Trip Blog & Members Section

August 2010

Eastbound and Down

Western Canada, the Rockies - Eastbound

Friday, July-30-10

For motorcyclists, each time we turn the key it’s a passport to a new adventure. Even if it’s just a 10 minute commute we’re always ready to expect the unexpected and most of the time it turns into a good run.

Getting ready for a weeklong trip brings another set of possibilities and on the first day of our recent Western Canada tour, Tyler and I had arranged to shuttle a couple of Harley’s from Trev Deeley in Vancouver up the Sea to Sky highway. Nothing out of the ordinary there, but then Ty told me that it was a pair of British couples booked to freewheel 2,000 pounds of steel across our beautiful countryside.

Guests from Canada and the United States riding BMWs and Triumphs while our Brits tussled with the big hogs… Hmm, normally isn’t it the other way around?

Seems Harley Davidson has developed quite a following across the pond these days, so once we sorted out the formalities in Whistler we were all set for sweet ride. Each day was epic and I’ll have to check, but I think Sally set new personal speed records three different times on her FXSTC - or whatever fancy code they use We didn’t now Harley’s could move like that!

Up until Jasper the route was a familiar one but the stop we made at Maligne Canyon on the way down from the lake was new and the short hike for the amazing views has been added to my “Must see” list for next trip.

The sushi restaurant in town frequented by the guides for so many years changed ownership but on this go I think we tried every item on the menu at least once everyone gave it a huge “thumbs up”.

Day 5 is when things got really interesting because we were still going to Lake Louise but the final destination was Moraine Lake. I think the vote was unanimous - Best stop on the whole tour. I know for a fact that Karen really ‘fell’ for it!

We finally landed in Calgary just in time for the Stampede and while a bunch of guests were lucky enough to hang for a few days, Tyler, Guy and I were back on the road the next morning for 700-mile ride back to Vancouver - “I get the Tiger!”

- Other “First’s”
A guest on tour with more experience behind the bar than me - Billy, you make one helluva’ martini!

- Most memorable “new” meal
Manitoba pickerel in the Walter Wilcox Dining Room at Moraine Lake Lodge

- Unforgettable off-day adventure
Sneaking onto the driving range with Tom at the prestigious Banff Springs Golf Club

Thanks guys, it was another trip of great memories. See you next year in Yellowstone!

Trip: Western Canada in a Week (Eastbound)

— Jarvis, August 4, 2010

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