Backroads Adventures Tour Reviews
Here are some tour ideas and highlights of our Adventures

Please use this page to give you ideas for your Backroads Adventures motorcycle vacation.

(Click on any of the images to view a larger size)

Custom Father and Son Scenic Tour

My job is so rewarding when I'm able to bring friends and family together. Robert called from Sweden to ask if were possible to arrange a tour to include his teenage son. Robert travels a lot with his work and wanted to make the most of his vacation time with his son and friends. We designed a tour for Robert, his son Nickolas, his friend Mikael, his son Erik and their friend Peter. Our backup guide Dana took this opportunity to include his son Jordan.

In the group photo Robert is enjoying today's technology calling Nickolas's mother to tell her what a great time they are having. The views are awesome at the 2,205 meter Baker Mountain communication site.

Robert's quote ….
"I want to take the opportunity to thank you all again for a great vacation.
We couldn't ask for anything better than we got from you, even riding in the rain is okay (we are use to that type of weather).
I did some promoting at our 24 hour enduro race this weekend so there might be some more Swedish riders coming your way. I could see a few riders writing down your homepage address.
Give my best regards to all the other guys/girls from me and I really hope that we meet again sometime, in Sweden or Canada.
Can you pass on this information to Dana and Jordan? I want them to know that we really appreciated what you all did for us.
Save my phone number so you can get hold of me if you ever come to Sweden. Maybe Jordan wants to spend some time over here with Nicklas, but remember that he will never be the same again after that (that's a risk Dana have to take)".
Regards, Robert Berg, Sweden

Custom Home Base Tour

A personalized vacation package for a father, his son and their close family friend Paul. Lee and Brian don't get enough opportunity to get together. Brian has moved to another state and now has a family of his own. The two retired friends are just like two kids enjoying their retirement - that is so great to see. They logged 5280 miles on their vacation traveling by car across the USA and Canada. Meanwhile, Brian flew to meet them in Kalispell MT. The Beaver Lodge at Jim Smith Lake was the perfect setting for these guys to get together again - just like the old days.

Lee's quotes---- "I have looked at all your pictures and I am very impressed at your ability to capture the experience. Dave, you have enriched our lives with the tour you have crafted and personalized for all three of us. All of us loved it and want to do it again." "Please say Hi to Brenda for me. She seems like the backbone of your organization and helped us a bunch.,"
"Thanks for an outstanding experience."
Lee Musson, Rochester hills, MI.

Paul's quote--- "Glad you left the railroad."

Brian wrote a very amusing poem about their daily adventures and presented it to me on a "thanks" card. It was great!

Brian's quote--"A trip I'll remember forever! Thank you for everything." "There should be more people like you."
Brian Musson, Rio Rancho, NM

Lee is now planning to arrange another tour. Looking forward to seeing them again.

Home Base Training Tours

"Home Base Rider Training Course" arranged by our friend Noritaka Nagamochi, E&G International Tour Company based in Tokyo, Japan. Our good friend Barry Brooks showed up to guide and help us with his Japanese interpretative skills.

We had a blast with these guys. I was quite surprised at the skill level of some of the riders during the basic skills sessions, especially the pylons - something they obviously have practiced. I was told this is a very strict part of the Japanese motorcycle license exam.

Their basic skill sessions proved very valuable when we progressed to the logs and technical trails. .

This training tour was incorporated into a scenic tour of the Rockies. Our enduro and expert pylon riders were keen to help the other riders by showing off their skills. On the more technical sections we separated the group. Some rode a different route with guides Bruce and Barry to give all rider abilities a fair chance to practice their learning objectives. We all learned from the experience and improved our riding techniques. We wrapped up with a few local Kokanee beers, a night out for dinner at our favorite restaurant followed by a midnight campfire party. This tour is scheduled again for next year with E&G International however anyone is invited to sign up to join them. A great way to improve your riding skills, have a great ride and meet some new friends. Check our website schedule for the next tour dates.

Mr.& Mrs.ONDA were celebrating their honeymoon in Canada. After visiting Niagara Falls they flew across the country to join us for a personalized tour in the Rockies. Sanae and Sakae had a great time and said their Backroads Adventures motorcycle tour was the highlight of their trip.

Our guide Travis took his semester break from college to help me in the shop and break in the new Suzuki DRZ00's.

Off Road "A" Tour

Oliver joined me for a very fun "A" tour rain ride in Dave's back yard. I think I must have fallen down 10 times or more that day. The logs were so wet and slippery. The ride took it's toll on my camera, sorry no pictures of the ride Oliver!

Self Guided 1200 Bandit Tour

Toshio came from Japan to tour British Columbia on a 1200 Suzuki Bandit. He rode for five days exploring the Kootenay, Banff, Jasper and Yoho National Parks.

SPEED TV's Two Wheel Tuesday & Cycle World Magazine Promotion

It was a pleasure to meet and ride with Rodney & Lori Smith, Fred Andrews and his mechanic Joe Maurer. Also included in the ride were Beau Pacheco and Jeff Allen from Cycle World Magazine. During the show they all gave some excellent testimony supporting our Backroads Adventures Tours. What a great bunch of guys! Everyone endured long hours to give the film crew what they needed for the show. On our ride from Radium it was almost midnight before we got to the hotel. Rodney, Lori, Fred and Joe are all true professionals and great ambassadors for their sponsors and the sport of motorcycling.

The show aired October 4th. Awesome! Thanks to everyone involved. Beau's Cycle World article ran in the February issue. Great stuff for Suzuki and Backroads Adventures.

Picture from left to right -
Don Thurber (Woodsblaster Performance Products), Suzuki Pro Rider, Fred Andrews, Joe Maurer (Fred's mechanic), Jeff Allen (photographer, Cycle World Magazine), Suzuki Pro rider, Rodney Smith & his wonderful wife Lori.

GREG'S INSIDE LINE for Tuesday, September 28th: "We sent the "2 Wheel Tuesday" camera crew up North of the Border to British Columbia (Canada) to check out Backroads Adventures. To put an extra twist on the motorcycle trip this time, we invited 2 GNCC (Grand National Cross Country) Champions to join us, Rodney Smith and Fred Andrews. Rodney and Fred ride through the beautiful Canadian Rockies on dual-sport bikes and we have the story."

I am working on producing a DVD of the show and a picture slide show of our tours as soon as time permits.
Anyone interested? Send me an email and I will put you on the list.

Don and his good friend Keith came up from Silver Springs, MD. They helped out and joined in on the Speed TV ride then joined up for a ride with John Dolllison from Australia. Don is the owner of Woodsblaster Off-Road Performance Products and responsible for all the cool bark busters and accessories on our bikes. These two guys are always entertaining to ride with!

John Dollisson came from New South Wales, Australia. He had a great ride joining in with Don, Keith, Mike and Ryan.

The laid back guy on the left is my nephew Mike Johnson, he has been guiding with us since he got his license at sixteen. He doesn't look fast in the picture does he? Awesome guy to have along on the tight trails. Mike loves the single track. He's the guy who has helped lay out and maintain the technical "A" rider trails. Even though he works mostly full time at his regular job, remodeled a new home, and is now engaged to a beautiful girl, he still somehow manages to find time to join in on our rides. Mike was an awesome help with Rodney and Fred on the Speed TV -Two Wheel Tuesday Show.

The guy on the right is Ryan Farrow. A very interesting and talented young man who joined us this summer. Ryan contacted Backroads Adventures hoping to complete a practicum requirement of his Adventure Tourism Course. He has all the right credentials - loves to ride, great personality and a licensed bike mechanic. He now has his adventure tourism guide certificates and possesses a true zest for adventure. It was a real pleasure to meet and work with Ryan. He is now in school again taking the Advanced for Leaders Adventure Tourism Course. He has a great future as a guide.

Kelvin is a lucky guy. His wife bought him this trip. On his first trip to Canada he stole the heart of one of our Canadian girls and took her back to Australia.

I heard they like beer in Australia. Kelvin was no exception and enjoyed a beer or two after every ride. Kevin and Dana joined in and we had a great time riding and telling stories. It was fun listening to the riding tales of Australia and Tasmania.

We are deciding who is going to clean this bike! ….Kevin!

More Self Guided V-Strom, Bandit and Dual Sport Tours

Our Suzuki V-Strom and Bandits almost know their way around the National parks on their own. The bikes are awesome, oil change, check the tires, a basic service and they are ready to go again. A group of guys came from Germany and took a self guided tour on our Suzuki Dualsport bikes; they had a great time with Klaus exploring the local attractions. Our Suzuki V-Strom bikes come fully equiped with all the options, full luggage, hand warmers, center stand and tank bra. Check out our V-Strom low seat option in the lower right picture.

Across British Columbia Tour

Dan & Ryk had done Jerry & Dave's Mexico to Canada ride and were now looking to continue their journey into Canada. They decided our Across British Columbia Tour would be the challenge for them. They set the wheels in motion by sending in their deposits back in March and began spreading the word to their friends. There were so many guys interested in this ride, everyone wanted to go. However, by August they were either too busy or for one reason or another unable to join us. Dan & Ryk had their holidays confirmed and their hearts set on this ride; we decided to go for it anyway.

I arranged for my friends Mike, Rick and a few other guys touring to Bella Coola to meet up with us along the way. Ryan was delegated to the support vehicle, an adventure in itself. We departed Cranbrook on August 28th, our mission - 12 days and 3,500 KM "Across British Columbia" crossing at least five rugged mountain ranges to Bella Coola on the most remote backroads we could find. A cool ferry trip then looping back through Radium Hot Springs, ending with a ride through the Rockies to Cranbrook.

Some things went well - awesome rides through beautiful scenery, excellent hospitality and meals at unique accommodations. Some things not so well - we had some very interesting navigation challenges and some late night arrivals, once on gasoline fumes - but, we made it every time! Some things went bad - Dan broke his finger, that was very unfortunate - he put so much work into preparing for this ride!

Pictures just can't tell the story! This trip really is adventure; a truly awesome adventure!

We are already getting inquiries for next year's "Across BC Ride".

Sign up early, especially if you want to do the ferry portion.

Rocky Mountain Scenic "A" Tour

David Baechtold and Pete Knowlton submitted their 2002 vacation highlights to the premier issue of Snap On Tech Magazine. It made the front cover plus an awesome five page color layout. Dave put his organization skills to work again and arranged another ride. We decided to challenge the Canadian Rocky Mountain Divide - in September, there is always a chance of snow!

Pictured below - Doug, Pete, Jon and Dave

Dave's Quote....

"Pete and I wanted to say thanks for the "VIP" treatment during our ride. We had a great time with you, again !! As it turns out, the highlight was the snow and most of our stories related to that. Jon and Doug also enjoyed the week, it was all good."

David Baechtold, Annopolis, MD

I'm looking forward to seeing their follow up article in the Snap-on Tech Magazine. There are some very interesting trail stories to tell. Our Suzuki DRZ's were awesome. Our bikes and bodies took quite a toll riding for five days in the rain and snow. Luckily, there was a hot tub at every place we stayed. We did enjoy some really nice periods of sunshine. They asked for technical riding and "Mother Nature" obliged.

Pete's final words - "I think the rain and snow made it more fun".

Noritaka Nagamochi from E&G International contacted me with a request for a one on one guided off road tour. A single supplement fee is charged for this type of ride. However, this is a great way to get the most out of your vacation time. When time permits I am happy for the opportunity to ride with a smaller group. It's a great way to kick back, relax and spend time getting to know our guests. For those who are a little shy and uncomfortable in a group this is a great way to enjoy the ride without having to change preferences for the other riders. Nanako really enjoyed touring on the many miles of high grade scenic backcountry roads. This lady likes speed. In Japan she rides a sweet CBR, a dualsport bike and a sharp looking black Nissan sports car.

Nanako's quote ………

"To Dave, Brenda;
I am much obliged to you,
during my trip I remember the kindness of your friends. As for me. It was pleasant that I ran by motorcycle in nature of Canada. I will send the photographs of my motorcycles and my car, please present them to Doug and Kevin.

I hope to see you again!

Sincerely yours,
Nanakko KAMIJO, Tokyo, Japan"

Here are a few quotes from some of the magazine articles featuring our Backroads Adventures tours. These are wise men offering sound advice. These quotes inspire us as we prepare your ride:

"A motorcycle adventure is different from an ordinary vacation because it is a true adventure..... "Adventures, like vacations, aren't every-weekend activities. You plan for them, save for them, then live them - and remember them for the rest of your life." - Dirt Bike Magazine "10 Wild Rides", December 1995. (Backroads Adventures was selected one of the top 10 motorcycle adventures as reported in a special feature article by the Adventure Bike staff journalists reporting on the best motorcycle adventures in the world).

"Forget saving for retirement - these rides are never to be forgotten adventures. Do them before it's too late!! -Kiwi Motorcycle Rider "Adventure Riding in British Columbia", April 1999 article by John Dalgliesh.

Life is too short and unpredictable to work only for retirement.

Take the advice from John Dalgliesh and "do it before it's too late!!".

Thanks again to all of my clients, friends and relatives who took part in our tours. Also to my many good friends at Suzuki Canada, without their support and superior products this would not be possible.

Sincerely,

Dave Martindale,
Backroads adventures BC Inc.
www.backroadsadventures.ca
dave@backroadsadventures.ca
(250) 426-8733

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