JamesW
JamesW
Ahhh research, how sweet it can be. First item, headed N. thru Sumas to Hope, up the Coquihalla to Merritt, sweet ride. Getting gas in BC seems to be an adventure these days if one is trying to use plastic, this is why I always carry Canadian money as a backup. Across hwy 97c to Kelowna to try the Westside road N. up the lakeside to avoid the urban nightmare on the East side, well, it works to a degree, pretty built up for a long ways with lakeside properties, eventually worked out to countryside scenery. I would just avoid that whole Okanagan area if possible. On to Revelstoke, once checked in, I took a ride up to Rogers pass, pretty pass, got to the top and it was bleak for services, the Glacier park inn was closed and boarded up, the little store that I used to stop at was closed up also and the gas pumps had been removed. Next morning was the nice ride to the Galena/Shelter bay ferry. New boat, and it is huge compared to the previous ferries, which is good, because there are no favors for bikes, your in line with the masses. Nakusp for breakfast, on to New Denver and then across 31a to Kaslo, these roads are all in very good condition. Down to the Balfour/Kootenay bay ferry terminal, what a Charles Frank, from Kootenay bay to Creston is a 60 kilometer speed limit, has many curves, but never again. Next time I would skip the ferry stuff and drive down to Salmo and across the scenic pass to Creston. Went to Cranbrook and over to Roosville and Eureka Mt. and to Libby, went the back way thru Yaak. Prettiest view for pictures was around the bridge area and after you go to your right and up the hill, after crossing the bridge. Nice ride, moderate pace is required, road is, ahhhh, rustic in stretches give yourself lots of time. The area around Libby/Eureka is a cell phone black hole if you are a T-Mobile client I plan on a phone card in the future for backup. Took hwy 56 south from 2 to 200, and then W. on 200, a very nice ride, the price you pay is going thru Ponderay and Sandpoint to 20. Now here is a nifty road when you get to Oldtown on hwy 2 and just before Hwy 20, turn right just before the bridge, the road is called Leclerc, signing is poor to non-existent, the road parallels 20 on the east side of the river and you can cross west at Usk or go up to Ione, as I did, come back down to Tiger at the intersect for 20 West. Neat little store rest stop there. On to Kettle falls for the nite, than home over the N Cascades the next day, here is a plug for the Koalla(?) café, just N. of the Best Western in the N. end of Omak, great food and services. My fingers are tired, I am done for now.
