Sat 18 Jul Noobish/Big Bike Friendly day ride

[canadius_maximus]

I'll be doing a mellow day ride tomorrow. Destination either out to Chilliwack Lake or to Chehalis.

Having already been to Chehalis, my preference is to go down to the end of Chilliwack Lake and possibly north up to Upper Silverhope FSR - I've never been up there before.

So if some of the newer folks like @vivian , @DVC1 , @Cylinderslap , et al are up for a few hours ride out that way, that's my plan.

Am flexibile timewise, but I'll likely be rolling from home (Surrey) around 0800, targetting being in the Tamihi area around 0930, ride for a 4-5 hours, and home well before supper.

Depending on who's interested and where they're located, I'll post a start RV location for meetup. (eg: Chevron on 232/HWY1, etc.)

 

[Ayumi68]

Hi, thanks for the invite July 18th, would be right close to home for me but I have errands to run. You’ll have to let me know how it went on the FSR as I have never been on it before. Sunday the 19th works better for me in case you go on another ride.

 

[canadius_maximus]

No worries. I can’t do the 19th, but maybe you can join the organized run happening in Tamihi then.

See you another time!

 

[canadius_maximus]

Liumchen was closed - and I didn’t know the dirt section to Chilliwack Lake is now part of the TCT. So closed between May and Oct.

So explored Tamihi FSR before a quick cool down run on Slesse Bench. Made some new friends, to whom I mentioned DSBC, so hope they’ll join.

Will definitely go back there.

 

[Ayumi68]

What, no way - since when did they start closing Liumchen?
You were on the way to Run to the Border?

 

[canadius_maximus]

Yes, was closed at the junction by the bridge at the west end. And then again at the west end at Tamihi. Signage referenced a native band, can’t recall which.

The route was Tamihi Creek FSR. I want a few km past where Trailforks said it ended, to about 17km vs the stated 16km. Might push further on a future run there.

 

[Jeckyll]

Didn't see this in time, would have come out

 

[canadius_maximus]

Didn't see this in time, would have come out

Hi Jeckyll,

Sorry - was a bit last minute, as the family surprised me with a "dad day off" from common Saturday chores/errands. Maybe in a week or so I'll make another run up there.

cheers,

D

 

[Ayumi68]

We went down Chilliwack Lake to the TCT junction - does anyone know if it is dual-sport friendly and where it takes you?

 

[Ayumi68]

 

[Ayumi68]

 

[canadius_maximus]

Nice - I actually may have a free day for riding this Thursday - wanted to go exactly there. I'm assuming you had to slab it there, yes?

I ask because it's my understanding that the portion of the FSR eastward from there is closed during May - Oct to function as a walking/cycling/horse trail portion of the TCT. Outside of that, it would allow to areas like Paleface et al, further east and north. But I believe we're locked out of there on motos for another few months. I definitely will explore that in Oct, weather and time permitting.

Tomorrow's mission is to get a front flat tire sorted to enable me to ride on Wed. Are you free Wed? I should establish my go/no status go by noon tomorrow. If you're able, I'll forgo going to the Lake as you were just there. I can take you up (down?) Tamihi Creek FSR - I loved that route, and doing that twice in a few days is no hardship. If we're feeling valiant we can push past where the pics I took and see how far north we can go - I believe I was as far south as one can go before the route turns away from the border in a northeasterly direction.

 

[Ayumi68]

Yes we slabbed it there and then it was unpaved. Went past the two bridges and came to a creek flowing over the road so we turned around, explored a junction we passed but turned around there too due to huge flocks if skeeters!
I was not aware of any ohv closures on that portion of the tct but understandably why. I’ve gone on Paleface before horseback but from the other side off of Silver-Skagit and wondered if it came through - that would be cool riding through grizzly country!
Let me know if Wednesday is a go - I’ll see if my pardner in his AT will accompany us.

 

[canadius_maximus]

Hi. Sorry. I corrected the message to Thursday-but looks like you read it right after I posted. Wed I’m tied up

It’d supposed to rain, so not sure if that changes things. Fri might be better, but I’ll have to switch my work schedule, which at the moment looks doable.

An AT would be a great addition to the pack!

Let me know if either Thur or Fri works.

 

[Reza]

Hi
If you guys plan to make this journey on Thursday and is doable by big bike, I like to Jon for this expedition.

 

[canadius_maximus]

Thanks Reza - will put you down for Thur if I'm able to swing it. As to your question, I guess it depends on the route. If it's plain old Slesse Bench FSR, then you'll be able to ride it no issues whatsoever. If it's going to be Tamihi River FSR, then it depends.

What bike are you looking at riding? Your GS? I'd say if you have good knobby tires and have ridden say, Slesse Bench FSR comfortably, you'll be ok. If you're really green, but still have good tires, then you may struggle, but it will be a good learning experience. If you have street tires and you're really green, I'd avoid it until you get good tires.

Most of the trail is straight forward, but there's one steepish section. More mental than anything, and you'll want to keep good momentum. Other than that, I'd expect it to be a good bike trail. But being really green and/or being on street tires will make it daunting, so prep accordingly. If you're still new and you have a lighter soft luggage alternative to the heavy hard cases, I'd use those instead - weight and bulk will not be your friend in this.

But it we can all make it, and especially if there's another bike bike (AT) rider, we should be able to help get you through any hard area.

cheers,

D

 

[Ayumi68]

Hey, so I can’t make it Thursday or Friday unless you are going later in the day, otherwise I’ll have to take a rain check. You should still be able to hook up with Reza.
I’ve gone to the end of Tamihi FSR where Run to the Border begins with street tires and yes, it is loose but doable! The AT made it too. Pretty nice views of the border there.
You’re thinking of checking out that road that heads NE? You’ll have to let me know what you find.

 

[Jeckyll]

Daniel: Slesse Bench is where I met you is it?

If so, I can come out on the Super T. The KLR is waiting for Carb parts so I need something (very) big-bike friendly

B.

 

[tomcycle]

Nice pictures, but your description is confusing, the pictures you have are of Tomyhoi Glacier from the Tamihi FSR? Was a great day for a ride to the end. This road washes out often so I recommend anyone with an adventure bike do this while it is open as it will wash out again and then be closed for years while we wait for repairs.

 

[canadius_maximus]

Hi Tom,

Not sure what the disconnect is. My pics are from the trip I took Saturday down Tamihi FSR - km 14-15 or so. Cylinderslap's pics are of Chilliwack Lake, I understand from her trip there a couple days later, take from the road.

Not sure what is confusing - maybe I'm missing something.