The Island and back - multi-day
Compass Geoff Jukema
3 months ago
happiness
difficulty
The Plan:
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A week before my departure, Elo had multi-day kayak trip scheduled near Campbell River. She took her KTM 390 Adventure; left on Tuesday afternoon and slept in her sleeping bag beside the bike somewhere on the Island. Traffic was heavy for her and it was HOT! She arrived safely on Wednesday at her final destination and had a great multi-day kayak tour.
My agenda was to leave a week later to meet her, we'd ride the Sunshine Coast and work our way slowly back home over 3 or 4 days.
Tuesday/Wednesday:
-----------------------------------------
Kelowna - Cambell River - Lund BC
As planned, I left Tuesday and arrived in Nanaimo at around 23:00. The traffic was light in the lower mainland and I made good time; but not without a minor scare. The bike ran out of (main) fuel at the 206km mark just after the Coquihalla summit. I couldn't flip the petcock quick enough and that didn't seem to help. The new Aceribis tank apparently requires either a second petcock or you need to tip the bike to get the remaining fuel from the right side into the left side. Fuelled up in Hope without incident.
The coq really burns the fuel on these bikes (Elo mentioned she was running low prior to hope also, and she should get 350-400km). I need to figure out my jetting I suppose.
I stopped in at a really nice regional park that Elo shared from her venture out; Moorecroft Regional Park. I highly recommend taking a few minutes and visiting this park if you are ready for a short break. It was quiet, right on the waters edge, a little bit of easy strolling.
I met Elo in Campbell River around 13:00 on Wednesday. We chatted for a bit, then headed for the ferry; destination Sunshine Coast.
We arrived at Okeover Arm Park near Lund. Setup camp, had a swim, then an excellent dinner right next to the rec site.
Thursday:
-----------------------------------------
Lund BC - Squamish
After breaking camp, we had breakfast at Nancy's Bakery in Lund, then proceeded to ride, take ferries, ride and eventually arrive in Squamish.
We stayed at Cat Lake outside of Squamish. The young folk are quite the partiers, so bring ear plugs.
Friday:
-----------------------------------------
Squamish - IN-SHUCK-CH FSR - West Harrison FSR
We almost arrived in Whistler when elo noticed her top bag had fallen off. Probably on the rougher rode near Cat Lake. Rode back and sure enough, it was about 1km from the rec site parking. Pretty much unscathed.
We figured out what Elo did wrong in the fastening of the bag, and didn't have any issues again.
The ride as you can imagine is very scenic. IN-SHUCK was not too busy - a few logging trucks - one came a little too close for comfort (I need to get a radio).
The West Harrison FSR had a few seconds that were a little above a novice level - so if you head out this way with someone new to riding, you might have to help them.
We stayed at Twenty Mile Bay Rec Site. Clean and quiet. Sites are spacious.
Saturday:
-----------------------------------------
West Harrison FSR - Princeton
We had breakfast at Horn of Plenty Cafe in Agassiz. Fantastic food and great service.
On our way out we met Joyce, a lovely elderly local who was very nice, and chatted with us about our motorcycles and told us how her late husband used to ride. It was a nice encounter.
We took the number 7 to Hope, and after a quick fuel stop we headed out to Tulameen FSR. Accessed via exit 228 (Britton Creek).
Tulameen actually had a closed portion due to a washout; but no fear! Compass Geoff has his backroad maps.
I found a route that got us into Tulameen (though, I was hoping to get onto Lawless FSR, this route did not take me there.
The Vancouver backroad book labels my choice of road as "Bear Cr FSR". The Okanagan map book has no label.
Let me say one thing. This is NOT an FSR. It's a well maintained quad trail, that is barely wide enough for a quad in a few places with a sudden drop to the side if you make a mistake.
Overall the trail was not difficult, but the exposure was extreme in a few spots and it was a bit of a pucker.
We high-fived when we got through it (and if you know Elo, this means something - there is no celebration typically, so this was a "we survived" high-five).
Sunday:
-----------------------------------------
Princeton - Rock Creek - Christian Valley - Barth FSR - Sandrift, BigWhite West, 201, McCullough
The long way home - mixed again with beautiful scenery both on and off road
The Barth FSR / Sandrift area is one of our favourites.
Conclusion,Notes and other things:
I rode rougly 1780km. Elo a little more.
I really wanted to find an off-road route from the lower mainland (Hope area) to the Okanagan. Tulameen was really nice - but still a bit more HWY than I wanted. I'm sure there's a way.
I left my hiking / camping pants (with a pocket knife) and one of my new neck buffs in Princeton. I'm not sure how I missed it when I was packing, and I typically do a complete walk around to double check everything.
Tulameen was HOT. So hot that we didn't feel like exploring too much. Same with Coalmont. I'm sure there are interesting things to see, but after Bear CR "FSR" and the heat, we weren't too into exploring. Well, I wasn't.
Too bad the KVR is "closed" between coalmont and Princeton. The coalmont Rd was nice though, so we still enjoyed it.
Overall, the trip was excellent, relaxing (except for the "FSR" - though it was a fun trail), and we had great scenery everywhere we went.
[Edits]
- added Moorecroft Regional Park sign image and text
-----------------------------------------
A week before my departure, Elo had multi-day kayak trip scheduled near Campbell River. She took her KTM 390 Adventure; left on Tuesday afternoon and slept in her sleeping bag beside the bike somewhere on the Island. Traffic was heavy for her and it was HOT! She arrived safely on Wednesday at her final destination and had a great multi-day kayak tour.
My agenda was to leave a week later to meet her, we'd ride the Sunshine Coast and work our way slowly back home over 3 or 4 days.
Tuesday/Wednesday:
-----------------------------------------
Kelowna - Cambell River - Lund BC
As planned, I left Tuesday and arrived in Nanaimo at around 23:00. The traffic was light in the lower mainland and I made good time; but not without a minor scare. The bike ran out of (main) fuel at the 206km mark just after the Coquihalla summit. I couldn't flip the petcock quick enough and that didn't seem to help. The new Aceribis tank apparently requires either a second petcock or you need to tip the bike to get the remaining fuel from the right side into the left side. Fuelled up in Hope without incident.
The coq really burns the fuel on these bikes (Elo mentioned she was running low prior to hope also, and she should get 350-400km). I need to figure out my jetting I suppose.
I stopped in at a really nice regional park that Elo shared from her venture out; Moorecroft Regional Park. I highly recommend taking a few minutes and visiting this park if you are ready for a short break. It was quiet, right on the waters edge, a little bit of easy strolling.
I met Elo in Campbell River around 13:00 on Wednesday. We chatted for a bit, then headed for the ferry; destination Sunshine Coast.
We arrived at Okeover Arm Park near Lund. Setup camp, had a swim, then an excellent dinner right next to the rec site.
Thursday:
-----------------------------------------
Lund BC - Squamish
After breaking camp, we had breakfast at Nancy's Bakery in Lund, then proceeded to ride, take ferries, ride and eventually arrive in Squamish.
We stayed at Cat Lake outside of Squamish. The young folk are quite the partiers, so bring ear plugs.
Friday:
-----------------------------------------
Squamish - IN-SHUCK-CH FSR - West Harrison FSR
We almost arrived in Whistler when elo noticed her top bag had fallen off. Probably on the rougher rode near Cat Lake. Rode back and sure enough, it was about 1km from the rec site parking. Pretty much unscathed.
We figured out what Elo did wrong in the fastening of the bag, and didn't have any issues again.
The ride as you can imagine is very scenic. IN-SHUCK was not too busy - a few logging trucks - one came a little too close for comfort (I need to get a radio).
The West Harrison FSR had a few seconds that were a little above a novice level - so if you head out this way with someone new to riding, you might have to help them.
We stayed at Twenty Mile Bay Rec Site. Clean and quiet. Sites are spacious.
Saturday:
-----------------------------------------
West Harrison FSR - Princeton
We had breakfast at Horn of Plenty Cafe in Agassiz. Fantastic food and great service.
On our way out we met Joyce, a lovely elderly local who was very nice, and chatted with us about our motorcycles and told us how her late husband used to ride. It was a nice encounter.
We took the number 7 to Hope, and after a quick fuel stop we headed out to Tulameen FSR. Accessed via exit 228 (Britton Creek).
Tulameen actually had a closed portion due to a washout; but no fear! Compass Geoff has his backroad maps.
I found a route that got us into Tulameen (though, I was hoping to get onto Lawless FSR, this route did not take me there.
The Vancouver backroad book labels my choice of road as "Bear Cr FSR". The Okanagan map book has no label.
Let me say one thing. This is NOT an FSR. It's a well maintained quad trail, that is barely wide enough for a quad in a few places with a sudden drop to the side if you make a mistake.
Overall the trail was not difficult, but the exposure was extreme in a few spots and it was a bit of a pucker.
We high-fived when we got through it (and if you know Elo, this means something - there is no celebration typically, so this was a "we survived" high-five).
Sunday:
-----------------------------------------
Princeton - Rock Creek - Christian Valley - Barth FSR - Sandrift, BigWhite West, 201, McCullough
The long way home - mixed again with beautiful scenery both on and off road
The Barth FSR / Sandrift area is one of our favourites.
Conclusion,Notes and other things:
I rode rougly 1780km. Elo a little more.
I really wanted to find an off-road route from the lower mainland (Hope area) to the Okanagan. Tulameen was really nice - but still a bit more HWY than I wanted. I'm sure there's a way.
I left my hiking / camping pants (with a pocket knife) and one of my new neck buffs in Princeton. I'm not sure how I missed it when I was packing, and I typically do a complete walk around to double check everything.
Tulameen was HOT. So hot that we didn't feel like exploring too much. Same with Coalmont. I'm sure there are interesting things to see, but after Bear CR "FSR" and the heat, we weren't too into exploring. Well, I wasn't.
Too bad the KVR is "closed" between coalmont and Princeton. The coalmont Rd was nice though, so we still enjoyed it.
Overall, the trip was excellent, relaxing (except for the "FSR" - though it was a fun trail), and we had great scenery everywhere we went.
[Edits]
- added Moorecroft Regional Park sign image and text
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