Canada by Bike, Cross BC – Bikepacking Route

Last updated:

Last Updated on 25 May 2024 by Cycloscope

BC bikepacking route

Canada by Bike – BC Bikepacking Route

1337 Km from Canmore to Hope

Bicycle Touring with Sir Bikes Alot

Bikepacking YouTuber, Sir Bike Alot has cycled many places such as Canada, America, Europe, and even Japan. Recently he began to focus on off-road adventures in BC, but after COVID-19 axed his 2020 world-tour plans, he redirected his energy into creating bikepacking-related YouTube content.

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DISTANCE

1337 Km/ 830 Miles

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DAYS

18

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SURFACE

69% unpaved (Forrest Service Roads/Gravel Rail Trail)
31% paved (roads/cycling paths)

SETUP

REAR BAG Porcelain Rocket Mr. Fusion 2 (15L)
FRAME BAG Custom Rouge Panda, double decker
FRONT BAGS Aeroe Handlebar-Front Fork Spider Cradle
OTHER BAGS Apidura Racing Bolt-On Top Tube Pack 1.0L

BIKE

2019 Bombtrack Beyond 1

Difficulty Score
Climb
50
Surface
60
Weather
50
Safety
30
Essentials
The gear that I used on this trip is explained in this video
challenges
Extreme heat up to 48C, bears/cougars, hike a bike
48

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BC bikepacking route
Canada by bike British Columbia

Water and food are plentiful as the route passes through towns every other day. I would recommend carrying three days’ worth of food at a given time and up to 4 liters of water at any given time. Consider bringing a water filtration device or tablets to drink from rivers and creeks.

BC bikepacking route

There are lots of provincial and regional campsites along the way, which cost about $15 Canadian per night. Wild campsites are also an option in some places, however, it is not technically legal.

BC bikepacking route

There is a lot of wildlife on this route and it can be quite remote in some places. Bring bear spray and practice good camping etiquette so bears are not attracted to your site.

Weather can vary significantly, so be prepared for high and low temperatures and rain. We experience some snow in the first few days of the trip in June.

BC bikepacking route GPX
Click on the map to see the details on Komoot

THINGS TO SEE ALONG THE ROUTE

BC bikepacking route

My favorite highlights of the trip were camping at

1) Tobermory Creek. Forest Service cabin near Elk Ford,

2) Biking up Gray Creek Pass (Canada’s highest road),

3) Riding the km-long former train trestles over Myra Canyon, and

4) Riding through Bulldog Tunnel a 900 m long train tunnel through Bulldog Mountain.


MY EXPERIENCE

Because much of this trail is former railway lines, the gradient never often exceeds two percent.

This means that the riding is not particularly difficult, but you should be prepared as you can often be over 100km from a town.

Our trip coincided with the heat dome of North America which saw the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Canada. This made it more difficult to ride long distances.

Recently, there has been bad flooding in some areas and the trail has been damaged and needs to be repaired.

check also
Bikepacking the Pyrenees – GPX track and advice
Cycling the Isle of Skye in Scotland

Sir Bikes Alot

Vancouver Island, Canada bikepacker and cycling enthusiast.

Social

Instagram: @SirBikesAlot
YouTube: @SirBikesAlot