Insects (primarily black flies and mosquitos) and bad weather are your primary challenges when riding in remote areas of Canada. Photo: Mycteria/Shutterstock.com

If you’re in the US, you live in the most diverse country in the world, and you could spend a lifetime criss-crossing the continental 48 without getting bored. Or at least, I could. But if you want to put your passport to good use, you’ve got two easy options: Mexico (which we may cover in a similar story later), or Canada. Here’s a tip sheet of what to pack (and what not to pack) in your panniers, if you’re headed north.

Unless you’re from New England, most Americans have no idea how bad the insects can get in Canada, once you’re in the woods. Around cities and towns, the problem isn’t usually too bad. But when you head anywhere off-pavement, you’re going to be around rivers, lakes, bogs, swamps, ponds—you’re going to be around water, and water is where nasty bugs do their breeding.

Deer ticks are a problem, but less so than the US. Your real, immediate concern is hordes of black flies and mosquitos, and at certain times of the year, horse flies and deer flies. The problem gets wayyyyyy worse the further north you go, and the further away you are from civilization. Pull over to the side of the road for a pee break in Labrador, and you will be immediately swarmed by a cloud of bloodthirsty bugs, invading your helmet, your collar, flying up your nose, into your ears, into your pants’ fly as you zip up hurriedly and run back for your bike.

You might think I’m exaggerating, but I’m not. Well, maybe a little. The insect problem is non-existent at lower temperatures, so if you want to visit Labrador or the Yukon or Churchill or any place like that, you’ll probably enjoy your trip more if it’s later in riding season. You can also try for earlier in the season, but you might be dealing with the last remnants of winter through April and even May.

One other note: Canadian insect repellent is wimpy and weak. If you’re coming from the US, bring the highest-concentrated DEET formula you can find, and if you’re OK with the health risks, coat your riding gear, camping gear and clothes with Permethrin before you head to northern Canada (it’s overkill for the southern part of the country). You cannot buy Permethrin in Canada, at least not easily. Make sure it’s safe to use on your clothes and gear before applying, obviously. Bug suit: Don’t leave home without it! Photo: Zac Kurylyk Bring a bug jacket

Bug suit: Don’t leave home without it! Photo: Zac Kurylyk

“Wait, I brought insect repellent—isn’t that enough?” In the words of Lana Kane: Nooooooope!

If you’re headed to the true Canadian north, the reality is that no amount of DEET, not even the 99% concentrated stuff you can buy in the US, will keep the hordes of insects off you. A bug jacket is much more effective. Yes, you’ll look goofy wearing a mesh jacket everywhere, but it’s a lot better than turning into a puffy pile of welts from black fly bites.

Get a bug jacket with a hood that unzips at the front; when you’re riding, unzip that hood and tuck it behind your jacket collar. When you’re not riding, whip off your helmet and pull that hood over your face ASAP.

There are many brands of bug jackets on the market, but even the cheapest Amazon special will do the job. I have a couple, including an ultralight, highly packable hoodie and a more bulky Original Bug Shirt.

At a bare minimum, you want a bug hat, at least. You can buy them at the dollar store, so there’s no reason not to have one in your luggage. Bring a rain suit

Not all of Canada is rainy or foggy, but the parts that are soggy, are really really soggy (sounds like the start of a good poem). If you’re on the east coast or west coast, you might get lucky and have a two-week stretch of no rain, but that would be an anomaly. This is especially true if you’re riding in the spring or fall, to avoid black flies and mosquitos. A pretty scene, but a lot less pretty if you’re wet and cold. Make sure you have good waterproof gear, and a heated vest just in case. Photo: Dennis Belitsky/Shutterstock.com Bring a heated vest

A pretty scene, but a lot less pretty if you’re wet and cold. Make sure you have good waterproof gear, and a heated vest just in case. Photo: Dennis Belitsky/Shutterstock.com

Over decades of riding through Canada’s Atlantic provinces, there has never been a month where I haven’t used heated gear—even in July, typically the hottest month of the year. For warmer months, I prefer a heated vest over a jacket. A full heated jacket is overkill in June-July-August, and most of September and May. But even in the balmier months, there will often be a cold morning or a rainy all-day highway slog where you wish you had a bit more warmth. Leave your handgun home

I’m not going to get into the competing arguments of “All guns bad” vs. “Get strapped or get clapped.” It is irrelevant, because if you try to bring a handgun into Canada, you will be in deep trouble if border guards find it. The federal government just announced a ban on handgun imports to Canada of any kind. You do not want to be caught with a snubnose or micro-compact in an ankle holster.

I often see this question raised, though, as riders headed into the wilderness are concerned about protection from bears or other wild animals. As always, there are a few loopholes that might allow you to get a shotgun or rifle into Canada, under the pretense of hunting, and I’ve seen some riders discuss this idea. While I suppose you could probably trick your way into the country somehow, you’d be running the risk of serious trouble along your trip, especially under Canada’s current federal government, which is very anti-gun. Don’t risk it. Bear spray is legal in Canada, although regular pepper spray for use against humans or dogs is not legal. You can find bear spray at most outdoors-oriented retailers, like MEC, Canadian Tire, etc. Photo: MEC

Bear spray is legal in Canada, although regular pepper spray for use against humans or dogs is not legal. You can find bear spray at most outdoors-oriented retailers, like MEC, Canadian Tire, etc. Photo: MEC

So what should you do? Along with practicing safe camping methods that reduce the chance of bear contact, you can bring bear spray (make sure it says bear spray on the can—regular pepper spray is also illegal in Canada) I’ve seen all the jokes about “spicy bear turds” after a failed bear spray self-defense usage, but the reality is, even the guys at Bear Hunting magazine will tell you it has its place—see their perspective here.

One other point, since we’re on the subject of personal security: Do not assume that all Canadians are friendly and nice. This is mostly the case, but as Paolo pointed out in a story earlier this year, you can certainly run into trouble with Canadians, whether it be bad drivers or even thieves. Those of you who follow On Her Bike’s YouTube and social media adventures will know that she was recently robbed in Moncton, New Brunswick; while she was at an appointment, a thief took her camping equipment and tools off her bike.

As a general rule: If you’re in rural Canada, you’re mostly OK. In cities, you’re best-advised to keep an eye on your stuff, or secure it on the bike. Canada has drug problems, too.