Touring Banff on a Monster

[sugarcrook]

When I was stationed in Maine I took the opportunity to see Banff Mountain Film Festival each of the three years I suffered through a Downeast winter.  Ever since, I've wanted to visit Banff in the late summer or early fall, and I can't think of a better platform than my M695.  (I can actually think of several better platforms, but I don't have any of those available.) I've got a decent handle on what to take regarding gear, but I'd like to find out if anyone else has tried this on a bike and any information you can provide. 

Right now I'm planning on a trip about 10-14 days in length, longer if I can find suitable internet access on the road and laptop stowage on the bike.  Starting from San Jose, stops are planned in Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, and my proposed timeframe is the end of Sept/early Oct. 

Anybody else want to go?  Or, can I crash at your place? 

[herm]

snow tires
seriously, you will be in the canadian rockies.
winter can come early there

[Johnny OrganDonor]

Skip Seattle altogether and go to Port Angeles and hop the ferry to Victoria, BC.  From there, ride to Port Hardy -at the north end of Vancouver Island.  At  Port Hardy, board the BC ferry (nicer than the Alaska ferry) throuogh the inside passage to Prince Rupert, BC.  From Pince Rupert ride back down through Prince George, Jasper, Banff, Waterton and Glacier Parks.  Or from Banff, cut back over to Kamloops, BC.  Then back home.  Early fall weather should be glorious.

[cloudseeker]

Oh man, I'm jealous.

[MendoDave]

I want to take the train thu there.

[Sinister]

snow tires
seriously, you will be in the canadian rockies.
winter can come early there

I would agree.  Late September could be rugged on a bike. 

[akmnstr]

Another good way to get there would be to follow up the Columbia River into Canada.  You could start in the gorge just east of Portland.  Whatever you do, don't ride I-5 all the way to Canada.  More fun to ride up east of the Cascades too. 

[Sinister]

Whatever you do, don't ride I-5 all the way to Canada.  More fun to ride up east of the Cascades too. 

So true.  Great point.  Skip Seattle altogether and stay East of the crest.  PM me and I can give you some good roads.

[hydra]

snow tires
seriously, you will be in the canadian rockies.
winter can come early there

+2

you WILL be cold! unless you've got an electric jacket and heated grips it will be very uncomfortable but i'm assuming you know this??? and possible snow...

best of luck

[SKOM]

There is a 90% chance it will snow there in early October. Although if it does it will probably melt midday.
I grew up in Prince George and now I live just on the other side of the Rockies.

You need to take the highway from Banff up to Jasper. That ride would be epic. Trust me. If you go up to Jasper there is a seldom used 20km stretch through the mountains. Super twisty, no leos, and they just paved it last year. Let me know if you head up that way and I can dig up some directions.