Accommodation in B.C.

Looking for a place to stay the night? Wondering if there even is a place to stay?

Destination Highways B.C. maps provide detailed information about accommodation for less populated areas. Hotels, motels, B&Bs, resorts (usually cabins) and even dude ranches are included. Where options are plentiful e.g in centers with more than three hotels/motels—we have not provided details of individual accommodation. Local Tourist Info offices, or Chambers of Commerce provide the most comprehensive information on accommodation in any given area. They also carry the excellent (and free) British Columbia Accommodations Guide put out annually by Tourism B.C. You can make advance reservations at many places by calling Tourism B.C. (From Greater Vancouver 604.663.6000. From elsewhere in North America call toll free 800.663.6000. From outside North America call [Country Code 1] 250.387.1642).

http://www.hellobc.com

Camping in B.C.

For many riders, motorcycling and camping go together like Harley and Davidson. And if you don’t mind foregoing a few comforts, camping is a great way to fully experience B.C.’s natural wonders. Usually paying for your campsite is on the honour system. You simply deposit the posted amount in a box that’s located on site. Firewood is usually free. You can reserve at some campgrounds (see appendix: Provincial Park Campgrounds). Be warned, though: unless you’re from Western Canada, camping in B.C.’s provincial parks (PP) is probably not quite what you’re used to. Rustic to say the least, they usually offer only gravel tent sites, pit toilets and a tap for fresh water.

Sound too civilized? If you shun such luxuries as cold running water and pit toilets, check out recreation sites. They are smaller and more remote than provincial park campgrounds. They used to be free, but now the province asks that you buy a yearly pass to help maintain them. The current cost is $27. This pass allows unlimited free use of 1400 Forestry Service campgrounds throughout the province. In rare cases, individual recreation sites have a nightly charge. At these sites, the pass entitles you to a 50 per cent discount. RS camping passes are available at sporting goods stores and government agent offices. For more information, or to order by phone, call 250.828.4540.

With its wide open spaces, B.C. also offers opportunities to freelance camp. It’s absolutely free and as comfortable as most provincial parks and recreation sites.*

The only place you’re likely to find a hot shower or flush toilet is at a private campground. Fortunately, there are plenty of these. Although many prohibit campfires, these sites might offer amenities like comfortable grassy sites, swimming pools, games rooms, laundry and cooking facilities, stores, restaurants and, in the odd instance, even a pub. Ah, the great outdoors.

*Destination Highways B.C. has strived to list every campground that appears in the featured areas of our maps. Recreation sites that require significant off-road travel, or those whose operating status is questionable, have been omitted. For a complete guide to recreation sites and free camping in B.C., see the excellent guide books Camp Free in B.C., available at bookstores or through Voice in the Wilderness Press Inc. Box 71, Riondel, B.C. V0B 2B0

Drinking in B.C.

Many of B.C.’s liquor laws date back to colonial times and will seem confusing, inconvenient and highly patronizing, especially to visitors from the U.S. or Europe. They go something like this:

In larger centres, bottled hard liquor can only be purchased at government liquor stores. Opening hours vary. These outlets are not open Sundays and holidays, although it’s rumoured some soon may be. In rural areas and small towns, local general stores act as "liquor agencies" permitted to sell bottled booze 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily, except Christmas Day, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. Could be a problem-- if you’re biking in B.C. this early in the season, you’ll definitely need some warming up.

Drinks can be purchased for on-premises consumption seven days a week at lounges (hotel or restaurant bars) and pubs. Liquor is also served at fully licensed restaurants (some are licensed to serve wine and beer only) but technically food must be ordered at the same time.

Don’t expect to pick up a six pack of your favorite suds at the corner store. Grocery stores in B.C. do not sell hard liquor, beer, or wine. Beer and wine are available from government liquor stores or liquor agencies (see above). They can also be purchased seven days a week for off-premises consumption from specialty beer and wine stores (usually attached to hotel pubs). As well, pubs will sell beer over the bar as "off sales" for off-premises consumption.

As with hard liquor, beer and wine can be purchased for on-premises consumption seven days a week at cocktail lounges (usually part of a hotel or restaurant) and pubs, but technically cannot be consumed in a restaurant unless food is ordered.

As in most North American jurisdictions, drinking and driving is seriously frowned upon in B.C. If your blood alcohol limit exceeds .08 (80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood), you can be convicted of a criminal offence. Police roadblocks are frequently employed in more populated areas.

Ferries in B.C.

For schedules, see appendix: Ferry Routes and Schedules.

First on and first off, motorcyclists are a privileged class on B.C.’s coastal ferries. This God-given right has been partially undermined by the requirement that reservations be made for some of the Gulf Island and Northern B.C. Ferry routes. As long as it’s not a reservation ferry, and you get to the toll booth in time, they’ll always find room to squeeze you on, no matter how long the line-up of cars, trucks, and buses. Moreover, if you’re in a group of six or more bikes travelling together between Vancouver and Victoria or Nanaimo, be sure to ask about the 25% off motorcycle group rate.

The freshwater ferries, considered an integral link in the province’s highway system, are run by the Ministry of Highways. All inland ferries referred to in DH BC are free.

The private Black Ball Ferry runs from downtown Victoria to Port Angeles on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula. This ferry has designated space for six bikes. Once filled, you’re in line with the cars. No reservations. We advise arriving 90 minutes in advance of sailing in order to provide sufficient time to clear customs and ensure a spot.

This slow boat travels between Sidney (near Swartz Bay and Anacortes, Washington, via the Washington Gulf Islands. Reservations are accepted up to 5:00 pm the day before sailing, but according to a WSF representative, bikes don’t need them, so long as they arrive at least 30 minutes in advance. Nonetheless, if you’re travelling in a large group, you might want to make one anyway.

Gravel Roads

While we have gone to great lengths to assess the quality of the pavement on the DHs and TEs, we avoid gravel wherever possible. Only selected gravel roads are shown on our maps. And apart from rare cases, we don’t speak to the quality of these roads. Bear in mind BC terrain is very rugged and the quality of many gravel roads (often no more than old abandoned logging roads) will reflect this. But then, we assume true maxburners like a little adventure.

The best source of information on gravel backroads in B.C. is the Backroads Mapbook series, available at bookstores or through Gordon Soules Book Publishers Ltd, 1354-B Marine Drive, West Vancouver, B.C. V7T 1B5 (604.922.6588 e-mail: books@gordonsoules.com.

Speed Tax Collection in B.C.

To serve and collect. B.C.’s monetary approach to traffic "safety" is similar to most other North American jurisdictions. It’s just that the ridiculously low speed limits make the speed tax collector’s job that much easier. Here’s what and who to look out for.

Apart from pacing and visual speed estimation, B.C.’s speed tax collectors use two principal methods: stationary (radar guns, LASER, photo radar), and moving radar.

The old standby radar gun is still in use in B.C. Mostly replaced by LASER and Photo Radar.

Your radar detector is legal in B.C. Despite having one, you probably won’t know you’ve been nailed by LASER until it’s too late. Thankfully, the equipment’s expensive, so you’ll only see the squinting yellow-stripers near major cities, or on long, straight sections of heavily traveled routes like the Coquihalla or Trans-Canada. In these areas, you should ride like your grandmother is on the back anyway. Unless she wants to put out a whack of cash for a LASER diffuser.

Reserved for high traffic areas. Usually, but not always near major cities or towns. Look for the telltale dark Dodge or GMC van parked on the shoulder. Unless you notice the flash in your rear-views, you won’t even know you were nailed until weeks or months later when you receive a commemorative photo in the mail. The amount of speed tax payable depends on how fast the camera decides your bike was going. While they don’t add points to your B.C. licence, these tickets can be expensive. And you’ll have to pay for them before you can renew your driver’s licence or insurance. If you’re not from B.C., the government would be grateful if you’d mail in your payment anyway. Want to know where photo radar is set up in the province on any given day? For some bizarre reason, the government will tell you. For Lower Mainland locations, call 604.664.0700. For locations in the rest of B.C. call toll free 800.772.8120.

It’s not like the good old days when Officer Marien would emerge from Tim Horton’s, start the engine, set the rolling radar in the "ON" position, and head out on his highway patrol route, coffee and donut in hand. You could pick him up from miles away with your $59 radar detector. Now all but the laziest of B.C.’s speed tax collectors won’t flick the switch until they see the whites of your lights. Since the most common vehicle on the road is white, they invariably use marked white police cruisers to blend in: usually Crown Victorias or Caprices, occasionally Camaros, and sometimes, especially further north, SUVs. Since it’s usually a matter of who’s quicker on the draw, it’s one more reason to keep a finger covering your brake lever.

*For information on specific speed traps, check out www.speedtrap.com

Canada’s esteemed national constabulary acts as the local police force in many communities in the province. As part of their regular duty, they cruise about 10.0 km (6.2 mi) out of town collecting speed taxes for B.C.’s cash-hungry provincial and municipal governments. In addition, the government-run auto insurance corporation hires these underpaid members on an overtime basis for the sole purpose of tagging you. On the other hand, if you’re on a secondary road in a remote area and aren’t behaving like a total squid, these small town officers have been known to take a more relaxed approach to speed enforcement.

While sometimes skulking in unmarked cars, they’re more commonly seen in marked cruisers with "Highway Patrol" emblazoned on the back. They could save a little paint by simply printing "Highwaymen". Using more technology than Canada’s armed forces, their sole raison d’etre is to garner speed taxes. They can scan you from behind of course, but keep in mind that they can get you going in the opposite direction and even if you are coming up from behind on them. Don’t even try talking your way out of it with these guys. They’ll even ticket other cops.

Some larger towns and municipalities eschew the RCMP. and provide their own policing. These folks are usually out fighting crime (a novel concept) but aren’t above setting up stationary radar or LASER. The larger the town, the more likely they have enough officers to assign someone to this critical area of law enforcement.

Believe it or not, these jokers were recently given radar and have the power to ticket you for traffic violations. Mainly hang out on logging roads. Maxburners beware.

They don’t have LASER or radar yet. They just rely upon their total lack of experience to gauge speed.

Wineries in B.C.

Whether you prefer Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer, or simply the house red, touring B.C.’s wineries is an activity almost as civilized as motorcycling. Spurred by international success, the number of wineries in the province has increased from 13 in the early 1980’s to more than 50. Though most are situated in the hot, dry Okanagan Valley, a few are scattered about the Similkameen Valley, Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island. Many of these wineries, some of which have restaurants attached, are well worth visiting. Since hours vary and many require advance notification for tours or tastings, we recommend you call first. For more information, contact the B.C. Wine Information Centre in Penticton 250.490.2006, or the B.C. Wine Institute in North Vancouver 604.664.7744 or 800.661.2294.