Can you recognize this view?

Another classic day on the road.  Saturday, May 1 was the right day to be on the road this weekend.

A few clouds don’t bother us here.

Post #2:

Yesterday was an easy one to start.  Today is tougher, I’m not giving you too many clues in the photo.  One clue you can have is that “you can see where I am, from where I was yesterday”.  Not too helpful?  That was the idea… :-)   Good Luck !

I just thought this might be a fun idea to start for the season.

Where’s Wally?  Can you spot me in this photo?

I’m very happy with my new Hi-Visibility riding gear.  I went out looking for new gear last fall and was havning a hard time deciding whether I wanted style or visibility… I think I found both.  The gear is from Rubber Side Down in Richmond. Josh not only put up with me trying on every piece of gear he had on the rack, but also did some custom work on the jacket and pants when I finally decided to pick up a set. Great fit, works great in the rain (really… it rains in Vancouver you say???) and even in the cold up here it is warm, wind-proof and comfortable. Thanks Josh!

This is my first post in this series for the season:

This weekend was a great start for the season.  On Saturday I started by getting up at an unusual 06:00am and staggering out of bed to get ready for a full day of Advanced Rider Training courtesy of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (Chapter BC-A). A great group of riders which includes some of the most talented demonstration team members I have ever met. Needless to say I was thouroughly embarassed watching how easy they make low-speed, high quality manouvering. While the weather was not great, with a little light rain and general clouds, the day was an awsome experience and one that I’m sure I’ll repeat in the future. I highly recommend that anyone with any skill-level seriously consider looking up a refresher course for motor skills every season. There is nothing like working with folks who have a huge experience and knowledge base and are more than willing to share and help to improve the safety and enjoyment of the sport of motorcycling. I would like to thank the local organizers, presenters and trainers who belong to this organization an would highly recommend that folks check them out, if for no other reason than the training and experiences they are willing to share.
I don’t think that I have worked so hard while riding for a day and yet had as much fun while practicing on a motorcycle. I am far from perfect, and yet the folks at the GWRRA are more than willing to help and support anyone who takes part. I certainly came away with a better understanding of what I need to practice and as I always find, there are always some golden tips which you can pick up and put to great use every day.

Sunday, I was up again early (what is *wrong* with me??) and off for a day of riding and fun with the folks from Star Touring & Riding 5103. Another great group of riders in the local area who were off to the Tsawassen Classis Show & Swap. Wow, what a surprise, the weather was great; not too hot, dry and a cool wind.
As you can see there was a great turnout and lots of shiney chrome to admire in the parking lot alone. Lots of folks just out to enjoy the fine day and to share some noise (of course) as well as to meet other locals out for the new spring season. Traffic was well controlled, parking was managed pretty well but you should note that some of the grass area was needed to accomodate the number of riders so if you show up, ensure you bring a side-stand ‘helper’ so that your ride doesn’t take a fall in the soft grass. The crowd was well behaved and it made for a nice stop over on the day’s route.

There were lots of folks out just to enjoy the day, so the ride through Richmond later in the afternoon was accompanied by dogs, cyclists, joggers, strollers and everything else you would expect on a spring afternoon.  All in all a good way to start the season and a fine weekend. 

Welcome to Riding Season !

And now it’s spring !

The new season is upon  us and I am finally ready to role.  New tires, new brakes, chrome polished and shined, washed and waxed and ready for the road.

2010 Opening Mileage

To open this season, I’m going to track my mileage more closely (at least that’s what I say to myself each season) and to help, I’m going to post my mileage just to remind me where I started.  With a little luck I’ll find just the right notebook to take along with me this year and I have promised myself to take more notes to remember all the little details of my trips.

This season is already full of wonderful trip plans, including my journey to Yellowstone Park, the Rocky Mountains, Vancouver Island and many other great tours.  I am surprised at how the season booked up in advance this year.  I don’t know if it’s because there are so many great rides to take or if this year is just a particularly well scheduled one.  I don’t really mind which, since I still get to enjoy all the riding ! 

The season will start out with a great opportunity to learn some new skills and practice some old with the Gold Wing Road Riders Association.  I’ll be taking one of their Advanced Rider Courses, which I’m excited about.  You can never learn too much or practice enough.  Then off to a local club ride for the day on Sunday !

I picked up some new gear this year, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it performs.  You won’t be able to miss me as it is all Hi-Vis.  It’s quite a change for me, but I have been thinking of the change for some time and this season it just seemed right. 

See you all soon on the road.  Keep the shiney side up !

On March 12 the opening ceremonies and torch lighting marked the beginning of the 2010 Paralympic games.

Once again the Olympic Torch graces the waterfront in Vancouver as atheletes from around the world gear up for comptetion.

While the Olympics in February were fraught with the unique snow issues of spring-like weather, the Paralympics have started just as winter shows us a frosty reminder that she is not through yet.  The local mountains are covered with fresh snow measured in feet over the last week.  It will make for a memorable winter games !

And we are “off to the races” in search of Gold once more !

Current Medal Standings:

Sunday, March 14:
We are on the board ! Congratulations to Colette Bourgonje for our first medal at the 2010 Paralympics ! SILVER in the Women’s 10k, Sitting Cross Country Skiing !

Viviane Forest takes the SILVER in Women’s Slalom - Visually Impaired ! A great run for Viviane! Congratulations

Men’s Slalom - Sitting, a SILVER for Josh Dueck! Canada’s third medal of the day!

Monday, March 15:
Brian McKeever takes the GOLD n Men’s 20k Free, Visually Impaired. Increadible effort !

A double medal event ! Lauren Woolstencroft takes GOLD and Karolina Wisniewska takes BRONZE in the Wormen’s Slalom - Standing ! Congratulations to both of you !

Tuesday, March 16:
Here she comes again ! Viviane Forest wins her second medal, BRONZE in the Women’s Giant Slalom - Visually Impaired. Here’s a woman you won’t find it easy to keep up with ! Congratulations !

Wednesday, March 17:
Another GOLD for Lauren Woolstencroft ! This time in the Women’s Giant Slalom - Standing. A Giant Acheivement ! Congratulations !

Thursday, March 18:
Brian McKeever takes GOLD in the Men’s 10k Classic, Visually Impaired Cross Country. Unbeatable ! Congratulations !

Viviane Forest - what else can you say ! GOLD in the Women’s Downhill - Visually Impaired. You GO girl !

Here come the Canadians ! Congratulations to Colette Bourgonje for BRONZE in the Women’s 5k Sitting - Cross Country Skiing. Colette’s second medal of the games. Congratulations !

Lauren’s back again! Unstoppable Lauren Woolstencroft is back for GOLD in the Women’s Downhill - Standing, Alpine Skiing. Can anyone keep up with her?

Friday, March 19:
Lauren Woolstencroft, the Golden Girl for the games takes GOLD in the Women’s Super G - Standing, Alpine Skiing. That makes it 4 in one games; increadible performance !

Saturday, March 20:
Viviane Forest, is back for more winning SILVER in the Women’s Super Combined - Visually Impaired. Congratulations !

Laurent Woolstencroft has brought home the GOLD and Karilina Wisniewska has brought in BRONZE in the Women’s Super Combined - Standing. Another great race for the Canadians !

The Canadian team have brought in the GOLD in Wheelchair Curling ! Congratulations to all !

Sunday, March 21:
On the final day of the 2010 Paralympics, Brian McKeever has brought in the final GOLD for Canada in the Men’s 1km Sprint Classic, Visually Impaired.

Congratulations to all of the atheletes of the 2010 Paralympics. A wonderful games and a proud performance for all of the Canadian Team.

The real Canadian GOLD RUSH !

Saturday, February 13, 2010
Congratulations to Jennifer Heil for SILVER in the Women’s Moguls competition !  Incredible performance !

Sunday, February 14, 2010
Congratulations to Kristina Groves for a great performance and BRONZE Medal in Women’s 3000m Speed Skating! 

As I’m sure everyone has heard…. Canada won it’s first Gold Medal of the 2010 Olympics and it’s first on home soil.  Congratulations to Alexandre Bilodeau who won the Men’s Moguls Freestyle Skiing title on Sunday,  A wonderful performance by a great Canadian skier and what a joyful showing for our first GOLD !  

Monday, February 15, 2010
Congratulations to Mike Robertson who takes SILVER in Men’s Snowboard Cross.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Another GOLD for Canada !
Congratulations to Maëlle Ricker who takes the Women’s Snowboard Cross for GOLD !  Local Vancouver talent !

Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Congratulations to Marianne St-Gelais for a SILVER in Women’s 500m Short Track Speed Skating !  The sixth medal for Canada !  Now there’s a 20 year-old with a bright smile.

Thursday, February 18, 2010
Congratulations Christine Nesbitt for yet another GOLD medal.  Christine performed wonderfully in the Women’s 1000m Speed Skating !  WAY TO GO !!!

Friday, February 19, 2010
Congratulations Jon Montgomery  for a stellar performance and a GOLD Medal !  Imagine sliding head first down a near vertical sheet of ice at a top speed of 145.7 kmh on a tiny metal sled and you might be able to get a feel for Jon competing in the Men’s Skeleton.

Sunday, February 21, 2010
Incredible ! A second Olympic medal for Kristina Groves, such an incredible performance to take SILVER in the Women’s 1500m Speed Skating. A double medalist ! Congratulations !

Monday, February 22, 2010
A double triumph for two of Canada’s atheletes. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir bring home the GOLD in Figure Skating - Ice Dance. A beautiful performance and a double triumph as both the youngest and first North American couple to become Olympic Ice Dancing champions.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010
It’s a real Canadian Gold Rush ! Congratulations to Ashleigh McIvorfor a fabulous performance in Women’s Ski Cross ! Another wonderful local athelete brings home GOLD for Canada.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Congratulations to Clara Hughesfor an incredible finish in the Womens Speed Skating - 5000m race ! Clara has finished with a BRONZE in an event which I find amazing to watch. I can’t beleive the stamina required for these events.

WONDERFUL ! That is the word that comes to mind when I see Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse. Women’s Bobsleigh GOLD medalists today!

And what could be better than to see another pair take SILVER in the Women’s Bobsleigh, Helen Upperton and Shelley-Ann Brown. A 1-2 sweep of the event at the Whistler Sliding Centre for Canada. Congratulations to both teams !

And yet another incredible day as the Canadian team take SILVER in the Women’s Short Track 3000m Relay! Congratulations to Jessica Gregg, Kalyna Roberge, Marianne ST-Gelais and Tania Vicent. Another incredible triumph for all.

What an incredible day ! It’s hard to express how proud I am of all our atheletes.

Thursday, February 25, 2010
GOLD for the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team ! The Canadian Women’s Hockey Team capture thier 3rd straight Gold Medal! Congratulations. I hope we see much more women’s hockey !

Congratulations to Joannie Rochette from Quebec on her BRONZE medal finish in Women’s Figure Skating.  Our hearts are with you.

Friday, February 26, 2010
Canadians take the Men’s 500m Short Track Speed Skating ! Congratulations to Charles Hamelin for a GOLD and Francois-Louis Tremblay

Women's Curling - Congratulations to the Canadian Team in a very challenging game. The team took SILVER in the final event which lasted right up to the last rock.

Saturday, February 27, 2010
Congratulations to our 4 Man Bobsleigh Team for a BRONZE medal performance at the Whistler Sliding Centre. Lyndon Rush, David Bissett, Lascelles Brown and Chris Le Bihan; great !

GOLD for the Men’s Team Pursuit - Speed Skating: Mathieu Giroux, Lucas Makowsky and Denny Morrison. Congratulations all !

Jasey Jay Anderson finished with a GOLD in Mens Parallel Giant Slalom Snowboarding !

Congratulations to the Men’s Curling Team for GOLD !

And the final medal in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics… A hearty THANK YOU and Congratulations to the Men’s Hockey Team for a GOLD medal ! What a way to end the games !

The final total:
Canadaian Atheletes - 14 Gold, 7 Silver, 5 Bronze !
A new Olympic record for the most GOLD medals for a hosting country !

And to ALL the atheletes Thank You and Congratulations !
May these Olympic Games be a source of pride and acheivement for all involved.

In an odd way, I must say that I have become a convert to the Vancouver Olympic Games, and that despite the many acheivements which I have been proud to call Canadian, I feel more proud to call Canada my home and the Canadian people my country than at any other time.  Perhaps that may be the greatest acheivement of our Canadian athletes, one which they may not realize today amid the challenges, heartbreak, effort and glory in which they now are embroiled. The story of each athelete is far greater than the sound-bite press releases currently available, and I am proud of each for the supreme efforts they have made and the work they continue to bring to sports and life in Canada.

I would like to congratulate all of the Canadian Team who represent each of us in the pinnacle of sporting endeavour.  To attend the games alone is the culmination of a monumental effort and a triumph for each athlete.  We are proud of each and every one of the team and wish you all the best in these games.

Check out the list of Canadian Athletes participating in the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

All the latest Olympic Medal standings

WELCOME !

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games have truly arrived.  The Olympic Torch travelled into downtown Vancouver at 06:20 this Friday morning and brought with it the final excitement of the opening day.  Over the last few days, the number of celebrities has risen on the torch relay as organizers pick-up the pace raise the anticipation for the opening ceremonies.

Early this morning, before even the sun had risen, the torch crossed the iconic Lions Gate Bridge into Stanley Park.  While rumours had been circulating since Thursday, it was still a moment of excitement to have Arnold Schwarzenegger pick up the torch for another short leg of the relay.

Thanks to Predrag for braving the early morning hours and crowd on-hand to see Arnold carry the torch.

The torch has passed through many hands in it’s journey to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies each now a celebrity in their own right.  While Arnold may be one of the least Canadian, there is a fit.  Canadians continue to welcome people from all over the world to join our endeavours, all it takes is for someone to ask.  The longest cross-country torch relay in the history of the games has brought the Olympic Flame within reach of nearly every single Canadian.  Quite an achievement, and in typical Canadian style, quite an understated journey.

Friday night:  Opening Ceremonies

While a few lucky thousands have had the opportunity to sit-in on the performance rehearsals over the past week, there is still much excitement and secrecy surrounding the opening night.  I think that there were more Vancouverites glued to their TV’s to watch the Opening Ceremonies than I have ever seen.  While a crowd of around 60 thousand ticket holders wound there way through traffic, crowds and security to a seat in the stadium the rest of the world sat down to view the performance on television.

 True to form, the Vancouver 2010 Opening Ceremony was quite the spectacle.  A mixture of live performance, technological wizardry and a flair for unusual and stunning visual use of the domed space provided a unique experience which I’m sure will be discussed for a long time.  The live performance was completed with grace and professionalism and while not without it’s own brand of suspense, is a true tribute to all who participated, organized, planned and worked behind the scenes to bring the world a new Canadian piece of art.

Congratulations to all ! and Thank You !

As a close to the evening,
the flame was transported by Wayne Gretzky from the stadium to the outdoor home of the Olympic Flame.  Not to be forgotten by the dry indoor crowd, Mother Nature welcomed this final leg of the journey in typical Vancouver style; rain. 
In spite of the rain, there were plenty of Vancouverites out to line the route and watch the final Olympic Cauldron on the waterfront.

Now that the games have been declared officially open, may we enjoy the wonder and spectacle while they are here.  To all of our guests and the atheletes participating we bid you welcome and good luck to all !

It’s here !

The official opening day for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.  The Olympic Torch has been circling the Vancouver area for the last five days.  Slowly moving towards the center of Vancouver City proper and the Opening Ceremonies on Friday evening.  It’s hard to describe the mixture of feelings which are apparent in the Vancouver population.  Disinterest to casual commentary have almost been the norm for so long here that it is a bit odd to see people start to gather, dressed in varying forms of ‘red and white’ or official Olympic gear and watch the spectacle of the Olympic Torch paraded down quiet streets in the local communities.  While the crowds look great on TV, they are still well behaved and typically ‘Canadian’ in manner.   We gather in the hundreds to line a couple of blocks of the roadway, pressed into a cramped space to see little more than a glimpse of fire above the heads of the crowd and then quietly disperse back to our lives once the miniature parade has passed on to another street.

The excitement isbuilding…. I can feel it in the people on the streets, see it in the number of Canadian flags finally showing up on car windows, offices and homes.   We may be quiet in our anticipation, but Canadians do really feel a sense of the building momentum.  The anticipation for the opening ceremonies is also building excitement here in Vancouver.  There have been several ‘dress rehersals’ which have been attended by a few thousand people each night this week.  While people are normally a little ‘tight-lipped’ about the details, there are many appreciative comments floating around the city.  A quiet, patriotic feeling is rising and, I think, we are eager to share our pride in being Canadian with the rest of the world.

Tonight, I hope you will join us in feeling some of that pride and (in truth) I hope we Canadians will also take some of that pride with us as well in the next few weeks.  No matter what your thoughts on the games; 

WELCOME:  to the 21st Winter Olympic Games  - Vancouver 2010 !

Well it’s February.  The time has come to set some dates on the vacation calendar and start to prepare for the season in earnest.

Good news!  There are still lots of places to ride!  LOL
My original ideas still hold steady; Yellowstone and Banff/Jasper.  A good skeleton to work upon this year.  In addition I’m going to have a bit more fun this year and include a couple of the local rallies.  The Hells Canyon Rally and Toad Rock Rally look like some fun and they are surrounded by some great country to explore.  Signed up and ready to go…. (well almost).

The real season doesn’t start until April if you want to be careful of the potential winter weather.  And since it is really a small area of the west coast that is having an abnormally warm winter, it’s still going to be limited riding.  Sounds like June, July and August are going to be the busy months for my longer trips this year.  While I loved the weather in May last year, fitting my trips around some rallies has pushed the major excursions back a bit.  This means I’ll have more time for some of the day trips and weekend jaunts in the early season.  A great way to warm-up, test the gear and ride with the locals as well.

I still haven’t decided whether to strech for Yosemite Park so I still have a bit of work to do on the details.  I want to make the most of my time in Yellowstone however I am intrigued by Yosemite Park and the Redwoods as well….. Always too many great places to see.  I love it!

More to come!