British Columbia Discovery Route 2017

gpsMissy somewhere in British Columbia on a Versys

This ride is a 12 day adventure bike ride around British Columbia. The ride starts in Bellingham, Washington on Monday morning and makes an 1,800 mile loop around British Columbia. We will travel the scenic backroads and there will be a mix of dirt and paved roads. No rough stuff planned. We will stay in some remote fishing lodges and have two break days for fishing or more optional riding. After traveling far north we will board the famous Inland Passage Ferry at Prince Rupert and spend a day traveling south to Vancouver Island. This is the spectacular route of the cruise ship lines where you can see, first hand, the orcas. Then we will spend a couple of days exploring the corner of Vancouver Island.

This is a supported ride. Each evening we will be staying in motels, cabins, hotels and lodges. Some are pretty cool. We will have a support truck following us to carry some of our gear and in the unlikely event of trouble.

This is a great time to do this ride as the US dollar is strong and we are able to keep the ferry passages and lodging down.

British Columbia Backroads Discovery Route

July 30th-August 11th

Join us for this 12 day Adventure Bike Tour around British Columbia

Some of Canada's best back routes in British Columbia and the Inland Passage Ferry and Vancouver Island

Typical back route in BC Nechako Aviation Ltd.

Riders will travel an average of 200 miles each day, some longer and some shorter. There are hard and easy options plus several optional out and backs for the rider seeking even more adventure.

Nechako Lodge Fishpot Lake Resort

Ferry from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island

"British Columbia has some of the best back-country riding in the world.

We are lucky to be able to come here and ride. Thanks Canada, you rock!"

Ride Details

I know many of you also enjoy dreaming about the ride and making plans, so here are the details.

Details are being updated and subject to change, so check back

Ride Description BCBDR

Ride Yoda's

Jeff M and Anna M (Support Truck)

Questions about this ride contact Yoda Jeff: jsmtrans@hotmail.com

View the ride maps below

OK since many of you like to study more detail about the ride, below are the ride maps.

I put these ride maps on the web page because I know a few of you love looking at the ride detail and dreaming about the ride. At first glance these maps do not look so impressive, but they are way cool. If you start zooming in, you can see the ride in incredible detail. I have spent a ton of hours sorting through the details of the ride for each day, so for those of you that enjoy this sort of thing, well enjoy!

Legend:

The Blue lines are MAIN routes

The Red lines are Harder routes

The Green lines are Easy options

The Black lines are the out and back viewpoints

How does the ride navigation work?

This is a self-led GPS ride; all riding is on your own. You are responsible for your own riding. You will be given a GPS map file and instructions on how to use your Garmin GPS unit. People will hook up in small groups of less than 6 riders and tend to ride together. You are not encouraged to ride alone. You are responsible for your own riding and yourself.

(see my ride Navigation Video)

Are you right for this ride?

When something goes wrong on a ride, would your riding friends say that you are more likely to need help or more likely to give help? You should be in the more likely to offer help camp. This ride is filled with riders that are more likely to give help, so most of the time the riders never need help. Additionally there is all the normal stuff, come prepared to maintain your bike, fix your bike on the trail, repair flat tires, deal with bad weather and rain and make a joke or two.

How do I make the GPS stuff so easy?

I develop very high quality ride maps custom for our ride, they come from much of what I and others have ridden. I take the best from all my rides and make new ones.

(See my Custom Ride Maps Video)

Note from me, gpsKevin

My goal for this ride is simple, great riding, so you can count on great routes and places to ride.

But in addition: The ride is about discovering new places, meeting new friends, seeing new parts of the world.

Thanks

gpsKevin

Video from out last adventure here

FAQ's

Q:What will the weather be like this time of year?

A: In August, the weather is most often nice. That is why I go this time of the year. It could be a little cold in the morning and in the mountains. Sometimes there can be rain. Wet and muddy routes can force us to change our routes. Come prepared with extra gear for cold and wet. Also inland it can sometimes be hot. Come prepared, bring extra gear.

Q: Would this be a good ride for new riders?

A: No, this ride is for intermediate and experienced riders only. The riding has easy route choices and tough route options. Each evening we will study the following day's choices. You will find lots of supportive people at the ride.

Q: If I truck my bike to Bellingham is there a place to leave my truck for the week during the ride?

A: Yes, I will be leaving my van at the Bellingham Airport long term parking during the 9 days. It is cheap and near the start.

Q: Do I need a Passport?

A: Yes, we will be crossing the US/Canada border a couple of times. Both countries require passports

Q: What are Motel room arrangements?

A: Rooms are double occupancy, meaning each rider shares a two queen bed room with another rider.

Q: What bikes are right for this ride?

A: Target bike for this ride was my Yamaha Super Tenere. Bikes including and in between the Suzuki Vstrom, the BMW 1200GS and the KTM990 all can do well by choosing the easy or hard route options. Frankly some can even do this ride on a dual sport bike if they seem to have magic to haul very little gear and still keep themselves safe and comfortable.

Q: Will I do this ride again next year?

A: No, sorry I hardly ever repeat rides as I love to develop and discover new places and rides each season. And I have a long dream list of rides now. So this is likely the only time for this ride. Remember: Everytime we say no to a ride that is one less ride in life

Q; What do I do if I don't have a Garmin gps?

A: Buy one, you need it, we will show you how to use it. You can get a great one for under $200 bucks. ( See gpsKevin's gps recommendations)

Q: Do I need insurance?

A: Yes, you must carry proof of medical insurance and liability insurance for yourself/motorcycle.

Q: Is the riding really on my own?

A: Yes, but everyone hooks up and rides with a friend, or a new friend or me.

Who is going on this ride?