Touring BC
 

Planning on doing a 5-6 week Tour of Beautiful British Columbia next Summer. Starting in Banff to Jasper then we're heading North as far as we can go(Prince George then to Terrace?)or keeping going North from Prince George? Advice, opinions, recommendations? Will Bears be a problem?

If you live in Edmonton you should have a better idea of whether or not bears will be a problem than most of the people here. :D

Having lived in Alberta for most of my life and having cycled in the Canadian Rockies more times than I can count ... from my experience, the bears will be a problem if you create a situation where they can be a problem. In other words, if you leave your food lying about ... bears will probably come.

Personally, I'd be slightly more concerned about cougars. I have encountered one, and fortunately it must have decided I didn't look like much of a meal ... but you just never know.

If you're in a group, and you travel smart, you should be fine. And it would be a beautiful tour!!

Bears can certainly be a problem, but as long as you don't leave food about it is safe enough... Having said that, I ALWAYS carry bear spray with me... ;) If you go to Terrace and have time you can turn right at Kitwanga and go to Hyder Alaska, that is a nice trip... :thumb:

I have driven the Prince George to Terrace route several times and until you get beyond Smithers, it's pretty boring. (Think Edmonton to Hinton only with curves). North and West from Terrace is amazing but it's a long haul to get there. As others have commented, bears are typically only a problem if you leave or cooking gear out and about. Practice bear safe camping (assuming you are camping) and you will be fine. Ie: never cook or store food in or near your tent. Best bet is to hang your food and cookware from a high tree branch well away from your tent and make sure you don't cook anywhere near your tent. Carrying bear spray is definitely a good plan. Bear bangers are also useful but be sure you practice with them first

You asked for opinions so here's my two bits worth... Southeastern BC is far more scenic than most of the North. I have driven far more of the Provinces roads than I will likely ever ride but if it's amazing scenery you are looking for, start in Banff and head south. Once you get close to the border, turn west and continue until you decide to turn North and then head back east on highway 1. Once you hit the ice-fields parkway, hang a left and finish it off with one of the most scenic routes on the planet as you head North to Jasper.

As always, your mileage may vary....

RKD

I've ridden from Jasper to Prince George to Prince Rupert a number of times.
Also have ridden south from Mount Robson to Clearwater.
And one time rode out to Bella Coola on Highway 20 - whew!
Plus, have done the Alaska Highway a couple of times.

Yes, the middle stretch of the Yellowhead is on a rolling plateau - but -
Nearly all the communities have lakes and streams for picnicking or camping.
I enjoyed Vanderhoof, Burns Lake, and Houston.
Smithers, of course, is stunning with all needed services.
Make sure to go down to Old Hazelton and visit K'san Village.
Great campground at the forks of the Skeena and Bulkley Rivers.
Then the highway follows the mighty Skeena all the way to Prince Rupert.
I have never had sunny weather for the ride - but if you do -
The ride along the Skeena is one of the world's best.

At Prince Rupert you have three choices by ferry -
North to Alaska, south to Vancouver Island, and west to Haida Gwai.

Highway 20 out to Bella Coola is remote, but beautiful - - with bears.
Heckman Pass is an insane downhill that will melt your brakes.

Highway 5 heading south to Kamloops really is beautiful but with more traffic.
Clearwater is the jumping off spot for spectacular Wells Gray Park.

The Alaska Highway has been widened and straightened over the past 10 years.
I think the old alignment was more interesting to ride -
The new alignment - with wide cutbacks - feels like an airport runway.
The Stewart Cassiar, now almost all paved, is more scenic but more remote.

PS - Don't forget to take the bike trail into the first backcountry campsite
At Mount Robson Provincial Park - seriously worth it.
Photo - Kinney Lake