CANADA ROUTE TO VALCOURT

[reknhevn]

I'm thinking about going across Canada to the Valcourt homecoming. Does anyone have any info on RT 3, the Crowsnest Hwy, between Hope B.C. and Medicine Hat Alberta? I'm wondering about the availability of gas and lodging on that route.

[SpyderAnn01]

I'm curious too and also wonder what the route is like. If it is flat and boring I'll stay south of the border and buy my gas by the gallon instead of the liter.

[Pirate looks at --]

Would love some input on that route!

[nakerr]

Nice road with a fair amount of curves. Really nice around Nelson with one of the best roads in BC across the ferry east of Nelson and down to Creston. Most of the truck traffic is north on the #1 Highway from Banff and then across to the coast on the Coquihalla Highway.

[cognaccruiser]

I live very close to that route and have used it frequently between Hope and Osoyoos. Have used the rest a number of times too but usually have gone north towards Calgary once through the Crowsnest Pass. Once through the Pass you are into the foot hills (descending) on to the prairies.

There is no problem with getting gas on this route as there are a number of small cities right through. By bike/spyder I usually get gas in Hope and then there is no issue. There are many places to get accommodation also in these small cities and towns. It is an area with many tourist destinations right through to the Crowsnest area. Once in Alberta there should not be any issue either and Medicine Hat is a larger center.

This is actually the route I'm probably going to take to Valcourt this time too as opposed to the slightly more northern route on Highway 1 which can be crazy in the summer with traffic and far more trucks.

Highway 3 is also very scenic. Not flat at all until the prairies. I have taken highway 2 in the US Minnesota to the west of Montana and we had a hard time finding accommodations and gas in North Dakota and much of the eastern half of Montana when we traveled by bike through there in 05.

Hope that helps and if I can provide more information please feel free to ask.

Gary

[reknhevn]

Thank you Cognaccruiser for the info. You were very helpful. Sounds like the route to take to me. I don't know yet if I'll go that way going to Valcourt or on the return trip back to our WA home. Need to discuss with my wife first.

[GASMAN]

I rode from BC to Ontario taking I90 and rode back taking HWY 2 last August. There was always fuel within 100 miles and that is a good stop point to stretch your legs and grab another bottle of water for your Camelback. ( Buy a camelback, other than an AirHawk it will be the best money you will spend).Try taking HWY 2 to start your trip and do "Road to the Sun" via Kalispell/Whitefish then pick up I90. Riding to the continental divide will be just breathtaking but once you get over that hump its pretty flat. I took I90 so I could go to Sturgis. Be careful in Indiana as the State Troopers are worse than in Oregon. ( Both will ticket you for any speed over the limit ) Remember just because HEALTHCARE is free to Canadians its not for Americans so BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE!!!!
Planning myself to go next year and that will be my route
Ride it like you stole it

George

[SPYDERGUY1]

IT APPEARS THE fever is spreading..... Even talked to the yard guy the other day when picking up the camping unit. He is now pondering the thought of going down as well. Anybody know what they are going to do if a crap load of Spyders show up on their doorstep ??

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I'm thinking about going across Canada to the Valcourt homecoming. Does anyone have any info on RT 3, the Crowsnest Hwy, between Hope B.C. and Medicine Hat Alberta? I'm wondering about the availability of gas and lodging on that route.

To get a good idea what a particular road looks like bring it up in Google maps and do a few street view looks at it. For gas stations one method I've used is find a town on the route and do a Google maps search for gas stations near xxxx. Then scroll the map along the route and more stations will pop up. That'll give you a pretty good idea where the stations are. Gasbuddy.com will also list gas stations along a particular highway or town.

You can find hotels the same way on Google maps.

[reknhevn]

Thanks for the input, its very helpful. I'll give google maps a try.

[SpyderAnn01]

To get a good idea what a particular road looks like bring it up in Google maps and do a few street view looks at it. For gas stations one method I've used is find a town on the route and do a Google maps search for gas stations near xxxx. Then scroll the map along the route and more stations will pop up. That'll give you a pretty good idea where the stations are. Gasbuddy.com will also list gas stations along a particular highway or town.

You can find hotels the same way on Google maps.

I do the same thing and it works great. I find a spot at the distance I can go on a tank and then I zoom in to find gas.