Sunday, March 17, 2013

No it didn't snow, went for a ride

Ask any motorcyclist what the weather is, and they will immediately relay back the weather forecast.   I like to plan my weekends ahead of time so near the beginning of the week I start monitoring the advanced 5 day forecast, hoping for warm, sunny weekends


Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.   In our area we have been lucky more often than we should where it would rain during the week, while we are at work and then like magic, the clouds disappear on Saturday mornings as if by magic


I can't tell you have happy we are to be living in this corner of Canada, on the Coast in Southern BC where we have mild Winters.   With the exception of a few hours of frost in the mornings, we are able to ride nearly every day.     Of course, I am not that lucky as I have to be at work before 8am so with the frost I cannot use my bike to commute, but the roads are usually clear by late morning.


With daylight savings time it is now bright in the mornings as I left home at 7:30am yesterday for my weekly rendezvous with my Saturday breakfast club.    It was raining lightly, then came down heavier as I was heading South on my short 30 minute ride to our breakfast table in Steveston.   I was just cruising, listening to my engine, shifting and my thoughts were thinking about some of my blogging friends who are still held hostage by the snow and ice, or the ice over mud in WI.


Here we are riding our bikes and enjoying the day while they are only dreaming of the time when Spring will come to their respective areas.   The air is fresh and cool but twisting your wrist and leaning into the corners is a sensation which brings a thrill no matter what time of year.


I find myself at the Steveston Government Wharf.    I come here often so you may recognize the fishing boats in the background.   Because of the rain and wind there are not many people walking about


There is another private wharf "down the way" which is usually crowed with parked cars.   Today there is no one here so I can pose my bike again


There is another small Marina a bit farther East which caters to commercial fishing boats, and again I stop.   I am just enjoying the day and being out with my bike


The road parallels the Fraser River and I stop again in a deserted parking lot.   As I was snapping this photo a rumbling HD passes by.   Another rider enjoying the day on his bike


I found myself on a less traveled road so I posed my bike, and then thought of ErikR who posed his Ninja in a similar manner but his bike was much closer


so naturally, I snapped a closer photo.   As I meandered my way beside the farmland I remember that there was a "meet the suppliers" day at my local BMW dealer 


Meet Mr Rok Straps, this is Dave.  He is the numero Uno and if you need to ask him anything, then just ask.   He is a Triumph Sprint Rider and originally from the UK


His products are so good that he uses them himself.   He was here for a few hours to demo his products and show you how to use them


No, your head is not crooked, I was trying for an artistic angle


While I was there I tried to snap a self portrait using the MotoGuzzi mirrored tank


I had to run a few more errands, check out some electronic stuff and I finally made it home about 8 hours later.   It really was a great day to be out riding


36 comments:

  1. The entry to the backyard is a lot easier than taking the bikes out the gate and down the front walk. If you can find some pavement grindings, they are inexpensive and pack down to a pavement like finish quite quickly.

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    1. Chris:

      The City made us hire a landscaper so we have to wait until they do their thing. We took out some trees so we have to put some back. They also marked a couple of trees which had to be left alone.

      It is much easier to move my bikes out now, even on the sand and gravel. Last year I was trapped in construction debris and scaffolding

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  2. The Guzzi is still on display? They told me it was sold when I had asked for it. Love the "crooked" angle.

    Isn't it great how two wheels even make running errands sound like fun?

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    1. Sonja;

      That Guzzi was SOLD. it is parked in the "other room" with other SOLD bikes. The only thing I worry about is "lack of service" or "lack of a dealer network"

      I am still picking up stuff for my trip, renewing insurance and visiting . . . I was out for over 8 hours and I also rode to work this morning

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  3. Nice day on the bike even with the rain. Another fan of the Rok-Straps here though now I'll need to re-figure out packing since I now need some additional tools.

    I really like the way your fence and gate look...

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    1. Richard:

      I thought that I had better get some riding in now to tease all of you whom are snowed in and waiting for Spring. I like ROK Straps. I asked Dave for a "SAMPLE" for a giveaway, but he didn't get my "hint".

      I was also buying tools for my trip. I am making a R1200 kit. I bought a flex 3/8" drive with telescoping handle (packs down to shorter length), and a ratcheting crescent wrench (multipurpose)

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    2. Not waiting for Spring here. I went for several rides over the weekend and rode it in this morning on my commute. Have you figured out a way to carry your tripod on the new bike?

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    3. Richard:

      I bought a new tripod with a different folding design. I can fit it inside my topbox along with my dSLR, Laptop & my helmet can still go inside with all this stuff.

      http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/822127-REG/Sirui_BSRT005BK_T_005_5_Section_Aluminum_Tripod.html/c/product/#inpage:IN+STOCK

      it folds down to around 12"

      I rode to work today too

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  4. Any day out is a good day really. Pitty the weather didn't play ball but still it looks like you had a great day.

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    1. Steve:

      I wanted to see how much rain I got down my neck. Water seems to dibble down and around my helmet then drip down due to air flow. I need to apply more Pledge to my visor.

      I didn't see many bikes out . . .

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  5. aaahhhh....two wheeled nirvana. :)

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    1. Lori:

      We weren't as warm as you down there with your 70°F. It was closer to 8°c with a nasty wind chill but it was great to be leaning & shifting. Spring is nearly here.

      Hope you two managed to get out on the weekend too

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  6. Since I'm not riding and I can't ride for a long while, I'm not going to comment on your great day riding....

    Instead- is your horizontal fence secured like the usual vertical? How far apart are the posts?

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    1. Martha:

      You will be riding soon enough. Eventually Spring will come to you too

      Our lot is a bit lower than the home next door so the dirt is being held back by "railway ties" or something like 5x5 horizontal wood posts, stacked to make height. Uprights are attached to these about every 5 or 6 feet apart to which the horizontal pieces are fastened with a slight gap between each flat piece so you can see through, and allows for expansion and swelling due to humidity and temperature. It is only "finished" on our side. The wood skeleton is visible from the other side.

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    2. Thanks. Pretty typical construction. It's really nice.

      I look forward to seeing this whole project when it's done.

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    3. Martha:

      You would be surprised what it is. Send me an email. It's right up your alley, it's a Martha type house

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  7. Some of you can probably imagine how good wet and rainy might look to someone.....oh....3000 km east southeast of you.

    I've been a very devoted ROK user since the MOA Rally in West Bend with one set along every trip, even if they aren't 'working' when I leave the garage.

    Stayed home today, another 3" expected (or more) but today's expected 40+mph winds will do us no good, not at all.

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    1. Coop:

      If my tease is making you anxious, then my idea worked. I thought that while you can't ride, a bit of moisture shouldn't stop me.

      Our Coquihalla highway had a huge dump of snow overnight, around 40 cm (15"), and they had to close the highway just south of Kamloops. It was also lightly snowing in Whistler which is just over an hour north of Vancouver. We are surrounded by snow, but oblivious to it.

      This morning started out at 2°c and drizzling rain, but I rode to work. My first commute for 2013

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  8. Bob - you heard the siren call of the asphalt ribbon and rode in the rain! We are very lucky here because we can usually enjoy our bikes even in the coolest and wetest of conditions. I was out on Friday for a few hours riding between the raindrops and then out again on Sunday. I was out on a group ride and I couldn't stop and take any pictures, that is one of the things I don't like about riding in a group. I always find March much colder than December for some reason.

    Love the Moto Guzzi - I snapped a picture of that baby a few posts back and I must say I do love that bike. I checked out the new Honda CB1100 and that one was particularly singing to my soul. Geez if only I had the moolah! Love the wharf pictures.

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    1. Dar:

      I was looking forward to riding; rain or shine. I am testing my helmet and jacket. I was thinking of buying a rain suit and wear it over my riding jacket. I don't like waterlogged jackets with the liner underneath. I want the rain liner on top, to keep the jacket dry. There were no sales so therefore, no rush. At regular price I can purchase anytime.

      You should check out the new Yamaha BOLT. I don't think I will ever buy an exotic brand again. I want something ordinary with lots of parts and dealers available

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    2. The best rain suit I ever used was a Teknic I bought at Modern. It had velcro everywhere (no neck drips) and the pants fit over the boots. I used it in some beastly mountain rain and hailstorms in the US and it was wonderful to stay completely dry. It could be fun to get on though, the velcro would all stick to each other.

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    3. David:

      I don't have a problem with my jacket, just the pants where they go over the boots. Rains seems to drizzle up the boot and water finds its way in over the top. I need velcro to hold the pants in place, or boot straps

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    4. The pants that came with my rain suit had zippers to fit over boots as well as heel straps to hold them in place. Now you have me thinking I should order another one.

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  9. Good for you on getting out in the rain Bob. We decided to forego the rain gear on Saturday and took the car to coffee. There were a few riders though. I think 4-5 out of a dozen.

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    1. Trobairitz:

      One day I will make it to Coffee Culture. It may be possible on August 17th, 2013, too early to commit yet. I am trying to decide whether to buy a rain suit, so I am doing some "testing" (in heavy rain), plus I need rain pants with the boot straps, or velcro attachments.

      Imagine this: The water runs up my boot to the lip and then drizzles inside and forms a little wetness inside. I am trying to solve this problem

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  10. The wet of rain seems to always find it's way (eventually) to the skin beneath the waterproof (water-repellant) jacket, pants & boots. Glad you're getting out. This morning @ 5:00 am was OK (light rain) and worth the ride home in the sunshine.

    Love the profiles pics of your V-strom.

    Keep looking up & pressing forward!

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    1. Robert:

      I know you are a hardcore, rounder. I can only aspire to follow in your tire tracks. There is no need to feel the water underneath. It means your rain gear is not up to the task

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  11. Nothing like "testing" the dry factor of your clothing, to motivate you out to see what is available.

    I do like your new fence, and a day spent doing what you love can't be beat after a week of work.

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    1. Suzu:

      I think I'm going to buy a rain jacket, to put over my riding jacket and just not use the liner which comes with the jacket. I am looking into "gators" so I don't get water inside my boots. My boots are waterproof but water comes in from the top as my pants "ride up" and let's the water in. I need pants with boot straps

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  12. Good Stuff Bob, that garage of yours looks like a small concrete bunker!

    dom

    Redleg's Rides

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    1. Dom:

      If you are not on a timetable you shall see some of these places with your own eyes. Hopefully it will be sunnier and warmer when you arrive

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  13. I LOVE your angled artistic shot. Even if it's wet there, it sure is pretty. You do a great job capturing the beauty of your area. I am glad you got to go out for a ride.

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    1. Kathy:

      the best light for photos is diffused light which means bright overcast or even rainy. So these scenes make look a bit better than normal. Being on the Coast we have lots of water views.

      being able to ride "nearly" all year round is a bonus. This morning there was frost again, so no commuting, before noon it will be gone so I could ride later

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  14. Hey, Bob- FYI...my Google account got suspended...my blog was deleted. I can't get it back. I am trying to get some help, but it's not looking good that I'll get my blogs back... I was trying to sign up to Google + and I made a mistake and it cancelled my account!

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    1. Martha:

      I tried to access your blog at lunch and it was "GONE". I thought you were changing to Wordpress, But now I'm worried. I don't want to lose you.

      I think that Blogs can be "reclaimed" up to 90 days. I don't know where to go but I think if you log into Blogger.com you may find the link there.

      Check with Richard, he is our IT guru. I'll try to do some research.

      I think it's the way of the world. I didn't want facebook but our info isn't private anyway. Just be careful what you post or what you want people to know

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  15. At least you go out and ride in this weather. I won't unless I have too anymore. Thanks for showing the area and photos. @Martha: I did the same thing to my blog, and could not retrieve the whole thing. Only parts, so I decided to start over...not so bad.

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