Cross country trip with covid? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Cross country trip with covid?

nyx

nyx

Well-known member
Hey guys,

I have a potential 2 weeks vacation coming up in a week, and considering doing a cross country trip to visit brother in BC.

Anyone done/doing same, and has some feedback or suggestions. I have done 2 Vancouver to Toronto one way trips but through States.

Alberta and BC don't require quarantine. Manitoba does, but I read a while back that only passing through is ok? Ontario doesn't require quarantine coming back either. I'm not planning on gathering or attending crowded events.

Are motels/hotels even open or I should pack to camp? I've noticed up North here is a hit or miss. I'd imagine a lot more packing space will be spent on hand sanitizer, wipes, and even more food than normal.

Any insights are much appreciated.
 
There's a few threads on here about similar trips and you are pretty much bang on with what the deal is now.

I want to go mid September, so post up whatever else you find out in your trip!
 
I think you are okay and just transit Manitoba - maybe go out the northern Transcanada and back the southern.
That you have a relative in BC likely make it a bit better. Good luck ...looking forward to a ride report.
 
For what it's worth, for my trip I'm bringing my tent and camp gear, but will also plan to stay in cheaper motels that may be open along the way. I'm hoping that simple places like Super 8 will be open in the mid-size cities.

For food I will make a few liters of trail mix and bring that to snack on along the way. When in BC, I will hit up bulk barn and buy a bunch of mixed nuts/berries for the return trip. I plan to eat at Subway and other somewhat healthy, fast food type places along the way. Will also pack my oats and tea for my breakfasts when I'm camping. I will be bringing a few pairs of nitrile gloves, a few small bottles of sanitizer and a few masks.
I would try to sleep in Wawa, Kenora & Saskatoon, thereby not sleeping in Manitoba at all.

Maybe also check ADVrider to see if there's threads ongoing there: Crossing Provincial borders during lockdowns
 
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Biggest challenge I experienced travelling distances recently was finding anything other than fast food to eat along the trans Canada. A lot of restaurants are still closed as they didn't see a business case for making a patio for the few months left in the summer. May be better out west where things are a bit looser than here.

Motels and hotels are all fine and are looking for business.

The only issue I see is the 4500km each way which given the lower speed limits in some areas is going to end up being about 50 hours of riding each way. Assuming you're riding every day and you've got the weekends on either side of your two weeks (so 15 days?), you're looking at 600km each and every day. If you're taking 2 down days in Vancouver that goes to just under 700km a day.

If you're like me and are happy to knock of a few 1000-1500km days in order to have a few low/zero km ones during the trip that's cool, but it's still a pretty good trip for a 2 week period.
 
I'm planning a similar trip for August, I wouldn't worry about food, there is always something, from grocers to small businesses. I'll be taking a tent, though like @shanekingsley open to good deals on Hotels/motels along the way, unless one stealth camps, some Canadian sites charge a lot for a campsite. I think 2 weeks will be tight, factoring in rain days, slow days, breaks for the views etc...

Make sure your bike is ready, get travel insurance, as out of province care is different just in case. Do an oil change before you go, and tires, unless your okay changing mid-way through the trip if needed.
 
I tried my first bike camping trip last week
after a long day of sweating my azz off
last thing I felt like doing was setting up a tent in the heat/bugs
never ended up using any of the camping gear
had one government camp reservation that I ended up cancelling - $58/night
for a few dollars more you can get a room

had no trouble finding last minute affordable motel rooms
AC, shower, bed, and most theses days have a guest BBQ
flip your own steak around while enjoying a post-ride beer

chip trucks are a good bet for road-food lunch
and most now have tables/chairs available
 
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Thanks for feedback. I actually don't own a tent and never camped, and always used motels in touring because after long days I like a warm shower and a bed. Plus charging all my electronics. 1000km days are fine. I'll probably want to get to the west as fast as possible anyways.

I used Priceline throughout my recent non bike trips almost exclusively.
I'm thinking leaving without a tent, and if necessary pick one up in one of the bigger towns. I carry extra bungee cords in my tank bag anyways.

The bike itself; I need to change chain, already purchased and going to see Ted this week. Back tire may need changing after trip, front is good, oil will do. My bike hit 100k this month.

I have sanitizer covered, ran out of lysol wipes but the cylinder ain't practical for packing, have some masks too.

Food always been a challenge in travel as I eat vegan. So I take Cliff builder bars, a bag of Vega protein powder, and some nuts. I've always toured via states as they have giant walmarts or other supermarkets middle nowhere that do carry vegan food. I'm on a diet anyways, so just need some fresh veggies and salad to the mix.

I can leave next Saturday and should probably start packing now.
 
nyx said:
Thanks for feedback. I actually don't own a tent and never camped, and always used motels in touring because after long days I like a warm shower and a bed. Plus charging all my electronics. 1000km days are fine. I'll probably want to get to the west as fast as possible anyways.

I used Priceline throughout my recent non bike trips almost exclusively.
I'm thinking leaving without a tent, and if necessary pick one up in one of the bigger towns. I carry extra bungee cords in my tank bag anyways.

The bike itself; I need to change chain, already purchased and going to see Ted this week. Back tire may need changing after trip, front is good, oil will do. My bike hit 100k this month.

I have sanitizer covered, ran out of lysol wipes but the cylinder ain't practical for packing, have some masks too.

Food always been a challenge in travel as I eat vegan. So I take Cliff builder bars, a bag of Vega protein powder, and some nuts. I've always toured via states as they have giant walmarts or other supermarkets middle nowhere that do carry vegan food. I'm on a diet anyways, so just need some fresh veggies and salad to the mix.

I can leave next Saturday and should probably start packing now.
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Sounds like you're ready to go, keep us posted :)

I thought I was the only Vegan rider around here o_O - I carry a lot of nuts, used to use the Vega stuff, now onto Garden of Life since they add Enzymes, and Vega went down the path of changing everything, still a great product and brand. For health food places on route, I find just typing in Smoothies in google reveals a lot more places that have vegan options, than just typing in health food or vegan restaurant. In a pinch, I go to pizza places, get one with all the veggies, minus any cheese (extra mushrooms for the texture),

I think there will be a lot of deals for accommodations, camping may not be worth it. Plus its your 2 week vacation, so best to enjoy the ride comfortably and relaxed. Last year I rode down south and packed a tent, only used it once as hotels/motels were pretty cheap and more convenient vs looking for a good campground, one night even got a room for $50 at the Mariott with a Jacuzzi, receptionist upgraded to a full suite for free cause it was cold out and I arrived late. I found just walking into a place gave the best rates vs reserving anything, also made riding a lot more flexible
 
Hack said:
OP started this thread just to tell us he's a vegan...

Well played.... well played.
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Lol that's actually pretty funny. I needed the laugh.
I only brought it up to say that I'm always preparing for the worst in food options during time away from home.

There's slight problems with pet boardings, and work pushing back vacation by a week. It looks like pet boarding here is also affected by covid.
Trying to find solution. Otherwise was getting very excited riding Vancouver island and the mountains.
 
nyx said:
Lol that's actually pretty funny. I needed the laugh.
I only brought it up to say that I'm always preparing for the worst in food options during time away from home.

There's slight problems with pet boardings, and work pushing back vacation by a week. It looks like pet boarding here is also affected by covid.
Trying to find solution. Otherwise was getting very excited riding Vancouver island and the mountains.
Click to expand...


Do whatever it takes to get out there.
You wont regret it.
 
He’s not a mammal but thanks.

out of curiosity, should I be worried about gas stations availability ? My tank maybe will last 280km. I understand travelling very late may not be an option then.
 
western provinces are no different than Ontario
ie: in little towns they roll up the sidewalks by 5PM

gas stations stay open maybe a little later
good plan to be off the road by 6 at the latest

280 per tank is fine unless you're really heading into the sticks
 
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Found a surprising number of gas stations on the Transcanada not operating on their traditional hours - an early morning (8AM) fill up one day had us hunting in one of the smaller towns.

Probably better now that Stage 3 has arrived and people are travelling more.
 
Looks like my trip is a go.
I'm leaving on Aug 6th for Alberta / BC and coming back around the 27th.
Gonna book the ferry tomorrow.
I'll try to do a ride report
My stayovers going out will be SSM - Dryden - Moose Jaw - Castlegar BC
 
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