With the last week of August upon us, the summer was quickly disappearing. After almost 4 months, MissVelocity’s broken leg was finally strong enough to get back on the bike. Waahooo! That was the longest summer ever for her, so a-road-trippin we shall go!
We dragged all the kit out and stuffed it all into the Enduristan bags. We try and travel pretty light, gotta keep those dualsports nimble!!
The Plan
Without a full-featured Wanduro event this year, seemed appropriate to head over to Invermere for a few days. MissVelocity hadn’t really ridden there, so a plan was hatched…
Day One……. Actually, Evening One.
After packing the night before, and us both putting in full work days, we rode the late afternoon sun up Kootenay Lake to Toad Rock. Although it wasn’t fully open, and without many of the features that make it the gathering place it’s known for. But hospitable as always, Mary found a corner of the front field for us to pitch the tent…
Toad Rock Motorcycle Campground
After packing the night before, and it’s both putting in full work days, we rode the late afternoon sun up Kootenay Lake to Toad Rock. Although it wasn’t fully open, and without many of the features that make it the gathering place it’s known for. But hospitable as always, Mary found a corner of the front field for us to pitch the tent…
After packing the night before, and it’s both putting in full work days, we rode the late afternoon sun up Kootenay Lake to Toad Rock. Although it wasn’t fully open, and without many of the features that make it the gathering place it’s known for. But hospitable as always, Mary found a corner of the front field for us to pitch the tent…
Toad Rock
There may be no other place quite like Toad Rock. It holds a special place in the heart of any Rider who has laid their head there… Toad Rock is located in the small B.C. town of Balfour and in the middle of some of the best riding roads in Canada. It
Day Two
After a solid nights sleep at Toad Rock (partly because with the Covid restrictions it wasn’t quite the normal chaos) we managed to inhale enough coffee to be viable. Left all the camping kit there and headed out to Kaslo to meet up with Chris, a friend from Vernon who I did the 2019 KTM rally at Red Mtn with. None of us had actually been up to this lookout before so off we went!
Buchanan Lookout fire tower
MissVelocity: 'bet I can see my house from there'. Chris: 'no way, you live in a frikken trailer!' Random Guy in the back: 'you have a trailer?? I live in a van down by the river...'
Kootenay Lake ferry
The main waterbody is 104-kilometres long and travellers can take a 35-minute ferry crossing between the Kootenay Bay and Balfour in what is described as the longest scenic free ferry crossing in the world.
Kootenay Lake ferry to Crawford Bay
Kootenay Lake Ferry
The Kootenay Lake ferry runs across Kootenay Lake, 35 kilometres east of Nelson on Highway 3A, between Balfour (west side) and Kootenay Bay (east side), 70 kilometres from Creston on Highway 3A. Capacity of the M.V. Osprey 2000 is 80 vehicles and 250 passengers. The M.V. Balfour can accommodate 28
Tucks' Truck
A big, blue, off-road expedition-truck, on an Iveco Daily 4×4 chassis. Goes by the name of Cuthbert
In their words:
We are currently in wonderful Canada, but it all started way back in December 2013. After 5 years working in Doha, Qatar, we went back to UK to spend January getting Cuthbert registered in UK and fitting him out with our kit. In Feb/Mar 2014 we did a short Europe trip to test the new truck, an exercise which would obviously not have been complete without a thorough checking of the heating and insulation with a bit of ski-time in the Alps.
By April 2014 we were ready for the first ‘proper’ overlanding adventure: an amazing year touring the not-so-dodgy bits of Africa. We explored, sampled a few local wines and beers, watched a few animals, saw some nice scenery and reported the adventures on these very inter-web pages with our Africa Blog. We spent summer 2015 back in Europe, then in October 2015 sailed with Cuthbert to Montevideo for a wander around the Americas. Over 2016/17 the South America Blog story emerged and in February 2018 we moved north, overlanding into Central America and Mexico. In September 2019 we crossed the Rio Grande the good ol’ US of A and since March 2020, with the magic of interwebbery, you’ll find us in glorious Canada. We did a long ‘rona virus lock-down stay-cation in the Yukon, but since June we can travel around and see this wonderful country following all the usual Covid restrictions
Grey Creek Pass
This pic is basically mandatory any time you cross over Gray Pass
We (by we I mean MissVelocity) picked up another random stray. GS Rider out from Calgary who rode down Eastward with us and camped the night. Good times were had...
Gray pass is a pretty popular route while it's open and snow-free. 4-wheelers and 2. Be prepared for dust if you have to follow anyone for any length of time.
Day Three
Woke up beside the river and headed for Marysville for fuel for the bikes and our bellies..
Marysville BC
The road from the Pass actually comes out near Marysville and that is the closest fuel if you’re running lean.
Not saying you HAVE to eat at The Nest in Marysville. But if you do, you will not be dissapoiinted. mmmmmm…..food baby
Horsethief Hideout
Horsethief Hideout
Just outside Invermere, tucked in under a cliff of hoodoos hides Horsethief Hideout. It’s a fully proper moto-camping experience and a great place to pitch a tent and use as a basecamp. Horsethief Hideout has been a privately owned ranch since the early 1980’s. It is owned, was created, and
Day Four
Day trip up into Farnham Creek and up to the the glacier.
Farnham Creek and Glacier
Squint for the camera!
Snacktime…
Fresh rubber
Seriously stoked with this Motoz Desert HT. Stiff enough rubber to deal with the crazy torque of the 690. Great overall wear…
Day Five
Basically pack it up and head home day. Pretty chilly morning so we had a leisurely start. A little bit of paved to get back to Kimberly, then up and over Grey Creek Pass. Then the ferry and home was in range…
A breath of fresh air just North of Canal Flats
Heading Home
Not far now
Bonus Linkage
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