Day 219 - Quesnel - Prince Goerge (via Barkerville)

Distance travelled (by bike): 30,325

I left Brian's early to try and see some of the wildlife along the road and get to Barkerville before the crowds closed in. Again glad i was reminded that deer usually travel in pairs, if one jumps out the other will be close behind, it was close!

Barkerville was the main town of the Cariboo Gold Rush in BC and was once the largest city north of San Francisco. By 1890 the cities population had started to decline until it eventually became a ghost town.

In 1958 the government of BC decided the town should be restored and preserved as a historic landmark.

Barkerville is an amazing insight into history, lots of the buildings have the original fixture, wallpapers and documented history on who lived and their profession.

I got talking to one of the guys doing the gold panning, after i explained my journey he insisted before i left Barkerville that i pan for gold, no charge. Gold panning over, i got to keep tiny bit of gold and was given a sticker for the bike. Big thanks to the guys at Eldorado Gold Panning. 

Stopping for food at Hixon i decided i must look like i need charity. Again when asked, i explained where i'd been and where i'm going, upon hearing this i got a discount on my food! - a good day!

Arriving at Prince George i was greeted by the official mascot. Mr P.G. An 8 metre high mock timber statue.

loaded up ready to hit the road, Brian's Triumph looks tiny next to the loaded bike, but its about the same size

leaving Brian's

Church in Barkerville

looking down the main st.

one of the guys from Eldorado Gold Panning showing how its done

my tiny bit of gold

lunch!

Mr P.G welcoming everyone 

Day 217/218 - Cache Creek - Green Lake - Quesnel

Distance travelled (by bike): 30,100

Taking the most direct route between the from start to finish would have taken about an two hours, instead i decided to take the logging roads, which more than doubled the distance and took most of the day. The logging roads are amazing, seeing parts of the country that not many people get to see, nearly hitting cattle, just like South America! Chewing up the miles i encountered numerous logging trucks, the trucks take no prisoners, not slowing down, making it very clear that i was on their territory.

Arriving at Green Lake I found my accommodation, after following some amazingly detailed directions. After a refreshing swim in the lake i met the whole crew staying at Toad Hollow when they returned from tubing on the lake for some beers and bbq and banter. 

As i was setting up camp for the night my tent decided that after all these days on the road it had had enough, the main support pole snapped, duck tape fixes everything!!

A big thanks to Jay & Dawn, Rod & Judy, Matt & Karin & Joanne and all at the Toad Hollow on Green Lake for the accommodation, great food and good company.

sadly they wouldn't serve this for breakfast

After a night of amazing storms i packed up the decrepit tent and headed off towards Quesnel in the pouring rain. 

Originally i was hoping to stay in Quesnel with Danielle, a fellow adv rider i met in Kalispel, unfortunately for me (great news for her), her daughter had a her baby the day before, so she was out of town. Fortunately for me Danielle is amazing mentioned that her friend Brian might be able to put me up for the night. Next thing i know Brian has emailed me his address and number,  i was more than welcome to stay. I love the adv family!!

Throughout the day the weather got better as did the roads. Driving only logging and forestry roads through the Cariboo mountains until i got to Williams Lake. Having been told about a crazy sculpture in the visitors centre, i had to stop - i wasn't disappointed.

Williams is home to the only cowboy and ranching museum in Canada, another must see on my list. 

Having seen the Cowboy hall of fame and various memorabilia it was time to get to Brian's. Turns out Brian is a diehard Triumph enthusiast and has been driving them for the last 30 years and just bought a new 800. After more great food, a few drinks and lots of talk it was time to hit the sack.

Massive thanks to Danielle and to Brian for the amazing hospitality, generosity and information

drying the tent 

welcome to Williams Lake

the amazing sculpture 

some of the photos in the hall of fame

Day 215/216 - Vancouver - Cache Creek

Distance travelled (by bike): 29,480

Leaving Vancouver behind driving up the sea to sky highway north, bike repaired, sun out and a grin on my face, life was good. It lasted about 30 miles. The back of the bike started to squirm, not good. I knew i had a puncture, pulling in for fuel i assessed the situation, making the call i put a lot of air in the tyre and drove on, fingers crossed i'd get to whistler. 

I made it to Whistler, the last few corners were not fun, but needs must. Unloading the bike i decided to procrastinate and leave the tyre till the morning.

Another beautiful morning, unfortunately no good samaritan had fixed my puncture. Needing an innertube i headed to the only motorcycle shop in whistler, it seems the last one had a nice hole in it and was slightly torn in place. From my experience the tears don't patch well.

Tyre repaired i headed north towards Pemberton, stunning scenery, though the ride took longer than anticipated, the road was twisty climbing and dropping in and out of valleys. As the Rv's struggled to go above 40mph and few places to pass i sat back and enjoyed the surroundings. The road from Pemberton to Cache creek was equally as stunning and infuriating. Arriving at Cache Creek i was relieved to get out of the sun, i think the hottest part of the day is between 3-6. 

Cooled down and camp set up, with the sun setting, it feels good to be back on the road (although i was told today that there is already snow in Alaska!!).

looking over to Whistler Village

Whistler Village

Day 208-214 - Still in Vancouver!

Distance travelled (by bike): 29,200

Spending longer than i anticipated in Vancouver, mostly as i was enjoying the weather, atmosphere and the chance to relax.

It also gave me an opportunity to do some much needed maintenance on the bike, new tyres, inner tubes, oil and clutch cable fitted ready for the road north. I made the decision to wash my bike trousers, mistake. The machine, or the setting i put it on somehow ripped all the seams apart, shredding the material around the seams, having tried to sew them back together and failing i had to admit defeat. The only option was to spend the day trawling around the motorcycle shops of vancouver looking for replacements.

It was easy to get distracted in Vancouver. The opportunity to earn some cash. The chance to see the red bull air display then fireworks over English Bay whilst having dinner & drinks on a yacht was an invitation i wasn't going turn down, likewise was the chance to sea kayak around the coastline of Vancouver and hiking in the surrounding mountains.

All good thing must come to an end, knowing that i was starting to get too relaxed it was time to move on...

some of the seams that ripped!!

red bull air display

fireworks over English Bay

sailing back into downtown Vancouver 

back in a kayak