RTW with Noah on a KTM 690

[fastlane1]

I had a great 2 days riding with Noah.



We met up at the hostel in Whistler and drove up through Darcy and Seton Portage past Carpenter lake over the high road to Lillooet for lunch at the Reynolds Hotel. We then rode up to camp at a beautiful high lookout over the Big Bar Ferry



Noah was up at 2am taking photo's of the moon (he may have even been howling at it?)
The next morning we crossed the Big bar ferry - only two of us and the operator, and headed high over a 5000' range through snow to Clinton for brunch. After we filled up we split up - with Noah heading north for Prince George and Alaska and me heading back to Vancouver. I logged 840km over 2 days Go well Noah and keep in touch often!!

MORE photos and video clips of our ride are here

[Comrade Art]

Agree with what thebarber mentioned "you're really doing what most of us dream about...."
Enjoy every minute of your trip

[RoninMoto]

Tuesday May 8. Whistler to Big Bar
As Fastlane posted, he met me in Whistler and we did some cool back roads. After riding 300 km it was time to camp. There were some great views and I tried to snap as many pics as I could. Lane had to keep waiting for me because I stop to photo so much. Note to anyone I ride with from now on: Its my first time seeing all this. I may never see it again so I am going to take as many pics as I can.


Anderson Lake.




Seton portage and Seton lake.


Seton Lake


Lots of rocks on the road. The banks seem to be shedding a lot this spring.




Lane North of Lillooet


Not much room on the bridges. The sign said "one truck or bus at a time"


North of Lillooet after climbing about 12 switchbacks.


The campsite


Lane trying to figure out his tent




Sardines in spicy Asian noodles for my dinner.




This campsite was amazing. The wind died as the sun went down and it was amazing.


Messing around with some night photos

May 9. Big Bar to Clinton to Quesnel
Story of the day: Cold. We packed up camp and were on the road by 9:10 after some hot coffee. A short ride down to the Big Bar ferry brought us through some blowing sand on the road that reminded me of riding in dune sand or beach sand. Definitively glad I am packing light and on a 690. It was dusty on the road to Clinton until it started to snow. Breakfast in Clinton was welcomed. After leaving Clinton, I had snow, wind, rain, and some sun that wasn't enough to warm up. I stayed in Quesnel and only took a couple pictures after Clinton. It reminded me of Northern Minnesota so it seemed like I was there before.




Snow on the horrizon










Big Bar Ferry. The current was strong. I'm not going to lie, I was a bit nervous.










Snow?




Breakfast in Clinton. Fried mashed potatos.. a welcomed change from hash browns.


The only interesting picture I took the rest of the day. I was walking around Quenel looking for a bar but everything was closed.

May 10. Day 36 on the road (I think) Quesnel to Smithers. 494 km.
Breakfast at the hotel. Gotta squeeze every ounce of change out of that place. When it is 0 degrees C at night, I have a hard time bringing myself to camp. Especially when it was a blustery cold day riding. The ride to Prince George was nothing special. I stopped at a "Canadian superstore" to replenish my canned fish, Summer sausage, Chicken soup, Oatmeal, hard cheese, and granola bars. I have enough food to get me to Anchorage now. West of Prince George the scenery got much better. I got to Smithers at 5:00 pm the mountains were amazing in the sun. There is a ski resort here but they closed a week ago :(
The steak restaurant on main street has a great "salad bar" that has soup, spaghetti, meatballs, and so much other stuff for $14. And the salad was good to . The cheapest Hotel in town is about $82 after taxes. I need to start camping to save some money. Send some warmth! haha.

I also started listening to "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" on my Ipod. It is great to have things to ponder while riding through places with less then inspiring scenery. I didn't realize how much of that book parallels where I have been in my life. I grew up in MN and went to school in Bozeman. All the places they talk about leaving the twin cities and riding to Bozeman Montana I have been to. I recommend the book (or audio book) for those of you who have not read it. It is a best selling classic for a reason.









I think I am staying In Hyder AK tonight. First time in Alaska!

[Adv Grifter]

Originally Posted by RoninMoto

Messing around with some night photos

Nice job on the night shot! We just had the brightest Moon of the year. I think you nailed it. Sounds like you're a tad early in the season for AK ... hope things clear up weather wise.

If you like things like canned Sardines and other Fish, you'll love Mexico and lots of S. America, where it is very common and super inexpensive. Every Tienda everywhere sells it. The Euro's seem to live on it ... mainly because most are too fearful to eat fresh, local cuisine.

I eat everything and anything ... but try to pick the good stuff!

Typical Mexican Mercado food. If it looks good ... it usually is!

[RoninMoto]

Originally Posted by Adv Grifter

Nice job on the night shot! We just had the brightest Moon of the year. I think you nailed it. Sounds like you're a tad early in the season for AK ... hope things clear up weather wise.

If you like things like canned Sardines and other Fish, you'll love Mexico and lots of S. America, where it is very common and super inexpensive. Every Tienda everywhere sells it. The Euro's seem to live on it ... mainly because most are too fearful to eat fresh, local cuisine.

I eat everything and anything ... but try to pick the good stuff!

Typical Mexican Mercado food. If it looks good ... it usually is!

That looks AMAZING! I love eating local food. I haven't had poutine yet.. I think I will wait until I am in Quebec. I am afraid I will like it to much and sag my suspension!

[macorell24]

Have a great and safe trip Noah! I'm enjoying the RR.

[GRinCR]

Thanks for sharing. This RR is going to be espectacular (already is)!

Put me in your little black book if you like: free place to crash in the Central Valley, Costa Rica.

Buen Viaje aventurero!

[Sutherngintelmen]

Go get it, Noah!

[joeysixdays]

Noah, I stumbled across this thread and am now subscribed as well. Wicked cool!! From a former 690 owner and a fellow Minnesotan, ride safe and keep the amazing photos coming. When your travels bring you back towards this part of the world, look me up and we'll shred some gravel together. We've got some great loops figured out up around the North Shore. Ride on!!

[redpillar]

I will follow along as well.

[RoninMoto]

Originally Posted by joeysixdays

Noah, I stumbled across this thread and am now subscribed as well. Wicked cool!! From a former 690 owner and a fellow Minnesotan, ride safe and keep the amazing photos coming. When your travels bring you back towards this part of the world, look me up and we'll shred some gravel together. We've got some great loops figured out up around the North Shore. Ride on!!

I'll be in tofte/grand marais for about 3 weeks. (end of june to mid july) I plan on doing some small trips while I am there. I was also thinking about gravel from duluth to GM would be fun with a group of people.

[RhinoVonHawkrider]

Noah - Great stuff, Keep Goin & Be safe.

If U reach NYC/ NJ / Pa area - hit me up, I can give U some info, places to crash, whatever.

Watching Game 7 of NYR now

[c-zulu]

Originally Posted by RoninMoto

. I was also thinking about gravel from duluth to GM would be fun with a group of people.

In.

[hvilla]

Thanks for sharing you trip...safe travels and looking forward to more!!!

[Goride]

WOW!.
subscribed.
Looking great!