January in Vancouver

It was bound to happen. Our vacation to an exotic land is over and back to the routine mundane life of a struggling worker. From perfect 85F temperatures in T-shirts and shorts to grey skies and threatening clouds. Compared to the rest of the country we are doing quite well at 8c (47F). A virtual heat wave if you consider the ice and snow on the prairies, or the tumultuous rains down in California, or the massive snow storms we had to endure last year. It had been a few weeks since I had ridden due to frost and ice in the mornings, and I didn't wish to tempt fate by riding the week before our trip just in case slippage should happen a week before our trip



This morning I rolled my Wee out of the carport, got a chamois and wiped all the dust and dirt off some exteriors and checked the tire pressures. Lucky thing since the tires were low. The fronts were 29psi, rear 28psi, when they should have been 41 and 33 respectively. I got out my portable craftsman air compressor to fill them up



The compressor has a built in digital pressure gauge making the job easy. Just pull the trigger until the desired pressure is reached. We have been lucky this year. No snow so far and the temperatures are very mild leaving our roads devoid of sand and salt. It was good to ride around town and having the freedom that being on 2 wheels affords. I thought it best to stay around town and concentrate on slow speed maneuvers and play tourist in my own town

I first headed over to the Scooter Hive to visit with Christian. They seem very busy working on Vespas getting them ready for the new riding season. Spring is nearly here. He is a master mechanic



I decide to ride along the waterfront where I notice a lot of security because of the Winter Olympics it is being heavily patrolled and they are enforcing no parking alongs its perimeter. The parking areas are also chained-off



I make my way down to Canada Place and the security truck is driving past very slowly giving me the eye. I don't think they like people taking pictures of the area. Further east they have the approaches to all the waterfront docks cordoned off: NO access allowed. There are guards stationed on all the ramps and approaches. I was surprised to find this road open



As I am heading through the downtown core, I decide to stop along English Bay to snap a photo of the Inukshuk, the symbol of the Winter Olympics



The skies are Grey with threat of rain. A huge change from the sunshine and heat we had become accustomed to in Hawai'i . I wished that I could have ridden over there but it just didn't make sense to rent a bike at $150. per day, when I got a screaming deal on my rent a car which was only $105. per WEEK, plus taxes.

I decided to pose my Wee in front of the stainless steel crab which is located in front of the Planetarium, which is officially known as the HR MacMillan Space Centre (<-- click link)



I head over to the Government dock down in False Creek adjacent to Granville Island to pose my Wee and watch the locals.



I find it a peaceful place to contemplate and watch the vessels in the harbo(u)r. There is a very popular fish & chip vendor here and along the docks today they are selling shrimp and salmon, fresh off the boat.



That's the fish & chip place in the background. There is generally a line-up



Here's a photo of the Shrimp we purchased at Costco in Hawai'i . Fully cooked with garlic and cilantro added and only $8.95



We wanted to shop where the locals shopped and ended up here. I just couldn't pass by the cooked shrimp so we had to purchase a POUND and devour it at the bench outside



It makes me hungry just looking at it. Now it has made me hungry for more shrimp


(Vancouver Docks)

There is no activity on the docks during the weekend and I find it a relaxing place to snap a few photos of the idle cranes.



As I think about where we had been the previous week and the lack of riding gear which is considered acceptable in a tropical environment I think of all the layers that I had to don in my quest for a ride in the city. Blue jeans, riding pants with liner, flannel shirt, riding jacket, thermal layer, leather gloves, helmet, fleece neck warmer and leather riding boots, not to mention all the inner wear.


(Typical scooter rider attire, note flip flops on the right)

If I lived in Hawai'i (or even Key West, FL) , then this would be IT


(I had to squeeze the Pink Crocs in, somehow . . .)


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Spotted in Kona, Hawai'i: 12 Passenger Mazda pick-up truck



(8 in the box, with at least 4 in the Cab)