Road Trip? San Fran > Whistler

buildyourown · Mar 4, 2011

It's too far for 3 days IMO.
Rent a smaller van unless you want the novelty of a massive rig. They are fun but the downsides are many and get old quick.
Not boring at all. The coast and all the riding is amazing.

sethimus · Mar 4, 2011

Whoops said:
Thanks BYO.

5 hours traveling (driving time) a day @ 100km/h = 1500km over 3 days. Is that not realistic on the roads there? I've no idea.

Maybe a moderate sized Winnebago. Mostly want a massive one for the lulz, but can see it might become a drag...

We once drove from Las Vegas to Denver in one stretch (6am-2am the next day) but have never been north of SF.

max speed in CAN is 90km/h, how much is it in the states? maybe possible in germany on a proper autobahn

motomike · Mar 4, 2011

The Redwood Forest alone seems worth the trip to me. Ashland, Black Rock, Bellingham, etc etc. Tons of riding on the way if you want..

stinky6 · Mar 4, 2011

Whoops said:
Thanks BYO.

5 hours traveling (driving time) a day @ 100km/h = 1500km over 3 days. Is that not realistic on the roads there? I've no idea.

Maybe a moderate sized Winnebago. Mostly want a massive one for the lulz, but can see it might become a drag...

We once drove from Las Vegas to Denver in one stretch (6am-2am the next day) but have never been north of SF.

You could do that but you would be on 5 the entire time and that is not as scenic as taking 1 or 101, which I would recommend for part of it if not all of it. Not to mention 3 days to see that area would be seeing a bunch of cool stuff and doing little to nothing at most places. I would go for it, just spend more time.

OGRipper · Mar 4, 2011

Are you saying you only have three days or that you expect it will take three days to get there from SF?

A group of friends and I drive to whistler from SF almost every summer. We usually do it in two days with an overnight in Portland. If you go straight through it's about 17 hours or so, depending on traffic and your vehicle. In a motorhome you should figure at least 20 hours.

We haven't explored that much of the riding on the way up - we're usually pretty eager to get to whistler. Most of what we have done is more trail riding stuff (as opposed to full-on big-bike DH), like in Ashland and Oakridge (Oregon). I hear there is good DH and freeride in Bellingham (Washington) but by the time you get there you're almost at the border, with the BC goods so close you can taste it...

Transcend · Mar 4, 2011

sethimus said:
max speed in CAN is 90km/h, how much is it in the states? maybe possible in germany on a proper autobahn

Coulda fooled me. I've lived here all my life. Most highways are 100km/h and many are now going to 110 and 120.

Also, good luck getting a winnebago up to 100km/h comfortably for that long of a drive!

Raingauge · Mar 4, 2011

Transcend said:
Coulda fooled me. I've lived here all my life. Most highways are 100km/h and many are now going to 110 and 120.

Also, good luck getting a winnebago up to 100km/h comfortably for that long of a drive!

I was thinking the same thing. It'll be a little slow once you hit hwy 99. From what I remember the I5 is a pretty easy highway.

You must be one of the guys staring at me as I go by at 120km/h with my 26ft trailer in tow up a hill. LOL

slyfink · Mar 4, 2011

I went to Oregon with the missus last year and spent a week along the coast. It is a fantastic place for everyone to visit. I would recommend taking your time and doing the drive over the course of several weeks. Do a couple of hundred km's between stops and enjoy what's on hand. You'd be going through the redwood forests of norcal, the cliffs and beaches of oregon and washigton state. There is soooooo much to see and do there, that driving it all in one shot would be a real pity. Some of the best riding in the world is along that coast, and most of it is very well documented. Take your time, and enjoy the journey...

If I were to do that sort of trip, I'd set up camp in a spot for at least 2 nights, explore the area and get a few rides in, then drive a few hours to the next spot, rinse and repeat for 2 weeks.... especially if the family is involved.

MDJ · Mar 4, 2011

That would be a great trip in an RV, especially if you have more than 3 days and want to make some good stops on the way. You can easily do 110 km/h on I-5 (where it's flat and there is not much wind at least) but much slower in the mountains. It's still a fun way to travel.

I did my first long trip in one last summer. SF to Grand Canyon to Vegas to SF. It was a blast - at least until the gas tank started spewing gas all over the place.

jon-boy · Mar 4, 2011

It's an amazing drive if you can push it out to 5 days or so. Take the coast road for sections and you'll be blown away. Oregon has some stellar riding spots as does Washington. On the way up you'll be passing through Portland (great town), close by Mount St Helens (cool spot to visit amazing scenery), Hood River, Seattle... the list is long. It's a case of trying to pick a few spots.

For riding I'd recommend getting to the McKenzie River Trail in Oregon. A STUNNING ride and super flowy fun.

How long are you planning for the whole holiday?

Raingauge · Mar 4, 2011

I've always found the pricing in Whistler to be pretty competitive in regards to other Canadian shops.

I would buy in the US if you can. There is a great shop in Bellingham and teh prices in the US are way better.

slyfink · Mar 4, 2011

Raingauge said:
I've always found the pricing in Whistler to be pretty competitive in regards to other Canadian shops.

I would buy in the US if you can. There is a great shop in Bellingham and teh prices in the US are way better.

Maybe you could roll up to the Transition HQ and buy a bike direct?! that would be kinda cool...

mullet_dew · Mar 4, 2011

I was at Fanatik yesterday, a dude drove down from Canada and was putting money down on a new DH frame(DHR i think) because 8% sales tax is better than 14% across the border. Oregon has no sales tax so that could be cheaper still.

Duno if its wise to buy a bike during your vacation though, its not unheard of for new bikes to have issues when you first get them. The LBS you bought it from is usually pretty good about fixing those, however if your in Whistler(and you bought it somewhere else) and something goes wrong... my experience is everything costs more in whistler. I would buy the bike now and get it dialed, then take it on the trip.

mullet_dew · Mar 4, 2011

Whoops said:
Agree on teething troubles, but I'm reasonably competent at spannering and would try to find a good shop well ahead of time and get them to sort it before I arrived. A full build by a good shop should (!) be ok - famous last words.

The idea is that bikes in the US are generally cheaper than here in NZ, and transporting 1 way is less stress than transporting 2 ways.

Is it possible to buy a bike from the US before the trip? Then you will have it dialed in and you will be used to the way it rides. Maybe I'm just really picky when it comes to my bike setup, but i'd rather deal with shipping than ride a totally new bike on my vacation.

Raingauge · Mar 4, 2011

Whoops said:
You mean to buy a bike from a shop in the US while I'm in NZ? I'm sure it's possible. Get recommendations on reputable shop from RM know-it-all, phone shop, place order with VISA card, pester well in advance of arrival to ensure readiness, arrive, collect and ride.

What could possibly go wrong?

Fanatik in Bellingham gets my vote. I wouldn't pay for the whole thing up front but I'd put a deposit on something so that it's ready when you get there.

ianjenn · Mar 4, 2011

http://fanatikbike.com/

They should easily be able to assemble whatever you want and have it ready to roll upon your arrival. BTW there are a few killer breweries on the way along 101 and and the 1 if you go that route make sure to stop at them.

http://www.mendobrew.com/brews/red_tail.html

joelsman · Mar 4, 2011

www.dropnzone.com is in bellingham also. kinda depends on what you want/ what each shop carries. Both shops are great.

mullet_dew · Mar 4, 2011

I sorta meant get one shipped to NZ, get a couple months riding, then bring it. But having a shop do a custom build and picking it up on the way works too. +1 for Fanatik, my favorite shop, and Galbraith is less than 10 min from the shop. No true DH but a machine built jump trail and plenty of freeride options, you also have to pedal up.

Beef Supreme · Mar 4, 2011

As someone who does a fair amount of traveling/riding around the Pacific Northwest in an RV, I would caution against going that route. It can be a challenge to find places that have good riding that are also interesting for a non-riding family. You would have more flexibility if you stayed in places that are interesting for the family and you were mobile or places close to riding but the rest of the family can take off. I big RV limits the rides you can do because of access issues. I would also skip that idea if you want to spend time in downtown San Francisco or Vancouver. An RV would suck there. I can probably give you more direction if you tell us what kind of riding you want to do and what other activities your family wants to do.

It is hard to beat Bellingham as a location to pick up a DH/FR bike. There are a few great shops as well as riding near by. You might want to find a shop farther south if you want to ride farther south but it is hard to beat the selection in Bellingham.

Lastly, if you haven't been, Whistler is one of the best places on the planet for riding that also has family fun. You will burn through money like crazy but everyone will have a blast.

cmoney · Mar 4, 2011

Shoot the boys at Transition a email they are great at getting back to you right away,explain your situation and tell them you would like a new TR450 see what they say.If they will not sell you one they will direct you to a good local shop that will.Great bike btw I love mine.

TWeerts · Mar 4, 2011

3 days? thats weak sauce. i drove Seattle to Orinda, CA in 15 hours one driver (me).

ianjenn · Mar 5, 2011

Maybe look at getting a Dodge Sprinter Van they get 20-24MPG at about 70 MPH so not bad.
http://www.bandago.com/vehicles.php

http://www.sprinter-rentals.com/

slyfink · Mar 5, 2011

I think you can still rent VW Westphalia's out of San Fran... of course you'd have to bring it back to where you picked it up...

btw, what's a saloon? over here, that's what we call a bar?!?!

TheMontashu · Mar 5, 2011

buildyourown said:
It's too far for 3 days IMO.
Rent a smaller van unless you want the novelty of a massive rig. They are fun but the downsides are many and get old quick.
Not boring at all. The coast and all the riding is amazing.

It's not at all too far for 3 days, if you want to ride on the way up it is, but from SF to whistler its 20 hours on the road, that's an EASY 2 day drive

Da Peach · Mar 5, 2011

I imagine Fanatik could get you sorted.

These guys could be good too.

The beauty of this part of the world is that you can get pretty much any bike you want, see it in "the flesh", and sometimes even test ride.

Either way, before you get as far as Bellingham, be sure to stop in Florence, OR and eat here:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/waterfront-depot-restaurant-florence

Pete.. · Mar 5, 2011

Hey if I meet you guys in SF, can I come?

Da Peach · May 9, 2011

Whoops said:
Ok - still planning this trip...

Looks like our airpoints will allow us to fly from NZ to Los Angeles for free. The drive from LA up to SF looks long and a bit dull... plus would add a few days to the trip.

Spend the money and fly to SF, or save ~USD4k and do the drive from LA?

How much do you like driving?

ianjenn · May 9, 2011

Whoops said:
Ok - still planning this trip...

Looks like our airpoints will allow us to fly from NZ to Los Angeles for free. The drive from LA up to SF looks long and a bit dull... plus would add a few days to the trip.

Spend the money and fly to SF, or save ~USD4k and do the drive from LA?

Well LA is nasty in general. But once you get past that you will drive through Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, San Luis Obispo, then nothing of note for about 3-4 hours till you hit SF again. You can do that drive in 8 hours easy.Stop 1/2 for lunch or whatnot. Stock up on some wine if thats your thing.

ianjenn · May 9, 2011

Whoops said:
8h? Really? I thought it was longer than that.

Is that hardcore non-stop or cruising? As noted upthread I will be traveling with wife and 4yo and 1yo children.

Yeah LA to San Luis Obispo is about 3-3.5 hours like 70-75 whole way. Then San Luis Obispo to SF is about 3.5-4 hours. I roll 70-80 the entire way. If you are driving a Camper add an hour or two.
Yeah you will need to stop a few times I bet.

Road Trip? San Fran > Whistler

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