escapefjrtist
Searching for Dry Roads
After reading ride report after ride report and watching umpteen hundred you-tube videos, the thought of heading north into Canada and Alaska has forever been on my gotta-do-it-before-I-die bucket list. Panman and I drew first blood in 2011 and ended up with a clockwise loop to Hyder, Watson Lake and back to mile “0” of the Alaska highway. Epic trip and one we still talk (and laugh) about today!
Since that first trip to the way-north in 2011, I knew a return visit was inevitable. Living less than two hours from the border makes the journey into BC and Hyder a snap with no need to ride several days just to begin the adventure! All the more reason(?) to do it again.
Having the right tool makes for a good trip too. With the 2011 adventure, my ‘06 FJR worked “OK” but after nearly dumping the thing TWICE in construction zones (and renewing rusty dirt-bike skills) something else was called for. I’ve wanted (needed) a GSA forever but the initial buy in and ongoing maintenance costs have always given me pause.
Enter the Super Tenere. From the initial PDP order process I knew I wanted one...and I'm a sucker for the PDP waiting for not one, but two FJRs. The process took some time, but my 2012 is one awesome machine and this trip confirmed it! Adding a Penske cured the too-soft shock with the added bonus of extra ride height to make it handle. Lightly farkled and adding some TKC70’s this machine did everything I wanted and more. After the initial question of (Is the bike going to work?) I approached the dirt sections with renewed confidence and put those rusty dirt bike skilz to good use. Getting a feel for things, I made good time while letting TC1 keep the show under control!
This journey includes a side trip to Bella Coola BC because, well, I wanted to say I’ve BTDT and to check out the reason I got a Tenere in the first place. Adding the Salmon Glacier into the mix and all told we ended up with almost 130 miles of dirt.
My partner in this crime was MCRider007. An experienced traveler up north (can you say Inuvik?) our similar riding styles makes traveling a pleasure and it takes more than a few days before we want to kill each other! Having a Tenere worked pretty well too!!
What started it all in 2011...Panman and me hamming for the camera in Dawson Creek.
Like lambs to the slaughter...fueled and ready to go!
Leaving Hope and following Canada 1 up the Fraser River Canyon finds a few tunnels.
Who’s that following…
Lots of big water.
We were greeted by fire at the north end of the canyon. Going up we passed a couple large staging areas for the crews and air support, makes you thankful for these dedicated fire fighters. Although we heard helicopters flying and echoing through the canyon we didn't see any flames along the highway.
British Columbia Circle Routes. Interesting reading and a lot of great riding possibilities. I imagine one could ride yourself silly and spend the entire summer season just checking these out.
Tenere!
North end and coming out of the canyon. Cache Creek is just up the road.
North of Cache Creek the greenery begins to surface again.
…and more big country!
After 400 miles and a border crossing we called it a night. View from our room at Williams Lake.
Stand by...more to come.
Since that first trip to the way-north in 2011, I knew a return visit was inevitable. Living less than two hours from the border makes the journey into BC and Hyder a snap with no need to ride several days just to begin the adventure! All the more reason(?) to do it again.
Having the right tool makes for a good trip too. With the 2011 adventure, my ‘06 FJR worked “OK” but after nearly dumping the thing TWICE in construction zones (and renewing rusty dirt-bike skills) something else was called for. I’ve wanted (needed) a GSA forever but the initial buy in and ongoing maintenance costs have always given me pause.
Enter the Super Tenere. From the initial PDP order process I knew I wanted one...and I'm a sucker for the PDP waiting for not one, but two FJRs. The process took some time, but my 2012 is one awesome machine and this trip confirmed it! Adding a Penske cured the too-soft shock with the added bonus of extra ride height to make it handle. Lightly farkled and adding some TKC70’s this machine did everything I wanted and more. After the initial question of (Is the bike going to work?) I approached the dirt sections with renewed confidence and put those rusty dirt bike skilz to good use. Getting a feel for things, I made good time while letting TC1 keep the show under control!
This journey includes a side trip to Bella Coola BC because, well, I wanted to say I’ve BTDT and to check out the reason I got a Tenere in the first place. Adding the Salmon Glacier into the mix and all told we ended up with almost 130 miles of dirt.
My partner in this crime was MCRider007. An experienced traveler up north (can you say Inuvik?) our similar riding styles makes traveling a pleasure and it takes more than a few days before we want to kill each other! Having a Tenere worked pretty well too!!
What started it all in 2011...Panman and me hamming for the camera in Dawson Creek.
Like lambs to the slaughter...fueled and ready to go!
Leaving Hope and following Canada 1 up the Fraser River Canyon finds a few tunnels.
Who’s that following…
Lots of big water.
We were greeted by fire at the north end of the canyon. Going up we passed a couple large staging areas for the crews and air support, makes you thankful for these dedicated fire fighters. Although we heard helicopters flying and echoing through the canyon we didn't see any flames along the highway.
British Columbia Circle Routes. Interesting reading and a lot of great riding possibilities. I imagine one could ride yourself silly and spend the entire summer season just checking these out.
Tenere!
North end and coming out of the canyon. Cache Creek is just up the road.
North of Cache Creek the greenery begins to surface again.
…and more big country!
After 400 miles and a border crossing we called it a night. View from our room at Williams Lake.
Stand by...more to come.
