Motorcycle ride from Santa Cruz to Banff and back

[RedwoodDweller]

Thought some may like to follow along on our adventure to Canada via Montana.

Departure day has finally come after all these months. Met my wife up at her parents' place (they're watching the dogs for us - she drove up with her bike in the back of the truck yesterday) outside of Tahoe this evening.




Our route:

[RedwoodDweller]

The ride to the in-laws' place was a bit brutal. 100º and crazy traffic the whole time. Lane splitting through stop-and-go traffic for 3 solid hours isn’t what I’d call fun, but I made it. Tomorrow the adventure really begins!

[carwash66]

Looks like a great trip.
Many years ago, myself and 3 other family members left Sturgis and rode thru Wyoming, Montana, thru Glaicer NP, into Alberta back down thru Idaho and Washington down the coast to San Francisco. Beautiful scenery everywhere. We were all tired and shipped the bikes back home to east coast and let Delta bring us home.
Have fun and ride safe! Looking forward to the pictures.

[Old Expat Beast]

I thought Christmas had come early there for a moment. Have a safe trip.

[Lol-x]

Lane splitting for 3 hours would drive me crazy....it definitely has an added level of danger.

I think lane splitting is legal in California and I've noticed some car driver do look in their side mirrors and then provide a nice gap to allow one to overtake....however, at the other end of the scale, other drivers can change lanes without warning or looking carefully and that is where the danger is at its greatest.

Safe travels, defensive riding

[swils8610]

Banff is spectacular! Are you staying at the Fairmont? Don't miss Lake Louise and Moraine Lake!! The Canadian Rockies are amazing. Safe trip!!


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[HD_Pilot]

Great route ! Enjoy. You've got the right bike to do it on. Be safe.

[RedwoodDweller]

Originally Posted by carwash66

Looks like a great trip.
Many years ago, myself and 3 other family members left Sturgis and rode thru Wyoming, Montana, thru Glaicer NP, into Alberta back down thru Idaho and Washington down the coast to San Francisco. Beautiful scenery everywhere. We were all tired and shipped the bikes back home to east coast and let Delta bring us home.
Have fun and ride safe! Looking forward to the pictures.

Sounds like an epic trip!

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I thought Christmas had come early there for a moment. Have a safe trip.

Thanks! Not sure - did I post in the wrong part of the forum? Feel free to change it over to the appropriate place!

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Lane splitting for 3 hours would drive me crazy....it definitely has an added level of danger.

I think lane splitting is legal in California and I've noticed some car driver do look in their side mirrors and then provide a nice gap to allow one to overtake....however, at the other end of the scale, other drivers can change lanes without warning or looking carefully and that is where the danger is at its greatest.

Safe travels, defensive riding

Yeah, lane splitting is definitely a risky mode of travel. But I have to say, it beats sitting in stop-and-go traffic for hours at a time in 100º heat. And thanks - we'll be safe!

Originally Posted by swils8610

Banff is spectacular! Are you staying at the Fairmont? Don't miss Lake Louise and Moraine Lake!! The Canadian Rockies are amazing. Safe trip!!

We wanted to stay at the Fairmont, but at $800/night the practical side (even the side that justifies expensive watch purchases) of me couldn't justify it. $800 buys a lot of beer! We're staying just down the road at the Fox Hotel and Suites. Simple, but comfy cozy and perfect location.

Originally Posted by HD_Pilot

Great route ! Enjoy. You've got the right bike to do it on. Be safe.

Thanks!

[Old Expat Beast]

It's in the right place, I was just showing that on my iPad it looked like you got a ride from Santa.

[RedwoodDweller]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

It's in the right place, I was just showing that on my iPad it looked like you got a ride from Santa.

Ahh.

[mailman]

Ride safe

[ejvette]

Best of luck Bob ride safe my friend

[RedwoodDweller]

Made it to Lake Tahoe

[swils8610]

Looks great!


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[lapince]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Lane splitting for 3 hours would drive me crazy....it definitely has an added level of danger.

I think lane splitting is legal in California and I've noticed some car driver do look in their side mirrors and then provide a nice gap to allow one to overtake....however, at the other end of the scale, other drivers can change lanes without warning or looking carefully and that is where the danger is at its greatest.

Safe travels, defensive riding

Well did it through stopped or slowed traffic for 15 years daily on my HD in Paris at 50-60 miles per hour, sure sometimes it's close if a guy changes lanes, but I have good reflexes, my Harley at the time had shitty brakes, but never had an accident.. safe travel

[RedwoodDweller]

Nice ride around Lake Tahoe and into north central NV today!


Entering Eldorado Nat'l Forest


Getting into Tahoe


















Traci taking the lead


Bikes parked for the night

[RedwoodDweller]

And now, relaxing in the room with my friend Johnnie Walker

[Tools]

Lane splitting is not legal in Nevada or Idaho.. Safe travels..

[Andad]

Looks like great roads and good weather so far Bob.

Enjoy the ride and both be careful.

[East Bay Rider]

Looks great.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by RedwoodDweller

Nice ride around Lake Tahoe and into north central NV today!


Entering Eldorado Nat'l Forest


Getting into Tahoe


















Traci taking the lead


Bikes parked for the night

Stunning sir!! Great photos!!

[-lenny-]

Awesome trip! Love the pictures too. A couple thoughts I would offer:

Going to the Sun road in Glacier NP. Yes it will be slower than the southerly route, but it is worth it. Absolutely stunning, especially on a motorcycle.

Hwy 93 in BC has been closed on and off due to the wildfires in the area. Check www.drivebc.ca before you head up that way and have to backtrack.

[RedwoodDweller]

Originally Posted by Tools

Lane splitting is not legal in Nevada or Idaho.. Safe travels..

It isn't legal anywhere in the US except CA, right? Thanks Larry!

Originally Posted by directioneng

Looks like great roads and good weather so far Bob.

Enjoy the ride and both be careful.

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

Looks great.

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Stunning sir!! Great photos!!

Thanks guys! Appreciate it!

Originally Posted by -lenny-

Awesome trip! Love the pictures too. A couple thoughts I would offer:

Going to the Sun road in Glacier NP. Yes it will be slower than the southerly route, but it is worth it. Absolutely stunning, especially on a motorcycle.

Hwy 93 in BC has been closed on and off due to the wildfires in the area. Check www.drivebc.ca before you head up that way and have to backtrack.

Going to the Sun Road is definitely on the to-do list! Can't wait!!

Thanks for the heads up about Hwy 93! Will keep an eye on the link you posted for sure. Good looking out!

[1William]

Nice posts and pictures. Please keep us updated and have a safe ride.

[RedwoodDweller]

Originally Posted by 1William

Nice posts and pictures. Please keep us updated and have a safe ride.

Will do! Thanks for following along!

[brandrea]

What a fantastic trip Bob, I hope you and your wife have safe travels and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Have you been to Banff before?

[RedwoodDweller]

Originally Posted by brandrea

What a fantastic trip Bob, I hope you and your wife have safe travels and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Have you been to Banff before?

Thanks! I've been before but not since I was 8 or 9 years old. I grew up in north central Montana so it wasn't too far away. You'd think we would've gone every year! Glacier was an annual event so I can't complain. This will be my wife's first time in both Glacier and Banff.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by RedwoodDweller

Thanks! I've been before but not since I was 8 or 9 years old. I grew up in north central Montana so it wasn't too far away. You'd think we would've gone every year! Glacier was an annual event so I can't complain. This will be my wife's first time in both Glacier and Banff.

I'm sure she going to Love it! Have a great trip

[SDRider]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Lane splitting for 3 hours would drive me crazy....it definitely has an added level of danger.

I think lane splitting is legal in California and I've noticed some car driver do look in their side mirrors and then provide a nice gap to allow one to overtake....however, at the other end of the scale, other drivers can change lanes without warning or looking carefully and that is where the danger is at its greatest.

Safe travels, defensive riding

I've been riding in Southern California for years and rarely noticed this to be the case. There have been studies that show lane splitting is safer than sitting in stop and go traffic, if done in a prudent manner. Besides, getting side swiped by a car is actually preferable to being rear ended.

Still, doing it in heavy traffic is tiring. I commute on my Ducati occasionally and it definitely adds a level of stress when riding through gridlock. Still, I prefer that to sitting in stop and go traffic and I can use the hov lanes too.

I've been to Banff. It is beautiful up there! Be safe and keep the rubber side down.

[520Matt]

Make a stop in Whitefish Montana if you can. Im here now visiting a friend and its a great town. Unfortunately its hazy as there are fires burning all over NW Montana and British Columbia. Hope for rain nefore you get here. Safe travels