Total Motorcycle Community Forums

It is staring to get better, though as far as getting some cycling routes in the city. The planners sure do some dumb things, though, sometimes.

I was out riding with dr_bar today. We went to Steveston for lunch and so I could buy a box of tea at the British store.
Today, I decided instead of plodding along at the speed limit of 50kmh, I would ride a little more "briskly". dr_bar would normally ride alot quicker by himself, but he lets me set the pace when we ride together....usually hovering close to the speed limit.
So today, heading back along Steveston where the speed limit is 50, I was going 70 and the traffic was still passing me.
It sure was nice for a change to have a sunny day from dawn to dark.

I'm going to Victoria next week to visit a girlfriend. It will be the first time I go over there on a motorcycle.
I'm going to try to make time to say hi to my cousin also. Steve Drane, do you know him?

No I haven't met Steve though I bought my sportster from him (his dealership at any rate). I'm told he is a pretty down to earth guy. THe long range forecast looks good for next week except for Sunday but that's so far away that you can't take it seriously. Expected weather for this Sunday and the beginning of the week is looking great. I still havn't got out for a ride yet (since licensing the bike) My wife is taking Chemo so I have to drive her to the hospital for her treatments and physio after her surgery. TIme consuming I tell you. Looking forward to Sunday as I hope to get together with the bunch from the SCRC (she has nothing scheduled for Sunday). We always meet Sunday AM at Tim Hortons near to Costco. (If I'm there, which I usually am, I'll be one of the old guys with a short scruffy white beard.) heck most of us are old guys And a few younger guys and gals.

If you have the time when over here you might drop by (if you are so inclined) we meet at 10:00 and head out for a ride by 10:35 or so. We have a number of riders from here that are down in Reno for a meet but there are still plenty of us left behind.

The Southern Cruisers consist of just a great mixed bunch of people. It's unfortunate that there is no chapter in Van, which is hard to believe because we have three chapters here on the island.

http://www.scrc443.com/ Look under "About Us" to find the link to our forum where ride destinations are often posted (sign in as "guest" - no problemo)

Garry

I am going to Victoria on Tuesday. Perhaps I can plan for a different time to meet up for a ride with your group.
I hope your wife is not feeling too bad with the chemo. I've met a few people....some handle it amazingly well....others are so sick....I hope she recovers soon.

Yesterday was an awesome day.....the sun came out around noon.....dr_bar and I rode our bikes to Squamish and Whistler. What a day.....what a ride.....it was wonderful.....The traffic wasn't very heavy and because it was Saturday there were no construction crews working. There is a bit of grooved and coned highway for 7 km but the rest of the way was great.
I can hardly wait to go again. LOL

It is a sunny day from the get go here this morning. I looked out the window a bit after 7 and WOW! It's sunny for a change.
I need to go help someone with their garden though. A promise is a promise....

Hmm. Good promise. Bad day for it.

Gorgeous here too. Headed up island to Duncan. Meet with a bunch up there, then off to Lake Cowichan for lunch and off for some back roads as part of the return trip. First good long ride in a long time.

Checked out the old Yamaha yesterday, made a few miles and a few adjustments. Had to adjust the shift lever as I could not make my up-shifts with my heavy boots on and since the foot problem, I go with the heavy boots. Then the mirrors needed tweaking and finally the chain got re-lubed and a couple areas greased. Ready to Rock and roll.

Wife stays home. She has good days and bad days. Had a treatment on Friday so no way she can go so far. Oh well, next year we are hoping to enroll her in the motorcycle safty course. She's kinda hoping to ride her own bike.

Have a good day. Looks like you and I are the only ones posting this thread anymore.

old-n-slow wrote:Hmm. Good promise. Bad day for it.

I am finished helping in the garden. It turned out o be just a small job.

Checked out the old Yamaha yesterday, made a few miles and a few adjustments. Had to adjust the shift lever as I could not make my up-shifts with my heavy boots on and since the foot problem, I go with the heavy boots. Then the mirrors needed tweaking and finally the chain got re-lubed and a couple areas greased. Ready to Rock and roll.

A heel shifter would be good for a problem foot. I am just starting to get the hang of using my heel shifter now. In the beginning I didn't bother because it was just confusing me while I learning everything else. Now I am using the heel shifter more and more to save wear and tear on the top of my boot.

Wife stays home. She has good days and bad days. Had a treatment on Friday so no way she can go so far. Oh well, next year we are hoping to enroll her in the motorcycle safty course. She's kinda hoping to ride her own bike.

So long as she is in good health and has good vision she should be able to get a license. Heck, I just did at 53.

Have a good day. Looks like you and I are the only ones posting this thread anymore.

Everyone else is probably out riding.

I had surgery on my right hand 3 months ago and it's still sore and a bit swollen. The doctor said it's ok to ride so long as I'm safe. Today I might not be safe. Yesterday was a lot of riding and my hand is quite sore today and my wrist is stiff. I think it would be prudent to give it a day of rest.....I need it to be good for Tuesday's ride to Victoria.

I went to a Vineyard in the Cowichan area last Fall for a tour and lunch. They brought the lunch in from the local golf and country club. It was very good. Then the group I was with did a 10km walk through the surrounding area. Maybe the same back roads you rode.
The ride from Nanaimo through Duncan to Victoria along the Malahat is very nice.

Enjoy your ride today.

Lunch... from Duncan Meadows maybe... That's where I went for lunch on the Bro's ride... great food, and a super looking course as well...

blues2cruise wrote:

I went to a Vineyard in the Cowichan area last Fall for a tour and lunch. They brought the lunch in from the local golf and country club. It was very good. Then the group I was with did a 10km walk through the surrounding area. Maybe the same back roads you rode.
The ride from Nanaimo through Duncan to Victoria along the Malahat is very nice.

Enjoy your ride today.

From Duncan down to the Mill Bay ferry you can take backroads which can be really nice (gets you away from most of the high speed traffic). We had a young lady from Toronto riding with us today. Apparently she drove her bike to get here. I keep saying that someday I am going to take a long trip like that. Still haven't done it though.

I have been to a couple of the vineries (I call them vineries as that stuff all tastes like vinegar to me ) in that area. I am sure there are plenty I haven't seen. I generally enjoy the tour though.

Think I have the shifter problem sorted out. Working good now.

I am back from Victoria. What a nice couple of days. Yesterday my friend and I packed a lunch and walked to the beach for a while. However, before we left her neighbour ( and sort of a friend ), came by because he saw me go by on the bike. He has a Honda Goldwing and has been riding for years. If he was on the site he could call himself old-n-I ride too fast and and I change lanes too suddenly and I follow too close to vehicles in front of me.

I must remember that for an entry into my blog.

He suggested we go riding...my friend riding pillion behind him and me following on my bike. We had a conversation about the fact that I'm a new rider and that I ride the speed limit. He seemed to think that was cool.
Today we left the house and as soon as he turned onto Oak Bay Road, I knew I would be playing catch up all morning. He doesn't really stop at stop signs unless there's something coming. So he comes to a rolling stop and takes off before I am there. ( Remember, I have no idea where we are going )
As soon as we got to some straight clear lanes of highway, vroom, he was off like a flash, or when we were in dense traffic he would suddenly put on his blinker and squeeze in between cars to change lanes....meanwhile, I then have to change lanes a few cars back. My friend had on a red helmet, so I was able to see them ahead.
He led us around Langford, Metchosin, Colwood?, ( where we went for breakfast) Sooke.
We rode along past the golf course and then onto Millstream (?) Road.
Now, old-n-slow, you are probably very familiar with the area I am talking about. I think he said it's called the Highlands.
I am new. I don't know the roads. There are very tight blind curves that I have no idea what is around them, so I have to go slow....like the signs say. He was gone. I had no idea how far ahead. Eventually I caught up to him where he had pulled over to the side of the road.
He asked if I was enjoying the road. I said I was, but was he expecting me to keep up? Apparently not, but he still didn't slow down.
I spent most of the ride, alone. He spent most of ride speeding, stopping to wait, speeding, stopping to wait.......
Eventually we came to some straight stretches with traffic and I was finally able to ride sort of staggered behind hime. When my friend asked what did staggered mean, he explained it, but he sure didn't practice it very well.
For crying out loud, if you want to play tour guide to someone from out of town, you shouldn't be zooming ahead out of sight.

Other than that, it was a very nice couple of days.

Pretty funny Blues. Bet you rode right past my house if you went through Colwood on either Sooke road or the Veterans memorial parkway (ain't that a mouthful?) Yep. I know the area well. Too bad that this fellow was such a dork. Perhaps he was trying to impress you with his great skill (or stupidity?) whatever. That highlands road is twisty all right. I nearly bought it on that one about 8 years back. Was almighty close. Also you really have to watch for Bambies along there. I should have given you my number for a ride. I guarantee I don't travel like that.

I see that there now is a chapter of the SCRC on the mainland.

Quote: ----- I would like to welcome Vince Lundie as First Officer on our newest Western Canadian Chapter 463 Langley B.C. Finally a chapter on the lower main land - only good things to come. Welcome Vince ----- Unquote Picked that off our website.

They really are a great group ----Very much safety concious, at least the Island bunch is...... We rode down along the water today. The scenic route. NOt my favorite route and particularly at this time of the year however, because I wear full leather gear for all rides, it was nice to experience the cool air off the ocean to offset the warm day. Glad you returned home safe and sound.

dork.....it is such a good word, isn't it?

Do you have a link for the SCRC website so I can look up the Langley group? I can also check out your calendar also.
Maybe when the tourist season slows down a bit, dr_bar and I can arrange for a ride on the island. It would be nicer riding when the roads aren't so clogged.