Shake-down ride #1: Harrison Hot Springs

Now it was time to get down to serious business. The business of having an early breakfast somewhere in Coquitlam for an early ride into the depths of the Fraser Valley. We decided to meet early, if you consider 9am early. I left home just after 8am for the 45 minute ride to our rendezvous point. As I arrived I noticed Jeff already waiting there with his GSXR600R. Right behind me was SonjaM on her "new to her" BMW F650GS being shadowed by Mr SonjaM (aka: Roland) in the cage.



How would I know that this Pub/restaurant would not be open yet? We headed across the street to another eating establishment. We had to have substenance before our journey Eastward


(Jeff, Ms SonjaM (aka: Roland) & SonjaM, author invisible behind the camera)

I managed to divert Mr SonjaM's (aka: Roland) attention to the menu long enough to snap this cozy photo



soon our orders arrived and we were filling our stomachs with; oatmeal, eggs benedicts, sausage & eggs and a healthy fruit bowl



after all, what is a ride without food ?



photos often don't tell the correct story. I noticed that SonjaM was walking precariously close to the shore with a drop off so was attempting to drag her back to safe ground. Unfortunately it looks otherwise.


(Stave Lake)

SonjaM is trying out the GSXR for size



A day riding is more than just the riding. It is about friendships, scenery, taking photos and enjoying the day with others of the same mind


(group photo: Dewdney, BC)

While it is spring, Mother nature conspired to throw everything our way. Dark thunderclouds, rain, showers, torential rains and even hail but what can I say, we live on the Wet Coast


(Hailing in Historic Kilby, BC)

Soon we arrived in Harrison Hot Springs, BC for our next meal stop at a nice, clean Japanese Restaurant overlooking the lake


(My bento Box)

While on our way out of town I noticed these wood carvings and the hazelnut sign reminiscent of Freshly Squeezed Florida
and Barberville Produce. The carved wood figures attracted my attention and I just had to stop for a few photos for Ms Suzanne .

We don't have many roadside attactions around here and the owner was a character, offering us Strawberries and morcels of sweet Chilliwack Corn



Our bikes were parked in front of his roadside stand and I captured another photo of our bikes



To my dismay I turned around and found SonjaM trying to devour a large corn on the cob while seated in a carved out wooden log chair. Although we had just eaten she was taking on the corn without shucking it first



Lots of dustcatchers were available for the asking



Harrison Hot Springs is a very friendly place. As we were about to depart we were approached by these gals with the friendly smiles.



As it turns out, they were here for a staggette for Belinda (in the PINK). I am somehow attracted to Pink attire so we hit it off instantly

and I have this photo to prove it.



BACK OFF, I saw her first (esp Jackie "r") Nothing beats a day of riding with friends

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Addendum: I suppose that I didn't elaborate about the title, Shake Down ride. Our epic ride to Redmond, Oregon in July will an epic ride in terms of mileage for SonjaM who has to build up her endurance. We are basically undertaking half of an IronButt to be able to make it from Vancouver to Redmond within 12 hours. This was her first ride with square side cases which are not very aerodynamic, and our route will take us down NF25 which will eat up valuable time. Plus factor in our numerous photo stops which will include the Windy Ridge viewpoint overlooking the back side of Mt St Helens. We are trying to determine what other accessories she will need, esp a throttle lock of some sort