Northwest Territories trip

[sirbike]

I left Ohio last weekend.
Rolled through Chicago and the Twin Cities to visit friends and family.
The ride on through Edmonton was just a commuter ride now that I’ve been this way few times. So the ride begins a hundred miles north of Edmonton.
This picture sums up the first few hundred miles.


Then another one for the list.



Things get more interesting farther north. For instance a sign saying bison next 315 km. Saw about 15 or so. I rolled by one about 40’ away. Seems like all they care about is grazing unless you stop too close.

Left him plenty of distance for the picture taking.



There is a notable lack of signs saying last gas for x km. I got 80 miles to the next gas station and it was randomly closed during open hours. A car pulled in for gas. Found no gas, they pulled out a 5 gallon can out of the trunk and poured it in.
About a hundred miles out of Yellowknife the mostly flat straight road through the forest gave way to elevation changes on the edge of the Canadian Shield.
Today was a rest day. Visited parks and took in the scenery east of Yellowknife. This area is on the Shield with many lakes. Make a note, don’t have to go this far to have Ontario type scenery but so glad I did.



I usually make these trips after the mosquitoes settle down. This time, so far, I’ve beat the mosquitoes to these points of interest.
It was cool to see ice in the bay on the lake.



Now to time eat then block the light out. Sunset, 11:26pm.

 

[oude geit]

Nice country up that way. Hopefully going to the NWT in august if all works out. Safe travels

 

[Willsmotorcycle]

Godspeed Frank

 

[Obo]

Lots of pretty stuff up there! (And Canada in general.)

Enjoy.

 

[Sunday Rider]

Thanks for the ride along. Great pics. Is the the same bike you had stripped apart last year?

 

[kiltman]

It’s a great place to explore! That will be one fine accomplishment making it to Tuk on an ST. !

 

[Al st1100]

I'm glad you survived Chicago.

• 1. Interstate 94 (I-94) / Dan Ryan & Edens: Ranks as the highest fatality interstate in the Chicago region and #4 nationally, with 52 fatal crashes over a recent three-year period. [1, 2, 3]
• 2. Interstate 57 (I-57): Ranks as the deadliest roadway statewide overall, with over 100 fatalities recorded over a 5-year span. The 4-mile stretch between Exit 353 and Exit 348 is historically the most hazardous segment in Cook County.
• 3. Interstate 290 (I-290 / Eisenhower): Features 24 fatal crashes in national rankings, making it one of the most accident-prone and dangerous urban corridors in the region. [1, 2]
• 

 

[sirbike]

I got an aviation treat this morning before leaving Yellowknife.
I’m sure most of us remember when airliner jet engines weren’t huge and made a lot of noise.
To see and hear them this morning was fun.



I saw that this Electra was arriving Saturday on flightradar24 but couldn’t get out of the hotel to the airport fast enough to watch it land. It was in for maintenance today so I got a close up look.



They are still flying this old bird. Still the best tool for some of the work up here.



Then on to Fort Providence for the evening.



There are signs of bison and there are signs of bison.

 

[the Ferret]

Very cool

 

[sirbike]

Thanks for the ride along. Great pics. Is the the same bike you had stripped apart last year?

No, the bike that got so extensively stripped down is my silver 2009, the twisties specialist. All new braided lines required the rear subframe and gas tank removal.
I was going to do the same for this bike but got code 25/26 phobia. Bought a 2012 then decided why do this to a low mileage bike.



This one hit 100,000 miles a couple days ago.

If it codes, it’s a non issue for getting home and the ‘12 is ready for the farkle transfer.

 

[sirbike]

Fort Providence to Fort Simpson.
Sounds like the 1800s.

Having second thoughts about doing so much gravel/dirt road. Did a 100 miles of it today.



I had Traxxion set the bike up for maximum comfort and it does ride quite well on the badly pot holed sections of road.
Then there are gems like this.




Then of all the aviation sighting luck I see another Electra at Fort Simpson airport.



A view from the lodging parking lot. A nice breeze is coming across the MacKenzie River.

 

[sirbike]

Fort Simpson to Fort Nelson.
About another 150 miles of gravel. At one point I could see the mountains, maybe 60 miles away.



And quite a stretch for only one gas station.



I noticed that I was starting to relax a little at the hundred mile mark.
It was good to get on pavement for a while and settle in for the night.

If I lived closer to it I would ride the Alaska highway every year. This is my 5th trip.

So now I’ve done all the gravel I think I want to do and the idea of doing the Dempster isn’t so appealing.

Just getting here is so satisfying that rather than pushing for long distance, maybe exploring Alaska a bit more, I go into a slow cruise mode.
Pressing on two miles from the hotel there is a museum.

Let’s stop here.



I get up to Liard Hot Springs for a soak and get a room across the street.

Next day is all scenery.



I did not stop next to these animals and casually take pictures. I was pointing them out to the car behind me. While we were later blocked at a construction zone, I walked back and they were thanking me so much for pointing out the bears. They were nice enough to send pictures that I can show to my wife.
Hotelled in Dease Lake.
I get in early and think I may as well use these 50/50 tires and take a nice little ride on Telegraph Creek Road.



So on down the Cassier Hwy. Just when I think the Alaska highway is way better, I am reminded that the Cassier is a great ride.
I am three for three rain on the Cassier and that is fine.
Got a room in Stewart, same place as two years ago. My best sleep of the trip.


Next is a short run to Terrance. I get to the hotel at 3:00. Check in. Now what? How about go for a ride. In a rare move for me I go dressed like one of those cruiser types. Don’t let me crash with my Aerostich in the hotel room.
So a 70 round trip north on 113 because at 35 miles out I felt a drop of rain. Uh oh. Turning around kept me dry.



Today it did rain and I was back in costume for the ride. Made it a very short day, about 150 miles as I am getting a message tomorrow. I could barely ride afterwards the last two times she worked so we will just visit for a while afterwards and I’ll leave the next day.

 

[kiltman]

Thanks for the update, I was wondering how you were making out. The pictures are amazing!

 

[Nightmare]

This trip looks fantastic! I would love it if you shared your route via google maps or something similar.

 

[W0QNX]

Wow what a ride! Thanks for the pics and the update!

MORE please.

I rode BC 77 from BC 97 once to the border edge of the NWT once. The most desolate place I've ever been. Nobody out there. I can only imagine the solitude you had clear up to Yellowknife.

 

[Weaselinsuit]

I remember watching the tv show about Buffalo Airways. They flew old piston aircraft all across the North:

Curtiss C-46 Commando	1 – 6
Douglas DC-3	1 – 6
Douglas DC-4	1 – 5
Lockheed L-188 Electra	1 – 6
Canadair CL-215	1 – 5
Beechcraft Baron	1 – 6
Beechcraft Travel Air	2 – 5
Beechcraft King Air	6
Consolidated PBY Catalina	3
Cessna 150	4
Douglas DC-6	5

[th]

Airplane​

[/th][th]

Seasons​

[/th]​

 

[sirbike]

Spa day. Two hours on the floor getting twisted and stepped on and stretched. 40 mile round trip.
Faced a mama bear at 150 feet. I turned around to back off knowing I’ll be vulnerable for a few seconds.
A car came the other way and mama and cub left into the brush.
So I head on my way then mama steps out to the shoulder and we have another face off at about 75 feet. They say make noise so I honk the horn erratically and repeatedly waving my right hand. The cub climbs up the tree and mama moves to the other side of the tree that is pretty close to the road.
Funny I didn’t stop to take a picture.
There was nice scenery on the way there.

 

[sirbike]

The next day I am feeling like get home mode.
About 450 miles from Hazelton to Valemount.
Just a pleasant day of riding.
Next is the ride through Jasper and Banff. I was going to pile on big miles but it was just too nice.
I stop a number of times and take it all in.

As I approach my stop for the night in Lethbridge, I find myself head towards a rainbow for nearly an hour.

 

[sirbike]

Ok, now I am in get home mode. Actually my wife would be working about 90 miles short of home, it would be nice to spend the night with her in the hotel if I can ride about 2000 miles in three days. Haven’t done anything like that in 20 years, however, I am feeling good. I will see how that goes.
150 miles added to the shortest route will put South Dakota on the list.
Lethbridge AB to Gillette WY. A city park in Ryegate MT made for a nice lunch stop.
Seems the view of Billings MT is something new, there used to be a sea here.
635 miles. That went well.






Where is halfway home?
Super 8, Austin Mn.
I saw the sun setting in my rear view mirror and got this one. 670 miles and feeling strong.



The next day went well.
About a hundred miles north of Chicago I stopped for gas and the rain started slowly enough to put my rain suit on. It rained all the way to the Ohio border.
I rolled into the hotel parking lot nice and dry and happy. Sweetheart was happy too.
Austin to Sandusky.
680 miles, two stops.

The next morning I threw some luggage in her car.
The bike felt good a little lighter. 90 miles home, pick up the dogs, and all is good.

 

[sirbike]

This trip looks fantastic! I would love it if you shared your route via google maps or something similar.

About 8200 miles.