...I went off for 9 days, more of a roadie trip than DS stuff but managed a few side trips up some trails. Bella Coola has always been a spot I wanted to visit ..it's just so far to get to!
I set off to Takysie Lake south of Burns Lake for a couple of days wandering around the trails. Then via backroad to Vanderhoof & PG. I took the Blackwater to Baldy Hughes but....when I hit the FSR there were two things (1) there were logging trucks every few minutes and (2) as noted in a post above, the road is newly graded and after only a few kms of
marbles I gave up and backtracked
Finally, I get to Williams Lake, Hwy20 and Fraser River - beautiful riding country! Heading West the country changes from the deep gorges to the high plateau - ranchland and miles and miles of beetle kill forest.
The road is asphalt to Anahim and then about 40 miles of good dirt all the way down "The Hill" (which is worth doing a couple of times just for the fun)....yes it is very steep with scary drop-offs in places but the road surface was good (it was also hot & dry).
Once at the valley floor the 30 mile run to Bella Coola was on gorgeous twisty asphalt.
I spent a couple of days in the valley - checked out a couple of trails ...but it was HOT (37C) so much of the time was spent at the riverside.
The ride up the hill was just as good but it was a long haul back to Williams Lake. The next diversion was to Fort St.James north of Vanderhoof - but didn't explore too much as the next day was to Fort Babine north of Granisle / Smithers ...lots of good FSR
Overall it was a great trip - some gorgeous country (sure, the sunshine helps!) ...the final run down The Hill and into Bella Coola Valley made it worthwhile. I'd like to explore the area south of Williams Lake sometime
Bike: no problems - did between 450-550 kms per day when travelling - overall 3296 kms (2048 miles). The TKC80 rear has worn to about half (at centre) after ~3700kms
Clicking the photo below should open my gallery ...sorry not many "DS" photos - mostly pretty pictures
