Canada by Motorcycle - From the South to the Arctic Circle! on Montreal2Inuvik

Day 1: Ontario

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The grand departure from Montreal marked by the first equipment failure, fickle weather, and the first logistical adjustments heading toward Sault Ste. Marie.

Day 2: Ontario... Again!

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A long trek through Western Ontario featuring pristine roads and autumnal temperatures, ending with the first night of camping.

Day 3: Ontario, the End (Finally!)

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A grueling crossing under an icy deluge toward Manitoba, followed by a nostalgic stopover in Winnipeg and a warm welcome.

Day 4: The Prairies

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

An epic 1,400 km trek across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, battling violent winds and biting cold before reaching Edmonton.

Day 5: Edmonton

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A well-deserved rest day in Edmonton to visit the famous mall, restock supplies, and prep gear before the start of the cellular blackout.

Day 6: British Columbia

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Entering British Columbia marks the beginning of the Rockies and my first encounter with a wild bear, despite persistent cold and voracious mosquitoes.

Day 7: Yukon

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A spectacular day through the Rockies into the Yukon, featuring wildlife encounters, motorcycle maintenance in Whitehorse, and a memorable lesson about cayenne pepper.

Day 8: Dempster Highway (NWT)

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The ultimate test: 16 grueling hours and 1,230 km on the road to reach Inuvik, between grandiose Arctic landscapes and perilous gravel sections.

Day 9: Inuvik

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A day of rest and cultural discovery in Inuvik, including historic meetings at the library, a visit to the RCMP, and reaching the northernmost point of the road.

Day 10: Arctic Survival

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The most perilous day of the trip: an exhausting struggle against the freezing mud of the Dempster Highway, marked by several falls and a determination put to the ultimate test.

Day 11: Arctic Survival, the Conclusion

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The relief of leaving the muddy hell of the Dempster Highway to find asphalt again, followed by an unplanned trek south after finding Dawson City packed.

Day 12: Cassiar Highway

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A long journey on the winding Cassiar Highway through the mountains of British Columbia, ending in the historic and friendly charm of Stewart.

Day 13: A Few Minutes in Alaska!

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A quick foray into Alaska to admire a glacier, followed by a gradual return to civilization marked by a liberating tire change.

Day 14: Kelowna, the Second Guessing

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A thermal and urban shock in Kelowna triggers a deep questioning of the journey’s continuation, caught between sweltering heat and nostalgia for the vast northern spaces.

Day 15: Vancouver

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A radical transition from mountain highways to urban luxury in Vancouver, moving from wilderness camping to the five-star comfort of the Fairmont Hotel.

Day 16: The Tourist

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A well-deserved break in Vancouver to explore the city on foot, from Stanley Park to Granville Island, away from the noise of the motorcycle.

Day 17: Sunshine Coast

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A getaway to the Sunshine Coast marked by the privilege of motorcyclists on the ferry and an attempted reunion with friends for a camping feast.

Day 18: Friends!

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Festive reunions on the Sunshine Coast with cycling friends to share a memorable meal around a campfire.

Day 19: Manning Provincial Park

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A rainy journey east to reach Manning Park, featuring winding mountain roads and impromptu encounters with the local wildlife.

Day 20: Skagit Valley Provincial Park

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A memorable hike on Silverdaisy Mountain marked by a chance meeting with Sev Heiberg, a Canadian mountaineering legend, maintaining trails at 82 years old.

Days 21 to 26: Vancouver

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Nadine’s arrival in Vancouver marks a transition to a two-person journey, featuring luxurious surprises at the Fairmont and logistical management of BMW maintenance costs.

Day 27: Pacific Rim Highway

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A winding journey across Vancouver Island toward Tofino, through rugged mountains and a spectacular arrival into the ocean mist of the Pacific.

Days 28 and 29 - Victoria

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A charming stopover in Victoria, featuring century-old architecture and vineyards, despite a minor mishap with local parking.

Day 30: Sea to Sky Highway

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A spectacular journey between Victoria and Whistler, featuring steep rock faces and Olympic-sized traffic jams.

Days 31, 32, and 33: Whistler

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Three days in Whistler between the excitement of the village and the spectacular ascent of Mount Whistler, peaking at 2,100 meters.

Day 34: Kelowna

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A wild journey on Route 99 toward Kelowna, followed by an unforgettable gourmet evening in the heart of the Okanagan vineyards.

Day 35: Jasper

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

An unforgettable journey on the Icefields Parkway, one of the most beautiful roads in the world, between glaciers and turquoise lakes.

Day 36: Banff

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Between the striking retreat of the Columbia Glacier and a memorable (if shortened) picnic in Banff, a day full of emotions and landscapes.

Day 37: A Day of Sport

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The brutal ascent of Cory Pass in Banff National Park, rewarded by dizzying views of 3,000-meter peaks.

Days 38-39: Calgary

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A short leg between Banff and Calgary marked by sweltering heat, an urban culture shock, and a memorable reunion after 25 years.

Day 40: The Return

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The beginning of a 3,700 km endurance race to return to Montreal, marked by magnificent plains and intense physical pain.

Day 41: The Final Stretch

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The ultimate 1,800 km marathon to close the loop in Montreal, featuring overzealous customs, roadwork, and the emotion of cutting the ignition one last time.

Post Mortem

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Bilan complet de l’aventure : analyse de l’équipement, points forts de la préparation et leçons apprises après 19 000 km sur les routes de l’Arctique et de l’Ouest canadien.

Bibliographie

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Livres et DVD qui ont aidé (grandement!) à préparer mon Aventure!

\[caption id="attachment\_429" align="alignnone" width="140" caption="Lonely Planet - British Columbia (ISBN 978-1-74104-584-0)"\]

lonely_bc

\[/caption\]\[caption id="attachment\_422" align="alignnone" width="140" caption="Lonely Planet - Alaska (ISBN 1-74059-991-8)"\]

lonely_alaska

\[/caption\]\[caption id="attachment\_423" align="alignnone" width="140" caption="Adventure Motorcylcing Handbook (ISBN 1-873756-80-1)"\]

Adventure Motorcylcing Handbook (ISBN 1-873756-80-1)

\[/caption\]\[caption id="attachment\_424" align="alignnone" width="140" caption="Odyssey to Ushuaia (ISBN 1-55652-440-4)"\]

ushuaia

\[/caption\]\[caption id="attachment\_425" align="alignnone" width="140" caption="Riding the World (ISBN 1-931993-24-6)"\]

riding_world

About

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

About Me
#

Adventurer | Motorcyclist | Observer

I am a traveler who believes that the best stories are found where the asphalt meets the unknown. In 2008, I embarked on a journey that took me into the heart of the Canadian wilderness, pushing north to the Arctic and the legendary Dempster Highway.

My approach to travel is a blend of meticulous preparation and a willingness to let the elements dictate the path. Whether I am navigating the mountain passes of Manning Provincial Park, dodging deer in the British Columbia backcountry, or anticipating a ferry crossing under persistent rain, I find a certain beauty in both the logistics and the landscape.

Contact