Pic Heavy Ride Report - MS to Bella Coola & Back 11,000 Miles Heat, Hail & Bears

[DK Custom Products]

Day 25 continued-


We are still in the valley and saw a little turn-off...

...if we still had the fishing pole we could have done a bit of fishing without even getting off the bike.

Getting close to the end of the asphalt and the beginning of "The Hill"....

...looking back, toward Bella Coola. This has been an amazing couple of days in a still pretty much hidden part of the world.

Even though Mary chose this place because of the highest concentration of bears in NA, and we have not seen one...

...it has still been a great time, and we're both very happy with her finding out about it.

Here we are. When we came down the hill, we had a lot of respect for it from the videos we had seen.

Going back up it, we also have the stories John Edwards has told us about The Hill. He is a fire fighter in Bella Coola, which means he is also Search & Rescue. More than a few have gone off the side of the hill, and most do not live to tell about it.

This is Atnarko Slough, at the foot of The Hill, also where there have been quite a few reports of sightings of a Sasquatch.

79 km to Nimpo Lake, 62 of which are gravel road.

Gate is open, road is dry, camera battery is fresh, and the bear spray is bungied to the Tour Pak Rack for easy access.

Day 25 to be continued.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 25 continued-


It was a fun ride down the hill. We are really looking forward to going back up it, and seeing it from a different perspective.

Here we go!

First big curve...

...then there was a pretty bumpy hill. We had to pull over. This pic is looking back.

The bear spray was not staying in place under the bungie cords on the rack. We had heard so many stories, and been out in the woods all day yesterday with John Edwards.

Most folks in Bella Coola do NOT carry bear spray when out in the woods...if they run across a bear, they just put their hands above their head and "make themselves Big".

So we put the bear spray in the Tour Pak.

Looking down the side of the road near where we stopped...that's a long way down, and we just barely started.

Back on our way!

Yes, the road is as narrow as it looks here.

Mary's view off the side...

...these pics were taken while we were riding, not pulled over. The road gets pretty narrow in places, & yeah, that's a LONG way down!

And in others, like at this switchback, it gets really wide. But you can see up ahead, it narrows done again right before the blind curve.

More in next post.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 25 continued-


There's a pretty good reason for the "Slow" sign. The road is already narrow, but in the middle of the curve, there is NO possible way for two vehicles to pass.

These areas where the road is cracking on the edge give Mary the willies.

This is Mary's view as we're riding...it is not mine!

This is my view. I look where I want to go, so I do not really see off the edge like she does while we're riding.

Mary's view again. I'm really proud of her getting over her fear of edges the last few years.

Some of the steeper part of the hill...

...but nice and wide, with no bad cliff edges.

This is a fun road. It is a bit rougher today than the day we went down. Not sure if the road changed, or if it is just the different geometry of going uphill that is making it a rougher ride.

It is starting to narrow down again here.

Another switchback.

Some more edge of the road cracking.

Day 25 to be continued soon.

Kevin

 

[Papa Zook]

Man I do love the pictures! Have you ever thought of adding some short video clips of some of these switchbacks? A GoPro with remote would be the perfect tool.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Man I do love the pictures! Have you ever thought of adding some short video clips of some of these switchbacks? A GoPro with remote would be the perfect tool.

Not a GoPro, but here is a short video of the ride down the hill. (see my post below)

Tomorrow, or the next day, I'll be posting a longer video of the ride back up the hill.

Kevin

 

[Christine]

what an awesome ride report! I've loved reading all about your road trip. I've ridden some of the same roads & seen some of the same places. I really like how you presented it & catalogued your ride information with all the pictures. You've given me ideas on how to better save all my info for my next ride. Good job!!

 

[kybigmac]

You've done a great job with this thread it's almost like being there !

 

[DK Custom Products]

ooops, forgot to put the video in the post above-






Kevin

- - - Updated - - -

what an awesome ride report! I've loved reading all about your road trip. I've ridden some of the same roads & seen some of the same places. I really like how you presented it & catalogued your ride information with all the pictures. You've given me ideas on how to better save all my info for my next ride. Good job!!

Thank you! Absolutely amazing riding and views up in Canada!

You've done a great job with this thread it's almost like being there !

Thank you, glad to hear you're enjoying.

Kevin

 

[Gorilla]

​Thank you for the video Kevin. Be safe

 

[BOXX3R]

:clapping: Your pictures, narrative and videos (to quote Jack Nicholson) make me want to be a better biker. Or at least take some tours of my own. THANK YOU for letting us share in and enjoy your journeys.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 25 Continued-

Ok, these next 20 pics and video are the final installment on the ride from Bella Coola back to Nimpo Lake.



Remember, we had put the bear spray in the tour pak at the bottom of the hill.......


Coming around a corner, there was a BIG Grizzly Bear about 60 yards in front of us!

I stopped. He turned and looked at us, then continued walking away from us. We watched.

I then remembered where the bear spray was. After moving a little to the side of the road, I put the parking brake on (good thing I had adjusted it, because the hill was pretty steep) and got the bear spray out...never turned off the engine. When I put it back in gear (clunk) the bear turned and looked at us, so I waited a bit longer before moving forward.

He just kept walking down the road...

...we did move forward twice to keep him in sight...but we really did not know what we could do, other than wait. He did not seem inclined to leave the road, and no way we we going to try and ride past him. Grizzlies can move extremely fast when they want to.

We remembered what John Edwards had told us-

John just said make yourself big, and if that does not intimidate the bear then yell a bit...that is, only if it is coming toward you, otherwise, just be still...never turn your back, never run, never make any fast movements.

So we waited and watched...

...After a few minutes a truck came by and moved him off the road. We were really excited to see the pics when we got to Nimpo Lake. Mary thought she had taken 20-25 pics of him.

She took 4 pictures.


We were already on what is probably the most dangerous road in North America, and then we were right up on a Grizzly. Her adrenaline just shot through the roof.

Fortunately the video camera was going. Here is the video that has some of the highlights of the ride up "The Hill". The bear encounter starts at about the 4 minute mark-






After the bear excitement, we continued on up the road...

...which is exciting and awe-inspiring, in and of itself.

One last look behind us, thinking about the bear we had just seen.

What an amazing view...again, pic taken while we were moving...not such a wide section of the road. lol

At the highest point of the pass.

Things leveled out a bit. No more cliffs.

More in next post.

 

[Mrmri]

I really enjoy your posts and photos.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 25 continued-


A breath-taking view-

Here we are at the official End of The Hill.

I asked Mary if she wanted to turn around and do it again...she did not, but if it was not so rough, we both would have done it in a hearbeat.

Another meadow and great cloud pic-

Here is a pic of a fellow traveler. He was headed toward Bella Coola on 2 wheels, pulling a cargo trailer.

He had the biggest grin on his face that I've ever seen!

He was also the only other motorcycle we've seen since we left Nimpo Lake a few days ago.

Looking back as we left Tweedsmuir Provincial Park.

We've been getting a few sprinkles, but you can see from the road that we have missed some pretty heavy rain.

Fun road, great views, and no cliffs!

Some cattle in and about the road...we are getting close to Anahim Lake.

Back on the asphalt! We've ridden TG's many hundreds of miles on dirt and gravel roads, but they really like the asphalt better.

Back at Nimpo Lake, our destination for the day.

The last 60 pictures, are just what I picked out of 874 pics. It was a whopping 100 miles. But it is amazing land.

We arrived at Nimpo Lake at 2:30, so we went out on the lake. I will share some pics from that in the next post in a day or so.

Kevin

 

[Gorilla]

Very nice, I bet your glad to have seen the bear. A memory you will never forget.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Very nice, I bet your glad to have seen the bear. A memory you will never forget.

You are correct on both points!


Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Out on Nimpo Lake-


I apologize for the delay in posting.


After we got checked back into the cabin, we rented one of the little boats at the dock below the cabin.


Leaving the dock-

Heading out, Mary is pretty happy...She likes riding, but I think getting out on a boat is a close second.

Sorta different than a bike, but this one is still a matter of twisting the grip to get to full throttle. lol

This next link, you can click on it to watch a 13 second video of how speedy this was.


http://vid1088.photobucket.com/albu...Nimpo Lake 2/64 Full Throttle_zpswx7d6owm.mp4







We got to the other side and drifted a bit. Mary was clicking away!

A beavers "bank lodge". Yeah I had to look it up on google to see what a beaver's house is called.

Not far from there we tied up to a tree that was overhanging the lakes edge. Had some lunch...

...and enjoyed the view. This next pic is a panoramic, might look better if you click on it.

While there are some houses along the shoreline, it is only in a few spots. There are miles and miles of shoreline like this.

More in next post.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Nimpo Lake continued.


Mary taking a pic....

...of me taking a pic of her.

She is really happy out on the water.

This is a large lake, we followed less than half the shoreline. Here we are cutting across, heading back to the cabin. This panoramic is not capturing 1/10th of the lake.

Putting along. Those snow/glacier covered mountains in the background probably have something to do with the water being so cold.

Almost back at the cabin.

Back at the dock.

Today was a "red-letter" day. Fantastic, crazy, fun road, grizzly bear, and on a boat out on the lake....an early birthday present for Mary.

Tomorrow is her birthday, and we'll be on the road to Cache Creek.


Kevin

 

[DblTrbl]

Happy Birthday Mary!!! Couldn't ask for a better birthday gift!!

 

[Ed Hobgood]

Happy birthday Mary, I've enjoyed the post you guys are doing and the bear on the road was great. I thought it was great seeing black bear in Yellowstone but a big grizzly, well I might of had to change my pants.:AGGHH: Have a safe trip and enjoy your day.

 

[Mikem@occally]

Very nice enjoyed the video and all the stories Thank you. Stay well and please keep

:clapping:Very nice enjoyed the Video and all the pic and stories Thank you stay well and please keep posting..

 

[Gorilla]

Happy Birthday Mary

 

[DK Custom Products]

Happy Birthday Mary!!! Couldn't ask for a better birthday gift!!

Happy birthday Mary, I've enjoyed the post you guys are doing and the bear on the road was great. I thought it was great seeing black bear in Yellowstone but a big grizzly, well I might of had to change my pants.:AGGHH: Have a safe trip and enjoy your day.

:clapping:Very nice enjoyed the Video and all the pic and stories Thank you stay well and please keep posting..

Happy Birthday Mary

Mary's not a forum person...but I passed on your wishes, she says thank you!!!

It was definitely a great day of making memories!

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 26


Today we re-traced our route from Nimpo, thru "no-mans land", back to Williams Lake and then on past 100 Mile House and down into Cache Creek.


Leaving out of Nimpo Lake. BC is just filled with amazing countryside...and today was a great cloud picture taking day for Mary also.

Back on the road where there is no center line...not really wide enough for one, but it is a fun road for sure!

From our ride out here, there is very little traffic, and we did not see in LEO's, so I'm wanting to get to Cache Creek early for a nice Bday dinner for Mary.

Mary in the mirror.

The road is a bit wider, but still a ton of fun!

I had been hitting it pretty hard all the way up to Lee's Corner...but I always slow down before topping a hill, never know if there is something in the road on the other side.

Well, this wasn't right on the other side of the hilltop, but I did see the first Police Checkpoint in all our travels in Canada...right about 1/2 mile down the road. Right at Lee's Corner.

They were stopping everybody, checking license, registration, insurance. We got to talking with the Officer that stopped us. He rides, and hopes some day to tour the USA.

Long Sweeping Switchback=More Fun!

Great pic Mary took of the sky, mountains, river, bridge....we are getting close to Williams Lake.

Passed this Log Cabin Building Plant in Williams Lake.

More in next post.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 26 continued.



We stopped for lunch at a rest area in 108 Mile Ranch. The picnic area was right at the Historical Heritage Site.

Soon after getting past 100 Mile House we saw the fastest speed limit sign yet in Canada. 110 km...66 mph.

It did not last long, reckon it was there just because there was a long 4 lane, straight stretch for a while.

I know I've said it a bunch of times....

...British Columbia is an amazing place...big country!

Up until now, we've been in areas that are a bit cooler, and lots of trees and water...

...but now, as we drop down toward Cache Creek, there is a pretty radical change in a short period of time....

...It gets significantly warmer, much drier, less vegetation, and very dusty.

The camera battery wore out 10 minutes before getting into Cache Creek, but we have been this way before (a couple of years ago), it is where you can take a turn off and get to the "Sea to Sky Highway".


This is where we stayed in Cache Creek. Bear Claw Lodge. Air Conditioned room and a nice restaurant for Mary's bday dinner.

Tomorrow we're headed to the border town of Grand Forks, CN!

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 27-

Another fantastic day of riding in Beautiful British Columbia, Canada!!!


Today Mary took a bit over 600 pics, I have the first 20 picked out and will conclude with another 20 tomorrow.


Leaving out of Cache Creek. This is the second time we've stayed in this town, first time at Bear Claw Lodge. I think next time we are in CC we will stay here again.

A bit outside of Cache Creek, reminds me of high desert. We have only been in a bit of Alberta, but we've seen a good deal of BC, and this area is quite different than the rest of BC.

But soon we are back where there is an abundance of water and trees. Fun road along Kamloops Lake.

We're taking the 97 toward Vernon, after that the 33 thru Beaverdell, all the way to Kettle Valley, then the 3 to Grand Forks. Not the fastest way, but definitely includes a lot of Canadian 2 lane country riding!

Looking back toward Kamloops.

Lots of logging in these parts. I don't ride behind, or beside, 18 wheelers any longer than absolutely necessary, these 30 wheelers are even more avoided!

Beautiful Countryside with....

...lots of trees and water...

...topped off by fun winding roads!

Too soon we are in Vernon, used the GPS to get us to a Subway. Passed this very cool Rat Rust Salvage truck on the way.

More in next post.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 27 continued-


Last night we ate out for Mary's Bday dinner, so we did no shopping. So today is lunch at Subway in Vernon!

Leaving out of Vernon we rode beside the Emerald Green Kalamalka Lake for a while.

Almost right away we are in Kelowna. We stopped at the HD Dealership for...

...Gloves!

Mary discovered these 6 or 7 years ago. They are perfect for her in warm weather, and for her picture taking. Even in cold weather she wears a gauntlet glove on her left hand and one of these along with a wool glove on her right hand for picture taking.

She's tried others, but always goes back to these. I think this is her 3rd pair.

Out of Kelowna...

...we start getting into some seriously fun roads!

There is little to no traffic...

...and curve after curve.

The TG just eats it up!

Day 27 to be continued.

Kevin

 

[Trent]

You look like you are in a mouth breathing stupor at the Subway..!!:laugh: Too many choices? Lights too bright? Jared was there and winked at you? Mary slipped some Vodka into that water bottle? Hope you were ok..! ThumbUp

 

[DK Custom Products]

You look like you are in a mouth breathing stupor at the Subway..!!:laugh: Too many choices? Lights too bright? Jared was there and winked at you? Mary slipped some Vodka into that water bottle? Hope you were ok..! ThumbUp

ROFL

I have no idea what I was thinking/doing. Maybe I was in shock...we saw more people/cars/signal lights in Vernon that we had in all the previous days in Canada combined. lol

Kevin

 

[Papa Zook]

You look like you are in a mouth breathing stupor at the Subway..!!:laugh: Too many choices? Lights too bright? Jared was there and winked at you? Mary slipped some Vodka into that water bottle? Hope you were ok..! ThumbUp

It's no wonder....He's exhausted from toting that 3 gallon container of water. Look at the size of that sucker!!!