August 18 - 20, 2014 - trip to 100 mile house

Nothing to do but hit the road... off to see my friend Steve Havas, up in 100 Mile House.

The weather was perfect, clear skies, not too hot or too cold, just right for riding my motorcycle. However, I did have the starting of a summer cold. :( but that did not hinder the ride. :)

All packed up heading out to Steve's place. I took the Whistler route going up and had to take the Fraser Canyon route back home.

Starting at Vancouver (bottom left) then going clockwise.

The nice part of going the Whistler Route, is that I do not have to put up with all the city traffic... most of the time, just me and the open road.

The bike ran perfect (as always) through-out the entire trip. It was a long ride... sore butt, wrists, neck, back and a lot of wind noise to put up with, but hey... that is motorcycle riding eh!

I stopped at Pemberton for gas... around $20.00 to fill

The plan was to stop a lot, but riding by yourself, it seems that you stop less often.

I called Steve when I arrived at Lillooet, to let him know that I will be at the highway junction in 1.5 hours. Steve wanted to go for a ride as well, so we arranged to meet there.

We timed the meeting place perfectly; I only waited about 10 minutes for Steve to arrive.

From this point further, there was a lot more traffic, and greater road/wind noise, caused by all the traffic. In addition, it seemed that everyone was in such a rush... no longer as relaxing and enjoyable as riding through the mountain pass on your own.

We stopped in 100 Mile House for gas ... around $20.00 again.

Then off to Steve's home, just 10km out of town...

Steve and Val, with her lamas in the background

Steve drove me around in his car to Williams Lake the next day. I enjoyed viewing my old stomping grounds, bring back many great memories. We ended up at the Laughing Loon Pub for a few beer and snacks.

My cold was not getting any better and so was the weather predictions, so I decided it was time for home. The thought of riding through a thunderstorm did not sound to appealing.

The next day... off to Vancouver.

My plan was to go home the same way I came... through Whistler. but as I came to the highway junction to turn off to Whistler, the highway was closed due to wash-out... This means either take a two to three hour detour or go the Fraser Canyon route... needless to say I took the Fraser Canyon route. This means that I will be going on the freeway with  lots and lots of traffic... no fun at all!

Stopped at the Dairy Queen for a ice cream break

Lots of smoke from a forest fire near by.

met up with a few motorcycle riders along the way.

I ride was nice, but would of preferred the Whistler Route.

Left Steve's place at 11:00am and arrived home at 5:30pm... a long ride to say the least... sore butt and wrists!

Home now... resting. :)

June 23 2014 - Trip around Sunshine Coast, with Darryl

Second trip of the season...

Trip around our Sunshine Coast...

Above, the trip route taken with my West Vancouver Yacht club, friend Darryl Stodalka; (Darryl  recently got his Honda ST1300). This will be his time on this route.

Motorcycles parked on the ferry, going to Gibson

the weather, traffic and road conditions were GREAT! lots of fantastic scenery!!

Darryl leading the way to the pub!

 We took the ferry from Horseshoe bay to Gibson, stopped of just north of Madeira Park, "Garden Bay Hotel Marina Pub" for lunch, then drove to the end of the ride (see the yellow line on the map above), then came back home again.

Looking out into the bay, from the Pub

Looking from the wharf

 Beer, food and company where great! Highly recommend the place!

One happy Darryl with his bike!

not sure why I look so tall along side my motorcycle...must be the camera :)

On our trip back, we stopped over at Gibson... government docks, just to take a look around before we head back on the ferry...

taking a texting break.

Got home safe and sound!....

Till the next trip!

June 17 2014 - Ride to Abbotsford

Today is a great day for a ride to Abbotsford, but going to my mum's friend funeral.

Weather was very good for the ride... not too hot nor too cold.

Stopped over at mum's place first, for coffee and a light lunch... my sister Wendy was over there too! she is taking mum to the funeral.

The drive over was just OK, nothing really to say about the ride... just lots of traffic.

The funeral for was for Simon Koostra, my dad's last friend; now all his friends have passed on :( but that's life.

My ride back was better... love the roads behind Mission... no traffic to speak of. However, as I was getting closer to Pitt Meadows the traffic really started to build (now rush hour). It would seem that every car was in a race to get home... extremely stressful for me... I found it was better to pass the traffic than to have the traffic pass me. Vehicle love to cut you off!

Anyway... safe and sound home.

See map below of my route.. route was around 100 miles.

June 3 - 6, 2014 - Trip to Summerland

 Well, the motorcycle is finally insured again, ready to hit the road!

Another season of riding is a head! First ride of the year...

Off to Summerland, to see my friend Brian Wootton!

Digging up my riding gear, I found that my old motorcycle helmet still smells like mold! Last year, I made the mistake of putting my helmet into my saddlebag wet! When I took it out, 8 months later, it was completely covered in white mold! I tried removing the mold with every chemical there was... but the smell still remained... time for a new helmet! I finally found a replacement... got a "Schuberth C3 Pro" (a newer version of my old one). In addition, I got a helmet speaker system (SRC system). This is integrated into the helmet, looks good. Now I got Bluetooth... connects to my iPhone, music, gps, radio stations and a communication system with other riders. Works OK, but will take some getting use to. I will only use it on long trips.

In for penny in for a pound... purchased a new rain suit (one piece BMW yellow rain suit) and the best thing... a new front tire. Now the bike rides perfectly around the corners! so happy with the tire.

Below are the pictures of my trip...

starting at Vancouver, going counter clockwise

 First stop was at my mum's place for coffee in Port Coquitlam, nice stop over... then off... going the Mission / Harrison Hots spring route...

All loaded at my Mum's place

 Planning to camp over at Manning Park (Skagit Valley - shown in blue), but I am just too old to camp in the snow! so I stayed in their hotel. Nice place with hardly anyone there!

At the look-out at Manning park

Yes, to was cold, but nice!

Just me and my ride...FJR 1300

at the look-out station, looking down at Manning Park

Since no one was at the look-out and early morning, I decided to coast down the mountain... no noise, just air rushing pass. We will surprised what you can see going down the road up there. Seen a few deer, lots of birds and squirrels. Makes you really appreciate life!

At Summerland - Brian's mountain cabin... living on the ledge
note the painting on Brian's cabin wall... not bad eh!

Brian's yearly garden

Preparing dinner!

His dog Monty

peaceful ride!

A lake along the Connector between Summerland and Merritt

After a few days at Brian's place... time for the home run.

Just passed Merritt - hot area.
note... no traffic!!!!

Going up to the Coast Mountains, heading for home

The ride back was a lot longer than I was planning to ride... left Summerland at 10:30 am... got home at 7:30 pm

I was planning to camp around Merritt, but just to hot now! So I kept riding... as I was just starting to go through the Coast Mountains, there was a major paving project going on... stopping all traffic for over a 1/2 hour. This means that I am at the front of the line... with no traffic ahead of me... brand new pavement... new super tires... hey who could stop! the best ride yet... going a MY speed with no cars to hold me up through the mountain. PERFECT!

Stopped at Pemberton for dinner, then home... completely beat!!!

So ends a great ride!!

till next time...

August 20, 2013 - Trip over to Courtney to see Rebecca

Yes... I did NOT take any pictures in 2012... took the bike out only on local drives around the block. Just ran out of time.

Also, this year 2013 - my heart pass-by operation did me in for most of the year.

I did however, take a ride to see Rebecca to give her all my remaining horse stuff, as she now has a horse of her own. Plus, it is nice to pass this stuff and see her face when she is using it.

I wanted to take the motorcycle for this trip, the ride over there is a perfect motorcycle ride, lots to see, lots of curves,  just needed to figure out how to carry this stuff on the back of my motorcycle. With a bit of organizing... it all fit... Australian saddle, saddle pad, bridle, reins, breast plate, saddle bag, water bottles and carrier, whip, etc...

One last ride with my horse saddle

On ramp to ferry to Vancouver Island

Sitting on the ferry

 Carrying... Australian Outback saddle, saddle pad, lunging whip, saddle bags, bridal, reins, water holders, breast plate, etc....

Rebecca with her horse donning all the horse stuff.

Rebecca looking proud of her new stuff

Her smile says it all.

Well, this was to be the only ride that I have taking pictures of this year.

I hope that I will be doing a few more rides in 2014...

September 2011 - Trip to 100 Mile House / Interior of BC with Eric James and Steve Havas

Well, this is the last big motorcycle trip for sometime, just too much sailing going on.
 Eric (from Sooke) and I started our trip... going the Whistler route to 100 Mile House. The trip (one way) will take around 6 - 8 hours depending on our butts = rest stops.

Eric James ready for our trip to 100 Mile House

At a rest stop, just after Whistler Mountain going to Pemerton

This section of road (Highway 99) is great! Mountain riding, lots of twists and turns. Beautiful lakes, streams, alpine flowers, smells etc.
Going through Joffre Lakes Provincial Park and Duffey Lake Provincial Park.

My FJR 13000 Yamaha loaded down

We reached the City of  Lillooet, interior of BC

Just leaving Lillooet on Highway 99

 This section of road is desert riding... usually very hot, dry smell of sage, long straight sections... good road! and no traffic to speak of.
This road goes through Mable Canyon Provincial Park

Butt rest stop

En-route to 100 Mile House... fairly flat country side

 Now heading North to 100 Mile House. Gets a bit colder as we ride north. Long open straight sections with very light traffic

Eric, Steve and Val; great morning meal

 Arrived at Steve and Val's place, just north of 100 Mile House

Steve's work shop

Steve working on my bic, installing my new skid bars... to protect my flaring in case of a fall.

 We took a ride to Williams Lake...

Williams Lake - note the clouds

One thing to be said about the BC Interior, you can always see what the weather will be. You can see a rain storm coming in and get prepared for it. Find cover or don your rain gear.

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Just got out of the way of a rain storm.

 We notice a dark cloud coming towards us... major rain... we made it just in time to take cover before the heavens opened up.

Riding back to 100 Mile House, just before town

Eric with Candace Copley, a local guitarist / singer

 We stopped into town to check  out the flea market / craft market. There we found "Candace Copley", an up and coming local talent. With Eric a guitar/singer, with his own band in Sooke, and me a somewhat guitar player, we could not resist in stopping over and checking this out. We asked her if she would play a song or two... which she happily did! We purchase some of her CD's

Well worth the stop over... she was / is great!!

"Candace Copley" 2011

Near top of mountain pass going to Little Fort.

The next day we took Highway 24 - towards Bridge Lake, ending at Little Fort heading off to Oliver, where Steve has an apartment.

Lac des Roches Lake

Butt break time

Steve's bike

rest to at Little Fort

Drink break in one of the local pubs

Steve buying a camera

driving down the Okanagan Valley

Just passed Summerland coming into Penticton

Oliver

 We drove down to Oliver, where Steve and his sister have a beautiful apartment. We stayed there for a few days, to relax and enjoy the area. This was a great time... friends, walks, weather, and riding of course.

Went for a walk along the local river

Steve taking a break

Eric going for a swim in the local river.

Eric posing in a field of Sumac trees

going down to Osoyoos

Eric and his bike

Osoyoos beach

Miller Time!, note the suspenders! for the Swiss look

Eric butt break

Nice eh!

Looking at Osoyoos

What can I say eh! beautiful BC

The three riders!! :)

Riding Home

 So ends a great week or so ride!  Until next time eh!