The Blog of Blues

[blues2cruise]

Well, if BMW made a cruiser, I just might.

They used to, until very recently. At least, their idea of a cruiser...... well, it's kinda sorta a cruiser..... http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/bmw_r_ ... c_2005.php

Discontinued after the 2005 year: http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/newsan ... torcycles/ BMW felt they couldn't make a big enough motor to satisfy the market.

I actually like that.

[blues2cruise]

Tuesday May 2, 2006

The Rear Fender Issue

I had received a phone call from Pacific Yamaha BMW. They were helping me deal with the defective rear fender on my bike. Pacific told me that Yamaha Canada was sending a rep to look at the fender on my bike and could I please bring my bike in and leave it with them for when the rep came in. So we made the appointment for me to leave it with them on Tuesday May 2. They are closed Sundays and Mondays.

“Jake” asked me how I was getting back from the Yamaha dealer. I told him by bus. He looked absolutely astounded by that. People who never take a bus just can’t fathom that a person can actually get a lot of places by bus. He then asked if he could come and pick me up and bring me home on is bike. I graciously accepted his offer. So, it was arranged that we would meet at the Yamaha dealer after work on Tuesday.

“Jake” has made it very obvious he likes me while I have been somewhat resistant. I’ve made a pretty good life for myself and I’m not so sure I want to change things. However, since he has made a nice offer to come and pick me up to bring me home, I decided the least I can do is make supper. On Monday evening, I prepared some food for the following night. I made a honey curry chicken that everyone loves. It turned out he loves curry in any size, shape or form. I didn’t tell him, though. I was waiting until we got back home to ask him if he’d like to stay for supper.

Monday evening I also baked cookies for my favourite Yamaha salesman, Patrick. I tell him he’s my hero. I also went upstairs to help my neighbour, Carol. She is recovering from cancer surgery and feeling rather blue. So, I took her some cookies and helped her get up and into her chair. Then I took cookies to my friend Catherine. After I finished getting food ready for Tuesday and getting the cookies baked and cleaning up all the dishes, I remembered I was going to wash my bike.
Darn it. It was already 9PM and I needed to get to bed. I was still not feeling very well, but at the same time, if I wanted the Yamaha rep to look at my bike and consider replacing the fender, the bike had to be clean and shiny. So, off I went to the garage. I managed to get finished before 10pm and had a quick shower and got into bed. I was thinking that maybe I must be getting well, since I had such a burst of energy.
The next day, I remembered to take something to cover my bike with so that while it was parked at my work, it would not get covered with construction dust. It was a fine day, indeed. I like mornings like this. Cool and sunny.

Finally the day ended and I got to go back to the lot and get on my bike to go to Pacific Yamaha. It was a pleasant ride over the Knight Street Bridge and along Westminster Highway today. When I went in to Pacific, I saw Patrick sitting with Kerry, the sales manager. I went in and handed him the tin of cookies and said, “Because you’re my hero.”
If you have read the blog from the beginning you will remember that Patrick and Pacific Yamaha are responsible for my being where I am today. If it had not been for them, I would not have bought my bike or carried on with riding lessons. It was Kerry who introduced me to Casey, the instructor. (And, yes, he got cookies, too after we finished our lessons. )
While I was talking to the service people, “Jake” arrived. He is getting better at being punctual. He went upstairs to shop in the accessories department and since I was finished at the service desk, I went outside to wait. The store was getting close to closing time, so it wasn’t long before “Jake” came outside and gave me a big hug. What’s going on? Public displays of affection? Gasp!
He told me he had just installed a new bulb inside the headlight and needed to adjust the tilt. He was wondering if I could help him because in order to get it adjusted correctly, the rider must sit on the bike while someone else turns the screws. So, I suggested that when he dropped me of, he come inside the garage to my parking space and we could do that. He pulled into my now empty parking space while I went in to get a tape measure. After measuring the wall height and the floor distance, we marked it with chalk. Then with the light on we could see where the “hot spot” of the light was and I was able to adjust the light until the hot spot was inline with the chalk.
He was going to go home when I suggested that if he would like to have supper with me, it wouldn’t take long to get ready.
I know, I know, I’m very confused about this whole thing.
He was very surprised that I had made supper. Even more surprised and pleased I guess, that I had even thought to do it. He had done me a favour and offered to come and get me, so I figured the least I could do was feed him. I had thanked him for offering to come and get me.
He said to me, “You’re sure independent, aren’t you?”
I said, “I’ve had to be.”
He then commented, “You wouldn’t have even asked me to come and get you, would you?”
I said that I didn’t think I knew him well enough at that point to be asking him for favours. He said that was my opinion. He told me not to be afraid to ask him. I don’t think he quite grasps yet, that because of my past history I’m a bit leery to let anyone get too close. I could write a whole book on how badly I have been treated by the men I have known, which is why I am finding it difficult to let something happen.

So, back to supper. I opened a bottle of wine, lit a candle and opened the shade to expose the garden. It really didn’t take long to get supper ready and we took it to the table over by the window. I think he was so very surprised at how good it was. Ok, I admit it. I have a domestic streak. I keep trying to repress it, but it keeps rearing its ugly head.

I had also saved him some cookies to take home. When I make cookies I like to share. I did not eat one cookie. I had made chocolate chip (with extra chocolate chips) cookies and used real butter. I don’t eat chocolate anymore, so it was not a problem to share all of them.
The next day, Pacific called me to tell me that the warranty rep from Yamaha Canada had been in and was appalled at the fender. He said Yamaha Canada will replace the fender.
Now that is good news. Pacific was very happy for me. Those folks know what good customer service is all about. He told me I cold come and get my bike because the fender had to be ordered in. I told him I would come Thursday after work.
No, I did not ask “Jake” to take me back. He knew I was going to get my bike and if he felt like it he could offer. I planned to take the bus. It’s not actually very easy to get there on the bus, but it is doable.
While I was standing at the service counter, Patrick came by and loudly proclaimed, “Now, those were some great cookies!” A few of the guys came by and Patrick told them that I was the cookie maker. Apparently they were all enamoured by the cookies. So simple to spread so much joy…..a box of homemade cookies. I wonder what it would take though to get the service guy to smile.
They were just finishing washing my bike when I arrived, so I had to wait only a few minutes before I could get going home. I headed home and had a quick bite to eat before heading out to my camera club meeting.
Good news. The digital image I had submitted for judging got 9 out of 10. What a good finish to my day. It was a mild evening and the ride home was such a pleasure.

I got home and sent my friend, dr_bar an email letting him know about the fender. I knew he would be happy for me. I’m happy, too, because now everyone will quit bugging me.
Now, if they would just quit bugging me about my blue crate.

[Gummiente]

*sniffle* I was SO hoping you two kids would get together.

Way to go, Blues....err, Spokes. Glad to hear your Yamaha will be fixed, too. Everything is looking rosy!

[dr_bar]

*sniffle* I was SO hoping you two kids would get together.

Don't Ya just...





















































Another THWACK!!!

Ouch!!!

[NorthernPete]

Blues, dont let them guff ya about the milk crate...those things rock!!!

If I could Id strap one on my bike.

Durn it, now I have to go steal a few from the dairy....

[dr_bar]

I know I'm going to pay for that much later...

[blues2cruise]

I know I'm going to pay for that much later...

You have no idea.

[blues2cruise]

Blues, dont let them guff ya about the milk crate...those things rock!!!

If I could Id strap one on my bike.

Durn it, now I have to go steal a few from the dairy....

I affixed mine to the bike yesterday to go to the grocery store. It is just so handy.

I actually paid $6.00 for mine so I get a blue one without any logos.

[blues2cruise]

[quote="Gummiente"]*sniffle* I was SO hoping you two kids would get together. quote]

Now I have to start doing that girlie stuff on a regular basis.

[blues2cruise]

Saturday May 6, 2006

The much anticipated Princeton Ride and Lunch Meet….Part 1.

Every once in a while an event is organized so that the members of the BC Northern Stars can get together. Last autumn it was more of a cage rally because of the weather. This time, however, there was only one cage attending and that was because one couple was bringing their two small children. "Fringes" rode her bike to the event while her hubby drove the car. They exchanged places for the ride/drive home.

I had long planned to attend this event but as the day drew near, the weather did not look promising. I let the other people that I had planned to ride with know that if it rained I would not be attending.

The route to Princeton is through Manning Park. The highway (#3) is called the Hope Princeton Highway. It is a mountain highway with lots of ups and downs and twisties. This is the same road I rode last summer to go to Keremeos and back. However, that was when the roads were nice and dry. I think it is foolhardy to ride that highway during inclement weather. Given how cold it has been lately, if it rained, it could very well turn to snow.

When I got up in the morning, the weather looked decent, so I phoned the organizer of the ride to confirm that it was still on and said that I would be there with “Jake” in tow.
“Jake” arrived right on time. We left my place at 7:35am hoping that the skies would stay somewhat clear. On the way to Langley, however, it started to sprinkle. When we arrived at the meeting place, I was surprised to see 2 new faces. Gary and Jim, new members, were there with their 2 wheeled couches. Talk about creature comfort. Gary’s HD ultra ultra something, had so many buttons I’m surprised it didn’t have a built in coffee maker.

Do you ever meet someone you instantly don’t like? I don’t like people who are so full of themselves that they look down upon everyone else as if we were annoyances they have to put up with. That was how I felt about Gary. (Jim was okay, for the most part.) Those 2 knew each other quite well and had ridden together lots. They came equipped with radio headsets and so automatically assumed they would take the roles of “Road Captain” and “Tailgunner.” They were made aware of “Fringes” having only a learner’s permit, of my having ridden for only a little over a year on my 650cc and that “Jake” likes to “cruise” close to the speed limit. Once the remaining riders arrived at the meeting place, we prepared to leave. Just as we were getting the bikes into gear, the husband of “Fringes” pulled her bike over to the gas pumps to fill up. WTF?! We had been standing around for close to a half hour and “Fringes” had not bothered to fuel. Sometimes I wonder about this group riding stuff.

Finally, “Fringes” was ready to go; her hubby was in the car with their 2 kids. We fell into formation and made our way to the freeway. (Hubby at the back of the pack)
The first leg of the ride was quite good. The pace that Mr. ultra ultra set was decent. After several minutes of riding, we spied the other bike that was going to join us. It had been arranged that they (a couple on a RoadStar) would wait by a certain freeway entrance and they would join us enroute. We slowed down a tad to allow the other couple to make the merge into the group and then we were on our way to Hope. “Roadie” is a very experienced rider. He will go slow or fast depending on the group. He also will respect that a learner is going to be a bit slower…..unlike certain other folks….but I digress….I will get to that later. “Mrs. Roadie” likes to take pictures of everyone riding. So, once in awhile, “Mr.Roadie, will suddenly zoom out of formation via the passing lane so that “Mrs. Roadie” can snag a few pictures. She sometimes gets some good stuff. I will post a couple later.

While we were riding to Hope, the weather took a turn for the worse. It started to rain just a little bit, which wasn’t a big problem, but the temperature dropped to some icy degree. My fingers were getting very cold and by the time we got to Hope, I had started to shiver. We pulled into the Chevron/Town Pantry in the nick of time. The temperature kept dropping and if we hadn’t got there when we did, I would not have been able to feel my fingers anymore for the pain. I quickly fuelled my bike and pulled it away from the pumps. I went inside to buy a hot coffee to wrap my hands around. (It should be noted here that there were offers of something else warm for me to wrap my hands around.)

After we all made our pit stops, we prepared to leave. I dug out a different pair of gloves and my down jacket from my crate. It sure does pay to travel prepared. As soon as I put the down jacket on under my riding jacket, I felt much warmer. Although my new riding jacket has a liner, it is not adequate for “winter” temperatures. I was glad I had thought to toss my winter ski gloves in my crate. They were a little bit better than my leather riding gloves which are waterproof and supposedly insulated. Haha. They are waterproof, but they are not warm. Fuelled by hot coffee and a yummy oatmeal cranberry raisin cookie, I was ready to resume the ride. The next stop was planned for the lodge in Manning Park.

For some strange reason, when we got into the mountainous terrain, the self appointed road captain and self appointed tail gunner, picked up the pace. I quit trying to keep up with them. A couple of other riders joined them in their race to the lodge. “Roadie” left us to go with the speedy riders. I suddenly became the “Road Captain.” “Fringes”, “Jake” and hubby were behind me. We rode at a steady and safe pace until we got to the lodge. When we got there, the other bikes were parked in a row with none of their owners in sight. They had already gone inside and were working on breakfast. Those us that had arrived late, spent a few minutes outside with the kids enjoying watching the hoary marmots playing on the grass. It is also necessary to stop and do kid things when you travel with young children. “Fringes” and her hubby are part of this club and every once in a while, they find it necessary to bring their kids. So, if it means we stop in the park for a few extra minutes so the kids can have a swing, it just adds to the fun of the day. We joined the others inside where cinnamon buns seemed to be the popular coffee break snack. I have on good authority (all the others who ate one) that they were so-o-o-o-o-o-o-o good.
Finally, we were on our way again. I would have preferred to have a shorter coffee break stop, but, this is the usual way they do things. The others who were the speedy folks, left in such a hurry, all I could see was a blur of the tail lights as they headed onto the highway. That once again, left me, “Fringes”, “Jake” and hubby in the car. I asked “Fringes” if she would like to take the lead, so that she could ride at her own pace, but she said she would prefer if I took the lead. She is gaining better riding skills all the time, but she still lacks some confidence. For this next portion of our ride, our mantra was, “We’ll get there when we get there.” Besides, we knew where the lunch place was. If they left the meeting place before we got there, we could get to the restaurant on our own.

I kept my pace hovering close to the speed limit. When I saw a curve ahead, I geared down and slowed my speed to match the “suggested” speed for the curve. The road also had some wet places so it was a prudent decision, to go our own pace. We arrived in Princeton to find that we were not the last ones to arrive. The group was still waiting for riders who had come from Kamloops. They got caught in an icy rainstorm so they had to slow down for safety. Once everyone had arrived and many introductions were made, we rode en mass, to the golf course where the restaurant was. With so many bikes parked there, it looked like an outdoor showroom.

The lunch was a somewhat disorganized affair. Although reservations had been made well in advance, there was nothing done in preparation. They knew they would have 30-40 riders showing up and yet, the restaurant had not bothered to get a section set up. We ended up sitting all over the place. That’s not exactly a “group” lunch. However, once I had my lunch and got warmed up, I made my way, to visit a few more people. This club has a lot of very nice people in it. I had to cut my stay short on the semi outdoor/indoor area where I had gone to talk to the other members. Someone had wandered just inside the door with a cigarette. The smoke had immediately made me start coughing so I went outside to the parking lot where all the bikes were. The sun had come out so it was quite pleasant wandering around taking some photos of the bikes.

I must step back in time a few weeks. I have some respiratory ailment that is taking its own sweet time to go away. I missed a couple of weeks of work because of being so sick and I missed a few rides. However, I felt like I had recovered enough to go on the Princeton ride. Unfortunately, breathing the extreme cold air all day, caused a relapse. I spent the whole day coughing my guts out. That may not sound like a very lady like or refined way of saying it, but it does get the point across. Breathing in second hand smoke also causes me much grief. By the time I got home after the ride, my chest was on fire and I was very fatigued. In spite of all that, I still managed to ride a great ride home. I will write about the ride home in part 2.