There has been volumes written about the joys of riding motorcycles. The sights and smells cannot be duplicated or even imagined for the un-initiated. The feeling when leaning the bike into a curve just as a blast of cooler air or the smell of a freshly mowed hay field hits you is indescribable. It was just such a day last Sunday when Kim and I rode down the Valley to visit Family and Friends in Edgewater.

During the ride home, we stopped for a break at the Spillimachine Rest Stop.  As we were visiting with a couple of other bikers also stopped for a stretch, a cell phone rang. Someones daughter phoned that she heard there was a motorcycle accident just North of Parson and a couple of people were killed.

Oh my God, we had passed many bikes today both local and travelling through. Was it someone we knew? Was it one bike? 2 bikes? All sorts of questions run through your mind.

The rest of the ride home was a very sombre affair. Thoughts of mortality running through your mind. What had happened? Was it a deer? another vehicle? We passed through Parson and saw flashing lights ahead and a sign " Accident Scene". The officials were cleaning up the site and trying to determine what had happened. The bike was still laying in the ditch. From brief observation while riding by, it seemed that the bike simply did not turn the corner. It did not appear that the rider even started on the corner. I could not see any skid marks. There were two people killed in the accident, they were not local riders. There did not seem to be another vehicle involved. At this time the RCMP are not releasing any names or theories of the cause.

Lesson of the Day, Tragedy can strike at any time, Ride Safe and Ride Often. Never put off seeing family and friends, it may be the last time you see them.

Ride Safe and See Ya in the Wind,

Terry

Spring is Finally Here!!!

It's been a long cold lonely winter...... isn't that how the Beatles song starts out? Well, Spring has been slow coming. Insurance went on the bike a month late and even then, it snowed the day after I bolted the plate on....

But, the forecast for Easter Weekend looked good. A couple of rides around town on Saturday between yard chores and walking Diesel, the Grandpuppy set the scene.

Then, Sunday morning, The sun was shining, the breeze was light, It felt like Spring, finally. Easter Breakfast, Yard Work in the morning, wash the winter mud and grime off of the Expedition after lunch, and pull the bike out into the sunshine was the order of the day!

We donned our leathers and rode up to put some gas in the bike. I try to always use the 94 octane in the bike so am used to paying a premium price. $1.479 per litre tho is a tad ridiculous!!

Although, I have been riding for a couple of weeks, this is the first time for an afternoon ride with both Kim and I.

A ride south in the sunshine until we want to turn around is just what the doctor ordered. We met a few bikes on the road but nobody was at Braishier Creek Rest Stop when we got there. A quick rest and back on the road again.

It was the kind of day that makes you want to throw your head back and scream in joy. The sun was warm against your face but the wind was a bit cool to remind you that riding season was just beginning.

Thoughts drifted to the upcoming season. This weekend (April30)  Mayhem Motorsports is holding a Swap Meet from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. A lot of our usual Rides and Rallies have had major changes this year and, in my opinion not for the better.

The Ride for Sight Event that we have gone to for the past few years changed location last year. The location change and the change in the event  itself has made us re-evaluate the ride.

There is a new event in Salmon Arm called Sturgis North. If the marketing is to be believed, it will be the greatest rally of the summer. Lots of name bands and people. It all sounds good. The question I have is why did they chose to hold it on the same weekend of the long running Salmon Arm Summer Stomp?

The Salmon Arm Summer Stomp has been taking place for the past 22 years. It has been the party of the summer and has given back a staggering $181,345.00 back to the community over the years. Seems like a no-brainer which one to support for me.

Some other Rallies coming up: July Long Weekend at Toad Rock, the following weekend (July 8-10) at Horsethief Hidaway and don't forget the laid back time at the Creston Thunder Run on the Aug long weekend (July 29 - Aug 1).

Last but not least don't forget the Annual Golden Poker run. on August 22. There are some changes this year. I will post an article about it as soon as some details get clarified.

Anyway you ride it, keep your face in the wind and enjoy !!!

cya in the wind, Terry

An Evening Ride

The wind was calling after work today. We filled up the water bottle, made sure I had the camera and GPS and headed out down the Valley on Highway 95. The sun was shinning. The wetlands beauty and the mountains majestic presence all combined with the late summer smells to make it a perfect evening to ride down to  the Quinn Creek Rest Stop. A couple of pictures, a GPS reading to post it on the "Day Rides" Map and back home to BBQ Ribs on the deck with a beer. 

On the way back we planned on stopping at Braisher Creek Rest Stop for a restroom break. As we got close to the turnoff, I put my signal on and started to slow down. I saw a car coming up in my left mirror and glanced up to see a car approaching in the oncoming lane. I glanced down in the mirror again prior to starting the turn into the rest stop. The car was not in my mirror, I immediately glanced in the right mirror about the same time as Kimmi squeezed my right leg. I saw the car momentarily in the mirror just before it shot past us on the right  and came to a stop half in the ditch just ahead of the turnoff. Luckily, no one got hurt. We rode into the Rest area and got off the bike. He drove in and was pretty sheepish. I think he was more shook up than we were. Truth was, he was going to fast and not paying close enough attention. On the other hand, I was in the right, I had put my signal light on in plenty of time. Being in the right is not much comfort if you are laying on the pavement bleeding.

Thinking back, I am not sure if I flashed my brake lights at the same time  I put the signal on or just slowed down initially with the gears.....I know one thing. He is going to be a little attentive when he is driving for a while at least, and I am going to be remembering to flash my brake lights at the same time as gearing down. Close calls remind us how vulnerable we are . Any  close calls you walk away from teach you something, or at least better.....

Keep the wind in your face and your eyes open.

cya in the wind, Terry

Summer Fun !!

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