Civic Long Weekend

Hey all,

For those of you who couldn't attend the Civic long weekend, we missed you. Unfortunately you missed an amazing ride. It was chocked full of everything the bike gods could throw at us.

We had the rain god start our trip out with a torrential down pour.

We had the border guard god take Hercey in for what we can only assume was the rubber glove treatment

While we waiting for Hercey and Peter, where we were told to wait, we had another border guard who thought he was god tell us to move on. This split up the group for the first day.

We had the bike god strike at Freds bike for the first time while we stopped for gas and a cold drink. No power to the ignition.

At the same place, we had the drink god smile on us when Heather and Kim saw a person leaving the store, put a container of chocolate milk and a bottle of ice tea on the back of their truck than drive off with the obvious results occurring. In the time it would take a beam of light to travel across the parking lot, Kim had come up with a purpose for the ice tea. It happened so fast I didn't quite catch it, something about mix and vodka. We couldn't really use the chocolate milk, so I was volunteered to give it to some kids. Not wanting to be labeled a pedophile, I declined and suggested that one of the women undertake that task. It soon became apparent that giving away an unopened completely sealed container of chocolate milk was going to be more difficult than expected. Ah but when all seems lost, the typical small town back woods inbreeder came along and problem solved.

It would appear I could write a book about this ride, so I'm going to have to cut it short and to say that the ride was excellent! We had such a great time. From eating at the Country Farm House to playing with our alarm systems, it was a fabulous weekend. We really didn't have much luck when it came to finding places to eat. I'm sure that wouldn't have been a problem had Al and Lynn attended.  

My hats off to Fred. His research really paid off especially on 125. That was an unbelievable road. There weren't many straights on that road. Fred said, and I agree, "you don't get much better than that".

Heather and I almost collided with a vehicle while negotiating a left bend on 125. I was close to the center line when coming the other way a car approached and he was over the center line. Fortunately I saw him on time and made an evasive maneuver to the right, then had to swerve to the back to the left to avoid hitting the guard rail. I leaned so far to the left, it caused my foot boards to drag on the ground giving off a light show that  Hercey enjoyed. That gave us both a fright, but we are ok. I told Heather we have to just put it behind us and keep going. It's the very first time we had even come close to having an accident.

We had an excellent weekend. Thanks to Fred for all of his hard work. Thanks to Lynn who booked the rooms for us. It was really great to meet Dan and Loretta, great to see Peter and Hercey again. Hercey, I'm looking forward to your next bottoms up challenge.

I am so happy I'm back on the road again and I'm looking forward to the next ride. Labour Day weekend perhaps?

Don Stoodley

Americade 2011

 Americade 2011 was once again a fun event to attend.

Temps cruised into the high eighties and nineties.

Despite the great weather there seemed to be fewer numbers as demonstrated by the absence of long wait times at the Sierra electronics booth at Tour Expo.

Later, speaking to one of the Americade administrators, he told us the numbers were down by single digits for a second year in a row..

I'm of the opinion, the thinner crowds were a reflection of the continuing sagging American economy...

Strangely enough Warrensburg, a town six miles away, seemed busier than ever with even more vendors ("cling-on's").

The move from Roaring Brook Ranch to Fort William Henry downtown Lake George was generally accepted as a good move. The hotel was a classy setting with fantastic vistas of Lake George.

Our group was lucky this year winning several prizes...

Kim won a Tourmaster jacket at the Thurs night Tourmaster dinner, this after having bought two Olympia jackets earlier in the week. Don Stoodley won a riding jacket which Heather quickly redeemed at TourExpo. One member of our group, Dave Holden, actually won one of the grand prizes, a Bushtec motorcycle trailer of his choice!!!

He left Sat without knowing so I called him on the phone while enroute home but he refused to believe me, "You're shitting me!" were his exact words, until he got home and retrieved the winning

notification message on his phone!!

Early Fri morning - 7am to be exact -  met up with Andy Delivron, an Americade photographer who frequents the Americade message boards. Believe it or not this was arranged by Bill Dutcher - the head honcho of Americade - the night before. We had introduced ourselves at the Tourmaster presentation and Bill said it was long overdue to have pictures of campers at Americade and promptly arranged to have a photographer take pictures of our group at Battleground State Park.

Pick a puppy

Got to speaking with an affable Andy and before I knew it he offered to escort us to Crown Pt crossing on our way to Vermont. The ride was great and I made sure to log the route to secure several great roads incl a breathtaking overlook.



Never had any intention of buying much stuff this year but did purchase his and hers Olympia Air Glide 3 jackets (love em), EC ground block, Canadian flag, 2 new JM headsets, gloves and Signal Dynamics

Wig Wag brake modulator for the Wing



Can't wait to give my new purchases a thorough workout for the 2011 riding season

Fred (aka Derf)



Battery Gauge

Earlier this month, Frankie demonstrated to me his new toy on his HD...a digital battery gauge

He ordered it on line and was delivered a few days later...and he installed it immediately

Cost with shipping...was around $50

WOW! I thought for that price it was a pretty COOL gizmo

Wiring

On our long weekend ride, Lynn wanted to plug in her Gerbing electric jacket to warm up a little.

But to her chagrin, couldn't find the pigtail which hangs on the side of her bike.

I also looked for it and couldn't find it...hmmmm!

So, today I pulled the seat off the 900 Kawi exposing the battery posts and traced the wires

 

Well, it appears the bikes belt drive some how hooked the pigtail and flung it forward lodging it in the engine compartment.

 

I fished it out and here's what it looked like....

 

New fresh pigtail is now installed and winter ready for the Deltran Battery Tender.

Waterford Pumpkin Festival 2010 - Video

Click here for video

Trailside Cafe Ride - Oct 2010

This morning, turned on the TV and checked the weather network

Possible T-storms in Windsor and rain coming up from the south

Hmmm...I guess today a ride to the north is warranted

Met with Mark Taylor followed by Matt D at Timmy's in Oakville

Chatted about the extreme presence of boys in blue issuing "gift certificates" this weekend etc

Finally Lynn cracked "You going to chat like a bunch of old ladies or we going to ride?"

We quickly saddled up, but Matt had to fuel and then we headed north on Ford Dr by11am

As we approached Glen Williams we could see the clouds breaking and streaks of blue appearing...YeeeeHaaa!

In Glen Williams picked up 10th Line which turned into a dirt road...arrrgh!

Eventually we found tarmac and headed towards Olde Base Line

At the stop sign of Creditview and Olde Base Line we noticed a lot of car traffic and many cars parked or trying to park at the side of the road

As we executed our right turn we saw a sea of cars already parked on the shoulder and pedestrians walking along the road towards the red soil of the Badlands

Holy Moly! It's an invasion of snap happy Asians all over the place with cameras...Yikes!

Kept riding along Olde Base Line and then made a left on Airport Rd into Caledon for a pit-stop at Trailside Cafe

The temps had warmed up so we sat outside, chatted and enjoyed the weather

Afterwards, Matt decide to head towards his sisters place in Brampton while Mark motored home

Lynn and I decided to carry on and head north to Patterson Rd

The plan was to work our way over to Hwy 27 and then head south

Cruising down 27 we decided to pop in to see Freddy & Kim...but they were just on his way out for a family venue...Bye Bye Freddy! Bye Bye Kim!

So, we shot down 27 and then decided to pop by and see what Andy's up to in Meadowvale West

When we pulled up, he was just finishing his chores cleaning up his paint brushes and emptying his hot tub

Chatted for a while and then headed home

Made it just in time before it started to shower...Whew!

Well, it turned out to another great day and a FaNTaSTiC long weekend for riding...YeeeeeHaaaa!

Let the good times roll!
Al

West Montrose Ride - 2010 - Video

Well,another banner turnout for big Al.
A number of new faces incl his faithful flock still intoxicated by last weeks Wine ride enjoyed an eclectic mix of roads as we wound our way to West Montrose and The "Kissing Bridge".

Since my creative juices aren't flowing this evening I'll lazily list any noteworthy thoughts (no special order). Please feel free to add to this list...

Click here for video

Niagara Wine Run - Sep 2010 - Video

Once again a superlative Wine run led by the one and only Big Al..Weather was fabulous and turnout stupendous. A bevy of bikes showed up at the Tim's in Oakville under sunny skies and crisp morning temps.Attendees included our leader Al, his lovely wife Lynn, Dave H and Laura, Frank and Stella,Tony, Judy, Angelo (with new Italian horn), Matt and friend (met at Winona), Donna, Steve, Dave R,Derek and the Polish crew...

Click here for video

Lowbanks Ride - Sep 2010 - Video

Woke in the morning with a pounder...arrrgh!
Looked outside and noticed a grey overcast sky...arrrgh!
A barometric pressure headache...arrrgh!
Popped a couple of Tylenol pills...ahhh! Checked e-mail...read a couple of declined invites...hmmmm!

Click here for video

Wolo Bad Boy Horn - Video

Over the past couple of years I've been itching to get a louder horn for my bike.
I have found, when activated, the OEM horn supplied to a motorcycle just doesn't get the proper attention when confronted in a serious traffic situation....

Click here for video