Ride Suggestions getting from Calgary to CFR

I'm planning on riding from Calgary to the CFR Rally, then down to EOM for the following weekend, and taking the following week to get back to Calgary. For the trip out, Mapquest and Google Maps both suggest I enter the US around Estevan Sask. and re-enter Canada at Sault Ste. Marie. I'd like to return on a parallel route sort of 1 state further south. Most of this mileage will be first-time-ever, and I'd like to make the most of it. If anybody has suggestions for routes to take/avoid I'd love to hear them.

Thanks,

Chris

keep in mind that I grew up in rural Alberta, population density less than 10 people per square mile; I like quiet roads and small towns.

For those of you that have asked me to make a financial/time commitment to back up these plans, I'm still fighting with my current employer to NOT plan the implementation date of the project I'm leading for the first week in September - but I'm the only one that thinks it's a bad idea. :angry:

The ride around Lake Superior is nice on a sunny day. Maybe it hit 61-17 north of Duluth or via International Fall-Thunder Bay or simply the trans canada from Winnipeg-Thunder Bay. The roads should be free of tourist traffic by then.

Chris: I'm leaving Regina on Wed AM, and plan to be in the

Sault Thursday night. Do you want to ride together?

FastJoyRide said:

Chris: I'm leaving Regina on Wed AM, and plan to be in the Sault Thursday night. Do you want to ride together?

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I'd love to have a riding partner, but I don't think I can do 2000 km in 2 days. :dribble:

About 300 km/200 miles due south of Calgary is the Going to the Sun Highway, through Glacier National Park in Montana. This is one fantastic road, but more for the scenery than the riding. I highly recommend it.

Beartooth Pass, on US-212 south of Red Lodge, Montana, is also a great motorcycling road on the way to Yellowstone.

clsonfjr said:

FastJoyRide said:

Chris: I'm leaving Regina on Wed AM, and plan to be in the Sault Thursday night. Do you want to ride together?

Click to expand...

I'd love to have a riding partner, but I don't think I can do 2000 km in 2 days. :dribble:

Click to expand...

1,133.5 miles to SSM, ON

I've ridden these roads lots of times, and this will be a piece of cake to do in all daylight in 2 days. My brother and his pal are meeting me in the Sault to give me an escort to Huntsville on Friday (350 miles = 1/2 day)

How many weeks are you planning to take for this ride :lol:

Dave; What time Weds are you planning on leaving Regina?

Jury is still out on my schedule, but I'm hoping.......

Bearly Flying said:

Dave; What time Weds are you planning on leaving Regina?
Jury is still out on my schedule, but I'm hoping.......

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Prolly 7ish? Got a bed for you for Tuesday PM if you can make it Don!

Thanks Dave, Won't know until the last minute if I can get away. Probably just push right through.

FastJoyRide said:

clsonfjr said:

FastJoyRide said:

Chris: I'm leaving Regina on Wed AM, and plan to be in the Sault Thursday night. Do you want to ride together?

Click to expand...

I'd love to have a riding partner, but I don't think I can do 2000 km in 2 days. :dribble:

Click to expand...

1,133.5 miles to SSM, ON

I've ridden these roads lots of times, and this will be a piece of cake to do in all daylight in 2 days. My brother and his pal are meeting me in the Sault to give me an escort to Huntsville on Friday (350 miles = 1/2 day)

How many weeks are you planning to take for this ride :lol:

Click to expand...

500 miles a day in Canada in September, all in daylight? I assume you're running jet fuel in your FJR!? But if you say it can be done, I'll believe you. I was thinking 3 weeks. 4 days to get to CFO, a week exploring NE US getting to EOM, and a week getting back home. It'll be far and away the longest trip I've ever taken. Jury's still on on whether or not the boss will let me disappear for that long (he rides a VFR, so he's on my side, but our project leader doesn't believe I'll make it back alive and is demanding a LOT of contingency planning).

clsonfjr said:

I'm planning on riding from Calgary to the CFR Rally, then down to EOM for the following weekend, and taking the following week to get back to Calgary. For the trip out, Mapquest and Google Maps both suggest I enter the US around Estevan Sask. and re-enter Canada at Sault Ste. Marie. I'd like to return on a parallel route sort of 1 state further south. Most of this mileage will be first-time-ever, and I'd like to make the most of it. If anybody has suggestions for routes to take/avoid I'd love to hear them.
Thanks,

Chris

keep in mind that I grew up in rural Alberta, population density less than 10 people per square mile; I like quiet roads and small towns.

For those of you that have asked me to make a financial/time commitment to back up these plans, I'm still fighting with my current employer to NOT plan the implementation date of the project I'm leading for the first week in September - but I'm the only one that thinks it's a bad idea. :angry:

Click to expand...

chris whatever you do head to the states due south then across ontario is all 90km.p.h. and the O.P.P. are in every small town! once you get to sault st. marie head down to mantoulin island to catch the ferry to tobermory a much better ride then across to cottage country!

terryfarnham said:

once you get to sault st. marie head down to mantoulin island to catch the ferry to tobermory a much better ride then across to cottage country!

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It is a much better ride. But... When coming from the West via the Sault you would need to turn south at Espanola. From Espanola to the rally it is about 3.5 hours following Hwy 17 and 11. Taking the ferry (Which is a great run) would take about 5 hours driving time plus 2-3 hours on the ferry plus whatever the wait time is depending on what time of day you got there.

Its a great ride going that way, but if your starting to run tight on time and want to get to the rally it is not the most optimal route.

- Colin