I cant remember if I posted it in the initial post or not. but the bugs mark mentions is correct. On average you get black flies that will drive Moose right out of the bush in may and June. You need about 3-4 days of 30C+ weather to get rid of them. And once they are gone, you get to deal with the mosquitos. hehe. Dusk and dawn are the worst cases. Camp on a hill so the wind keeps them away.

There are a ton of things to do in BC Alberta and even more in Ontario and Quebec. And the east coast has the feel of Ireland, especially Cape Breton.

Also, consider this, if you are riding in the snow, or in the spring after the snow is done, ALOT of deer and moose and bear will come out onto the highways and lick the salt from the salting of the roads. They are stoping the use of salt soon and using a chemical instead. But some communities might be slower then others. ALWAYS watch for Wildlife on the roads, especially them damn rascals the racoons.

Gary

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Gary
CANADA
www.myspace.com/intrepid_cdn

Hello All, I must thank Gary for his indepth posts, and he is a hard act to follow. I live just outside Calgary Alberta,

Steve, I am heading to the HUBB rally in BC. If you are in the Calgary area on June 15-18 I should be home, then leaving on the 19th to head to Merrit. If you want to borrow my garage for maintenance, let me know and if you need a tire or two I can arrange some for you. Alberta Cycle in Edmonton is the cheapest place in Alberta for rubber. I can get some down here if you need.

Happy to help if I can.

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Take Care
Stew and Brenda

Hello Char, how long do you plan to stay in Alaska, if you are arriving in August that leaves you about 3 months of bike season in Alaska if you are lucky, then the snow starts and it does not melt until May. If you do not like cold- get the h*ll out of Alaska and the Canadian north before winter.

Victoria Island and Vancouver allow year round riding although it does rain alot in the winter months(coastal area), there may also be various employment options for you and your friend.

If you could provide a bit more route info, I could give more info. Not all of Canada is a frozen wasteland in the winter, in Calgary we ride most of the year as well, some days it is cold but doable.

here is a link to the weather network. If you click on Statistics on the left side it will lead you to city info regarding average temp/rainfall/hours of sunshine/snowfall. etc. All kinds of useless trivia.
The Weather Network - Your Source for Weather Forecasts and Current Conditions

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Take Care
Stew and Brenda

when is the best time for no mosquitos?? or least"" Thinking about doing BANFF, JASPER, WATERTON??, etc - hows the bug problem around there??

Would do hiking/camping for a few weeks around the Above areas.. I am a long dist. hiker!

Maybe start east coast and work my way towards Alaska, Vanc. area! camping as much as possible!

Sandman, mosquitos are not a big problem in the higher elevations. We camp and hike as well, usually we don't need bug spray, and hiking in shorts is the norm.

There are a ton of trails to check out in and around the Parks, be sure to visit Kananaskis Country, Peter Lougheed Park, the Ice Fields Parkway from Lake Louise north to Jasper National Park, just to name a few.

There are of course some epic rides in the Rockies, depending on your schedule and such, will determine how many you can take in.

There is "random" camping in Waiparous, which also has great hiking and motorbike friendly trails. These backroads and trails extend North all the way to the Nordegg area. Random camping is free and not designated, just find a spot and call it home.

check links
http://tpr.alberta.ca/parks/kananask...007_KC_Map.pdf
Alberta SRD - Areas - Southern Rockies - Ghost-Waiparous Access-Management Plan - Brochure and Maps
Note: weekends get a little wild as it is close to calgary and with the free camping and motor-toys allowed it gets a bit...well...crazy.

Hope this helps

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Take Care
Stew and Brenda

Sorry, forgot to answer about timing. The temp is favorable in the mountains from June to late September. Outside of that the nights are cold and snow is common in the high country. Bugs are possible anytime, but don't buy into the horror stories of mosquitos the size of Robins, that is only in Northern Canada, and that is what windshields are made for. hehehe.

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Take Care
Stew and Brenda

How about electronics? Does Canada use the same 110V electrical power and plugs as the US, or will I need a voltage converter?

Thanks for a great post!

All of North America runs on 110 volt grounded a.c. so one converter will do you.

Rick

Thanks for the verification, Rick! I was fairly certain that was the case, but hearing the same thing from multiple sources increases one's confidence in matters such as these.

We're planning on camping in Ontario August 23-27 in our pop-up camper we pull behind our BMW K1200LT. From some camping review websites, we've identified Bon Echo Provincial Park in Cloyne, Charleston Lake PP in Lansdowne, and possibly Grundy Lake in Britt (although it may be to far north for the time we have). I'd appreciate any thoughts on these campgrounds, the things to see, do, and the mc riding around those areas.

Mack

Hi guys!

We (Claudia+Werner from Germany) are since 23 month on our RTWtrip. Currently we stay and work (the next 2 years) in Australia.

In beginning 2011 we plan to restart our trip, travel NZ, southeast asia, then up to russia. We think about flying with the bikes from Vladivostok (over South-Korea) to Canada.

We will be late for the trip up to Inuvik and Alaska....so we thought about stay and work the winter in Canada......

Is it possible to get a job (Cabinet maker+childcare teacher) in winter? Is it possible to get a workvisa???


Thanks for your help!!!

Greetings from Perth W.A. Werner+Claudia

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Just traveling
www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/longwayhome

Hey guys, sorry for the absence, but I am back and such. Any answers needed fast or if I fail to reply can be sent to me via email gdunne70@hotmail.com

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Gary
CANADA
www.myspace.com/intrepid_cdn

Hey ya Werner and Claudia

Sure, a work visa is possible. I am not sure on the cost, but any Canadian Embassy or consulate will have info, as well as Online. Your trades might be hard to get, as times are tough with the recent trademarket issues, but Alberta has a BOOM right now for skilled trademen. Childcare teacher will be alot harder. You would be best to bring a certificate from a ECE program of some form of education directed specifically at childcare. Each province has its own requirements. If you are here in OCT, then I would suggest going to Kitchener, Ontario, as its the world 2nd largest Oktoberfest. Kitchener was originally named BERLIN, but that was changed long ago. a LARGE portion of the population there is or has has ties to Germany. My wife for example is German. Last name was Zeigler. Not much more I cna really say other then the best paying jobs for skilled trades are in Alberta, however the cost of living th ere is INSANE. You might wanna try Ontario as its probably the best all around price and work ratio. You could also put an add out for work. There is a free site like EBAY but for all sorts of things not just buy and sell. I cant for the life of me remember the name right now, and I really should too, as its a catchy name. I will try to remember it, and post. Feel free to email me as well at gdunne70@hotmail.com

OH WAIT A SEC....

I know someone that owns a cabnit company in the Kitchener to Guelph areas in Ontario. I am not sure if they are hiring but if you send me your resume or experience, I can see if they would pick you up for some work. Just let me know when you will be down. I think I read that your said 2011. If thats the case, just send it to me closer to the time and remind me what its for, etc. I will help you if I can.

best wishes.
Gary

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Gary
CANADA
www.myspace.com/intrepid_cdn

How'd the trip go Mack?
Gary

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Gary
CANADA
www.myspace.com/intrepid_cdn

UPDATE for Ontario.

Current fuel on average in Southern Ontario is:
81 Octane is 112.3Cents/Litre.
91-94 Octane is 124.9 Cents/Litre
Diesel is 119.9 cents a litre.

I'm seeing a trend to raise the prices back up today to on average 118.9 for 81 Octane. Higher grades will move based on that. Diesel has held steady at the 118.9-119.9ish area.

The weather is starting to change from Summer to Fall in alot of the province. In the south, we still have warm days. Guessing 20-28C but the nights cool off fast. Bugs can be a little of an issue still, but the more pressing issue is at night, be cautious for the frogs on the roads. Little buggers come out in hordes and are very slippery.

The Fall Colours are starting in alot of areas in the north and central. Its a great thing to see if you havent. I would recomend the Fall Colours route up in the Algonquin to Petawawa areas as well as the general area around the Muskokas and Georgian bay. Great camping can be found all over the area, and Algonquin has the Yurts available for those wishing beds heaters but still be outdoors.

Anyone travelling through the Southern portion of Ontario is welcomed to roll by. Just msg me and we can meet up.
Fenian

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Gary
CANADA
www.myspace.com/intrepid_cdn