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KLR MIKE

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Hey lads,

a good friend and I both purchased KLR's this past summer and reside in north van. We both have young kids of our own but try to get out once a month. So far the bikes have been pavement princess' to and from work but we're wondering if there are ever any rides between the northshore and whistler. We've ventured out a couple of times in the squamish area (and had a blast) but never really had a destination. Any info would be much appreciated...

PS this site rocks!!

Mike
 
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vanmixman

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Hi Mike,

I too am on the North Shore. I just got my 2004 KLR last summer and I am loving it. I am not too familiar with where to ride yet myself. Once the weather gets better, feel free to contact me and I would love to go riding with you guys. The guys on the forum seem to know just about everywhere to ride. I know there is some close rides in Maple Ridge.

Scott (vanmixman)
 
DRuZer

DRuZer

Member
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Hi Mike, welcome!
Lots of guys with KLR's, and a few members from your side of the world. I keep thinking it would be nice to explore the Squamish area, but understand that the there aren't too many rides in that area, other than a couple of short outings. It would be nice to get up to do the run to Indian Arm one day, though. Let us know what you find.

If you guys plan on doing a trip out that way, post here!
Cheers
Guy
 
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Roaddane

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Welcome aboard Mike. Paul here also with a KLR(2003) out in the valley. Not to sure about rides in the Squamish area but was thinking about getting some other KLR guys (or anyone into a full day on logging roads and some paved) to ride up the west side of Harrison Lake to Pemberton then ride either the paved Duffey Lake Rd (Hwy 99) or the gravel road to Seton Portage-Lillooett, maybe overnight, then return basically the same way. Won't do it til summer but it's on my to-do list for this season, so keep it in mind.
 
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Backcountryboy

Member
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Hi and welcome

I have a KLR too. I live in Delta but stay up in Whistler at least one weekend a month. As a result, I have done a fair amount of riding up around Whistler and also some between Squamish and also north of Pemberton. Theres lots of good riding in the area for KLR's.

Would be nice to set up a few rides in that area. Befun to do some dual-sporting that would include pavement, forest service roads and maybe a bit of rougher stuff (but not too much). I'm at the age where I enjoywhat I think ofas backcountry touring, rather than "give 'er" off-road riding. Will regularly do 200-350km days over the Duffy Lake Road or theHurley Roadwith lots of fun detours onto some of the manyforest service or mining access roads that run off them.

Some of the rides include

Duffy Lake Road (paved but with fantastic riding and lots of forest service roads running off it. Also has the old Blowdown Pass mining road running off it which is one of my favourites as mining roads tend to take you up and over mountains while forest service roads tend to stay below the ridge lines)

Hurley Road (great country for riding, pretty remote if you take any of the side roads)

Callahan Lake Forest Service Road (just south of Whistler. Not too long, perfect for shorter rides, take a map or gps as there are dozens of forest service roads running in all directions)

Seton Portage (another beautiful ride, well worth it)

Harrison Lake to Pemberton Forest service road (a great ride for newer riders who want a longer back country trip) Watch out for the logging trucks and dust!

All of the above have dozens of forest service side roads that are well worth exploring.

Is that the sort of thing you are looking for? If so, lets see who else is interested. When the spring snowmelts are done we could organize a ride.
 
Hooligan

Hooligan

Member
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Hi Guy's,

I am also on the North Shore, dont have a KLR though, I like riding the Squamish area just because it is so close to home.

We should meet up in the summer, I can show you lots of good stuff 2 hours from home, nice views, great little lakes etc, not to technical either.

Then we have some cool natural hotsprings not too far away.

Cheers:hb:
 
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KLR MIKE

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Holy cow:shock:,

you guys are quick!Thanks very much for the quick responses and the warm welcome. My buddy Brad (KLR BRAD) and I are up for any one of those rides. Seems like we'll have a good turn out at this rate.

BackcountryBoy, thanks for the info, that's exactly what we're looking for. 'Backcountry Touring' sounds perfect. The further from the city the better...

If any of you have the time some'tricks of the trade' for our KLR's and local terrain would be great. (ie. modifications,kit inventory,gear, etc).

thanks again

Mike
 
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vanmixman

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Hi Guys,



I just want to get an opinion on tires. For all these rides mentioned that are mostly a combination of pavement, and logging roads, would you suggest keeping the stock tires on? If I am to use my KLR for comuting and do mostly the logging and double track riding. I have not done a lot of single track yet. I managed to grunt my way through a ride with skidmark up on mcnutt on the stock tires. It was pushing it a bit though.

vanmixman
 
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Backcountryboy

Member
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Hi vanmixman

The stock tires are finefor street and forest service road use like you described. I kept my stock tires on for the first 6000km or so. Then changed to Trailwings which work a bit betteroverall. I ride a fair amount of pavement ( I ride all year around except in snow or ice) and a reasonable amount of dirt.

But I'm not a rough terrain single track rider. The stock tires (and my newertrailwings) would be overwhelmed by mud or soft sand. I've done around 2000km of forest service roads and similar rough roads on the stock ones and they worked fine. Just don't think you can keep up with the fastguys running knobbies on any really soft terrain.

I have ridden to Whistler a number of times, around town alotand out around the Fraser Valley in heavyrain and high winds, with them and they worked well for this. But don't try to keep with the street squirrels on high performance street tires in the twisties. You'll run out of tire before they will.

As someone else on this forum once said, the stock tires certainly can be improved on if you have a specific need, but they do a good enough jobin most situations that its not really worth upgrading them before they wear out. Run them down, then change 'em. Unless you want too of course!



Hope this helps
 
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Norm

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I'm in Chilliwack. Called you the other day Paul but you were at work. I'm insures year around so give me a call for a ride. Yesterday afternoon was good on the dikes and back roads around Agassiz.

There are many great rides in this area, short, long, dirt, mixed and so on. The Harrison West road to Pemberton and loop back through either Whistler or Lilooett are great rides! The Harrison East road out through the Nahatlatch and Boston Bar is a good day ride with time left for some side roads. If time permits the road from the Nahatlatch to Lytton and across the reaction ferry is a nice add-on. If in the Lytton area a side trip up to see Ken's double size and triple size Harley models is more than worth the time!

There are also some great rides in the Hope area also!

Email if you are planning to be in the Chilliwack or Sunshine Valley areas.

Norm
 
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KLR MIKE

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Hey Druzer,

I am interested in the Indian Arm ride that you mentioned earlier. KLR BRAD and I spent a wholemorning in the Mamquam River Rd area and couldn't find the Indian River Rd (Stawamus) entrance. The only spot we didn't try was the path towards the water shed. Was this it??We finally got bored that day and rode straight to the Cat Lake area to have fun. Also, does that road dead-end at the Wigwam Inn or is there a way out into Anmore/Coquitlam area?:?

Thanks Mike:hb:
 
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Guest

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KLR MIKE wrote:
Hey Druzer,

I am interested in the Indian Arm ride that you mentioned earlier. KLR BRAD and I spent a wholemorning in the Mamquam River Rd area and couldn't find the Indian River Rd (Stawamus) entrance. The only spot we didn't try was the path towards the water shed. Was this it??We finally got bored that day and rode straight to the Cat Lake area to have fun. Also, does that road dead-end at the Wigwam Inn or is there a way out into Anmore/Coquitlam area?:?

Thanks Mike:hb:
Click to expand...


We did Indian Arm last summer. Nice scenery but that logging road is worn all to crap. Very hard surface almost like pavement and the 4x4s haven't helped it. Still, a ride thats got nice views and easy to do. Trouble is, it dead ends at some dock/private club or whatever.

If you can plan long term, I know some people who have 2 condos in Whistler that they rent out and summer is the off season.
 
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Aaron

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Re: Riding in the Squamish area.
Gentlefolks, aside from the hundreds of miles of logging roads..... try to imagine a crystal clear summer day sitting at x,000 feet on Brohm Ridge with an unobstructed view down on the surrounding valleys and mountains. Only one point is really higher than where you sit are gazing out across the ranges beyond, Mt Garabaldi!.
Look up, look WAY up.

I found these pics on a Google Search: Hope they are members!
http://members.shaw.ca/doug_b2/Pictures/brohm.htm

As to the Wigwam inn, a fun ride if you have never done it, but not terribly exciting until you start turning intoall the side roads.Basically it is a dead end. There is however that secretive spot ( the one theytold mewas Shan·gri-la #3 ) on the river where there is a boulder the size of a house you can walk onto. The river runs under the bulder and shoots out the other side! Now that is something to see!

Watch the upcoming rides section of the forum for some great adventures.

Aaron
 
VIMike

VIMike

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Hello KLR Mike, this is another Mike who just a couple weeks ago got a 2005 KLR, so you are not the only newbie. It was great to see all the responses that you got from your Jan 16th post on the message board. If any of you North Shore KLR guys want to come over to the island for a day trip and seesome gorgeous sites in the Parksville, Qualicum Beach area let me know.

VIMIKE:hb:
 
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Crash Davis

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Howdy, I'm also a new KLR 650 owner, North Vancouver resident, and newest member of DSBC! I grew up in Squamish, but am only vaguely familiar with the backroads. But I'll be doing some serious Squamish backroad exploring this year, so let's definiltey hook up ([email protected]). Glenn Davis.
 
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BigKid

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Right on Crash, we'll hook up for sure in the near future. See ya out there...

Cheers (former KLRMIKE)

:hb:
 
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Crash Davis

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Hey, I figured this chain on Squamish area rides is informative, so here's one more question: does anyone know much about the ride that runs from theFurry Creek hill on Hwy 99 that ends up at the Cleveland Dam on Capilano Rd in N Van?

Also, when doing the road along Harrison lake up to Lilloet, where is a good spot to camp along the way?
 
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peteklr

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Its supposed to be off limits ......watershed
 
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peteklr

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the back way around harrison is closed the bridge is out about halfway
 
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