The pinball ride report (08/03/08)

[Slug87]

Why Pinball ?
Well I kept bouncing off rain showers for a few hours.

This overnight ride started by some frustration. I really wanted to go up to Merritt, via Spences bridge and Hwy8, but since it took me almost an hour to cross the Pitt river from Port Moody, it was 17:00 by the time I rolled into Hope. One hour of daylight left, I was not in the mood to dodge wildlife, livestock, and rocks in the dark.
So since the Mighty Coquihalla has been in good shape for the last couple of weeks, I decided to go for the boring but safer alternative.
Since the Popo was all set-up westbound right above Hope, I had a clear road ahead of me. Despite the night closing in, I could not resist going down the Coldwater road.
Boy is that road ever fun, especially with no cows, and no cars around. The first 2 miles were real bad, but after that woooo, what a riot.

No pictures so far, just trying to make it before darkness.

Saturday morning breakfast at the Super 8 diner.

Note: Since late autumn 2007, Merritt is an establish community as a Starbucks is now open. It is right beside the chevron and in the same building as a new liquor store too. So I bet this is going to become a new favorite for long distance poser this riding season. ;-)

And off we go Uo Hwy5A towards Kamloops.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_03_1200gsbreakin/frozennicolalake.jpg
First stop along Nicola lake. Glorious lake frozen but not covered in snow, like most of the many others I saw during the rest of the day.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_03_1200gsbreakin/quilchenahotel.jpg
Quick stop at the Quilchena hotel.

Hwy5A is a fast smooth road, with a really decent scenery around. Traffic was a none issue, and the weather so far was perfect. Sadly not for long. I got my first rain contact about 10 clicks out of Kamloops. Just enough to wet the helmet and the road. And just as fast I was dry again.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_03_1200gsbreakin/abovekamloops.jpg
Right above Kamloops I stopped to assess my options. North to Little fort via the North Thompson river, was not an option as it was raining hard down there. To the left you can see a nasty dump. I ended up tasting its edges on my way to Cache Creek which is dead ahead. 10 Mins to top up the fuel, and hide the Camera in the Kayak bag, and I was on my way.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_03_1200gsbreakin/kamloopslake.jpg
Next stop was above Kamloops lake and Savona, after waving at 2 harley guys. Again you can see a picture of the next shower. Right on Cache Creek. And once again I got lucky as it was barely enough to get me wet.

Also in Cache Creek I waved hello to a japanese cruiser rider. The third and last rider I saw for the entire day.


http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_03_1200gsbreakin/hwy99donut.jpg
At the Hat Creek ranch turn off, I came accross those skids mark. I like to see those as it is a pretty good sign that I am now on a road less travel.
Not only was the traffic super light, the pavement is now in perfect condition since it was redone in the summer of 2006. Sadly the money must have run dry, as the surface deteriorate half way to Lillooet.


http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_03_1200gsbreakin/posermarblecanyon.jpg
Quick classic shot at Marble canyon right before Pavillion.


http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_03_1200gsbreakin/pavilionlake.jpg
All the little lakes along the way are still frozen solid. Snow is pretty scarce along the roadside.


http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_03_1200gsbreakin/frasercanyon.jpg
I always stop at that viewpoint. This is one of my favorite spot in BC. The Fraser canyon is spectacular at that point. Then you can prep yourself for some exciting roads ahead, as you can scan it from there.

Then riding down into Lillooet, I suddenly felt warm. A quick check at the temperature gage revealed that it was 20 Deg C. What 20 Deg !!!!
It was awesome. The sky was perfect and still no traffic. Boy, how cool was that.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_03_1200gsbreakin/lightfootgas.jpg
At the necessary pit stop at Lightfoot gas, the temperature dropped to 15 Deg C just like that. The staff, explained this by the cold hair running down the Duffey lake road valley to the South.
So one corn dog later and a good chat about the 2010 games with the locals, I came across a nice couple giving me the head up on the Duffey Road condition. as expected it was going to be interesting to say the least. (See other thread on this forum)

[Slug87]

PART 2


http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_03_1200gsbreakin/setonlake.jpg
Quick look at Seton Lake just to make sure that its color is still spectacular.


http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_03_1200gsbreakin/dirtyduffeyroad.jpg
A classic section of corners with the winter dirt all over. I still made good time on that road. My average speed between Merritt and Pemberton ended up being 95.4 Km/h, so not too bad.


http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_03_1200gsbreakin/mtcanigou.jpg
Mt Brew, was in a perfect winter setting. No clouds around its top.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_03_1200gsbreakin/duffeylogdam.jpg
I eventually reached Duffey Lake where the temperature has now dropped to 7.5 Deg C. This is the Log Dam covered in a nice snow layer.


http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_03_1200gsbreakin/duffeylake.jpg
And the classic Duffey lake view. This is a the boat launch ramp underneath the snow. What a spectacular setting. Well worth the effort.

There was many snowmobilers around most pull-out. Some giving me a strange look.
A few hikers too. I pretty much had the road to myself.


http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_03_1200gsbreakin/cayooshvalley.jpg
And I took advantage of it.

Joffre lakes Icefield was pretty nice to look at at, but a large clouds was right behind it, so I did not stop. And anyway, I was pretty busy trying to keep the bike upright, as the road surface was pretty bad at that point which is not the best place due to the steep grade.


http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_03_1200gsbreakin/lillooetlake.jpg
I made it safely to more sensible road surface. Here at the mouth of Lillooet lake. I did have to ride around a couple of stupid horses though. Which added to the fun. I bet they came up from Mt Currie.


http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_03_1200gsbreakin/mtcurriesunset.jpg
Then looking South towards Whistler, I realized that the sun was going to disappear faster than it looked. So I packed the camera, and rode home, reaching North Vancouver at Dusk. And anyway, from that point on I had to worry about crazy drivers who think they are still on the slopes of Blackcomb, road works, speed zones, and Popo.


I would conclude by saying that this is my favorite few months of the year to ride around BC. You can get lucky for the weather. The temperature is totally acceptable keeping the sky clean of pollution and haze which is great for photography. Snow cap mountains are a must see. There is no tourist traffic. You only have to deal with locals who know where they are going and only brake around curves when really necessary. No RVs, and trailers. Rare police to stress you as its too cold for their little hands to hold a radar gun on the side of the road. I love it.
No I have to wash the bike though ... Give and take I guess.

[KaiBosh]

Awesome pics, thanks for the report. It looks to be an early year all over BC, if I really, really wanted to I could be riding now up here as well. The roads are perfectly bare and clean once you get out of town...

[240sx]

What a wicked thread man, your ride looks to be even better. Thanks for the play by play!!

[Buster Hymen]

Thank you for the great journey......:thumbup

[Bunny]

Amazing pictures!! I can't believe how clean the air is and how crisp everything looks.

It's trips like this that convinced me to convert to 2-wheels.

[copton]

Great ride report, looks like you had a great time. Thanks for taking the time to post it up for us all to read.

[sushigrl]

the scenery looks perfect this time of year. and the 7.5C not too bad, would have thought it would drop below zero for sure. good to see, someone was having fun!

[J_Scott]

Bruno, what the hell? You bought a GS again?

I officially hate you.

[scooter]

Brrrr!!!

Great stuff Bruno.

I don't see you on the list for the Big BC Trailie Ride 3.

[greenboy]

Thanks for sharing this awesome early season ride report.

Agreed, that gravelled viewpoint in Marble Canyon is one of the sweetest.

[denham]

Looks like a great ride. What camera are you using there?

[coaxial]

awesome ride and great pics I will have to get up there on a bike. Last time I was up that way on a 4x4 trip in December there was an entire herd of horses (and their poo) on the road , they don't have very good fences in that reserve between pemberton and lillooet :horse

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2318/2102741588_56431264e8.jpg

A little too frozen of a road surface that time of year for 2 wheelers :)

Doing the vancouver-harrison-lillooet-pemberton-whistler-vancouver loop again in a 4x4 caravan in two weeks :)

[liketoride]

The road less traveled is always the way to go. The time of year also helps keep the hordes off. Well done! You inspire all the reasons I chose to become a motorcyclist.

[bafflebrain]

Great ride report and pictures Bruno.

Almost make me want to put my V-Strom on the road.

[Maverik]

Nice pics.

I'll do it again when US$1 gets around C$1.50.

[twoforfree]

awesome ride... i did something like that last year too... but a little different route... i gased up at that gas station too and the road coming down from the hydro plan is awesome...

[foggy]

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_03_1200gsbreakin/frasercanyon.jpg
I always stop at that viewpoint. This is one of my favorite spot in BC. The Fraser canyon is spectacular at that point. Then you can prep yourself for some exciting roads ahead, as you can scan it from there.



One of my favorite spots too. Thanks for the pics and writeup.
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j49/scottu/IMG_0874.jpg

[miraclejoe]

This is making me ache all over. I need a gixxer.

[Slug87]

Looks like a great ride. What camera are you using there?

I use an almost 3 year old Nikon D70s. Nothing special.
I have used a polarization filter from time to time.
I have just got myself an extra lens.

Pros:
- Save post processing time.
- Great for action shots.
- Fast up time.
- Remote.

Cons:
- way to bulky
- very unpractical for weird angle shots.
- Expensive and therfore not very good under abuse. Bike vibrations do damage in the long run.

I do not recommend this for riding at all.
My ideal set-up would be to have this SLR protected in a hard case for the special situations where you need it.
And get a compact camera in the tank bag or a handle bar pouch. The Coolpix 5700 and after were great. The swiveling LCD screen was great for abuse and weird angles.

[denham]

I have a 3 year old D70 as it happens :) I thought your photos looked like a DSLR but I wanted to check. I don't want to bother bringing my D70 with me riding, so I think I'll get something a little more compact to bring along. I do a lot of landscape photography, and there are shots that I prefer to take with a tripod, so I almost want to leave the D70 at home or bring my tripod too. I would be frustrated if I brought the camera and found a shot I needed the tripod to get just right, but didn't have it.

I just rode up the Hope-Princeton on my ride from Maple Ridge to Vernon. I wanted to bring my bike up here as I had been missing it so much. Were you using heated gloves or anything on your ride? It was only just above freezing at one or two points (going past Manning specifically) and my fingers and toes were going a little numb. I have some waterproof gloves but the trouble was that they're not exactly windproof. I ended up putting my leather gloves back on as I was more concerned about the wind than the rain/snow that started coming down.

[Ebicat]

We stopped at the lightfoot gas station where I proceeded to pull pieces off my CBR600RR after I crashed it, good times!

[Triplepete]

Hey Bruno! Hardcore winter rider! Thanks for the pre-season teaser.

Motorcycle touring and photography go hand in hand.

[Tylo604]

I really enjoyed reading about your ride!

Only one criticism.........................


NOW I WANT A BMW!!!!!!

[flowrider]

I have a 3 year old D70 as it happens :) I thought your photos looked like a DSLR but I wanted to check. I don't want to bother bringing my D70 with me riding, so I think I'll get something a little more compact to bring along. I do a lot of landscape photography, and there are shots that I prefer to take with a tripod, so I almost want to leave the D70 at home or bring my tripod too. I would be frustrated if I brought the camera and found a shot I needed the tripod to get just right, but didn't have it.

I just rode up the Hope-Princeton on my ride from Maple Ridge to Vernon. I wanted to bring my bike up here as I had been missing it so much. Were you using heated gloves or anything on your ride? It was only just above freezing at one or two points (going past Manning specifically) and my fingers and toes were going a little numb. I have some waterproof gloves but the trouble was that they're not exactly windproof. I ended up putting my leather gloves back on as I was more concerned about the wind than the rain/snow that started coming down.


Why not get a bean bag and use your tank or some other part of your bike like a tripod? You can also get on that can clamp to something like your windscreen (use protection).

[jfike]

http://www.joby.com/products/gorillapod/

got one of these last week. kinda cool

[denham]

Thanks for the tips :) I like the bean bag idea, and failing that, one of those little tripods would do the trick.