Orangevale for Banff

[OrangevaleFJR]

I told Sherri that I wanted to ride to Banff this year. I told her it was 1,400 the fun way and 1,100 the direct way (I don't know if the direct way is fun, or not). Her question was: "Hmm, are we going to do it in one day and get the Iron Butt award?"

She's so cool.

 

[radman]

My 'ol lady won't stay on for 1400 feet.

 

[Rogue]

My 'ol lady won't stay on for 1400 feet.

+1

 

[twowheelnut]

Banff? Sweet!

The SO would be on the Wing before I suggested a ride. Hasn't been on the FJR yet. Doubt she ever will, either. :dntknw:

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Banff? Sweet!
The SO would be on the Wing before I suggested a ride. Hasn't been on the FJR yet. Doubt she ever will, either. :dntknw:

Ahh, so you went from comfy chair to sport saddle. I went from 77 BMW flat seat to the FJR. Sherri would ride, but didn't like to ride on the BMW.

 

[TheAxeman]

I don't have a problem going long distances with Michelle, I just have a problem keeping her awake. The whole snoring on the back while I'm driving is a little to scary for me.

 

[rickcorwn]

I told Sherri that I wanted to ride to Banff this year. I told her it was 1,400 the fun way and 1,100 the direct way (I don't know if the direct way is fun, or not). Her question was: "Hmm, are we going to do it in one day and get the Iron Butt award?"
She's so cool.

What ever you do don't just stop at Banff. Continue on to Jasper on the Icefields Parkway it has THE most spectacular scenery! You won't be disapointed.

Oh, you right she is cool.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I told Sherri that I wanted to ride to Banff this year. I told her it was 1,400 the fun way and 1,100 the direct way (I don't know if the direct way is fun, or not). Her question was: "Hmm, are we going to do it in one day and get the Iron Butt award?"
She's so cool.

What ever you do don't just stop at Banff. Continue on to Jasper on the Icefields Parkway it has THE most spectacular scenery! You won't be disapointed.

Oh, you right she is cool.

So a ride up through Jasper National Park? Up the highway right through the middle of it that seems to head North by North West?

Hmm...Let me take a look at that. It really seems that unless we do major mileage per day we won't be able to stay anywhere for more than a sleep, or meal. How strict are the CMP with speading through these areas? Are tickets going to be frequent and expensive? At what point do they put you in jail?

So here is a ride summary...counter clockwise route:

 

[MCRIDER007]

Hmm...Let me take a look at that. It really seems that unless we do major mileage per day we won't be able to stay anywhere for more than a sleep, or meal. How strict are the CMP with speading through these areas? Are tickets going to be frequent and expensive? At what point do they put you in jail? 

If you are serious about a 1,000 mile day, I wouldn't schedule one that requires a border crossing. Most of the time it isn't a problem but sometimes it can take a couple of hours.

Speeding enforcement in British Columbia is about the same as it is in the US, there are pockets where it is strictly enforced and others where the traffic moves pretty fast. You do not want to engage in excessive speeds in the Parks, there is too much slow traffic, and too many Park Rangers. I have heard that if you get caught going over 100 mph you probably will spend some time at the local jail but don't know for sure. Lower British Columbia is beautiful and you should set aside enough time to enjoy it. If you don't have enough time, make the trip shorter.

 

[Longrider]

Canada people are friendly and the police firm and professional. Don't argue with them. They have radar zones set up and if they wave you over, please stop right now! Do not speed in the parks.

Border crossings can take from 1 to 4 hours either way. Take your passports and be sure to have a "yellow card" from your insurance company. I try to hit the smaller, non commercial border crossing points, such as Chief Mountain near Waterton park.

Don't miss Waterton-Glacer parks, well worth the side trip from your shown route.

the Ice Fields highway is out of this world, if the weather is good, and not bad if it isn't.

Have fun, I spend a month or better each summer in Canada.

Longrider

 

[rickcorwn]

Hmm...Let me take a look at that. It really seems that unless we do major mileage per day we won't be able to stay anywhere for more than a sleep, or meal. How strict are the CMP with speading through these areas? Are tickets going to be frequent and expensive? At what point do they put you in jail? 

Well, my intent was never to force you to ride your FJR too much :blink:

From Banff to Jasper is about 170 miles one way. I was thinking a simple up and back addition. All that stuff through Seattle and down the PCH is your doing not mine

How ever you go if you add the Icefields Parkway it will be one of if not THE highlight of your trip. Which BTW looks like it will kick ass.

 

[MCRIDER007]

From Banff to Jasper is about 170 miles one way. I was thinking a simple up and back addition. All that stuff through Seattle and down the PCH is your doing not mine 

Banff to Jasper is one of the very few roads that I recommend to ride in both directions, you will miss a lot of you only ride in one direction.

If you are strapped for time, you should take Highway 395 to Spokane and then take Highway 95 north through Bonners Ferry and Cranbrook. Its a very scenic trip through central Oregon and after you get north of Coeur d' Alene.

 

[bikerskier]

Orange

Listen up on the Icefields Parkway both ways. I would skip the I-5 route north of Portland and take I-84 E and then 395 up to Spokane, then up thru Rossland, Trail and Nelson over to Cranbrook and up to Radium. Go East to Lake Louise, then up to Jasper and then back down to Banff. Then back to Cranbrook and south thru Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint, etc. south all the way to Enterprise, west to Hwy 97 south and then home.

There are many great sights on this route and less freeway driving.

Wish Marianne and I were going with you. We know the route and the Banff - Jasper area very well.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

You see! This is why I love this forum so much. I'll post a decision based on ignorance and I know I'll get the best information available! Thanks All!!!

 

[dcarver]

..and be sure to leave the pistola(s) at home.

..are radar detectors legal in Canada?

 

[ZZZzz]

In 05' when Machman & I were riding all over Idaho for WFO, we crossed into B.C. at a small town in the top center of Idaho, Nelway B.C.?? and the only problem we had crossing in Canada was Machman was packing two APPLES! We had to eat them befoe getting into Canuck. Its kind of funny, while we were next to the building munchin' apples, one of the Borders inspectors came out and told us he was also a cycle rider and told us were to go and what roads to hit. Very-very nice. We were in like Fylnn in 15 minutes, including eating and talking. We first went to Nelson, Great little townand stayed at the Heritage Inn. Then over to Nakusp and the hiway included a ferry ride, across one of those very long narrow lakes, and the thing thats really neat, us motorcyclists get to drive around the waiting lines of cars and get boarded first, then off first!!! Way cool, so then you get be the first ones out and blast down the hiway on the other side, no slow traffic for a long ways.....

We talked to three cycle guys from Calgary, one had helped the author of a book called" Destinations Highways" a book written about all the cycle roads in B.C.

https://www.destinationhighways.com/default.htm CHECK THIS OUT!!!!

They told us a buch of roads to hit before heading back into the USA.

Great trip, great time.

ZZZzz

 

[Mike-H]

There are a few fjr owners in B.C. ...you should ask them, odds are the show the best local roads nobody uses...."have fun...ride safe"

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

well, all this stuff and we may delay this trip for a year. My kids are getting to the age where they will be going to college so I am going to have a family vacation with them. I suppose I could buy them all bikes and make them come along ;-)