Planning a road trip to Sundre, Canada

If I had worried about all this stuff, I would have never been on the road! Guess someone was looking out for me!

Helmet is a pain to carry, but I use a cargo net to hold it on top of the stuff in the passenger seat.

After my first 100+ degree day, I had a couple gallon jugs of water on board. Just kept pouring it on myself. Someone else had Ziploc bags of ice to put under clothing.

My plans changed and I'll be leaving from Washington State. Haven't looked at a route yet.

Quote from jorgebri60

20's - 30's pretty much... but I'm talking at night so you won't have any sun to help warm you.

Ok guys..... exactly how cold do you think it gets up here in Canada? Ya'll know we don't actually live in igloo's right?

A half helmet is just fine for everything except rain. You'll appreciate a full face helmet then.

Other than that, expect temps between say 65 to 85 while in Canada. In the Dakotas last year when we went to SSITR, which Sundre ran the very next weekend, we hit 105.

Hope that helps

Quote from adventure4me

If I had worried about all this stuff, I would have never been on the road! Guess someone was looking out for me!

Helmet is a pain to carry, but I use a cargo net to hold it on top of the stuff in the passenger seat.

After my first 100+ degree day, I had a couple gallon jugs of water on board. Just kept pouring it on myself. Someone else had Ziploc bags of ice to put under clothing.

My plans changed and I'll be leaving from Washington State. Haven't looked at a route yet.

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Thank you!

It's just for dramatic effect is all Anita...

@sideseatdriver... Please tell your boy to calm down...

Wow I see that's a lot of stuff, gas can is pretty much a waste of space. Fill up when down to a quarter tank. Antifreeze again you can use water if you have to from your drinking water. I use my "Good Sams" card they will drive me to the nearest place that can fix my ride(no limited mileage BS) but if you have an AMA card you would be laughing. I think you should collect names and numbers of SS riders on your route. They are the ones that can get you going the fastest. Need a new tire? Someone along your route has probably taken one off and can loan you one for a week or two. Broken down I am sure they would come to the rescue with whatever you need. If you need tools I am sure that everyone of them has a French set(metric). You may see some 50 degree weather coming through the mountains so some warm weather layers, rain gear, gloves. As for cooling I think that you will be making miles and the wind will be your friend. No need for a thermal cup to keep your coffee warm you have cup holders that do that just fine .
As for headlights I have no experience as mine don't work worth a damn. I may try aligning them this year.

Just bring a wallet as the Canadian economy needs you.

Quote from KayTwo

Well, that seems to be the consensus, although since I haven't driven out there, I was only going off some of the other bike forums and such. Believe me, I'm happy to leave it home.

lots of motorcycle apps will allow you to put in how far you can travel on a tank at speed and then when you put in your route will tell you when/where to refuel

Quote from KayTwo

Huh. No kidding. Did not know that.

i think the HD app does - several others - use Google for good not for porn (those should be bookmarked)

@KayTwo, worry was a bad word choice. Should have said conscientious enough.

Quote from KayTwo

Ok, revised route planning to Sundre:
Fountain Inn to Sundre:
Day 1: Fountain Inn to Belleville WI, 911 miles, 14 hours (going around Chicago) - crash with @Ross

Day 2: Belleville to Philip, SD, 709 mi, 10:15. @Ross may travel the first little bit, just to make sure I actually leave MI - something about promising the Highway Patrol. Anyway, this stops me for the night right before the Badlands National Park. Gonna drive that first thing the following morning.

Day 3: Philip to Cody WY, via Badlands National Park, to Sturgis, to Cody via Rt 14 at the recommendation of @adventure4me, 493 mi, 8:42. Some serious twisties on that route. @jorgebri60, you said SD...meet outside Sturgis?

Day 4: Cody to Shelby MT, via Beartooth Pass and Helena, 529 mi, 9 hrs. More serious twisties. This will stop me just a few miles short of the border at Sweet Grass. If I'm feeling froggy, I might push a little bit past Shelby. @SlingLow, did you say Helena might be a possibility?

Day 5: Shelby (or wherever I stop) to Sundre, 308 mi, 5:15.

Not sure yet where I'm going to crash the other nights besides the first night with @Ross & karianne. I may see if there are any campgrounds on the way and bring a tent, but that's a lot extra to pack. Do we have anyone on the forum around Sturgis, Cody, or north of Helena?

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I have to put your route in to the computer tonight. Some of your stops put you close to places where you may not have much for lodging choices at a reasonable price since you'll be there at primetime for those national parks

If you plan on doing multiple national parks get the "pass" it's a lot cheaper and you don't have to sit through a transaction every time you enter one.

Quote from KayTwo

I don't know which of my routes enter any of the national parks or where I don't, except for the Badlands. And I didn't think about their hours of operation, or how much it might cost. Need to do some homework. Wonder if they close the roads through the Badlands park "after hours?"

No worries it is a free annual pass for us military

America the Beautiful Passes (U.S. National Park Service)

Quote from KayTwo

That is cool as hell, didn't know that. Of course, the website showing where to go is down right now, LOL

Hope one of these is close

Overview of the Annual Pass - Military

[*]Free
[*]Available to active duty military personnel and dependents with proper identification (CAC Card or DD Form 1173)
[*]Obtained in person at Federal recreation sites that charges entrance or standard amenity fees
[*]Covers entrance to Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service sites that charge Entrance Fees, and Standard Amenity Fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation sites.
[*]Admits the pass owners and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas or, the pass owner and up to additional 3 adults at sites that charge per person.
[*]Non-transferable
Pass Use

• What are the benefits for the Annual Pass - Military?Free admission at sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees for one full year from the month obtained (through last day of that month).
  
  
  • Allows pass owner and accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle to enter federally operated recreation sites across the country.
  • Covers the pass owner and three (3) accompanying adults age 16 and older at sites where per person entrance fees are charged. No entry fee charged for children 15 and under.

  The pass does not cover or provide a discount on expanded amenity fees such as camping, boat launch or interpretive fees.
  

• Who qualifies for the Annual Pass - Military?Active military personnel and their dependents qualify for this benefit. Military members must present their Common Access Card (CAC) and dependents must present a Dependent ID Card (Form 1173) when requesting their pass.
• Are there any benefits for veterans?There is not a pass specifically for veterans; however, many veterans qualify for one of the other discount passes offered as part of our pass program.If you are 62 or older you qualify for a Senior Pass . You can buy a Senior Pass in person from a participating Federal recreation site or office or by mail.If you have a permanent disability you may qualify for an Access Pass . This is a free lifetime pass that you may obtain in person from a participating Federal recreation site or office or by mail.
• Where can I use my Annual Pass?Please contact a site directly if you have a question about pass acceptance and fees.The Forest Service, the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation honor the Annual Pass at sites where Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee(s) are charged.
  
  
  • Bureau of Land Management http://www.blm.gov
  • Bureau of Reclamation http://www.usbr.gov
  • Fish and Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov
  • USDA Forest Service http://www.fs.fed.us
  • National Park Service http://www.nps.gov

  US Army Corps of Engineers will not be issuing this pass, however they may honor it for free access at some sites. For more information contact your local US Army Corps of Engineers site or click Here
  

• How do I get my pass?You can receive your pass by presenting your military ID at most Federal lands that charge an entrance fee. A list of sites that sell pass are available. Sites that issue the Annual Pass will generally also issue the free military version as well. Please contact the Federal Land you will be visiting in advance to ensure that they have the pass available.
• Can I loan my pass to a friend to use?No. The pass owner must be present when the pass is used and it is not transferrable.
• Who can sign the Pass?The Pass has two signature lines. The pass is not valid until it is signed, so the active military member or dependent must sign the pass with first and last name when the pass is issued. The second signature line is optional, but may only be signed by another active military member or dependent. One of the signers must be present when using the pass.
• If I have more than four people in my car, how many passes do I need?One pass covers the vehicle at sites that charge "per vehicle." At "per person" sites, the applicable fee will be charged for each additional person.
• My family is traveling in two vehicles; will one pass let all of us into the site?No. Only the vehicle with the pass owner is covered. The second vehicle is subject to an entrance fee , or must have (or purchase) a second pass.
• What about motorcycle drivers who obtain this Pass?The pass permits entrance for the two individuals that sign the Pass on two separate motorcycles. Identification must match the signatures of the pass owner(s). If only one pass owner is present the pass will admit only one motorcycle.
• I ride my bicycle into a Federal recreation site that charges an entry fee. Can my friends come in with me with my pass?Yes, generally the pass owner and up to 3 other bicyclists can enter for free. Be sure to check with the recreation site you plan to visit before leaving because there can be differences in the way a pass is honored at different sites.
• What is NOT covered by the Pass?The Pass does not cover Expanded Amenity fees such as camping, boat launching, parking, special tours, special permits or ferriesAlso, some facilities and activities on Federal recreation lands (including those mentioned above) are managed by private concessionaires . The concessionaires charge for their services as any private company does and the Pass is not valid for their services
• Can lost or stolen passes be replaced? Is there a way that the serial numbers can be tracked?No. Due to privacy and logistical considerations, passes cannot be replaced if lost or stolen; a new Pass may be obtained.
• How do I show my pass at a site that doesn't have an entrance station?At Federal recreation sites that don't have entrance stations you need to display your pass or show proof of pass ownership to compliance officers via one of the two following methods:HANGTAGS
  A pass can either be displayed on your rearview mirror using a free hangtag or on your dashboard with the signature side showing. Remember, the hangtag itself is only a way to display your Pass, and is not valid for entry unless it holds a valid Pass.DECALS
  If you own an open-topped vehicle (jeep, motorcycle, etc.) you may obtain a free decal to attach to your vehicle that will serve as proof of payment at sites that don't have a staffed entrance station.
• If I forget to bring my pass to a site and pay the entrance or use fee, can I mail in the receipt and a photocopy of my pass and get a refund?Refunds are not issued.

Instead of Philip SD stay at Kadoka SD - make your reservations soon

Instead of Cody stay in Greybull

instead of Shelby MT do Great Falls