Decisions for a new season

While the season is not yet underway so many plans are in the thinking stage. What to do, where to go, travel alone or with a riding buddy. A partner will give you security if there is a problem but then there are accommodations and compromises to be made unless you are of the same mind.


(V-strom DL1000 Vee with sidecar)

I like to meet people and prefer company. That being said I have travelled alone down to Oregon, and last year travelled alone to Kelowna for the rally. Alone you are on your own timetable, no one to tell you when to stop, when to eat and sometimes this is bad like last year when I kept riding even though I was getting dizzy. Probably due to lack of nourishment and the heat.



No, this is not my Vee. It belongs to another scooter rider who trailered his scooter to Kelowna (with another driver), and rode his V-strom Hack. I am not sure what is involved with disconnecting the sidecar but "Kozak" told me that he prefers to leave it on all the time and likes to "fly the chair" . He offered me a ride last summer, but I was reluctant.



This Vee with sidecar was very nice and would suit any rider with a lack of mechanical abilities.

There are so many rides being planned by different groups. There is a ride being organized by the SOCNA (Suzuki Owner's Club of NA, BC chapter) to Vancouver Island, Tofino and Port McNeil one week before the Scooter Rally in Victoria during the May long weekend. Today my friend John told me about his trip to Bella Coola on a dual sport leaving early June. It is a strenuous route not suited for heavy bikes such as a V-strom so I could take the main road and meet him at the destination if I wanted. Then there is the BMWMOA rally in Redmond, OR in July. So many bloggers are going that I would feel left out if I didn't join them and also get a chance to head over to the Oregon coast and up Hwy 101 on my return to BC. This would necessitate passing through Corvallis and Albany to see, you know who.


(reflections in a cruiser, Kelowna. Summer, 2009)

While our roads in BC are not suited for Iron Butt riders due to the single lane each direction with lots of curves and motorhomes, with few passing lanes I managed to travel half an ironbutt last year as I got stuck on the other side of the huge forest fire in Kelowna and had to take the northern loop to get back to Vancouver. During the extreme heat of last summer I came up with the idea to stop every couple of hours to stretch my legs and have a beverage to refresh myself. Upon the advice of Sharon, in the future I plan to carry some GORP to keep me going until my next meal, either that or some apples, oranges or bananas.

There is nothing so invigorating such as riding a great motorcycle road with little traffic in tune with nature in the middle of no where. You and your machine as one, flowing though the curves with your engine making sweet music to your ears.


(between Spences Bridge & Merritt, BC)

Little did I realize at that time that this would be the last trip I would take with my Suzuki SV650nK4. I know some of you have SV's (Stacy & Chris come to mind). It's a great bike, very nimble but I found my leg position cramped. A week after this photo was taken my dealer made me an offer I couldn't refuse and I ended up with my current Suzuki V-strom DL650A K9 .


(HooDoos, east of Spences Bridge, BC)

I had a great time in Kelowna meeting and renewing old/new friendships and a ride through the mountains that still bring smiles to my face.

I am not sure if this year will be any different, though locations may change. New friends to meet, new friendships to rekindle. New experiences to exerience. New roads to conquer and I know that Oregon has the bestest roads in the country.

Sometimes things happen that defy explanation


(No comment, you had to be there to understand)

You create a bond with those you meet and take home memories of a lifetime


(Untold stories create a bond with whom were there)