To all BC'ers and PNW Types

[user 6393]

I have been thinking about putting together a 3 day excursion in and about the Vancouver Island area.

Just looking to guage how much interest at this point, and if there is somewhat a consensus of which month would be best. I am thinking either mid to late May or beginning of Sept, to help avoid issues with excessive amts of tourist traffic and/or issues with BC Ferries.

I am thinking a scoot up the Sunshine Coast, a ferry ride to Comox, a ride on either BCDH4 (Gold River Hwy) or out to Tofino and then back thru Victoria to points home for you all.

What do you think?

 

[ahchiu]

I have been thinking about putting together a 3 day excursion in and about the Vancouver Island area.
Just looking to guage how much interest at this point, and if there is somewhat a consensus of which month would be best. I am thinking either mid to late May or beginning of Sept, to help avoid issues with excessive amts of tourist traffic and/or issues with BC Ferries.

I am thinking a scoot up the Sunshine Coast, a ferry ride to Comox, a ride on either BCDH4 (Gold River Hwy) or out to Tofino and then back thru Victoria to points home for you all.

What do you think?

Barb,

Count me in, keep me posted

 

[MCRIDER007]

Sounds interesting...will there be a Bella Coola option for those that would like to do some hill climbing on a FJR?

 

[user 6393]

Sounds interesting...will there be a Bella Coola option for those that would like to do some hill climbing on a FJR?

Well, you could take the LONGER loop up thru the interior to Bella Coola, take the ferry down to Port Hardy then hook up with us on the island?

That's a whole nother kettle of ooligan oil...........

 

[dcarver]

Oh Barb, oh!

 

[Beamer Reamer]

Not counting unforeseen date conflicts, you know I'm in. Let me know if I can help in anyway and I am confident we will get a good contingent from the PNW crew. Thur night or Friday morning ferry, then a most excellent long weekend doing the couver maneuver. Sounds awesome.

David

 

[Dudewado]

I would like to make this trip!

 

[user 213]

Sounds like fun Barb. Vancouver Island is beautiful, especially up North. May would be great as I'm busy in early Sept. with long distance rallying.

MCRIDER - The ferry from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy is about 14 hours, but doesn't suck. I did the day trip from PH to PR a few summers back and rode back after a side trip to Hyder. Lots of fun.

 

[beemerdons]

Good Morning Barb, If the Vancouver Island riding excursion occurs mid to late May, then please count me in for this trek!

1975, '76 and '77 I competed in Three Flags M/C Rally running from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico to Red Lion Inn in Vancouver (Burnaby); sponsored by the British Columbia Road Riders and Southern California Motorcycling Association.

After the Rally celebration was over, my 1st wife Judy, other 3 Flags riders and I'd always take the ferry over to Vancouver Island. What a beautiful piece of gorgeous paradise you reside in. Then ferry back to mainland at Prince Rupert and home!

Footnote: As Rallymaster for SW-FOG 2010, event is going to be held beginning of September. A lot of the Pacific North Westerners such as Niehart, bluefjr and others have said they are coming to Kachina Lodge in Taos, New Mexico 9/9/10.

 

[Panman]

Barb, I sure would be interested. I might prefere taking the Anacortes Ferry to Victoria and then ride the Island for a two or three days. Then ride the Little River-Powell River to Powell River. Ride to Lund for breakfast, boy my mind is running three days isn't enough

 

[FastJoyRide]

We'll try to slot this in too Barb, but it will be date-dependent. Syl's sister is being married May 29th on Salt Spring Island and as her dad is dead - I'm going to be walking her down the aisle!

Early September is beautiful typically on the Island. Like Papa Chuy, I have finished 2 of the 3 Flags rides on the Island on the Labour Day weekend. No rain-outs so far!

 

[beemerdons]

We'll try to slot this in too Barb, but it will be date-dependent. Syl's sister is being married May 29th on Salt Spring Island and as her dad is dead - I'm going to be walking her down the aisle!
Early September is beautiful typically on the Island. Like Papa Chuy, I have finished 2 of the 3 Flags rides on the Island on the Labour Day weekend. No rain-outs so far!

Barb, were you considering Labour Day Weekend, as Dave had mentioned? If so, and there are bike rentals available in either Victoria or Vancouver, could jump a jet to BC, ride with the BC crew; and fly home to PHX in time for SW-FOG on 9/9!

 

[SockMonkey]

1 vote in favor of early September.

 

[BCJeff]

Great idea Barb. It sounds like a good enough reason to make me pull the trigger on an FJR in time for this event.

Yes Beemerdons there are rentals available in Victoria...have a look at cyclebc.ca

 

[wingshot]

+1 interested in May, but if the proper dates in September that might work too.

 

[user 6393]

I am partial to Sept as well, for a few reasons; weather (Dave is right, it really is wonderful here in Sept), kids back to school (and their parents off MY roads *L*), and the plain fact that at that time of the year not too many organized rides are anywhere near coastal BC.

Part of the point of this is to try and fill a niche, and maybe get this going on an annual basis.

CFR is June, WFO/NAFO is July, I guess August could be on the table, but with ferries and such.......not the best time IMHO to try and come to the Island to 'relax'. So, Sept for me feels "right". Shouldn't be any snow in any passes yet, so maybe some die hards from eastern WA/OR, or even some them weird Albertans , might brave the salt air, who knows?

Panman, that's the route I have in mind, exactly........but to be honest the ferries going south from Powell River are not timed as well as they are coming north. I was thinking 1 night over on that side, so Lund for brekkie is a definite possibility. And then 1 night here on the Island. Truly, 3 days is not enough, but if it were longer I don't think as many people could commit. Although, if it were longer, maybe some might make the effort to make it a mini-holiday. Tough call I guess. I am open to suggestions, as for me......................no commute. I live here.

And Don, yes there are bike rentals here....clicky. Not sure if Westjet flies to your locale, but their service and prices can't be beat. Seems to always be a seat sale going on. If MEM bails on me, maybe we could wrestle over my bikes; 2 falls outta 3 to see who gets to ride the FJR? Beware, we chicks fight dirty... B)

Ok, just thinking out loud here, but am hoping there is enough interest to make this fly. I already have one recruit to help organize. He'll likely be ridemaster for the northerly trek on his side of the puddle.

Going to see if I can figure out how to post a couple maps with routes and rides. Be patient, I am a newb to this. Why I am starting early on this.

Thanks for considering, everyone

 

[user 6393]

Great idea Barb. It sounds like a good enough reason to make me pull the trigger on an FJR in time for this event.

Just do it, you won't regret it

 

[ahchiu]

We'll try to slot this in too Barb, but it will be date-dependent. Syl's sister is being married May 29th on Salt Spring Island and as her dad is dead - I'm going to be walking her down the aisle!
Early September is beautiful typically on the Island. Like Papa Chuy, I have finished 2 of the 3 Flags rides on the Island on the Labour Day weekend. No rain-outs so far!

Barb, were you considering Labour Day Weekend, as Dave had mentioned? If so, and there are bike rentals available in either Victoria or Vancouver, could jump a jet to BC, ride with the BC crew; and fly home to PHX in time for SW-FOG on 9/9!

If you want to ride with the Seattle group you can rent from Mountain to Sound Motocycle Adventures @ mtsma.com 425-222-5598

 

[650cent]

I could get behind something like this. Be a good excuse to ride up a day before and see Rich's Custom seats for a new butt pad. Thanks Barb.