Edmonton, AB to Camas, WA
October 2006
October 2006
It wasn't going to be long before winter arrived in Edmonton, so I decided to ride the GS back to my home in Camas. Although I'm working at almost full time in Edmonton, I get back to Camas at least once a month and would have more opportunities to ride there then in Edmonton.
I woke early on a Saturday morning and stated packing the bike. It has been cloudy and raining during the week, but the forecast called for clearing on the weekend, so I was disappointed to look outside and see that the clouds were still around. I knew it was going to be cold as I left my Edmonton apartment around 7:45 am to begin the journey - the temperature was a cool -3 deg C (27 deg F).
I headed out west on Hwy 16 towards Jasper, and immediately appreciated the heated grips on the GS. It's definitely cold. I wore my rain pants over Levis and my Helly Hanson ski underwear, and my Kilamanjaro jacket with fleece liner over turtleneck and HH undershirt. Riding at about 75 mph, the wind chill makes the temperature feel like about -14 deg C, but surprisingly I'm staying pretty warm. About an hour outside of Edmonton, the clouds cleared and the sun started to shine. I stopped in Edson for gas and breakfast. A family commented about my bike and asked where I was headed, and when I told them towards Jasper and over the Rockies, they look at me like I'm nuts, but wish me well anyways.
I need to be careful riding, as the temps are still below freezing, and the cold pavement is pretty slippery. I passed through Hinton and entered Jasper National Park. I stopped again in Jasper for gas, and then continued west entering Mt. Robson Provincial Park, with its majestic mountains. Eventually I hit Hwy 5 and turn south, stopping for lunch in Valemount. Temps have risen to 6 deg C (43 deg F), and it's feeling more comfortable. Hwy 5 follows the North Thompson River - a nice twisty road that's fun to ride. I continued south all the way to Merritt, BC and the Super 8 Hotel, enjoy a great beef stew for dinner at the Homestead Diner and call it a day (about 550 riding miles).
The next morning I wake up early, and find the bike covered in a layer of frost - another morning with temps below freezing. It felt much colder than the day before. A few miles outside of Merritt, I pulled off the highway for a few pictures. After my gloves were off, my hands just froze, so those would be the last pics of the ride. I stopped in Abbotsford for breakfast, and even after three hot chocolates and some hot food, I can't seem to warm up. But it's back on the bike, and soon crossing the border at Sumas. Then south on Hwy 9 towards Bellingham and the I-5, and south to Camas. Another 440 miles for the day. The next day I washed the bike, and installed the Sargeant seat that I had waiting for me.
I woke early on a Saturday morning and stated packing the bike. It has been cloudy and raining during the week, but the forecast called for clearing on the weekend, so I was disappointed to look outside and see that the clouds were still around. I knew it was going to be cold as I left my Edmonton apartment around 7:45 am to begin the journey - the temperature was a cool -3 deg C (27 deg F).
I headed out west on Hwy 16 towards Jasper, and immediately appreciated the heated grips on the GS. It's definitely cold. I wore my rain pants over Levis and my Helly Hanson ski underwear, and my Kilamanjaro jacket with fleece liner over turtleneck and HH undershirt. Riding at about 75 mph, the wind chill makes the temperature feel like about -14 deg C, but surprisingly I'm staying pretty warm. About an hour outside of Edmonton, the clouds cleared and the sun started to shine. I stopped in Edson for gas and breakfast. A family commented about my bike and asked where I was headed, and when I told them towards Jasper and over the Rockies, they look at me like I'm nuts, but wish me well anyways.
I need to be careful riding, as the temps are still below freezing, and the cold pavement is pretty slippery. I passed through Hinton and entered Jasper National Park. I stopped again in Jasper for gas, and then continued west entering Mt. Robson Provincial Park, with its majestic mountains. Eventually I hit Hwy 5 and turn south, stopping for lunch in Valemount. Temps have risen to 6 deg C (43 deg F), and it's feeling more comfortable. Hwy 5 follows the North Thompson River - a nice twisty road that's fun to ride. I continued south all the way to Merritt, BC and the Super 8 Hotel, enjoy a great beef stew for dinner at the Homestead Diner and call it a day (about 550 riding miles).
The next morning I wake up early, and find the bike covered in a layer of frost - another morning with temps below freezing. It felt much colder than the day before. A few miles outside of Merritt, I pulled off the highway for a few pictures. After my gloves were off, my hands just froze, so those would be the last pics of the ride. I stopped in Abbotsford for breakfast, and even after three hot chocolates and some hot food, I can't seem to warm up. But it's back on the bike, and soon crossing the border at Sumas. Then south on Hwy 9 towards Bellingham and the I-5, and south to Camas. Another 440 miles for the day. The next day I washed the bike, and installed the Sargeant seat that I had waiting for me.
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