Thursday, June 18, 2009
This trip proved once again that it's best to work with what mother nature provides. It would have been a bonus to travel the amazing roads of South Dakota and Colorado but the enjoyment would have been lost in pounding rain. I will remember Washington State as one of the most surprising encounters of my biking travels....the views and roads were spectacularly unique. Thanks to those who kept track of our daily progress...pretty comforting at the end of long days so far from home. Thanks to Ian who did a great job of setting up the blog on his "nut book". Glenn provided his usual unwavering lead while suffering with nary a peep through a bad cold...an amazing man in my books! It's a blessing to be back with those we know and love, but It should come as no surprise to y'all (hint) that I'm thinking of my vote for a 2010 trip. Hopefully our friend Eric will be up to joining us to make our special foursome complete...just like 5-hour, we're not sure why...the mix just works! Neil
Monday, June 15, 2009
Random Thoughts from the trip... Ian
I prefer to measure speed and distance in miles.
Old farm implements - combines, tractors, etc. - sitting on the edge of properties... on display for travellers.
Oil well pumps on properties in MT and ND. Almost all of them looked like they had just been installed. Every drop counts.
Bumper stickers... 'Idaho's No. 1 Poacher - Canadian Wolves'... I removed my toque and walked away with a hayseed 'tude.
Bitch Creek Beer... that would be Bitch Crick Beer.
I need to start doing back stretching exercises.
Montana is the state I would want to re-visit soon.
Day time running lights... c'mom America, get that going!
The U.S. have far more roads than they need... but it works well for travellers like us.
Ontario has good roads... well designed... but it's shameful that Hwy. 17 and 69 are not 4 lane from the Sault east and south. Yeah, they're working on it but come on... it should have been completed 40 years ago.
Speed limits in the U.S. are posted realistically. In non-urban areas, most cars travel at the posted speed or slightly below. In Ontario, everyone travels at least 10 kms/hour above posted.
Wildlife sightings - Bear, Bald Eagle, Coyote, Elk, Bison, Deer
The boys in MT and ND drive big pick-ups.
If you think you live in the middle of nowhere, visit Montana.
Deer don't look both ways.
I really enjoy riding mountain passes (tight and twisty) but me and my bike prefer roads that follow rivers and lakes (faster and sweeping).
Electric vest and heated hand grips... I couldn't have survived without them. They are an absolute must for distance riding on a bike like mine.
My bike ran really well. Thanks to Vance, Melanie and the boys in the back at Precision Cycle Works.
We had a great trip... met a bunch of really nice people everywhere... ate some great food in places I wouldn't normally step foot in...
Best Western Motels were great value for the money. We stayed in 3 over the two weeks. Always clean and comfortable and included a conny in the morning. Just enough to get us through to a lunch stop.
Energy drinks work well... honourable mention to 5 Hour Energy shots to eliminate the early afternoon yawns... no side effects or crash later. And what's wrong with a sugar-free Red Bull after breakfast.
Maintaining facial hair is a PIA! The goat is gone.
No hockey fans in the north plains... all Red Wing fans in Michigan. Boohoo for them.
The new net-book was great on the road. Having easy access to the Internet made next day ride planning much easier and allowed for regular communications with home... web-cams are cool!
Neil and Glenn. Thank you!
See you soon Eric. I have a few photos to show you.
That's all for now.
Thank you for following along. As Ann, our favorite cook, reminded us... 'it's all about the journey, not the destination'
Ian
I prefer to measure speed and distance in miles.
Old farm implements - combines, tractors, etc. - sitting on the edge of properties... on display for travellers.
Oil well pumps on properties in MT and ND. Almost all of them looked like they had just been installed. Every drop counts.
Bumper stickers... 'Idaho's No. 1 Poacher - Canadian Wolves'... I removed my toque and walked away with a hayseed 'tude.
Bitch Creek Beer... that would be Bitch Crick Beer.
I need to start doing back stretching exercises.
Montana is the state I would want to re-visit soon.
Day time running lights... c'mom America, get that going!
The U.S. have far more roads than they need... but it works well for travellers like us.
Ontario has good roads... well designed... but it's shameful that Hwy. 17 and 69 are not 4 lane from the Sault east and south. Yeah, they're working on it but come on... it should have been completed 40 years ago.
Speed limits in the U.S. are posted realistically. In non-urban areas, most cars travel at the posted speed or slightly below. In Ontario, everyone travels at least 10 kms/hour above posted.
Wildlife sightings - Bear, Bald Eagle, Coyote, Elk, Bison, Deer
The boys in MT and ND drive big pick-ups.
If you think you live in the middle of nowhere, visit Montana.
Deer don't look both ways.
I really enjoy riding mountain passes (tight and twisty) but me and my bike prefer roads that follow rivers and lakes (faster and sweeping).
Electric vest and heated hand grips... I couldn't have survived without them. They are an absolute must for distance riding on a bike like mine.
My bike ran really well. Thanks to Vance, Melanie and the boys in the back at Precision Cycle Works.
We had a great trip... met a bunch of really nice people everywhere... ate some great food in places I wouldn't normally step foot in...
Best Western Motels were great value for the money. We stayed in 3 over the two weeks. Always clean and comfortable and included a conny in the morning. Just enough to get us through to a lunch stop.
Energy drinks work well... honourable mention to 5 Hour Energy shots to eliminate the early afternoon yawns... no side effects or crash later. And what's wrong with a sugar-free Red Bull after breakfast.
Maintaining facial hair is a PIA! The goat is gone.
No hockey fans in the north plains... all Red Wing fans in Michigan. Boohoo for them.
The new net-book was great on the road. Having easy access to the Internet made next day ride planning much easier and allowed for regular communications with home... web-cams are cool!
Neil and Glenn. Thank you!
See you soon Eric. I have a few photos to show you.
That's all for now.
Thank you for following along. As Ann, our favorite cook, reminded us... 'it's all about the journey, not the destination'
Ian
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Oshawa, Ontario - We made it home last night at 7:00 pm... just in time to ride through rain in Port Perry.
My lower back is killing me! The GPS shows a total distance of 8883 kms. Not bad for 15 days. I'm still working on a final thoughts post... it should be up sometime today or tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who followed.
Ian
Saturday, June 13, 2009
The Venture turned 100K today! That deserves a suitable tribute....Every biker can relate to the special bond that exists between bike and rider. A biker takes care of their bike because the bike takes care of you. Bikers think the best of their machine because it brings out the best in them. There is nothing more wasteful than a bike trapped in a garage. A bike and rider are meant to roam proud and free. The Venture has carried me over mountains in BC and Montana that touch the sky; through the grand valleys of the Applications and South Dakota where the contours of the land give shape to roads that seem to exist for bikers alone. We have ridden the great plains of Canada and felt the cool winds of oceans, lakes and streams. The readiness of the Venture to press on through 100K of heat and storm and deliver me safely to still more amazing lands is a privilege recieved. We are one in the brotherhood, shared in each passing wave and the treasured memories that await all bikers around every turn. Neil
Friday, June 12, 2009
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