Squamish and Pemberton Runs

Comments:

Update 2008:  Not much joy in this road these days due to the heavy construction up to Whistler (due to preparation for 2010 Winter Olympics).   It'll be a different run when finished due to the removal of all the twisties.  I'll vote for the first politician who promises to pave all the gravel roads in BC -- without straightening them first!  :)

Squamish is about an hour ride from Vancouver on the Sea to Sky Highway.  The road has all the aspects of a good motorbike road.   Tons of twisties and excellent scenic views.  About 200 turns in 50km.   The downsides are the high traffic volume, heavy policing and poor drivers populating the Lower Mainland.  I've yet to find a predictable period of light traffic.  Once in Squamish consider runs into the Squamish and Paradise Valleys.  Plenty of curves with much less traffic.  These aren't overly long but enough to double your trip length. They fill out a Squamish destination ride quite nicely.

Squamish to Whistler is very twisty (especially through Cheakamus canyon) but often a tad slow due to congestion.   The road starts at sea level and peaks near Whistler at a little over 3000 feet so there's an abundance of curves and hilly terrain.   Consider Alta Lake Road as an alternate route through Whistler. 

The road between Whistler and Pemberton is less traveled, more open and begs for higher speeds.   The  frenetic grasp of the city weakens by this point and frees you to ponder extending the run to Lillooet and beyond.  But if Pemberton area is the destination be sure to take a run along the Pemberton Valley from Meagher Creek Hot Springs (ok, not quite that far unfortunately) in the west to Lillooet Lake in the east.

Pemberton to D'Arcy is another run inexplicably un-traveled by motorcyclists.  Plenty of curves, hilly terrain and sparse traffic in fact make it an excellent run.  Vancouver to D'Arcy with a cruise along the Pemberton Valley is a full day ride with every inch scoring biking nirvana.  Too long for 95% of the riders poncing about within the confines of the city, it nevertheless makes an excellent trip if you're willing to tackle the open road.

Great biking roads, all!

Map (Click on map for full size):

Pictures (click here for pictures related to this run):