This is the trip report from Ken "Slowpoke" Morton and Ted "Smurfboy" Timmons. We rode up to Ron Ayres' HyderSeek 2004. We both ride Suzuki's new DL650 (V-Strom 650), though we have different backgrounds (Ken: Iron Butt Rally, Hopeless Class, 2003, Ted: commuting on a BMW), but enjoy the "grin factor" of this bike. It makes for a nimble middleweight tourer, and is easy to unpack and use for dualsporting, too!

This event is a celebration of Ron Ayres' 7/49 run. For us, it was an excuse to visit a beautiful part of the country and meet up with some long-distance motorcyclists- new friends for Ted, old friends for Ken.

Ted: I rode up alone to Prince George and spent the night in a quiet, inexpensive, and friendly Bed & Breakfast. It was a great stopping point. The next morning, I got up and continued west to Stewart. About 80 kilometers outside of Prince George, I started following Bill Watt, Susan Murphy, and Mark Nelligan. I ended up riding with them all the way to Stewart- they were great travelling companions!

Ted's best moment: running along an overgrown old road near Stewart. The glaciers and vistas were beautiful, too.
Worst moment: losing my digital camera while running up to the glacier. It had some nice pictures from the trip, as well as being the camera I kept in my tankbag.

Ted's trip miles: 2222.9
Average MPG: 39.65
Sunday miles: 1047

Ken: I also rode up alone, stopping at the Super 8 in Quesnel on Thursday night. I was hoping to make it to Prince George and meet up with Ted, but ot was after 9PM when I got into Quesnel, and it was raining again. After my little accident on I-5 it had been a long day, and I was tired. The Super 8 turned out to be very motorcycle friendly, and I got a great nights rest.

Ken's best moment: was seeing the momma bear and her two older cubs coming into Hyder on Friday. They were standing in my lane, and I stopped and waited for them! Riding with Ted on Saturday, exploring little dirt roads and hiking was definitly a high point as well.

Ken's worst moment: by far, my worst moment (worst moment in cycling so far!) was watching my new bike (about 500 miles on the odometer) sliding down the freeway, with parts coming off.

Ken's trip miles: 2440
Total Driving time: 38 hours, 7 minutes
Sunday mileage: I did not reset my GPS trip, but MS Street & Trips shows 1,163 from Stewart to my house. Elapsed time Sunday was 22 hours.
After a sluggish start, I felt surprisingly good when I pulled into my driveway 4:30 Monday morning.

Email Ted to have your pictures added here.