Or |
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Distance: 334 miles
Best "free" motel breakfast we had on the whole trip. Met up with 2 other FJR riders (Brodie and Ed) and off we go to Enterprise / Joseph in Northeastern Oregon.
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4
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Enterprise, Or to Moscow, Id |
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Distance: 208 miles
Did a detour to the first Oregon overlook of Hells Canyon Southeast of Joseph - great diversion. Lunch in Joseph and then into Moscow.
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5, 6, 7
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Moscow, Id to Moscow, Id |
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Distance: ~500 miles
We spend 2 full days exploring the roads around Moscow with fellow FJR riders at WFO-8. Lots of great rides to take, so little time. Need to do Lolo Pass but that will be another trip |
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8
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Moscow, Id to Sandpoint, Id |
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Distance: 161 miles
This was a exhausting day - not. Stopped in Newport, Wa and Sandpoint, Id to see friends.
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9
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Sandpoint, Id to Invermere, BC |
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Distance: 197 miles
Another short day. Great to see the head waters of the Columbia River and the lightening show over the mountains East of Invermere that night
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10
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Invermere, BC to Saskatchewan River Crossing, AB
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Distance: 197 miles
Damp and cool day. Does the Canadian Rockies have mountain tops? Second trip to Banff NP and have yet to see the mountain tops.
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11
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Saskatchewan River Crossing, AB to Valemont, BC
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Distance: 209 miles
Another damp to wet day plus cold. Gotta see this country when it is not overcast and raining!!
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12
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Valemont, BC to Vernon, BC |
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Distance: 302 miles
A combo day of slabbing it down Hwy 5 to Kamloops and sightseeing from there into Vernon via Sicamous.
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13
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Vernon, BC to Nelson, BC
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Distance: 220 miles
Great road and sights and first ferry crossing on the bikes. Had great lunch in Nakusp and ride to Nelson via Hwy 31A and Kaslo.
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14
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Nelson, BC to Osoyoos, BC |
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Distance: 278 miles
Lots of great country side and roads
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15
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Osoyoos, BC to Osoyoos, BC |
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Distance: 162 miles
A lay-day that was not a lay-day! Great countryside despite of the "Sunday drivers"!
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16
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Osoyoos, BC to Graham, Wa |
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Distance: 322 miles
A pretty ride despite of the last half being damp. Saw several solo car wrecks on Hwy 97 (the only ones of the entire trip). They couldn't figure out how to stay on the road..... Glad we weren't there at the time.
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17
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Graham, Wa to Graham, Wa |
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Distance: 50 miles
A real lay-day. Had a great time with our friends and seeing the Museum of Glass in Tacoma
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18
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Graham, Wa to Portland, Or |
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Distance: 162 miles
A wet ride down I5 to Portland. Washington and Oregon are supposed to be dry in August!
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19
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Portland, Or to Portland, Or |
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Distance: 87 miles
Checked out our old sailing club and watched the Moth Class World Championships at Cascade Locks
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20
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Portland, Or to Mt. Shasta, Ca |
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Distance: 360 miles
Heading home.
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21
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Mt Shasta, Ca to Reno, Nv
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Distance: 220 miles
Whoops, we've got an excuse to detour to Reno and stay away from I5! Yes!!
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22
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Reno, Nv to Foster City, Ca
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Distance: 275 miles
Damn, its time to go back to work but at least the first 2/3s of the trip will be interesting!
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