Canada (west)

Three Dawg · Dec 18th 2022

I know we have a couple of inmates from Canada on here, but anyone who has travelled over there and the US PNW might be also be able to help.

For my upcoming trip I am looking at freighting the bike back to the UK from southern Californ-i-a, but flying is stupid expensive from the US and shipping takes forever, plus I'm not liking the idea of my bike sitting too long in a shed on the dock at San Diego. And I only have one bike now so would want it back here for the season.

Soo, wondering if I should ride up to Vancouver and fly it back from there with Air Canada. We could be there mid to late March, but it it going to be feet deep in snow there in spring, also how about Washington and Oregon?

philipbarrett · Dec 18th 2022

You'd be doing the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) at a good time to avoid the RVs but anything coastal could be cold & wet. Of course, being Scots that's probably not something that bothers you! Certainly it's a spectacular run with some great towns (big & small) on the way. It's close to 1,700 miles mind you and portions are very twisty so your average speeds aren't going to be that high. But riding in the redwoods...

Inland you're going to be at the end of winter with the possibility of late snow storms and closed passes, the Cascades are amazing but best left for the summer months.

Three Dawg · Dec 18th 2022

Would love to head inland to ride some of Death Valley, which was bloody freezing but so beautiful when we visited, but would probably stick to the coast as we'd need to make time. I've driven the PCH from Monterrey to San Diego (in November?) and the weather was great, but obviously thats way south. I think Mrs 3D would be more concerned about the temperature than getting wet.

philipbarrett · Dec 19th 2022

Provided you stay West of the mountains it's not going to be super cold. 30's in the mornings but in the 40s/50s during the day. Death Valley is a little out of your way but since you've already done the lower portion of the PCH I'd recommend Indian Valley Rd - CA-25 which winds it's lonely way up from Paso Robles to Hollister. One of the best (and largely unknown) M/C roads in CA. Just check the weather conditions before you head out.

Three Dawg · Dec 19th 2022

Hollister eh? Better dig out my stripey jumper...

Anyway, thanks for the info. I've put myself on the mailing list of a company that flies bikes out of Vancouver to Gatwick with Air Canada, should get 2023 prices before too long. If it turns out that the bike will be safely crated in San Diego, then it will be OK to leave, but I'd want to be sure.

philipbarrett · Dec 19th 2022

Funnily enough they promote the clothing as having a surf connection when the reality is that Hollister is a dusty farm town, miles inland!

For the surf "scene" you would hit Santa Cruz;

Turn off CA-25 south of Hollister at Pinnacles, ride through Pinnacles National Park to East Carmel Valley Road/G16 & head north to Carmel Valley which is an amazing, twisty run to a cool town with an M/C friendly motel and an amazing motorcycle museum.

Here's some maps from previous trips.

Three Dawg · Dec 20th 2022

Cool. The Hollister reference was Lee Marvin in The Wild One. I've stayed in Carmel. Yes, I went to the Hog's Breath and no, at the time I didn't realise there was a motorcycle museum there, doofus that I am. Had a terrible meal too, but really liked the place despite this. Don't think my vulgar Mustang quite cut it at Pebble Beach though... There was some incredible surfing action just to the south of the town - stuff which required a jet ski tow.

philipbarrett · Dec 20th 2022

Carmel & Carmel Village are very different. The Village is a quirky little town nestled in the foothills below Laguna Seca, cool little spot with great food both high & low brow.

Three Dawg · Dec 20th 2022

Yeah, we were in the village, a bock or two back from the beach. We just drove in to Laguna Seca and round to the Corkscrew to watch the cars (must have been a track day) there. Must be a hell of a thing to ride down on a superbike.

philipbarrett · Dec 20th 2022

Carmel Valley - long way from the beach.

https://goo.gl/maps/Xzq7m4AtfHMS11H27

I rode a lap of Laguna Seca, slowly on a rental GS. We went for a look see very early one Sunday & the gates were open

Runswithdogs · Dec 23rd 2022

Im Canadian (grew up in B.C) and lived in Oregon for 10 years before I moved here.

Its kinda like Scotland… March could be lovely or could be drizzly pish weather, although Oregon is more likely to be fairly nice later march. But you really never know.

What I remember of B.C. is it may be still under snow and cold but they are pretty good about keeping the roads clear and gritted. Closer to Vancouver is more likely to just be wet by then and less likely to be snow.

Three Dawg · Dec 23rd 2022

Thanks for that - looks like Vancouver might be an option then. Still working through all the possibilities, especially how the bike might be stored if we have to leave it in San Diego for weeks. Good job I've used Motofreight before, I haven't quite worn through their patience with my questions so far.

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