Day 8 North to Alaska
Thurs May 27th, 2010, Canmore, Alberta Canada to Prince George, British Columbia Canada, 424 miles
Well I awoke to find out I hadn’t made it quite to Banff. I had stopped short just 12 miles from where my friend Bob Hole was staying. I didn’t realize that Banff was inside the Park Borders. In the rain, dark and cold with fogged over face shield, I thought I had gone past Banff when the highway terminated at the toll booth entrance to Banff National Park. I had turned around and hit the first Best Western I came to, so I ended up in Canmore.
In the morning in the daylight, I called Bob and agreed to meet him in Banff. Again in the rain, I passed Banff which is not visible from the Highway. There was no sign for the Banff town exit, only a preparatory sign 4 km from Banff. We switched to plan “B” to meet on the off ramp of Hwy 1 and hwy 37. I waited for Bob and the rain let up for a moment. As I was waiting, a very large Elk had wandered onto the Hwy just like he owned it.
Elk, Canada Hwy 1 at Hwy 37, Banff National Park, Alberta Canada
Soon after I took the photo, Bob pulled off of the Hwy. We got on the road and we headed to Lake Louise since we were almost there. A short 5 mile ride at we hit Lake Louise, which has a beautiful resort there.
Lake Louise, Banff National Park
When I left Canmore it was about 52 degrees, as we climb in altitude the temperature dropped to 48. I put on a pile liner as we continued west on Hwy 1 to Prince George. The spectacular scenery was obscured by the low cloud ceiling and the beaded up rain on my face shield, which also denied me many photo ops. My face shield kept fogging up as the temperature dropped so I had to keep cracking it open to clear it. Our next available fuel was 100 miles distant, so we also topped of our fuel tanks one last time.
There were no places to eat, so the effects of my light breakfast were fading. As we reached the 8,000 ft level it started to snow on us. I saw a scenic pull out with a bathroom, so I put on my winter gloves and ate an energy bar in the lot and got some photos. I was glad it was snowing, as I was tired of the rain and the snow doesn’t affect the visibility as much as rain on the face shield.
Robert “Bob” Hole of Walnut Creek, Ca. This is Bob’s 5th time for the “Hyder Seek” ride.
All throughout the ride, all I could think of is I wished Cecilia could see this and how I would like to come back in good weather. The roads are all in great shape with very little traffic. Most of the curves are rated at 70 kph/45 mph and consist of long sweeping curves. Busy enough to be thrilling but calm enough to allow you to take in the grand scenery. It is very humbling.
Bob and I did a no nonsense ride in order to get to Prince George, where we would like up with Bob Shelton of Fremont, Ca. At this point, we had no idea where Merritt was and wondering if he would make the 1900 mile ride from Salt Lake City, Ut on his newly repaired machine. Bob assured me our after ride reward for the day would be Bombay Sapphire Martinis and a great steak dinner.
Just a small sampling of the mountains which line Hwy 1 for 200 miles.
Snow on Hwy 1, 36 degrees 8,800 feet. Crossing over into British Columbia, we gained another hour in time.
During the course of our ride, I got a phone call regarding my disabled brother’s counselor with an immediate need for money. The latch on my Scorpion Helmet also broke, so I couldn’t open the jaw piece making putting the helmet off an on a painful chore. On my mind during the ride, I was wondering if I could find a replacement for my helmet and get some money sent to the States. After our spectacular ride and 400 plus miles later, Bob and I rolled into the parking lot of the Best Western in Prince George B.C. at 1615 hrs PST to find Bob Shelton waiting in the parking lot. After checking in an unpacking, we were sitting in the parking lot when Merritt miraculously rode in. We were all shocked and amazed. Merritt had just rode for 1,900 miles from Salt Lake City BMW, for a non-stop, grueling 32 hour ride, in Iron Butt fashion.
I located and express mail service and Suzuki shop in order to take care of my personal business/helmet but everything seems to close at 5 p.m.. I would hire a cab in the morning and take care of business before leaving Prince George.
Now it was time to relax. As promised, Bob Hole whipped us up some Martini’s, as we talked about our ride and things to come as we got light headed. Bob H. worked out the logistics and cab to get us to Ric’s Grill, where we would have a memorable steak dinner and he was not lying. We took a cab and prepped our bellies with a second Martini, wine, escargot and steak. If you ever find yourself in Prince George and need a good meal, try Ric’s.
Ric’s Grill, Prince George B.C., Canada
Iron Butt After the Ride Juice. Bombay Sapphire Gin Martinis.
L to R: Robert “Bob” Hole, Walnut Creek, Ca and Bob Shelton of Fremont, Ca. Mr. Hole treated us to the dinner…thanks Bob!
My dinner at Ric’s, Prime Rib cooked to order.
Merritt Francies of Georgetown, Texas after his grueling ride. After a couple of drinks and a Rib Eye, it was like someone pulled the plug. As soon as we got back to the Motel Room, the snoring and farting started.
After 8 days on the road, I was tired too. It was time to rest up for our last leg (500 miles)of the trip to Hyder, Ak. I put in my ear plugs to abate my snoring room mate bodily noises, drifted off to sleep.
Canmore Alberta to Prince George, B.C., 424 miles.
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