Bc Backroads Sampler - Part 2

[dr650bc]

Due to business & time constraints, my adventures seem to be limited to 2 day trips. As seen in part one, BC offers huge riding potential for short or long trips. Fortunately, my good buddy Cache loves to explore and never fails to show when it's time to head for the hills.

Without too much of an itinerary, we headed north along the trans canada highway up the Fraser Canyon. This road is unique with tunnels, curves, bridges, and some serious dropoffs to the river below. The river is narrow in amny areas and the rapids are something to see.

pic one stop for water in canyon not far from lytton - canada's hot spot with summer temps often hitting 40 deg celsius ( 104 F)

[dr650bc]

The trans canada highway through the fraser canyon was the original route of the cariboo trail which gave access to the gold in the north. After the gold rush, the route was converted into a highway.

[dr650bc]

the best view of the old alexandria bridge is from the centre of the new one

[dr650bc]

view of the old bridge. A short hike down from the new highway allows you to walk on the see-through iron decking of the old bridge and look at the rapids below

[dr650bc]

The sculptures at the south end of the new bridge symbolize the salmon's struggle to spawn on the wildest river in bc - or "salmon doing wheelies on the way to the mating ground"

[dr650bc]

well enough history. although the canyon road is paved you wouldn't want to lose it - there a few areas where it's a LONG way down

[dr650bc]

at spences bridge we headed east towards Merritt through the beautiful country along the nicola river. It was scorching hot so we cooled off in this river.

[dr650bc]

it was too hot to do much off roading on the first day so we headed to a secret campsite on the south shore of nicola lake. the road follows the lake for miles and the scenery is stunning.

[dr650bc]

the N'Kwala Beach campground is great. Right on the beach, clean, showers, good swimmin, fishing and fairly quiet. www.nkwala.com

[dr650bc]

I wonder if this is close enough for a water view

[dr650bc]

not far from the campground is the historic Quilchena hotel - a rare heritage building still standing. we had dinner at the bullet hole saloon where the holes in the bar are real

[dr650bc]

one happy dude - good day of riding in great country, good food & drink, good weather, good ole brit bike & reasonable company

[Super Six One]

Thanks for the pics, I live and work in Thailand at the moment, but home is Squamish BC, I've spent some memorable days kayaking that section of water, great memories. Thanks.

[dr650bc]

day 2 was time for the real adventure riding - headed along the douglas lake road - along side canada largest working ranch.

the road was paved and curvy for awhile but the scenery was so great we didn't want to go very fast. Just when we thought we were truly away from civilization, we spotted this huge electrical substation - parceling up canadian power fro the power mad US market

[dr650bc]

cache playing around on the tiger - just missed the wheelie - so little traffic you can pull over or u-turn pretty well anytime you want. Just check your mirrors as the pickups haul ass in the country side.