The ninth day had the most amazing mountains roads of the trip. As a rather nice bonus we came across a small cache of interesting classic vehicles.
The map for today’s ride.
When we got up it was still cold due to the campsite’s higher elevation. As we set off it was interesting to experience much the temperature changes and how easily you feel it on a motorbike compared to a car.
The roads were spectacular in this area of highway 99. The few photos I took don’t do it any justice. Lots of curves, high up on the mountain with a large drop next to you. And hardly any traffic. The whole experience of leaning in and out of the many s-curves and corners was amazing. Hard to describe exactly … sort of like sex … you just had to be there.
Typical stretch of road near Lillooet, BC.
Fracking awesome! I would heartily recommend it to anyone in any vehicle.
We fueled up and grabbed a gas station breakfast (yum!) at Lillooet which traditionally sees some of the hottest temperatures in Canada. Our weather lucked had turned as it was warm but not hot making the temperature just about perfect for riding. No rain either which was a treat. What a morning. It is a good thing we had not done this stretch of road early on in the journey as this section would be a hard benchmark to compete against.
Not to be outdone by the mountains but there were also some colorful lakes.
As we progressed along the route the mountains transitioned to ones smaller in height.
The Honda was still with us for one last day.
With plenty of uphill sections the big Suzuki certainly benefited from the torque of its one liter engine.
The landscape changed again to include ranches nestled in valleys as we headed towards Cache Creek.
In Ashcroft, BC I had to stop after spying Friendship Auto. While not open there were several interesting classics parked outside.
This vintage car with tree through it first drew me in. It appears to be a Ford Model A with a grill and headlights sourced from a different vintage car. If you search on Google Maps Street View the car is not there so must be a fairly recent addition.
This Canadian market 1952 Dodge Coupe has to be a rarity. These Canadian Dodges used Plymouth bodies and Dodge trim. I suspect this coupe body style is the least commonly seen.
A weathered 1940 Oldsmobile that looked to be complete apart from some missing chrome detail pieces below the headlights.
This Ford truck appeared to be a driver likely with some more modern underpinnings.
Perhaps a little more mundane but still interesting is a Seventies Mercury Monarch which was also lurking nearby.
After Cache Creek my little bike struggled a bit for speed climbing the High Valley pass due to the high elevation and steep grade. The rider of the Honda CB300R with an extra 50cc of displacement told me after that he had a little power in reserve but not much.
We were initially puzzled by the color of this lake but later learned it was near the Highwood copper mine. Perhaps a massive run off pond?
We stopped for a quick bite to eat in Merritt (I think – some of the places blend together a bit). This Toyota Tercel wagon with trailer looked to be a nice survivor.
We had to join the big highway for a stretch unfortunately as we headed into Kelowna. We said our goodbyes to the Honda and its rider then settled into a campground on the lake in Kelowa for the night. There we met up with some friends/co-workers of the V-Strom rider. A few adult beverages may have been consumed around a fire. On this day we might have hit peak scenery but tomorrow had some other fantastic surprises in store for us.
The full trip log:
Road Trip: Part 1 – Preparation and Starting a 4,500km Road Trip on a 250cc Motorbike
Road Trip: Part 2 – Best Laid Plans on a 4,500km Road Trip on a 250cc Motorbike
Road Trip: Part 3 – Making up Time – 4,500km Road Trip on a 250cc Motorbike
Road Trip: Part 4 – The Miles Pile On Up North – 4,500km Road Trip on a 250cc Motorbike
Road Trip: Part 5 – Heading for the Coast – 4,500km Road Trip on a 250cc Motorbike
Road Trip: Part 6 – A Coastal Ferry Cruise – 4,500km Road Trip on a 250cc Motorbike
Road Trip: Part 7 – Vancouver Island and Rain – 4,500km Road Trip on a 250cc Motorbike
Road Trip: Part 8 – Rain, Rain and More Rain – 4,500km Road Trip on a 250cc Motorbike
Road Trip: Part 10 – Riding Nirvana – 4,500km Road Trip on a 250cc Motorbike
Road Trip: Part 12 – Beer, Dune Buggy and a Ferry – 4,500km Road Trip on a 250cc Motorbike
Road Trip: Part 13 – Finale – 4,500km Road Trip on a 250cc Motorbike
Spec-tacular! And the dry central valley must have been a great place to finally get your camping equipement dried out too.
The copper mine is Highland Valley, no? That’s probably the tailings dump. I’ve worked on a few projects for HVC but have never made it to the mine site. Among other things we make dewatering equipment so there is less need for massive tailings ponds like that.
I have this crazy idea of getting paid to do a motorcycle trip to one of the BC copper facilities but it never works out 🙁
Yes Highland Valley Copper. Apparently one of the largest copper mines in the world.
I spend my summers on Shuswap Lake in the southern interior of BC, and this summer (particularly later on) was dreadful for forest fire smoke. Last year was worse, actually but this was more condensed and even more oppressive on the bad days. I am very happy to see that this, the most scenic leg of your ride, featured good weather, sunny skies and no smoke. I’ve driven almost all and ridden most of these roads and it is just phenomenal stuff.
I admire your pluck for doing this on a 250cc bike, with my weight in pounds exceeding the displacement in cc’s of the bike, I’d be in for a torturous experience – especially at altitude.
Thank you very much for sharing your trip David. It reminds me how very grateful I am to live in Canada.
If you ever decide to venture more off-pavement, perhaps with a more suitable bike than the TU, take the long way from Pemberton to Lillooet, through Pemberton Meadows, Bralorne and Gold Bridge. A memorable ride from my trip 31 years ago. I’ve attached a picture from that road that also includes a Tercel wagon!
+1 dman
Spences Bridge to Lillooet via Hat Creek Road, then up to Goldbridge, Bralorne and down the Hurley Main to Pemberton. It’s a great ride, almost all gravel
I will definitely keep that in mind. Currently I am not very confident on gravel and I suspect the TU and its tire are not ideally suited to it either. But looks fantastic for the future.
Another great part of the trip David. Our last bike trip through Lillooet in July was 43C/109F . . . .not ideal biking weather.
You’re in my neighborhood now. Looking forward to the next legs of the journey.
Great classics in Ashcroft, I had no idea having only ever been to the drag strip there. The dry and hot desert air certainly plays a part in keeping the rust at bay a little better than here.
Awesome trip; after the rain of previous days it feels like you deserved some good roads and good weather.
Spring in the air today here in NZ, so I’ll be hooking my old Suzuki out of the garage and finding some twisty roads – you’ve inspired me!
Fantastic. I have a ride booked for Sunday … snow is in the forecast. 🙁