Wee-Strom, Just stretching her legs.

[norcalkid]

I keep a journal from my recent trip and thought I'd do a little trip report. This was my first motorcycle trip. I have taken the bike camping in Tahoe and done day trips but never a trip like this changing locations every day. I learned a lot and there are some things I will change next time. But here it is.

Day 1 (375mi)
Got up early to beat the heat up here in the Valley. That worked, it was 46 degrees and I had to turn the grip heaters on. Headed up 32 and into Lassen NP. Nice windy roads all the way to the park. Got there around 8am and nobody in the booth. The janitor said just pay/buy pass on the way out on the other side of the park after 9am.

Lassen NP was really cool. Can't believe I haven't ever been there before.
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After passing through the park I got the America The Beautiful pass on the other side of the park($80) and headed north.

Lunch spot
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Only day one and I pulled a total bone head move. Saw Fort Klamath on the map and thought, perfect mileage to fill up. When I got there the town wasn't really a town and the gas station looked like it had closed a hundred years ago. Had to double back to get gas, low fuel light on. So now I know the Wee will go 207 miles on a tank of gas...

After getting gas and food for the night I headed to Lost Creek Campground in Crater Lake NP. Didn't actually see the lake but got a campsite for $5 a night. After I was all set up a couple guys pulled in on Victory motorcycles. Campground was now full and I let them share my spot. They ended up being cool guys, brothers. I guess there was a third guy traveling with them but he wrecked(he was OK, bike a mess).

Online the campsite said it had water but when I got there I found signs that the water was turned off. I had to use my polar Pure bottle to make some. I had some but wasn't sure if enough.

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We all froze our asses off that night. It was COLD and none of us were really prepared for it.


So one day in and I learned a few lessons. Carry more water, need more warm clothes and don't pass up a gas station.

 

[norcalkid]

Day 2 (368mi)
After breakfast I went a little further down the road and checked out the pinnacles.
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Then headed up the hill to check out the lake which I hadn't seen yet.
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After checking out the lake I headed North. Stopped in Walmart in Bend and got sweats to sleep in. Then continued up 97. This was the ride I liked the least of the whole trip. Between Crater Lake and Redmond 97 sucks. Slow drivers and too much traffic to pass. After Redmond it was OK. There was 90 miles with no services between Oregon and Washington.

Stocked up on food for the night in Yakama Wa then headed up 821 which is a nice windy road along the river. Found a campsite up there. Site was $15 but half price for me as I bought the ATB pass the day before.

Cool motorcycle camping pic of the campsite.
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Reality pic of the campsite.
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Went for a swim and used my little backpacking solar shower. The shower ended up being great. I always hung it and used it for dishes, washing hands,etc. Really glad I took it.

 

[norcalkid]

Day 3 (375mi)
Got back on the road and headed North on 97. I went to a town those guys who stayed with me the first night told me about, Leavenworth Wa. Was kinda crazy. A Bavarian town in Washington. Looked really cool with the mountains behind it.
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After spending some time checking the place out and getting lunch I made a couple calls and let family know I will no longer have phone service for a while.

Then headed North on 97 again. the road got nice and went through a forest pass.

Hit the border a while later. There were 5 cars in front of me. Only took a couple minutes to get to the booth. The guy asked me a lot of questions and asked several times if I have any weapons on me. Probably because I kept not hearing him. Like a dumb ass I had my ear plugs in and my dirty socks tied to the side of the bike. Another lesson learned, no ear plugs when trying to cross international borders!

Eventually I got through.
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The plan was to camp in the Penticton area. I soon found out finding a campsite in BC was nothing like finding a site in the States. EVERYTHING was full. I think I tried at least 5 campgrounds and they were all full. I just kept heading further North looking for somewhere to sleep. The area was super cool but really touristy and this was high season. Turns out Canadian kids don't go back to School till September.

Finally a ranger told me about a private campground and I found a spot to sleep around 8pm. Site cost CAD35.
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[norcalkid]

Day 4 (80mi)
Walked to a little coffee shop down by the lake in the morning.
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Then I just went out and did a little exploring in the Vernon area and had lunch between the lakes.
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Somewhere in the Vernon area??
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My GPS stopped working so I headed back to camp to figure it out. Turned out one of the wires came undone. I electrical taped it and it was working again.

The camp site was cool the first night but a large family group with a baby moved in right next door to me. Decided I was guna move on in the morning.

 

[SFMCjohn]

IMG20190815151404 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

love adv rides where I have to remember to bring my passport ...
last time we headed up towards Canada we forgot to pack ours ... :facepalm

cool bike and pics! :thumbup:ride

 

[norcalkid]

Day 5 (375mi) Vernon to Jasper.

I didn't actually plan to ride all the way to Jasper NP today. I left Vernon early and again headed north on 97. The road was nice. Some windy sections and cool farmland. I rode up to Clearwater and stopped there for gas and planned to get food and stay at Henry Wells state park for the night. Met a dude on a Harley and he had working internet on his phone. Turns out some weather is moving in at Jasper. I made the decision to grab a quick bite to eat and push on to Jasper.

A little dirt road on the way to Clearwater
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The road from Clearwater into Jasper NP was totally Amazing!
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Ran into the Harley dude again at this gas station. It's kinda the only place to stop on the way into Jasper so EVERYBODY stops there.
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I was riding along and saw a group of bikes up ahead of me being followed by a van. I caught up and fell in at the back of the group, well about 3 spots behind them. Turns out it was an Eagle Riders tour. I couldn't help kinda looking down on them. I guess I just felt like me and my trusty V-Strom earned this shit. They got on a plane, flew in and have a extra bike being towed in case anything happens. But the funny thing is I did look at the Eagle Riders Website when planning this ride and stole part of their itinerary. Anyway, I dropped back and rode alone. I wanted to look at the scenery which was now amazing. I fealt like riding with the group I had to pay too much attention to them rather than looking around.

Also a big milestone, I turned south today. This was the farthest North I was planning to go. Made the turn south at Tete Juane Cache. Crossed a river and headed into Jasper.

All the camping was again full and the rangers directed me to the "overflow" campground. Apparently there is overflow camping at Jasper, Banff and Lake Louise.

Views from the overflow camping area.
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See those clouds, ya, I got rained on that night. Was in the tent by 8pm as that was really the only place I could stay dry.

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[norcalkid]

Day 6 (412mi)
Went into town to check the weather. Forecast was next 3 days rain up at Jasper but supposed to be sunny down near Lake Louise.

Saw this guy on the way into town from camp.
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Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise. This ride was AMAZING!!!

Saw a bear when taking this photo
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The ride was a bit wet but not too bad. Had both the grip heaters and Hippo Hands on.
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Columbia Icefield.
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Saskatchewan Crossing, you filled up on gas then drive up to the little booth with the flag to pay.
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Rode down the little dirt road to check out the Saskatchewan river. The Skidplate saved the trip. I smacked a rock so hard on that dirt road.

Down by the river.
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Continuing South
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Guna have to do day 6 in 2 parts.

 

[Grissom]

:thumbup

 

[norcalkid]

Day 6 cont

Made it to Lake Louise. It was a total shit show. Tourists everywhere. But they had front row parking for motorcycles.
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Lake Louise was probably the most beautiful place I have ever seen in my life. But it was totally over run with tourists. I only lasted about 3 hours there before stocking up on gas and food and deciding to move on.

The lake. Pics don't do it any justice. The place really is amazing.
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You can see all the tourists. Was crazy.
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After one look at the overflow camping which was just a parking lot I was 100% sure I was moving on. Headed south through Kootenay NP.

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Passed through the park which was a great ride then through the hot springs. Then started the ride south toward Montana. Then took highway 3 East just above the Montana border. I didn't make it to Montana and couldn't find anywhere to camp. Was getting late so I got a room at Canadas Best Value hotel in Fernie BC. This area was again amazing and highway 3 was a great ride.

I was under the impression I was about 30 minutes from the border, and I was. Didn't find out till the next morning I was 140 miles from the border I wanted to be at. I wanted to cross East of Glacier NP.

Room was kinda crappy.
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[1962siia]

Epic adventure so far! Looks like beautiful country up there! :thumbup

 

[norcalkid]

Day 7 (219mi)
Well my hotel was nowhere near where I thought I was. Ended up being about 140 miles West of where I wanted to be. After a little breakfast at the hotel I rode East on highway 3 still in Canada. Beautiful area. Made it to the border, 3 cars in front of me. I commented on the border control agents watch and we talked watches a bit. When a couple cars got backed up behind me I moved on. He was also a watch nerd and never really bothered me about the entering the country. I did hand him my Global Entry card with my PP card. Over all both crossings this trip were super easy. I have waited longer to cross the Bay Bridge.

Back in the USA!
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Had lunch in St. Mary then rode Going to the Sun into Glacier NP.

Going To The Sun
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Camp Site in Glacier
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East Glacier Village
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EDIT: Ohhh, and I saw another bear today!

 

[augustiron]

What a write up.

I just stretched the legs of my weestrom yesterday too:

Left Olympia WA 10:15 AM, arrived Truckee CA 8:45 PM.

680 miles, 10.5 hours. Straight riding.
I only got off the bike to pee in the woods 5 or 6 times, i fueled up still on the bike, ate 3 cliff bars while riding, have a camelback in the tank bag for water, ipod on shuffle.

1603 miles total in 3 days of riding, truckee to seattle and back. Wish i had more time to get to BC and explore.

Good times.
No pictures.

Different strokes for different folks...

.

 

[norcalkid]

What a write up.

I just stretched the legs of my weestrom yesterday too:

Left Olympia WA 10:15 AM, arrived Truckee CA 8:45 PM.

680 miles, 10.5 hours. Straight riding.
I only got off the bike to pee in the woods 5 or 6 times, i fueled up still on the bike, ate 3 cliff bars while riding, have a camelback in the tank bag for water, ipod on shuffle.

1603 miles total in 3 days of riding, truckee to seattle and back. Wish i had more time to get to BC and explore.

Good times.
No pictures.

Different strokes for different folks...

.

Thanks, you have me beat. Longest day I have rode was 661mi.

 

[norcalkid]

Day 8 (361mi)
Well I planned a light day today. Chilled out at a coffee shop freeloading on the internet then headed the 40 miles or so to Flathead lake. The camp site was full on the North side of the lake so I rode around the lake. The lake is huge, it's like riding to the other side of Tahoe (but without the traffic).

The ride around the lake was really nice.
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By the time I got to the South side of the lake and couldn't find camping I just decided to move on. i headed South a bit on 15. This was my first time experiencing 80mph speed limits. This was also the first time I thought well a liter bike might not be the end of the world. I feel like the Wee does fine at California road speeds but I wasn't comfortable running her at 80. (Well I do run her at 79/80 on the dash, 5800rpm but that's a true 75 on the GPS or those radars that show your speed). Anyway, I could see why someone riding these Montana and Wyoming highways would want a bigger bike. Me I do everything I can to avoid these kinds of highways. I chose to take highway 12 East instead. I think this is the old Louis and Clark trail. It's a nice road through the rolling hills.

I ended up seeing a dirt road that lead to a campsite near a lake about 5.5 miles down it. The road sucked, it was either ride on the washboard or off to the side in the large gravel/rocks. But due to the washboard you couldn't get enough speed to ride the gravel comfortably.

Camp site ($10), I don't recommend it. No shade and lots of mosquito.
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There was a nice sunrise though.
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Last thing I have written in my journal for that day. Fuck the Garmin GPS! The thing really is a nightmare to use. If my phone wasn't ancient I'd be using it with google anywhere I could to avoid using that stupid Zumo. (but I do ride where I don't have internet both here and abroad so the Zumo is a good backup)

 

[norcalkid]

Day 9 ( 249mi)

From camp I headed back down the shitty gravel road and hung a left on 12. More rolling hills before I had to jump on the highway for a bit. I cut down 78 to Red Lodge. 78 was a very nice maybe 40 miles.

View from 12 or maybe 89??
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12
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Red lodge was a cool little town. I was outa chain lube but saw a Harley shop listed on the GPS. Well I get there and it's clothing only. Ended up getting some crappy chain lube at Napa auto parts that flung off just rotating the tire by hand.

Had a garbage bag of dirty clothes so I dropped them at a laundry mat and headed across the street for lunch. Cool little place right on the river called Box Car.

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Found a nice campsite on the river right off 212, yep, Beartooth Highway.

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[budman]

Good stuff kid!!

Nice photo's and write up :thumbup

Maybe I should renew that passport. :ride

 

[89fj]

very cool road trip opcorn

 

[norcalkid]

Day 10 (325mi)

OMG, what a ride. After packing up camp I rode into Yellowstone on the Beartooth highway. It was totally awesome. Beartooth highway has both great views but it's also a windy motorcycle road with little traffic. So you can ride it like it was meant to be ridden and enjoy the views. I think this is why I have less pics from here than Road to the Sun.

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I then rode South through the East side of Yellowstone. This is where the most exciting part of the trip happened. I got stopped in traffic with steep sides of the road. A big male buffalo comes walking down the yellow line in the center of the road toward me. This may be all fine and good in a car but on a bike with a Buffalo staring at you 7 or 8 feet away it's a bit exciting!! Finally just as it looked at me and took a step toward me (not aggressive) the car in front of me moved on and I was able to go forward. This was one of those I will never forget moments!

Yellowstone
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Continued South through the Grand Tetons.
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Rode past Jackson Wyoming and got a campsite near Bear Lake. If I had it to do over again I would spend a night in Jackson. It really did look like a cool town.

Bear Lake Campsite ($10)
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This was the best day of riding of my life!!!

 

[norcalkid]

Day 11 (301mi)

I rode down from Bear Lake campsite to just South of Provo. This wasn't the best day of the trip. I had lunch at Mc Donalds (I don't normally eat fast food) and about 2 hours later I lost all energy and my butt hurt. I just wasn't really into it and said F it and got a hotel in Delta Utah. Chilled at the pool, went out to the Mexican food place across the street and went to bed early.

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The food was great.
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[norcalkid]

Day 12 (661mi)

My original plan was to ride from Delta Utah to Reno and get a hotel, hit the buffets, etc. But being a weekend the rooms I had seen for like $60 OTD were now like $160. So the new plan was ride the 460 miles to Reno and see how I feel then decide if I want to continue on or get a room.

Left the hotel at 0530 and was on the road before the sun was up. Taking 50, "The loneliest road in America". I didn't pass a car in the opposite direction for the first 50 miles.

Today the name of the game is ass management. I really wanted to try to make it all the way home today but home was over 650 miles away. So my plan was every 75-80 miles get off the bike and walk around. Don't wait till I feel like I need to. Be proactive and get off the bike every 80 miles.

Sunrise, I made it to Nevada
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Truck stop/gas station casino
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The little towns on 50 were cool.
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Had lunch at a BBQ place in Fallen. Turned out the owner is one of the vendors at the Buffalo Chip at Sturgis. He had some good stories and was a nice guy. I recommend the place.

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Had to stop at a liqueur store that sold fireworks outside Reno. Didn't buy anything but was in awe.

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Anyway, my ass management worked. I felt great at Reno and rode all the way home. 661 miles and was at In and Out Burger at 6pm. Had a burger and headed home. Was a great trip!! I dreaded crossing Nevada from the start but I left early to beat the heat and actually really enjoyed it.