Need advice from the Canadians

[Cowboy]

Question about Hwy to travel

 

Leaving the International Rally going North then North-West

Plan on riding up along Lake Huron on the Michigan side.

Hit I-75 and cross over and head to Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay over to Winnipeg (Hwy 17)

Winnipeg to Saskatoon then Question (Hwy 6 & 5) or just use (Hwy16)

Saskatoon to Edmonton Question (Hwy 14) or just use (Hwy16)

Edmonton to Jasper and down the Icefields Parkway and then weather will decide what and where we go from there.

Over toward Penticton, BC maybe even Vancouver.

Main reason for trip is to ride the Upper Lakes in Michigan and then ride the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Calgary

 

Thanks for any suggestions and or help

 

Brian Shoemaker

[Guest divey]

Question about Hwy to travel

 

Leaving the International Rally going North then North-West

Plan on riding up along Lake Huron on the Michigan side.

Hit I-75 and cross over and head to Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay over to Winnipeg (Hwy 17)

Winnipeg to Saskatoon then Question (Hwy 6 & 5) or just use (Hwy16)

Saskatoon to Edmonton Question (Hwy 14) or just use (Hwy16)

Edmonton to Jasper and down the Icefields Parkway and then weather will decide what and where we go from there.

Over toward Penticton, BC maybe even Vancouver.

Main reason for trip is to ride the Upper Lakes in Michigan and then ride the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Calgary

 

Thanks for any suggestions and or help

 

Brian Shoemaker

Hi Brian. Thought you were doing this trip last month. Just as well as the weather has been pretty wet in Alberta and BC in June/July. Regarding Saskatoon to Edmonton, either route will be good. Hwy. 16 is a bit more direct but not a lot of difference in the two. Hwy. 16 (also known as The Yellowhead) is the direct route through Edmonton and west to Jasper. I'm a minute off Hwy. 16 as you're coming in to Edmonton so if there is anything I can offer in the way of assistance, tools, garage, room, meals, etc. all you need to do is call me. My cell is in my profile. Safe journey. Doug

[Cowboy]

Doug,

We all know how things change. With the fires and weather, wife and I thought lets hit it during the Fall as the leaves change.

Thanks for the offer and if we see that we make it your way I will try and at least say hello.

What type of Hwy is 5 & 6. Wondering about the pavement and how smooth or how much frost heave has affected the highway.

It sounds like Hwy 16 is going to be really busy with every day traffic that has to travel across east to west. Wife and I like to ride just off the beaten path when possible as long as we don't lose that much time.

What type of Hwy is 14?

Thanks again Doug.

 

Brian & Sherrie Shoemaker

[Guest divey]

Doug,

We all know how things change. With the fires and weather, wife and I thought lets hit it during the Fall as the leaves change.

Thanks for the offer and if we see that we make it your way I will try and at least say hello.

What type of Hwy is 5 & 6. Wondering about the pavement and how smooth or how much frost heave has affected the highway.

It sounds like Hwy 16 is going to be really busy with every day traffic that has to travel across east to west. Wife and I like to ride just off the beaten path when possible as long as we don't lose that much time.

What type of Hwy is 14?

Thanks again Doug.

 

Brian & Sherrie Shoemaker

Don't know about 5 & 6 but perhaps someone from Manitoba and Saskatchewan can chime in regarding those roads. 14 is primarily 2 lane until you get near Edmonton. 16 is 4 lane divided all the way from Saskatoon to the east entrance to Jasper National Park. It's not a super slab as you might experience in some parts and I doubt you'll find any of our highways bumper to bumper. Just remember it's tourist season and sometimes travel on a 2 lane highway can be slow due to RV's. Expect the Icefields Parkway to be heavy with tourist traffic if you're coming through in July/August. It's primarily 2 lane. I personally wouldn't be concerned with frost heaves on any of the main highways.

 

Just re-read your post and you talk about wanting to see the leaves in the Fall. September will be good riding still albeit you'll notice a change in the air. Definitely cools down in the evening. I doubt the leaves will have turned colour by then. Tourist traffic will be considerably lighter with kids back in school. The Icefields Parkway could be tricky as you get later on in September. I wouldn't ride it in October as you're likely to experience poor conditions. Just remember it's a high mountain pass. It looks like you've ridden your share of countryside so I'm sure you know all about changing weather and road conditions.

 

Doug

[Sailor]

We recently went to Calgary along Hwy 3 from Vancouver and back to Vancouver on Hwy 1. Hwy 1 takes you to Jasper which is a big tourist area. Lots of traffic. You can get high cross winds there. We liked Hwy 3 due to very little traffic and even better scenery. If you do get out this way I would take 3 but be prepared for a long haul up and a long way down. Check coolant and brakes. Take frequent stops to check the scenery. You go from corner to corner and it is hard to check out the scenery while trying to keep your eyes on the road.

[Evan]

Question about Hwy to travel Leaving the International Rally going North then North-West Plan on riding up along Lake Huron on the Michigan side. Hit I-75 and cross over and head to Thunder Bay Thunder Bay over to Winnipeg (Hwy 17) Winnipeg to Saskatoon then Question (Hwy 6 & 5) or just use (Hwy16) Saskatoon to Edmonton Question (Hwy 14) or just use (Hwy16) Edmonton to Jasper and down the Icefields Parkway and then weather will decide what and where we go from there. Over toward Penticton' date=' BC maybe even Vancouver. Main reason for trip is to ride the Upper Lakes in Michigan and then ride the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Calgary Thanks for any suggestions and or help Brian Shoemaker[/quote']

 

 

We did a very similar ride west through Canada a few years ago. Our timing was Aug/Sept. Weather and scenery could not have been better. Colours were amazing. Our blog may give you some ideas.

http://venturewest-evan-anne.blogspot.ca/

[Cowboy]

Don't know about 5 & 6 but perhaps someone from Manitoba and Saskatchewan can chime in regarding those roads. 14 is primarily 2 lane until you get near Edmonton. 16 is 4 lane divided all the way from Saskatoon to the east entrance to Jasper National Park. It's not a super slab as you might experience in some parts and I doubt you'll find any of our highways bumper to bumper. Just remember it's tourist season and sometimes travel on a 2 lane highway can be slow due to RV's. Expect the Icefields Parkway to be heavy with tourist traffic if you're coming through in July/August. It's primarily 2 lane. I personally wouldn't be concerned with frost heaves on any of the main highways.

 

Just re-read your post and you talk about wanting to see the leaves in the Fall. September will be good riding still albeit you'll notice a change in the air. Definitely cools down in the evening. I doubt the leaves will have turned colour by then. Tourist traffic will be considerably lighter with kids back in school. The Icefields Parkway could be tricky as you get later on in September. I wouldn't ride it in October as you're likely to experience poor conditions. Just remember it's a high mountain pass. It looks like you've ridden your share of countryside so I'm sure you know all about changing weather and road conditions.

 

Doug

 

Yes we have been a few miles over the years. Weather of all kinds and temp. Wife has the heated vest so riding is easier in cold weather. Not much on camping when it gets below freezing but as long as we can find electric hook up and a bath house all is good. We tend to cook most mornings and dinners weather it is camping or hotel.

Hoping we can see the trees changing colors at least by the time we turn the iron horse home. Looks like with all the information, making it to the coast is a must!

Our experience with campgrounds in the west is no running water. While campgrounds up the East Coast / New England are closing up by Columbus Day.

Hard to get adjusted to that since most all the southern campgrounds stay open and all have running water and electric.

Guess the cold weather plays a big part in having running water.

Thanks again for information.

Brian