The Blog of Blues

[blues2cruise]

This was the second V-Strom rider I've met and I have to say, they were both nice.

[blues2cruise]

Tuesday July 4, 2006

I work with a goof.

I rode my bike to work on Tuesday…partly because it was a nice morning, but also because I dawdled so long I was too late to take the bus. Maybe I subconsciously sabotaged getting ready on time so that I would be forced to have to ride.

At the end of the day, as I was getting ready to leave my workplace, a few of the fellows came by to ogle, chat and touch. I don’t know how many times I have to tell them to not touch my bike.

As I was getting my gear together, one of them suddenly reached over and swiped his fingers along my new fender. I was shocked. I told to please not do that. The other guys also told him he shouldn’t be touching it because with all the construction dust on it, he would cause the paint to be scratched. He didn’t see any problem with what he did.

I told him more forcefully this time…”Do not touch my bike!”
He replied, “Well, you won’t let me ride it, so this is all I can do to it.”
At that statement the other guys gave him what for.

Someone else was messing with my bike another day. I came back at the end of the day to find fingerprints in the dust on the gas tank and the mileage on the odometer wonky.

Sigh…..Is it just me or does everyone else work with such immature people?

They were in the shuttle to take them up the hill and just leaving when they decided to stop and watch me put n my leather chaps. When will they grow up?

I took the bus to work the rest of the week.

[dr_bar]

ah yes!

suzuki riders are the friendliest bike peeps around.

No offence, but second friendliest, you see, blues and I ride Yamahas....

[blues2cruise]

Saturday, July 8, 2006

The Coffee Expedition Ride

Last month there was a big biking event in the Kootenays which meant there were very few riding club members left in town. I posted into the Rides and Events section in my local club forum looking for a riding partner to go to Britannia Beach so I could buy some coffee beans. Nobody responded…..I really didn’t expect any given that most people were out of town….but it didn’t hurt to ask anyway…..

Three weeks after that post, another member who is rarely on the forums asked if I needed to go get more coffee beans yet. He was interested in going for the ride. I didn’t really need any more coffee beans at the moment because I had bought some in Horseshoe Bay. However, I said that I would need some soon so that a ride to Britannia would be good.

We spent the next several days messaging back and forth trying to plan the ride. He has a job that requires quite a lot of flexibility in planning so he couldn’t make a commitment until a couple of days before. We finally got our plans cemented and agreed to meet at a particular coffee shop in the Marpole neighbourhood of Vancouver. I parked my bike outside the coffee shop and was about to go inside when I saw him turn into the gas station a couple of doors away.

I walked over to the gas station to introduce myself. Up until then I had never actually seen this man. I had only a description of his bike. I was somewhat taken aback when I saw him because he looked like a hardcore biker dude that could have been a Hell’s Angels member. The bearded face and a smoke hanging off his lips along with the beanie style helmet and dark shades made for a somewhat intimidating appearance. I’m stymied as to what to name him in my blog. He said I can call him David.

David smiled big though and we shook hands as we introduced ourselves. Looks really can be deceiving sometimes. He wanted to put a little air into his tires before we set out so I walked back to the coffee shop where there was now a Harley Davidson parked beside my bike. Then David pulled up beside us and parked his bike on the other side of the Harley. I laughed when he said it was like a thorn between 2 roses. . He gave me a brief tour of his bike and the modifications he had made. He had half his tank decaled to see if a custom paint job was what he would like.

We took time to sit and chat over tea and coffee for awhile before we decided to get going. I think he wanted to be sure I actually knew how to ride before he got in too deep on a challenging ride. He suggested that I lead and he would just follow along. David had been a rider off and on for close to thirty years and he figured it would be prudent for me to set the pace. I told him that my friend dr_bar also rides behind me because if he was in front he would go w-a-a-a-a-y-y-y-y too fast. Just as we were getting ready to leave, the Harley owner came back to his bike. It’s funny sometimes to see who actually owns these bikes. He looked more like he should be punching calculator buttons than riding a big hog. He was on his way to the bike shop to get the brakes fixed. He had no back brakes, he said.



We headed north on Granville Street so we could make our way downtown and to the Lion’s Gate Bridge. From there we would access Taylor Way to the Upper Level’s Highway. Today we would bypass Horseshoe Bay and carry on to what is famously known as the Sea to Sky Highway. Our destination for today was Britannia Beach and Squamish. This highway also goes to Whistler which is the location for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

We had a pleasant ride for most of the trip. There were only a couple of slowdowns due to construction so we made good time. I needed to change lanes a few times so I would do what we do when riding in groups….or when I am riding with dr_bar. I put my signal on but would wait for the rider behind me to make the change before I moved over. That way, we would be able to stay together. The way drivers are these days, if I signaled and just moved over, the rider behind me might not be able to move over with me. During the course of the ride, we changed lanes several times.

It wasn’t long until we got to Britannia Beach where I pulled into the big parking lot in front of the Galileo Coffee House. We parked our bikes and went inside for some cappuccinos. I also got my coffee beans. We took our coffees outside so we could look at the scenery and David could smoke. This was the scene.






...the Ducatti is still with us....

David asked me if I had some kind of issue about changing lanes. I replied, “No, why?”
He was wondering about why I was always delaying moving over. I explained that it was what we did when we rode in a group or when I rode with dr_bar. After I explained he understood, but he did say not to worry about him. He said he wouldn’t let anyone separate us. I believe he means it, too. He will just muscle his way in where he feels like it. Nobody ever cuts him off. He thinks it’s because of his loud pipes. I suggested it was probably his look. I had taken a picture of him and after I emailed it to him, his response was, “I wouldn’t cut me off, either.”

While we were at the Galileo, we chatted briefly with another rider who was on his way to Whistler. He was dressed in full leathers with full armour and was riding a Ducatti 992. Shortly after he left, we got back on our bikes and continued on our way to Squamish. We went as far as Brackendale and doubled back to Squamish along the river. We stopped in at the Shady Tree Pub for lunch. It is a popular place for bikers and hikers. I’ll give David credit for not having to eat outside where the smokers go to eat. He waited until after lunch and had his smoke once we were back outside. It was then that I was able to catch the photo.
Caught off guard......

But then he posed for me....

Would you cut that guy off?


I had to make a stop on the highway because I had promised someone I would get a picture of the Stawamus Chief. It is a huge monolith of a rock that is popular with rock climbers. Climbers come from all over the world to climb here. The reason for the picture today though was to capture the “white witch” that shows up on the rock face.


Some people believe it’s a Photoshop fake so I set out to show them it’s not.

After the picture stop, we rode back into Vancouver via old Marine Drive. It’s the slow twisty way back into town. However before we got there, the Ducatti rider came by and passed us as if we were standing still. I think he thought he was on a race track the way he leaned his butt off the side of his bike. The thing is, he was doing it on gentle curves. It did look funny because it was overkill for that portion of the road. David figured he was just showing off for our benefit. I asked him," Is that what they call a poser?"

Once back into town, David suggested one last stop for a refreshment and chat before we called it a day. We stopped in at Starbuck’s for a designer slurpee while we talked about the day and maybe going riding again another day.
While I was sitting waiting for traffic to clear so I could get out of the driveway, David merely waited a brief second before aggressively moved out. He looked back at me with a quizzical look as if to say, “Well, aren’t you coming?” He had to move along though because I hesitated too long.

I’ll learn.

[blues2cruise]

July 15 and 16, 2006

The Duffy Lake Road and The Fraser Canyon Ride

I was away for the weekend with a group of riders. We rode the Duffy Lake Road via Whistler and Pemberton. We came home via the Fraser Canyon. Here's a couple of pics until I get time to write some details.

The first rest stop in Britannia Beach



A rider on the road along side Duffy Lake

[blues2cruise]

July 15 and 16, 2006

The Duffy Lake Road

I am so glad I had the opportunity to ride this challenging road. I almost did not go on this trip because a certain individual badgered and bullied me into thinking I should not and could not do this ride. I actually had cancelled out of this trip because of him. After I said good bye to that individual, I called the person organizing and asked if I could rejoin the ride. And so, my plans got made.

I made my hotel reservation and put aside some cash. I removed my crate and replaced it with a backpack. For some reason nobody gets all weird with a backpack on the rack.

Maybe Northern Pete would like my crate….oh, wait…it’s the wrong colour for his new bike.

I loaded extra bottles of water into the pack and filled up my camel back for the ride. A full face helmet makes it impossible to take a drink of water from a bottle and I can’t afford to risk dehydration again. I decided to use my camelback with the drinking tube this time. I had thought about it and dr_bar had suggested it, but I was reluctant because I really didn’t want to carry anything on my shoulders. Then I was inspired by Sev’s picture in his blog. I thought if he can wear his for days on end to ride to Vancouver, then surely I can wear mine for two days. It turned out to be a brilliant thing to do.

I fuelled up just before I got to the freeway. I also bought a couple of bottles of Poweraid. I drank close to half of one of the bottles and then wedged it in with the backpack. Well, when I got to Squamish, it was not there. I have no idea where it went. I just hope it didn't fly out and hit someone.

I was to wait on the side of the freeway with J and K for the group coming from the valley. J and K arrived about 30 seconds before the group arrived. Suddenly the group appeared on the horizon and they slowed just enough for us to accelerate and merge in with them. So far the day was filled with promise. We rode over the Iron Worker’s Second Narrows Bridge to the Upper Level’s Highway and to the Sea to Sky Highway. Unlike last weekend when I rode with David, this week was like rush hour. Tourist season is in full swing now.
Our first stop was Britannia Beach because Mr. Roadie needed a butt break. I would have preferred to ride to Squamish for our first break, but then I remembered that their ride had been much longer than mine to start. (I would get the extra long ride at the end)
After a much too long of a rest stop, we carried on to Squamish which was our declared lunch stop and also the place where another 2 riders were to meet us.

After lunch we headed back to the highway. This is the part about group riding that I don’t understand. It happens quite often. A few leave for some unknown gas destination without waiting for the rest of us. BB was kind enough to wait for me and we rode to the highway together. I never did see the other bikes, so BB and I just kept going. We rode for quite sometime until I saw the “Welcome to Whistler” sign. I pulled off the highway knowing BB would follow. He had previously mentioned that this was his first time here, so I asked him if he would like a picture of himself on his bike with the sign in the background. He seemed quite pleased that I had thought about it. At that point he mentioned he would need fuel soon, so I told him we would stop at Whistler Creekside for gas.

We pulled into the gas station so he could fill his bike and I could get a juice. I was determined to stay well this trip. As we were there, a few other bikers rode in. They were so very chatty. In fact, one of them was so chatty; he told me all about his biking history. Even as I was politely trying to disengage, he kept right on talking. We saw our group of riders go by. We waved at them to catch their attention and they stopped on the side of the highway to wait for us. We finally managed to get away from the chatty bunch and rejoin our group.
We rode together to Pemberton for our official fuel stop. We were also meeting up with 3 more riders here. I was hoping we would be in Pemberton long enough to have a drink and bathroom break and be on our way. No such luck. It was another one of those “stand around and gab forever” breaks. The 3 riders who met us there had ridden down from Lillooet. They were going to lead us along the Duffy Lake Road into Lillooet.

Just as we were leaving, J went to fuel his bike. We had been there for over 30 minutes so why the heck had he not done it when we arrived? We had a straggly formation getting onto the highway, but finally the group was together and ready to ride.

The road was gently winding at first through the cottonwood groves. The air smelled fresh and pure. The dappled sunlight through the trees and the gentle breeze made me forget about work and bills to pay. I had only this ride to think about. Just as I was beginning to think this road wasn’t so bad, it took a steep curve uphill. I saw the sign and prepared for it by downshifting to third gear. If anyone has any trouble shifting before this ride, they will be experts after.

The road was mostly in decent condition. There were some frost heaves, dips and gullies, and occasionally loose rocks, but if you paid attention they were avoidable. The road was also quite challenging, but I paid attention to the signs and prepared for them by shifting down to the proper gear for good control and then up shifting and powering out of the curve.
The scenery (when I could afford a second for a peek) was spectacular. The air was so fresh….
Peeeeeeeewwwwww…Why don’t drivers shift down instead of standing hard on the brakes for the long downhill stretches. The smell of burning brakes was very pungent.

Our leader finally stopped at a view point. We stayed here for a short time to admire the surroundings before mounting up again to head to Lillooet. Some of the surrounding were very pleasing for the guys. I will share with you. The road continued on its twisty undulating course until we pulled off at a Hydro view point overlooking Seton Lake. . Hair by KBC, shoulders by Joe Rocket. This was another gorgeous place that makes you forget all about the city life back home. At this point, our three locals guided us to our respective places where we were staying. Ron led the campers to the riverside campsites while the others led us into town to our hotels. We were to reconvene at 5:30 at the Big Circle for our ride to the lake. We parked our bikes and walked down the dock to the zodiac boat that would be our transportation to and from dinner. After we all got fitted with lifejackets, Dennis, our Captain, put the big motor into gear and gave us a 360 degree spin and a tilt of the zodiac. I had a feeling this was going to be a fun ride.

Dennis proved to be a very able seaman and guided us along the lake and plied us with his stories along the way. He also took great pleasure in getting us soaking wet when he drove the boat under a small waterfall. Soon we were at Seton Portage where we beached the boat and walked ten minutes to the restaurant. The food was good and the staff and owner were friendly. Soon though, we had to head back to the lake shore to prepare for our ride back. He ride back was almost as interesting as the ride out even if it was half in the dark. After docking, we headed back to our bikes and made our way to our hotels.
The others went for coffees and beers, but I was so tired from the long and exciting day, that I bade them good night.

Tomorrow would be another very long day…….

More pics to come soon.

[blues2cruise]

I have no time tonight for more pictures. I have to get my gear together for tomorrow's ride.
I called my friend Dr-bar and we are going to lead the very famous Sev on a ride to Whistler and back.

We promise to get him back to his friend's place after the ride.

[VermilionX]

I have no time tonight for more pictures. I have to get my gear together for tomorrow's ride.
I called my friend Dr-bar and we are going to lead the very famous Sev on a ride to Whistler and back.

We promise to get him back to his friend's place after the ride.

nice!

you're getting some nice adventures w/ your bike.

i'd love to ride too w/ "the very famous Sev"

[old-n-slow]

July 15 and 16, 2006

The Duffy Lake Road


After lunch we headed back to the highway. This is the part about group riding that I don’t understand. It happens quite often. A few leave for some unknown gas destination without waiting for the rest of us.

It's called "Total Lack of consideration".

It was so bad over here with the SCRC for a while that we had to initiate a policy of not waiting for those who neglected to fuel up BEFORE joining the group for a ride. It seems to have gotten much better since then.

You might have enjoyed the trip we (3 of us) took to Wetaskiwin this June. There were no long confused delays except for one and that was as much my fault as anyones. It happened in Jasper where we rode in from the West and when it was time to leave town I headed east for the outlet to the highway and the other two headed back west where we had come in. Though they had been razzing me about knowing Alberta they forgot soon enough. It seems that neither of them had a clue that there might be more than one way in or out of town. I had just assumed they would follow me and they presumed I had no clue where I was going.

C'est la vie

I recall one of the first times that I rode to Sydney with the group. We traveled together en masse going there and then stopped for coffee. After the coffee stop it was like a free for all where everyone just jumped on their bikes and split in all directions. Some headed back to town at double the speed limit and others stayed within legal tolerances. I ended up in Victoria accompanied by three other bikes that followed me home. The wife wouldn't let me feed them or keep them though.

[blues2cruise]

Old-n-slow, there is more to the story.

Send a message if you ever plan to ride the Duffy. Dr_bar and I are planning a ride but haven't fixed a time yet. I'd like to wait until it's not so hot.