Duffy Lake Loop trip on Yamaha FZ6
Our 4 women group met at the Swartz Bay ferry for a 9 am sailing. We were first to load and almost first off at the mainland.
The Harley rider was having an issue (naturally), so we diverted into Langley so the dealer could see what was wrong. It was just a light, so we are now heading east into Hope, BC. First a stop for gas at Bridal Falls. Lunch at Rolly’s was nice and they cater to motorbikes by giving us large tables for all the gear.
Now we are heading north on Hwy 1. We go through Hell’s Gate and the many tunnels through the mountains. Stop in Boston Bar for a moment and then a stop just south of Lytton for a rest and a view of the mountains and scorched trees from the fire last year. We are following the Thompson River.
South of Lytton
We make the turn onto hwy 12 to go through what is left of Lytton, which is virtually nothing and on to fabulous roads and views. On a straight stretch I hit 132 klms per hour and the Yamaha is hardly working. Likely because of the $900 service she just got.
We arrive in Lillooet after crossing the Fraser River about dinner time and meet up on a patio that is surrounded by mountains. It is very hot in this area. Ann and I walk back to our hotels and stop at the general store for Lillooet stickers.
Lillooet
My room is quiet and dark but still I wake about 6:30 A walk around town shows some neglect. Stop for a coffee and then more walking until meeting up with the group for breakfast. Then we check out and get gas where we see 4 German riders. Heading west and south on Hwy 99 now. There is snow next to the highway! Stop at Duffy Lake which is what this route is named for.
Duffy Lake
The German riders pass us on the hwy where there is a yellow line and a blind curve ! The road here has some washed out strips and is jagged and I get caught up in one. I feel vulnerable riding for miles after that. We stop again at Joffre Lake. We met a well spoken young Indigenous woman, Lucy, who told us all about the roads and drivers without licences.
Joffre Lake
Heading south a bear is spotted off the highway. I watch Ann ride with no hands. A stop in Pemberton for lunch on a patio where it is very warm. Coming in from the north to Whistler I can see the snow on the ski run that Steph and I did years ago ! South through Garibaldi is lovely. I see the Britannia mine that Steph and I stopped at after skiing in 2017. Even more south are mountains with lots of snow still in June. Now in Squamish where the hwy is very scenic and busy and fast. Too fast for me and my group is in a hurry as one of us is catching a ferry shortly. I would have liked to stop at the scenic views. I fall behind and at some point am quite exhausted and tense. Luckily another rider feels the same and we break off from the group before Vancouver. A young man stops to see if we are all right. After a rest my new friend is leading the way to the ferry terminal where we meet our lost leaders for the 7 pm sailing. A final ride down the Pat Bay highway and I am home. Thank goodness as I couldn’t go another mile. I barely finish dinner and drop into bed. The next day I still have sore muscles from tension from the fast hwy 99 which did get a bit of rain. I will not be doing that part of the ride ever again ! But it was quite a trip.
