The Needles Ride Part 2. September 9, 2006
Saturday morning came with a few clouds and a bit of drizzle. I went prepared for bad weather so after coffee and breakfast, I got into my raingear and started up my bike. The organizer had assured me the ride was going rain or shine, so off I went to the appointed meeting place for me. The arrangement had been for me to go the Tourist Information Booth at 9am. They would pick me up on the way by to the official meeting place.
I arrived at the info booth a little before nine. And waited….and waited….and waited…..
Finally at 9:15 three riders pulled in, but they were not who I was expecting. They had read about meeting at the info booth, so they came by to join up. Finally I got a phone message on my cell phone. The organizer and the two people I had ridden up with the day before were bailing.
Needless to say, I was somewhat disappointed and annoyed.
One of the other riders who had shown up had a vague idea of where the official meeting place was, so he led us to the vicinity. After a few circles around the neighbourhood, we found the Tim Horton’s. There were no other riders. We were just about to go inside for a coffee when a rider pulled up beside my bike. He had ridden by a couple of time but there had been no riders there. He was about to go home….an 1-1/2 hours away…when he decided to ride by one more time.
The five of us decided to get acquainted over coffee before heading out. While we were inside, two of the members decided they didn’t want to go now. They didn’t like the threat of rain. Luckily for me, Mel and John still wanted to go for the ride. After coffee, the three of us fuelled up our bikes and then Mel led the way. Neither John nor I knew where we were going. Mel set a reasonable pace which was easy to keep pace with and John played tail gunner. Or as John put it, the rose between the two thorns.
The sun came out shortly after we left Vernon. As we rode through Lumby, the three of us were glad we had made the decision to ride. It was turning out to be a nice day. The roads were mostly dry, with just a few places that were still wet. We just slowed down for those areas.
This highway #6 is reputed to be the #2 best motorcycle road in the province and here I was riding it. A few areas were a bit challenging, but I felt like I had ridden quite well. We pulled into the Gold Panner parking lot for a photo. If the group had left on time, this was to be a butt break and coffee stop, but because of all the waiting around, we had time for only a photo stop. Another group was there on their way for a three day tour around the Kootenays. Their leader referred to this road as “Tail of the Dragon North.”
After our photo stop, we rode non stop to the ferry. We got there just as it left the dock so we had to wait for another half hour for the next one. We had a chance to chat and enjoy the sunshine while we waited. More riders and cars lined up while we waited. At last the ferry came in and we got to load for the ten minute ride across the lake. Once on the other side, we rode to the Mushroom Addition restaurant and gas bar and general store for lunch. It’s about 2 minutes from the ferry.
When we arrived the person working there asked if we were the tour group they had been expecting. She was wondering where everyone else was. Our organizer had called them to let them know how many would be there. They had ordered extra food and brought in extra staff for the occasion. When they realized we were only three people, they were quite surprised. I wouldn’t say annoyed was the right word, but they weren’t happy about it. They extra person then went home. Our leader/organizer had neglected to call them and let them know of the cancellations.
We three, however, had a very good lunch. John and Mel had French fries with their lunch which they were glad to share. They were plentiful they were THEE VERY BEST FRENCH FRIES I have ever enjoyed.
The Mushroom Addition is in Fauquier across the lake from Needles. The lake is Lower Arrow Lake. The road from Fauquier is still Highway #6 which then goes to Nakusp.
We were heading back to Vernon after lunch; though I would like to ride further another time.
The Mushroom Addition got its name from how the money was raised to pay for the addition to the original existing building. Apparently there is some mushroom to be picked around there. The owners picked and sold the mushrooms, and the money they raised selling them, paid for the addition. Hence, the Mushroom Addition. It’s actually a very popular place. I would never have guessed that a little place in what seems to be the middle of nowhere would be so busy.
While we were sitting outside enjoying our lunch, a loud expletive was suddenly heard by all. “"fudge"”. All heads turned to see someone’s bike lying on the ground. Someone got up to help him right his bike. It looked like he put the kickstand down in a soft spot in the gravel. No harm was done to bike or rider though.
As we were finishing our lunch, a group of Harley riders pulled in. I think there were 8 or 10 of them. They went inside for lunch. It looked like al the extra food that had been ordered would be put to good use. We finished our lunch in time to get the 2pm ferry back to Needles.
We all agreed to set a quick pace once of the boat to get ourselves far ahead of the trucks and cars. For the first little while, it was great. The sun was still out and the roads had dried even more. I was having a great time.
Oh, oh……What’s that? Raindrops? Oh, crap. At first it was just a few raindrops, but suddenly we were in the midst of a downpour. Mel just kept motoring on like it was nothing, but I had to slow down. I was unfamiliar with the road and there were some mighty tight twisties coming up. John stayed behind me the whole way. He’s one of those people who just like to ride. He didn’t feel the need to speed on ahead and leave me behind. After an hour of riding in the downpour on the most challenging portion of the road, I was ready to pull over for a break. I was feeling the strain of the difficult conditions on this highway. I was considering signaling to pull over when suddenly Mel pulled over into the lot of an old garage.
I was relieved because I needed a few minutes to recoup. Mel wanted to be sure I was ok. He said we were through the worst of it now. After a few minutes to rest and chat, we set off again. About 2 minutes after we got going again, the rain stopped and the sun came out again. We made decent time back into Vernon where we went to fuel our bikes.
John said a couple of very nice things to me. He told me he thought I had handled the twisty road very well for someone who has only been riding for a year and a half. He also told me I was a very smooth rider. He said that when he watched for a while, he couldn’t even see me shifting when I was setting up for the curves. That was a nice thing for him to tell me. The three of us rode together through Vernon until we waved our good byes and went our separate ways.
I got back to my friend’s and had a chance to change clothes before they said, “Let’s go. We’re taking you out for supper.” We had a nice dinner and I even indulged in a glass of wine. I wasn’t doing the driving so it was a nice finish to the day. When we got back to their place, we all were tired. We sat and talked over some green tea before heading to bed.
In the morning, I packed all my gear to get ready for my trip home. I had time for a quick breakfast and was gone by 8:20. My friends are early risers and they were going to go golfing after I left. Before I left Vernon, I called RR. He and his wife were still in Kamloops and had not yet had breakfast. So, we arranged for me to meet them at the restaurant where they were. It was an hour for me to get there. I thoroughly enjoyed my morning ride from Vernon to Kamloops. This road has to be one of the nicest routes around as it passes by some farms and Monte Lake.
I met up with RR and SR in Kamloops. We fuelled our bikes and then RR led the way out of Kamloops to a junction. He motioned me to come forward. He asked me if I was in a hurry to get home. I told him, “No”.
He then asked if I would like to go home a different way.
“OK”….”I’d just like to be home before dark”.
Well….we went along the Lac Le June road through Logan Lake. We had a few minutes rest stop there while RR gave me a bit of history about the area. We then continued on to Ashcroft along some more scenic twisty roads. At Ashcroft, we stopped for lunch before heading to the Fraser Canyon Highway to go home. We had a brief stop at Spence’s Bridge for fuel and then carried on to Boston Bar for our next butt break. The ride back down the canyon was much quicker than when we went up. I think that now that RR knew I was capable of faster speeds on more challenging roads, he wasn’t cutting me any slack on the way home.
We pulled into Hope so that I could fuel my bike. I would not have been able to make it home without fuelling. RR and SR are over an hour closer to here so they would be ok. Once we left Hope, the speed picked up and the passing began. SR’s bike’s signals quit working, so she was riding in the middle and I was riding tail gunner. We made excellent time into Chilliwack where we pulled off to say our good byes. RR told me I had done very well. I thanked him but made him promise not to let it get out that I can actually ride fast. I wouldn’t want to ruin my reputation as a slow poke, after all.
Once I got back onto the freeway, and was riding by myself, I slowed the pace to the speed limit for most of the way home. It feels so much more relaxing to ride alone and not try to keep up with anyone else. I was thinking about the last time I came by here on my way back from my up country ride and how tired I was. I was too tired to make it home without a rest and some dinner. This time, however, I felt fine. I enjoyed the tail end of my big adventure and was able to reflect on what I had just accomplished. Once I got near home, I stopped at a grocery store. I didn’t have anything for breakfast or to put in a lunch, and I knew I would hate myself in the morning when there was no cream for my coffee, so I stopped. I bought up a few things and stashed them under my jacket. It was definitely a bulky ride home, but I made it without crushing anything.
It was just getting dark when I pulled my bike into the garage. As I unpacked all my baggage, I looked at the dirt and bugs all over my bike. I was now too tired to do anything about it. I’ll go wash it another day.
I have done so much riding this summer that I am ready to take a break. I have a couple more events and my big road trip that I’m planning, but after that, I want a rest from riding. I have neglected so many other things and I really feel that I want to do something else for a while. However, my bike will still be insured, so if there is nice day, I can go for a short spin.
In the meantime, I will put my car back on the road….so I can go hiking again...and bake....and sew....and tidy my place....
I had no idea that their tub was a Jacuzzi tub. What a treat. I believe it did help my shoulders somewhat. I crawled into bed feeling exhausted, but happy. I was looking forward to tomorrow.
