Vancouver to Calgary (?)

[Spud]

I'm working on a ride with some friends we'll do in July. I will have 2 days to get from Vancouver BC to Idaho Falls, ID. I am contemplating Vancouver to Calgary one day (600 miles), then Calgary to Idaho Falls (670). I would not be to concerned about the Calgary to IF day (unless some really long delay at border) as a lot of the US side of that you can haul the mail.

Is Vancouver to Calgary on HWY 1 more than I want to bite off? I don't mind a loonnngg day but not really interested in an Epically exhausting day. I'm scared to go fast in Canada...so mileage much harder for me to estimate. I've ridden a chunk of that before (Revelstoke area--so incredible!).

Thoughts?

 

[Ignacio]

I rode the Vancouver to Golden part last July and thought traffic (the moderate amount there was) moved along at a more brisk pace than I would have guessed. Or said another way, I liken that stretch of Canada 1 to Idaho 93 from Missoula to Arco, but way less traffic. way less stray radar, and generally fewer cops. 600 miles should be cake. *

*Note: I did approximately 1500 miles that particular day between two-lane Canada and two-lane Montana on Day 10 of the IBR...so my perception might be slightly skewed.

 

[JamesW]

OK, I have ridden a lot up thataway so here goes. First a detector is not a bad thing up there, I have an escort redline but no flagrant idiocy. RCMP coffee chats, most give bikes 10-15k over. BEWARE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, rcmp tucks in and use instant on. Rabbits abound in the region, tag along at a respectful distance. Vancouver to hope is pretty much urbanish freeway, pick a rabbit, blend in traffic. Under overpasses around chillawack is the sporadic tripod laser trap setup. Best stretch of travel will be on the Coquihalla from Hope N to Kamloops, beware downhill coming in to Kamloops. Kamloops E is fine for a while, than really slows down around Salmon arm. Revelstoke area E. into national park is patrolled usually. Rogers pass is scenic but make sure you have gassed up in Revelstoke, thin on services last year. As you get close to Golden on long downhills I have encountered radar traps around curves at bottoms. Instant on is well used up there, if you do have a good detector do not ignore little blips. As you pass through Field going to lake Louise it is a flat area with glacial till streambeds and VARYING speed limits, have ALWAYS run across lots of enforcement from there to around Banff, Alberta folks move right along so there has always been an abundance of rabbits. On to Calgary is pretty much a fast moving freeway the few times I have gone that way. All in all it is easy to make time just do not hang out in the open and do stupid stuff like speed around blind sweepers, and I say again beware of oncoming and the rcmp has some suttle sleepers called ghost cars by the natives.

 

[bluesdog]

As long as it's not a holiday weekend, you shouldn't have any issues with riding fast in BC/Alberta. 10 - 15 over the posted limit is pretty normal, and most LEOs are motorcycle tolerant here, except on the aforementioned holiday weekends.

If you take the freeway from Vancouver, ride moderately until Hope. If you then take the Coquihalla, you'll notice most traffic is significantly above the posted limit anyway.

Most times you'll be able to find a 'rabbit' or two to take point.

 

[El Cajone]

I've made the Vancouver to Calgary ride several times. It's a long ride for one day, about 10 to 11 hours on the TransCanada (Hwy #1), but the scenery is great and the road is in good shape.

I really wouldn't worry at all about speed unless you have an exceptionally torquey wrist. We don't have anything here like the enforcement you have in the U.S. and everyone routinely drives

about 15 to 20% over the speed limit. Just go with the flow and try not to stand out from the rest of the traffic with excessive speed and you'll be just fine. I've often done the trip and seen no

police cruisers or only one or two.

 

[jmgrif]

I live in Vernon, B..C. I was born in Vancouver so I've ridden these roads alot! The over posted speed estimate is probably right on but if I were taking that ride I would stay on the Fraser Canyon Hwy #1 from Hope to Cash Creek. Then head east to Kamloops and on to Calgary. The most police presence I have seen would be around the Hope area of the trans canada hwy #1 between Hope and Boston Bar. After that stretch the road gets more interesting with much less police radar detection at least from a stationary source? Approaching the few small towns through the canyon I would slow down a little and be a little more aware of potential police radar. This past year I rode from Hope to Spences Bridge then took Hwy 8 to Merritt and didn't see or pass one police vehicle. I would be more cautious on a weekend or holiday period. The law here now states if you are stopped doing more than 40 kms/hr over the posted speed limit your vehicle will be impounded for 7 days. The judicious way to ride is just keep it below that excess number? If impounded you pay for towing/storage and if you decide to pay the ticket what ever that amount is. Also you have to come back or stay till the impound is over! They may not care if you are from out of country.

 

[07FJRVegas]

Speed limits have recently been raised on two portions of your proposed route. The east end of Abbotsford to Hope is 110 km/hr (69 mph) and if you choose to take Hwy 5 (Coquihalla Hwy) from Hope to Kamloops (the fastest route) the speed limit is now 120 km/hr (74 mph).

 

[Spud]

Most excellent information all. Thanks for the input. I generally dial it back when I'm north of the border, so not trying to set any records, but with a day that long it's nice to know that I can keep a good pace. I will say the drivers in Canada sure seem to be much better--I never see anyone on a cell and they actually understand concepts like signals, passing lanes, and staying right. This will be my fifth adventure up there on the FJR

 

[user 6393]

Vancouver to Calgary is an easy one day trip Hwy 1....easy.

Hwy 3 thru Radium, then Kootenay Nation Park to Banff, then on to Calgary, would be prettier and less traffic tho

Just a thought

 

[FarWestFastEddie]

Spud,

I rode Hwy 1 in 1980 on my XS750, had a thundershower up on top of a plateau and it was nasty. Of course with climate change and all you can expect any dire weather situation. Banff, wow, its a sin to not stay a few days in Banff, Lake Louise and the food alone is worth the trip.

FWFE

 

[jdewit]

Watch your speed entering and leaving Calgary city limits. There are often photo radar traps set up where the speed limit changes.