SUMMER TRIP TO EDMONTON 2026

 “…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

While stopping for gas on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Ron, a Marine Corps
veteran came over and asked me about the Spyder. 

          While was on my trip to Montana and Wyoming in 2023 I met two brothers from Edmonton, Alberta Canada, Brad and Murry Reid. Over the next few years the attraction of a trip to visit them became more and more appealing. I decided that that would be my trip this summer.

The Eat’n Park in New Stanton PA.

        While I was on that trip I “fell over” two times: once in a parking lot and once at a gas station. I was riding my Gold Wing, which weighed well over 1100 pounds when fully gassed and loaded. It became clear to me that, in my 70’s I just wasn’t strong enough to keep that bike up if it started to fall. I ended up selling my Wing and my ST 1100 Honda, which I LOVED!, and going smaller. At that time I bought a Can Am Spyder, which became my long distance touring machine. 

In the afternoon the heat and distance was getting to me so I stopped at a service area
on the Ohio Turnpike…and had some Baskin and Robbin’s!

        I planned the trip to take a little over 3 weeks, and around 7,000 miles. In order to get beyond Chicago I planned 3 600 mile ( + or - ) days. After there would be several 400 mile days, but most 300 or 200 mile days. There is even a 115 mile day in Idaho. 

        The first day I rode from Newark DE to Fremont IN, a distance right about 600 miles. The plan was to ride to Eau Claire WI day 2, and then onto Minot ND on day 3, The next day I would cross into Canada to Saskatoon AB, and finally to Edmonton AB on day 5. A whole lot of riding and not many pictures.

        I made it to Fremont IN on day 1, although it was a long day. Generally I rode around 150 miles before stopping for fuel. I ended up having lunch at the Eat’n Park ( their spelling! ) in New Stanon PA. While my Inlaw’s were alive and living in Ohio, we often stopped there when going for a visit. 

        If you google the trip from Newark to Fremont the route ended up with many toll roads. I think I paid over $35 in tolls that first day. I don’t want to hear about how expensive toll roads are in the Northeast! When the dust settled I was on the road for about 12 hours. I got to the motel in Fremont about 7:20 that night. It was a long day, but I reached my goal. How many times would I do that on this trip?