The Great Canada Adventure…Miette Hot Springs to Castlegar

While at Miette, I met an awesome couple. He was a rider and she a rider to be. She had ridden a small 250 and was bitten by the bug and couldn’t wait to do some more riding. This is one of the things I love most about touring, seeing the glow in another female’s eye, when she has finally decided to get off the back of her husbands bike and to park her arse in the “hot” seat. It takes some cojones to make that move and I so totally admire those women that decide to go in that direction. Anyway, it was wonderful to meet a new woman rider as she was awaiting her new F650 GS. Have a blast darlin’.

We left Miette and couldn’t wait to ride that awesome road out to the highway and ride it we did. After some coaching from my pal, Bill, I could feel my speed increasing as well as my confidence level, but not every moment. I still had those moments of trepidation, where I felt a bit over my head, but they were fleeting and becoming less and less. My seat mod made all the difference and for the first time, I had both my feet planted upon a stop. That was awesome!

Between Miette and Jasper

Once to the highway, we could see something ahead mulling up the traffic and as we approached we discovered it was a few bull elk. Wow, they were much larger than my motorcycle and I approached cautiously, but they were grazing and paying absolutely no mind, so I pulled up, not too close mind you, but I had my zoom ready and got off a couple of shots. The span of their horns were probably the distance of the length of my bike. Wow…i was awed.

Back on the road, it began sprinkling and we needed gas, though the lovely Miette employee had brought us a few liters. We needed to fill so decided we needed to fill tummies as well so parked and had some breakfast along with our petrol. While awaiting food, the skies decided to pour one on and really opened up, but by the time we left it was clearing. We were simply holding a lucky hand, thus far!

We rallied back thought the Icefield Parkway which seemed like a new road going a different direction. The beauty glowed in the half lit cloudy sky and the colors were completely enhanced.

The Icefield Parkway is called that for a reason and the temperatures around Columbia Glacier dropped substantially. I was glad I was wearing the gloves that Bill had loaned me since they actually kept my hands warm. I did it again…i didn’t bring my electrics, but hell, it was July and all the projected weather was warm…ya.

We stopped to fuel up midway down the icefields and I met a woman rider, who was freezing her keister off. She was wearing a Harley Vest and chaps and a lightweight leather jacket over her vest. She warned us of the road ahead complete with snow, sleet and rain. She painted a pretty bleak picture, but one look at her gear told the story. She was way less than prepared for bad weather and here I was wrapped in my Kilimanjaro lined jacket and feeling just right. I could only imagine how cold she felt. Within only a few moments from talking to the freezing girl another Harley rider blessed me. I wasn’t sure why, but took it as a good omen and we got back on the highway.

After riding miless of bad construction, we took a break in what was to become one of my favorite scenic Canada towns, Field. Field was a mountain stop and railway center for the Canadian Pacific Railway from 1864 to 1950. Apparently they had the steepest grades in North America. All I can say, is that it was an amazingly scenic and picturesque little village. Sadly, I got few photos. I am hoping Bill got more.

Where we got a cold drink.

From the deck of the Truffle Pig

My second most favorite photo of Bill out in front! What amazing lighting…

We overnighted in Revelstoke and set off the following morning to make Castlegar. We knew we’d be early giving us a chance to wash the bikes and then head over to Bubba’s for STn’s Borscht Burn and BBQ. one of the highlights of our tour.

As we awaited the ferry at Shelter Bay, Bill grabbed two BLT’s that were surely the fastest made in the NW…

The ferry ride was not a long crossing but enough to give us a moment of down time to breathe and eat our sandwiches and to get out our cameras.

When we got to the other side, it actually began raining, some of the only full fledged rain we encountered.

Our arrival at Bubba’s home in Castlegar.

I believe what most surprised me most was the fact that there were three other Bandits, something that I rarely ever see. Bandits are a most understated machine. They are pretty much bullet-proof runners, are smooth, reasonably priced touring machines, but you simply don’t see many of them on the road. Imagine my surprise to see three other ones in Bubba’s driveway!

I hadn’t really bonded to this bike, like I had my old 2000 Bandit, but since returning home, I have reevaluated my feelings. I had a GREAT time on my bandit. I did some things I didn’t think were possible on this bike and learned some hard lessons, but all in all, I have come to LOVE it. It’s an awesome riding machine, one that has plenty of power and flexibility. It rides smoothly over dirt and gravel even fully loaded but I am getting ahead of myself.

This is my absolutely favorite shot of William, as it captures his being. He was a great riding partner, one who exercised tolerance and patience with a girl who was definitely slower than he was, but he shared tips and always added his two cents with an endearing smile.

Bubba’s driveway…nice eh?

On Saturday we joined in on a group ride, but quickly became aware that there were simply too many riders. We split off and high tailed it to have coffee in New Denver, over a really fun brisk road. There we found Bubba and a few of his mates and joined them for what turned out to be “the best ride ever”. The group consisted of seven like minded riding mates with a very “spirited” pace. It raised the bar for me to be sandwiched in this group, yet I was still riding my own ride. This group made me realize how much quicker I can ride and still be 100% in control. I was absolutely thrilled when one of the riders stopped his Aprilia and said to me, “I have never ridden with such a fast female rider”. I was feeling pretty proud of myself, in this group of males!

I didn’t get many photos, since riding was the object of the moment, but I did get some.

Kootenay Lake

Bubba and some of the finest bikes I have ridden with!

My riding mates sans Croak…don’t know where he was for this shot.

Getting ready to set off again and head for lunch

Colin

Bubba getting a feel for the Aprilia RSV one of the “toughest” machines there, imo.

Lunch and someone always has their eyes shut in group photos…WHY? 😉

While at lunch, a group of Harley riders from Germany came in. I just thought it was funny how they parked and created a definite “us and them” sort of feel.

Nelson

Heading back to Bubba’s

The final night of the Borscht Burn and BBQ was spend at Dave Alphabet Man’s place on a Lake whose name escapes me. It was an unbelievable place, so private and glorious. I got a few shots of this amazing property. The road to it, is what keeps it private, I’m sure. What a road!!