The Big Canadian Recce
24th June – 12th July 2025
Join us in Calgary on the 24th June for a 19-day adventure around British Columbia on BMW GSs. We will start and finish in Calgary and check out the best BC roads and hotels in preparation for our 2026 tour. Why come on the recce? This is not for everyone. It's a test run. Things may not always go according to plan so you need to be laid back about that. Despite our research, we may find some places that are not what we want. It's not the polished end product, but it IS an adventure and it WILL be fun! It is also a couple of grand cheaper than the finished product. BC often stands for Bring Cash. It is not a cheap part of the world and we cannot make it any more affordable. You are covering the cost. If you want certainty then wait for 2026. If you fancy a laid-back adventure and enjoy the idea of helping us shape our next tour, then sign up below. British Columbia is one of my personal favourites. We have just two bikes left. You can bring a pillion if you like.
A deposit of £500 is required to secure your place.
PRICE
£5,700 - Rider
£4,000 - Pillion
DISTANCE
Roughly 3000 miles
DURATION
19 days
INTINERARY
We are still finalising our route. Some details may change. We will cover roughly 3000 miles and will do a big circuit of British Columbia. We will include a ferry ride through the Inside Passage from Vancouver Island, a ride through the Icefield Parkway, Kaslo, Banff, Lake Louise, the Rockies, and much more. It will be a 19-day trip door to door.
DAY 1 | FLY TO CALGARY
Fly to Calgary and meet us at the airport hotel.
DAY 2 | CALGARY TO FERNIE | 185 miles
Today we pick up our bikes and head south out of Alberta. Our first stop is Fernie. A pretty little town in the Southeast of British Columbia and surrounded by the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
DAY 3 | FERNIE TO KASLO | 205 miles
Our destination today is on the edge of Kootenay Lake and one of Steph's all-time favourite places. En route, we will visit Creston Wildlife Management Area and take a boat ride through the wetlands in the hope of seeing bears, moose, and a vast array of birds.
DAY 4 | LOCAL RIDE AROUND KASLO | 100 miles
The roads around here are spectacular so we felt it worth staying a day and exploring. You can do this as a group or on your own. We stay in the wonderful Kaslo Hotel in the heart of the town.
DAY 5 | KASLO TO PENTICTON | 210 miles
Today's ride takes us along a splendid route, including a quick ride on the Farquar ferry.
DAY 6 | SUMMERLAND | WINE TASTING | NO RIDING
Spend some time in the Okanagan. Join us on a wine-tasting tour of Summerlands boutique wineries.
DAY 7 | PENTICTON TO MERRIT | 322 miles
We will head head for Merrit via the Spotted Lake, also known as Lake Khiluk. It is a saline endorheic alkali lake located northwest of Osoyoos in the eastern Similkameen Valley and is well worth a stop en route.
DAY 8 | MERRIT TO VANCOUVER | 257 miles
Today is spectacular as we head to Vancouver along the twists of Duffy Lake Road and through Whistler before hitting the Sea to Sky highway (though we will be going sky to sea).
DAY 9 | EXPLORE VANCOUVER | NO RIDING
Explore the city of glass and steel at your leisure.
DAY 10 | VANCOUVER TO VICTORIA | 200 miles
Leaving the mainland we head for Vancouver Island and the capital city of BC, Victoria, which sits on the craggy southern end of this beautiful island.
DAY 11 | VICTORIA TO PORT HARDY | 300 miles
We will take the old island highway (19) north all the way to Port Hardy ready for an early start to Prince Rupert. This is a scenic oceanside ride offering miles of picturesque coastline.
DAY 12 | PORT HARDY TO PRINCE RUPERT | FERRY
The inside passage is a route for ships and boats along a network of passages that weave through the islands on the Pacific Northwest coast of the North American Fjordland. Look out for whales, dolphins, and a breathtakingly rugged coastline within these sheltered waters.
DAY 13 | PRINCE RUPERT TO TERRACE | 300
We will first head for a seafood lunch at Ging̱olx. A Nisg̱a’a Village in the Nass River valley. The village population is approximately 400 people. Ging̱olx is one of four Nisg̱a’a villages that make up the Nisg̱a’a Nation. The community itself has four clans which are Killer Whale, Eagle, Raven, and Wolf. It's a 100-mile round trip to the coast for lunch (or coffee and cake. They do both well!), but it's a great ride!
DAY 14 | TERRACE TO PRINCE GEORGE | 357
This is a long day in the saddle as we continue east along Route 16 to Prince George.
DAY 15 | PRINCE GEORGE TO KAMLOOPS | 320
The Cariboo Highway (Hwy 97) runs south across the lake-studded Fraser Plateau, including the Chasm, Green Lake, and Bowron Lake Provincial Parks, and the historic Gold Rush Trail. This is a highway like no other.
DAY 16 | KAMLOOPS TO VALEMOUNT | 200
Explore Valemount BC - a hidden gem nestled in the Rocky, Monashee, and Cariboo Mountains.
DAY 17 | VALEMOUNT TO BANFF | 250 miles
Today we get to ride through the Icefield Parkway. This is a sight to behold and a ride you will never forget.
DAY 18 | BANFF TO CALGARY | 80 MILES
A gentle ride back into Calgary for our final night in BC
DAY 19 | FLY HOME
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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A ferry ride along the Inside Passage from Vancouver Island up to Prince Rupert.
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Varied accommodation – B&B
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Bike Hire - (BMW GS 750 or 1250) with luggage
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Two Moto Junkies support crew
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Vehicle Insurance (with $2000 excess)
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
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Food (other than breakfast at hotels)
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Drinks
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Fuel
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Riding Kit
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Flight - (meet in Calgary)
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Any additional costs like entry fees, tours, or boat rides etc
MORE INFORMATION
This trip is suitable for anyone capable of riding a BMW GS. There may be some gravel road sections. There may be long days in the saddle so you need to be generally fit.
If you are unsure, please call Steph on 07378 352731 with any questions you may have.
