Montreal to Vancouver 2021

Saint rob

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May 26, 2019
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327
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Northwest UK
Hi everyone, this has probably been asked many times before but I really fancy freighting my bike out to Montreal in July next year (2021) and returning to the UK from Vancouver using the Air Canada fly my bike service. Google maps tells me that a route following the Trans Canada highway is around 3000 miles and I will have up to a month to make the trip, I will be mostly camping with the odd motel/hotel thrown in there. I don't really like the idea of pre-booking camp grounds/hotels as it removes the spontaneity of the adventure but I have a few questions if you don't mind - I'll be there for a good time not a long time!
  1. Is this a stupid/unrealistic plan, should I narrow the scope to say flying out to Winnipeg - bearing in mind this is probably my 1 and only trip to Canada with my bike.
  2. What is the Trans Canada highway like as a road, is it a boring featureless motorway/freeway, would it be easy to jump of it to liven the ride up and just use it to get from 1 location to another more quickly?
  3. Insurance - how easy is it to arrange and does 1 policy cover all Provinces?
  4. Must see sights/events - I don't mind detours from the "main route" and I know this is a very personal thing, but I figured asking the natives what the must see things are would hopefully prompt quite a bit of response from which I can then select what to include in my itinerary. I enjoy anything associated with history and in particular military history (we are spoiled for that in Europe) I don't mind riding trails - but nothing too extreme and gnarly. Love riding through mountain passes and along lakes and I would like to savour as much Canadian culture as I can.
  5. Would it be a problem not booking camp sites, can you just rock up and they'll squeeze a single bike in even if they don't really have room?
  6. What laws is it easy to fall foul of if you are unaware? I am a law abiding person not a hooligan (well apart from riding a motorbike) but often it is the little things that catch you out and put a dampener on proceedings.
  7. How likely am I to encounter wildlife? - I was quite put out not to encounter wild Moose in Norway!
There is likely to be loads more questions as I plan my epic trip over time so hopefully you are all a patient bunch
 

jeckyll

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Lotusland
I'll find a ride report on ADV I read years ago of a guy crossing from Ontario to BC via backroads on an old BMW Airhead, it may give you ideas. Will update once I've found it and answer some of the other questions where I can.

Overall I think Hwy 1 is not a great way to go across Canada, though certainly the most obvious.
 

jeckyll

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OK, found the ride report I was thinking of. https://advrider.com/f/threads/across-canada-on-a-71-r50-5.261508/

And realized I'm not sure if it's OK to post links to other forums, hope it is :)

My point, that was such a cool trip, I've always wanted to travel the backroads across Canada myself, but haven't done so yet. This year is out, but next year maybe, depending on the world situation. I think the Super T would do well on all the secondary and gravel roads and with logging the camping gear along.

To your specific points:
1: I think it's a great plan if you use the right roads
2: answered
3: No idea, if you're shipping the bike, you'd need your home country insurance and figure out the import / carnet stuff
4: See ride report link above
5: Not clear, depends on the campsite. Some site hold spots (at least in BC) for people stopping by. I.E. you can't book them remotely / ahead of time. It varies by camp site and I don't know how it works across all campsites and provinces
6: Canada is a pretty easy going country. Don't try to bring in a firearm (more for US folks). Don't drink in public. Speed only where there are no cops ;)
7: Depending on the road, high. Lots of deer and they move all time of day and night. Bear in campgrounds, depending on where you go. Keep food away from your tent. Talk to the people there. But it varies a lot, on time of day, weather etc. Last year I rode to the Yukon and Alaska and on the way up saw 2 bears on the same stretch of highway on the way down saw 12. Deer, bear, moose etc are horrible at keeping to a scheduled. Someone should get them a Timex and a dayplanner ;)

Good luck!
 

Saint rob

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Messages
327
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Northwest UK
Thanks Jeckyll, I'd better read and save the ride report quick before the mods remove it if it's not OK
 

Kruzzin5

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Oct 14, 2019
Messages
415
Location
Newmarket, Ontario
Hi everyone, this has probably been asked many times before but I really fancy freighting my bike out to Montreal in July next year (2021) and returning to the UK from Vancouver using the Air Canada fly my bike service. Google maps tells me that a route following the Trans Canada highway is around 3000 miles and I will have up to a month to make the trip, I will be mostly camping with the odd motel/hotel thrown in there. I don't really like the idea of pre-booking camp grounds/hotels as it removes the spontaneity of the adventure but I have a few questions if you don't mind - I'll be there for a good time not a long time!
  1. Is this a stupid/unrealistic plan, should I narrow the scope to say flying out to Winnipeg - bearing in mind this is probably my 1 and only trip to Canada with my bike.
  2. What is the Trans Canada highway like as a road, is it a boring featureless motorway/freeway, would it be easy to jump of it to liven the ride up and just use it to get from 1 location to another more quickly?
  3. Insurance - how easy is it to arrange and does 1 policy cover all Provinces?
  4. Must see sights/events - I don't mind detours from the "main route" and I know this is a very personal thing, but I figured asking the natives what the must see things are would hopefully prompt quite a bit of response from which I can then select what to include in my itinerary. I enjoy anything associated with history and in particular military history (we are spoiled for that in Europe) I don't mind riding trails - but nothing too extreme and gnarly. Love riding through mountain passes and along lakes and I would like to savour as much Canadian culture as I can.
  5. Would it be a problem not booking camp sites, can you just rock up and they'll squeeze a single bike in even if they don't really have room?
  6. What laws is it easy to fall foul of if you are unaware? I am a law abiding person not a hooligan (well apart from riding a motorbike) but often it is the little things that catch you out and put a dampener on proceedings.
  7. How likely am I to encounter wildlife? - I was quite put out not to encounter wild Moose in Norway!
There is likely to be loads more questions as I plan my epic trip over time so hopefully you are all a patient bunch
1. Crossing from Vancouver to Montreal is about 5000 km and you could do it in a week if you were flat out. Obviously, you’re not going to want to do that, but will want to do some touring. You could easily spend one month in British Columbia alone. That being said, you could spend a week in BC, then ride out to Banff and Jasper, Alberta for a few days. The prairies… Manitoba and Saskatchewan… are kind of boring. I know I’ll get heat from those that live out there. LOL Northern Ontario, and in particular the Lake Superior ride, which is rated one of the top scenic rides in the world, is a must see. You probably want to stay out of the Greater Toronto area, unless you want to visit a big city. You could spend some time in Ottawa area and then the Laurentian’s in Quebec before shipping your bike out of Montreal. I’m sure the Canadians living in various provinces that you’ll be travelling to, could speak on the recommendations for you.

You’ll definitely see wildlife in British Columbia and western Alberta… Moose, Caribou, deer and bear among others. You’ll see lots of deer in northern Ontario as well. Ride very carefully in British Columbia, Alberta and northern Ontario.

2. TransCanada highway is excellent in terms of being paved, smooth and quick. Going off the well-beaten path, will add time to your travel plans.
3. Not sure about insurance for 30 days or so.
4. See point number one. You love the mountains in British Columbia and Alberta.
5. I never book a campsite in advance because I don’t know where I’m going to be at the end of the day. It is very rare that you cannot find a campsite, and if this happens to be the case, there’s lots of crown land to camp on.
6. Laws are basically the same as in Europe. Speeding is a problem if you get caught. LOL you’ll only get a ticket, they won’t haul you off to jail.
7. See point number one.

The Air Canada fly and ride program is excellent! I used it last year to fly my V Strom to Casablanca, Morocco.

hope this helps get you started with your research.
 

Saint rob

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Northwest UK
Thanks Kruzzin, I just know I'm going to love BC and I'm torn really between a cross country trip where I'll get a good cross section of experiences - including the prairies or maybe staying west and spending my time in BC/Yukon/Northern Territories. Hopefully there will be more suggestions to help me make my mind up when the time comes to book the flights.
 

Kruzzin5

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415
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Newmarket, Ontario
Thanks Kruzzin, I just know I'm going to love BC and I'm torn really between a cross country trip where I'll get a good cross section of experiences - including the prairies or maybe staying west and spending my time in BC/Yukon/Northern Territories. Hopefully there will be more suggestions to help me make my mind up when the time comes to book the flights.
If you’re going to stay in the west… BC, Yukon and North West Territories, you have a lot to see as well. The ride north from Vancouver into the Yukon... Whitehorse, Dawson, top of the World Highway and the Dempster highway up to Tuk and the Arctic Ocean... would be an outstanding trip! You’ll be doing a lot of riding as well, but you’ll also be seeing a lot.
 
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Canada
If you’re going to stay in the west… BC, Yukon and North West Territories, you have a lot to see as well. The ride north from Vancouver into the Yukon... Whitehorse, Dawson, top of the World Highway and the Dempster highway up to Tuk and the Arctic Ocean... would be an outstanding trip! You’ll be doing a lot of riding as well, but you’ll also be seeing a lot.
This is a great suggestion. I've done the entire route you are proposing numerous times by motorcycle, car, bus, train and aircraft. If it were me, I agree with Kruzzin5 and would consider spending the entire trip in the west. Instead of thinking about a west-east canada journey, maybe a south-north trip up the west coast would be better. BC ireally is stunning geographically, and to top it off with a trip through Yukon and NWT via the Dempster hwy would be a spectacular journey, and manageable in a month journey. I'm happy to provide some advice on routes if you like, feel free to message if that's of use! Cheers and good luck!
 

Saint rob

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May 26, 2019
Messages
327
Location
Northwest UK
This is a great suggestion. I've done the entire route you are proposing numerous times by motorcycle, car, bus, train and aircraft. If it were me, I agree with Kruzzin5 and would consider spending the entire trip in the west. Instead of thinking about a west-east canada journey, maybe a south-north trip up the west coast would be better. BC ireally is stunning geographically, and to top it off with a trip through Yukon and NWT via the Dempster hwy would be a spectacular journey, and manageable in a month journey. I'm happy to provide some advice on routes if you like, feel free to message if that's of use! Cheers and good luck!
Thanks for the offer you can be sure of an inbound PM at some point to chat about routes
 

Chaz

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Dec 30, 2018
Messages
271
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L’Islet, Quebec, Canada
Hi Saint Rob!
I live in eastern Canada.
I have cross Canada (by car) a few times . It is true that the Prairies can be a little boring but when you travel its still something special to see by yourself! Vast open flat space, fields that goes as far as the horizon!
One time I cross the country we’ve made a check by the States made our way trough Bad land National Park, Yellowstone...much more memorable! And after we cross back in Canada near Okanagan valley. It is also true that the western part of Canada is full of scenery and beautiful mountains and the eastern part of Canada also.
In my humble opinion , you should plan to visit a part of the Usa and a part of Canada. When you look at the map it seems big but in reality you can crush considerable ground in a day of riding.
For everything else insurance and all, I think as long as your bike is insure in your country you’ll be fine. No natives or bears will eat you on your way!
Cheers
 

Saint rob

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Northwest UK
Thanks Chaz the jury is out at the minute in terms of whether to do a Trans Canada trip or stick to the west, hence me fishing for ideas on here. The mileages don't really faze me - I did 7000 odd miles in just over 2 weeks going to Nordkapp a couple of years ago.
I kind of like the idea of BC, Yukon & NWT as I'd get into the arctic circle again - but on a different continent But I also like the idea of BC and the lakes with the prairies in the middle and Niagra towards the end. As you say some may say they are boring but my view is that you can't comment if you aint done it. Ideally I'd like to do both but I'd end up doing neither well, maybe I should wait a couple of years until I retire and spend a couple of months there. That way I'd get to fit in the Atlantic coast as well but you never know what's around the corner and having lost both parents and my only sister in the last 3 years it kind of makes you just want to get on with it - before you can't!
 

jeckyll

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Lotusland
I think that for someone coming from Europe, the great expanse and emptiness can be very alluring. So many 'empty' places in BC are what people from Germany, the Netherlands etc flock to. It's just different and large, and for that alone, can be impressive to see.

The trip to the Yukon and Alaska is great and for similar reasons, but the roads are not really great, i.e. they're not exciting or challenging and trilling to ride. But more a means to an end. And at time, they can become impassable (if you look at my trip report from going to YK / AK and being on the Dempsters in a rainstorm, it'll spell it out :) )

It's all about what you're coming for. Why do you want to see and experience on the trip? :)
 

Kruzzin5

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Messages
415
Location
Newmarket, Ontario
I think that for someone coming from Europe, the great expanse and emptiness can be very alluring. So many 'empty' places in BC are what people from Germany, the Netherlands etc flock to. It's just different and large, and for that alone, can be impressive to see.

The trip to the Yukon and Alaska is great and for similar reasons, but the roads are not really great, i.e. they're not exciting or challenging and trilling to ride. But more a means to an end. And at time, they can become impassable (if you look at my trip report from going to YK / AK and being on the Dempsters in a rainstorm, it'll spell it out :) )

It's all about what you're coming for. Why do you want to see and experience on the trip? :)
I found the Northern roads to be very thrilling, especially the Dempster highway. I’m sure it had nothing to do with the two wheel slide on the wet road! It was an act of God that I didn’t crash the bike. Hurricane alley is also very thrilling LOL
 

Saint rob

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May 26, 2019
Messages
327
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Northwest UK
I think that for someone coming from Europe, the great expanse and emptiness can be very alluring. So many 'empty' places in BC are what people from Germany, the Netherlands etc flock to. It's just different and large, and for that alone, can be impressive to see.

The trip to the Yukon and Alaska is great and for similar reasons, but the roads are not really great, i.e. they're not exciting or challenging and trilling to ride. But more a means to an end. And at time, they can become impassable (if you look at my trip report from going to YK / AK and being on the Dempsters in a rainstorm, it'll spell it out :) )

It's all about what you're coming for. Why do you want to see and experience on the trip? :)
You got it right there emptiness, peace and tranquility, me my bike and my tent, not many places you can get that in Europe. Scandinavia was like that - fantastic and in particular Norway where I achieved a dream I'd had since my teenage biking years almost 40 years before of getting to Nordkapp.
For me my interest in Canada goes back further than that, to primary school when at age 8 or 9 I met and became friends with 2 Canadian lads who had come to live in the UK. They told me about their country and I then looked in encyclopedias (because there were no home computers then never mind the internet) to find out more about the place then we went to different high schools and I never saw them again.
I'm about 1/2 way through Lornce's BMW ride report, so when I've finished that I'll find yours Jeckyl, thanks for that.
 

jeckyll

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You got it right there emptiness, peace and tranquility, me my bike and my tent, not many places you can get that in Europe. Scandinavia was like that - fantastic and in particular Norway where I achieved a dream I'd had since my teenage biking years almost 40 years before of getting to Nordkapp.
For me my interest in Canada goes back further than that, to primary school when at age 8 or 9 I met and became friends with 2 Canadian lads who had come to live in the UK. They told me about their country and I then looked in encyclopedias (because there were no home computers then never mind the internet) to find out more about the place then we went to different high schools and I never saw them again.
I'm about 1/2 way through Lornce's BMW ride report, so when I've finished that I'll find yours Jeckyl, thanks for that.
Glad you're reading Lornce's report, I re-read it myself yesterday. Such a great way to share the trip, I enjoyed it just as much as the previous few times I've gone through it. Part of me envies the clean and calm way he writes.

I hope you enjoy it :)

FWIW, I'm from Germany originally, so the sense of wildness and space are something I appreciate, coming from a very 'crowded' country. I think no matter which way to travel, you'll see so much new and different terrain and meet great people that it will be a memorable trip :)
 

jeckyll

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I found the Northern roads to be very thrilling, especially the Dempster highway. I’m sure it had nothing to do with the two wheel slide on the wet road! It was an act of God that I didn’t crash the bike. Hurricane alley is also very thrilling LOL
Yeah, it's more of a survival even though than fun riding. At least, that's how it seems to me :)

When I think of 'fun roads' I think of stuff like this:
rattlesnaketurns.JPG
 

Chaz

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Messages
271
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L’Islet, Quebec, Canada
Thanks Chaz the jury is out at the minute in terms of whether to do a Trans Canada trip or stick to the west, hence me fishing for ideas on here. The mileages don't really faze me - I did 7000 odd miles in just over 2 weeks going to Nordkapp a couple of years ago.
I kind of like the idea of BC, Yukon & NWT as I'd get into the arctic circle again - but on a different continent But I also like the idea of BC and the lakes with the prairies in the middle and Niagra towards the end. As you say some may say they are boring but my view is that you can't comment if you aint done it. Ideally I'd like to do both but I'd end up doing neither well, maybe I should wait a couple of years until I retire and spend a couple of months there. That way I'd get to fit in the Atlantic coast as well but you never know what's around the corner and having lost both parents and my only sister in the last 3 years it kind of makes you just want to get on with it - before you can't!
Tha
Thanks Chaz the jury is out at the minute in terms of whether to do a Trans Canada trip or stick to the west, hence me fishing for ideas on here. The mileages don't really faze me - I did 7000 odd miles in just over 2 weeks going to Nordkapp a couple of years ago.
I kind of like the idea of BC, Yukon & NWT as I'd get into the arctic circle again - but on a different continent But I also like the idea of BC and the lakes with the prairies in the middle and Niagra towards the end. As you say some may say they are boring but my view is that you can't comment if you aint done it. Ideally I'd like to do both but I'd end up doing neither well, maybe I should wait a couple of years until I retire and spend a couple of months there. That way I'd get to fit in the Atlantic coast as well but you never know what's around the corner and having lost both parents and my only sister in the last 3 years it kind of makes you just want to get on with it - before you can't!
I think that its a excellent way to enjoy life! Seize the day! And on a Tenere its far more enjoyable! :cool:
 

Saint rob

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Wow, where's that picture Jeckyl?
A great word Wow, never really used it before I went to Norway and then thought I'd morphed into Owen Wilson:)
I'm pretty sure it's a word I'm going to be using a lot when I get over there too.
Where abouts in Germany do you hail from, that's another country I love and I can't remember the last year when we haven't spent some time over there. So much so my oldest daughter became known as the secret German in school, she went on to do a German degree and now teaches German & Spanish in high school.
 

jeckyll

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Wow, where's that picture Jeckyl?
A great word Wow, never really used it before I went to Norway and then thought I'd morphed into Owen Wilson:)
I'm pretty sure it's a word I'm going to be using a lot when I get over there too.
Where abouts in Germany do you hail from, that's another country I love and I can't remember the last year when we haven't spent some time over there. So much so my oldest daughter became known as the secret German in school, she went on to do a German degree and now teaches German & Spanish in high school.
That is in the very Nort-East corner of Oregon. It's part of the highway that leads from Lewiston / Clarkston to Enterprise. "Rattlesnake grade". So sadly not in Canada :) I love the desert and spend a lot of time in Oregon, it's one of my favourite places. Sadly I won't be going down this year given the situation we find ourselves in.

I'm from just outside of Hannover. With family in Hamburg as well.

I'd love to visit Denmark / Norway / Sweden someday and tour through. Of course I also want to travel through the Alps; and also visit the Isle of Man. We'll see :)

Anyway, my point earlier: I didn't think I'd find the openness and emptiness of the desert so alluring. But I do. I really enjoy seeing it, traveling through it, photographing it. So I can imagine that it could be similar riding through the prairies in Canada :)
 

Saint rob

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That is in the very Nort-East corner of Oregon. It's part of the highway that leads from Lewiston / Clarkston to Enterprise. "Rattlesnake grade". So sadly not in Canada :) I love the desert and spend a lot of time in Oregon, it's one of my favourite places. Sadly I won't be going down this year given the situation we find ourselves in.

I'm from just outside of Hannover. With family in Hamburg as well.

I'd love to visit Denmark / Norway / Sweden someday and tour through. Of course I also want to travel through the Alps; and also visit the Isle of Man. We'll see :)

Anyway, my point earlier: I didn't think I'd find the openness and emptiness of the desert so alluring. But I do. I really enjoy seeing it, traveling through it, photographing it. So I can imagine that it could be similar riding through the prairies in Canada :)
Your point wasn't missed on me, we have friends in Hamburg and my daughter did a semester at Braunschweig University in her 2nd year
 
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