Sunday, June 8^th . I made it to the border this morning. I was on the road at 7:00A.M. Very light traffic and perfect riding weather. There are plenty of farms, trees and good scenery along the way. They combine to create a beautiful morning. I was smoke’n – triple digits - but luckily I slowed to check my map just as I passed a State Trooper running a radar speed trap. Very lucky for me! On through farmland to the border crossing and  immigration checkpoint at Sumas. I did not expect a long delay crossing into Canada. One and a half hours latter I was still being questioned. It went something like the following. While looking carefully at a computer terminal the immigration official asks, " Any trouble with the law in the past ? ” I respond," No sir." He again looks to the terminal, looks up at me and says, “please go to counter two and the Customs Officer will help you." What do they know that I don’t know? They were very professional but they searched everything. “ Are you sure you are not carrying any guns, drugs, or excessive cash ?"  “Could someone at your home verify that the weapons you own are at your home “? The craziest thing was that I packed a lot of important stuff like my passport, emergency cash, extra key, maps, medications and spare credit card in water proof plastic zip lock baggies. Each time the agents would come across a baggie it would pique their interest, only to be disappointed when its legitimate contents were revealed. Interestingly, they did not know that the RT seat is removable and failed to check under it. And that is where I’d hidden all the guns, drugs and excessive cash! I am only joking about hiding anything, in case any Customs Officers are reading this. At that point I am not in the mood to tell them about the removable seat. Security is important. I know it and I take it seriously. But when forty-foot motor homes are passing unchecked, you got to wonder how much of a threat an overweight, balding, middle-aged, solo motorcyclist could be to the security of Canada. They would not allow pictures of  the bike search.     

It is mid-morning Sunday and it feels good to be in British Columbia [B.C.]  [pic ]  I am cruising from Abbotsford to Hope along the Thompson River. [pic] I crisscross the river several times along a well-maintained road. The road has lots of twists and turns and plenty of room to pass slower traffic. The air is crisp and the sky is royal blue. The RT is running perfectly and I finally feel like I am completely free of work and normal routine. In the words of the immortal singer/songwriter James Brown,“ I feel good, da…da…da….da...da." [pic]      

Canadian Highway # 1 runs north through miles of spectacular scenery.  The Fraser Canyon Highway parallels the Fraser River and offers some great riding. The road changes names further north to become the Caribou Highway but the quality of the riding remains the same. The road offers a great chance to let the bike run very fast if you are so inclined. Triple digits are in order for this piece of roadway. Have you noticed that roads that run along rivers are generally great motorcycling roads? I always seek them out when planning a riding route. [pic] You do need to be careful and avoid the local wildlife. They come down to the road in search of salt. [pic][pic]      

 I meet two Harley riders in Cache Creek B.C. Both are from L.A. and live within twenty miles of my home. We get fuel together and talk about our ride up from California. They have ridden to Alaska before so I ask about route options ahead. They are planning to take the Alaska Highway. I am leaning toward the route that follows a westerly direction toward Prince Rupert and then north to the Cassiar Highway. We leave the station together and I ride with them for about fifteen miles but I cannot stand the pace. They are cruisers.  It took them four days to get the same distance that it took me two days to ride. We were not riding the same ride. I twist the throttle, waved good-bye and I am gone.            

I continued north on Highway #97 out of Cache Creek. With the air temperature finally cooling down today – Redding, Portland, Seattle all set record high levels as I past through on Friday and Saturday – I decide to camp tonight rather than stay in a hotel. The tent, sleeping bag and mat take a lot of space and add unwanted pounds to the bike. I need to put them to good use.  I am just south of Quesnel B.C. and I stop at Robert’s Roost, a family operated place run by Clinton and his wife. They were having a family reunion. Turns out they are all motorcyclist. There are Harley's, Yamaha's and Honda's. They invite me to join them for drinks and great conversation about bikes, fast roads, and life in British Columbia. As with all motorcycle gatherings, there is ample time allotted for everyone to tell lies about their motoring experiences. One of the guys, after several drinks, says he is related to Willie Davidson – owner of the Harley Davidson Corporation. Maybe he was; who knows? I had a nice evening and enjoyed the company.  

Previous      Home       Next