May 25th -- Oil Change & Riding Day

We decided it was time for an oil and filter change for my bike today. It needed a little warm-up first, and rather than just running it here, I took the bike out for a little solo ride. I headed out to a local school parking lot, did a few slow maneuvering exercises, and then headed home, but I found that the Little Hussy wasn't ready to enter our own driveway (you'd think she had a mind of her own), and she just blasted on by. So I rode on for a just a little bit, found another parking lot, did a nice little circle there, and then headed home. And then the fun began.

Why on earth was everything on the Hussy so tight? I'd have been really happy if I could have managed the removal of the old filter on my own, but that just wasn't how this worked out. We'd raised her up a little on a ramp, so that we could slide the oil pan under, but even so, we just couldn't get the old filter out. So I suggested we gently lay her on her side on the lawn, and that gave us better access. I admit it took a man to unscrew the sucker. I did replace it with the new filter, and of course once that was all set, I filled the baby with fresh oil.

Later on in the day, we headed out to Genoa Bay with Stephen and his friends Steve and Dawn. Steve got himself a big Honda Shadow (I think it's an 1100cc bike). It sure was a gorgeous ride until some stinging got to me. I felt frantic with the intensity of a burning stinging sensation and tried to rid myself of this nasty horror while riding, but it just felt like it was getting worse... darned near felt like my neck was in contact with stinging nettles. I had to signal and pull over to the side of the road. Stephen was ahead and since the road has many winding turns, he didn't realize I wasn't behind him anymore until he saw a truck coming up behind him. Vic, Steve and Dawn, all riding behind me, pulled over when I did, and they saw what flew out of my collar: a fracking bee. Geesh, the little pricker sure took a chunk. I'm awful happy that the folks at the delightful restaurant on the water were good enough to supply me with vinegar and a bunch of serviettes to get some of the sting down. Vic and Stephen are both extremely allergic to bee stings, and we didn't have any benadryl or epi pens with us, so I was glad I took the sting and not them. And of course we learned a good lesson: bring benadryl on the bikes!

Despite the sting, it was a glorious ride, especially on the way home. It's actually delightful to know I have to be home before dark; it affords me the opportunity to enjoy the most incredible sunset rides! We have some pictures, and I'll get them up later. For now, I just want to keep track of my rides. Sure love my bike!

May 24th -- Malahat Mountain Mixer

We couldn't get away for the whole weekend, but we managed a wonderful greet & meet afternoon and early evening. The MMM was held at the Osborne Bay Resort and Campground, overlooking the Georgia Strait as it narrows between Vancouver Island and Saltspring Island. It's incredibly beautiful! But the best part for me was meeting some of the women I've been talking to on our forums: Vancouver Island Lady Riders and the Women Who Ride.

The picture I've included here first, in front of my precious little Hussy, is of Willi, me and Jenn the Dragon! What a great couple of women, as terrific in person as they've been on the internet. Harley Davidsons were certainly in the majority at this event, but we also spotted some other really beautiful bikes. I couldn't help but think about Everett and his Virago when we spotted one of those with an incredibly pretty paint job.

Just check out the gold finish highlighting the chrome on this pretty baby. But there were many other gorgeous bikes, including a very gorgeous Yamaha, and plenty of delightful little HD Sportsters owned by some of the women.

Dinner was fantastic. We had a wonderful roast, three different salads, and buns and chili. There was quite a bit left over too, so some of the single guys took home doggie bags.

I've gotta say that it was pretty scary for me riding down into this campground... a long gravel driveway descending to a parking lot near the water. I slowed at the top of the hill, looked at it, felt like I was getting queasy and then thought: "just go for it girl." And that's what I did. Man, I was pumped, so proud... and so grateful that I didn't drop the Hussy.

We had such a great time, and thoroughly enjoyed Willi and Big Daddy. Sure want to get together with these friends again. Big Daddy (Bill) has quite a great mustache!

It was over too soon for me. However, I had a fantastic ride home. The sunset began as we hit the highway, and the colors were absolutely magnificent! I got to wear the chaps my friend Lynette loaned me and that made the ride feel even better... no cold wind blasting my knees! Yippee. I can hardly wait to get out again.

My next learning curve will involve an oil change on my bike.... I'll let ya know how it goes.

May 21 -- Ride to Work and Healing Burns

I never thought I'd be riding the bike to The Pottery Store, but did that today. Mind you, Vic accompanied me on his bike and returned at the end of the day to ride home with me again.

I quickly took the lead though, I just wanted to make sure we didn't head straight home. Gotta tell you... I'm sooooo hooked.

I also want to report on my burns. They're healed! I have never had a burn heal so quickly in my life. For 2nd and 3rd degree burns to be completely healed in a week? I'm still amazed. I was able to take a nice hot bath one week after my little accident, without bandages. I'd pulled them off, realized that the burn was no longer draining or seeping, and decided it was time to immerse the leg (with a little trepidation). No pain!

I have to attribute this incredible healing to my sister, Patricia, a reiki master! She's been working on me every day since it happened, and I'm here to tell you, if you're not a believer in this meditative healing technique, well, it's time to open your mind up and give it a try. I have a little pink skin, no scars... though it sure looked like I would have them when the skin around the burn was puckering and pulling just a few days ago. I've been using vitamin E capsules, breaking them open and rubbing that in, and I am delighted. Not that it's a lovely picture, but this is how it's looking now. I won't even be able to brag about surviving these burns in a few more days, because I won't have any proof anymore.

Thanks Patricia, you are one of my idols, and I'm so lucky to have you as my one and only precious sister.

May 18th -- A ride on Vic's tractor

What a gorgeous day! We just had to finish it with a ride... but since we were heading out for an evening ride, I knew I couldn't take the Hussy. I don't have that class 6 licence yet, can only ride between dawn and dusk. Anyway, I thought it was time to pay attention to Vic's approach to everything from lane position to changing gears and turning corners.

He's been on his own lately, and found it rather different having a passenger again. But it was a great experience for both of us. We toodled up to Parksville, partly on the highway, and then enjoying some of the beautiful back roads.

Mom took a few pictures before we started out, and since it was so warm out, I didn't need to wear a turtleneck or anything and decided to go for the 3/4 helmet instead of the full-face job. That felt so delicious. Even on the way home, when it was decidedly cooler, I still wasn't cold.

The temperature is dropping again though and rain is in the forecast. We'll have to have a quick morning run and then may not get back out on the bikes until Wednesday when the forecast improves.

I think my mom would like nothing better than to be out riding again... but she hasn't been on a bike (other than as a passenger) since the late 50's or early 60's. Still, the longing is there. I sure understand!

May 17th... Cedar-Yellowpoint Ride

As soon as the studio closed at 5:00 pm, we got ready for a ride. It was so hot. My bike's been sitting in the sun all day, sans cover, and the seat is hot. So this turned into a lesson for me! I got a rash on my keester from being toooooooooo warm! Found myself squirming on my seat with discomfort. Fancy undies are not meant for a bike ride... gotta make sure I stick with cotton. Wonder if I should warn Flo.... Nah, she's been riding for three years. Good old polysporin and I'm all better this morning. Anyway, discomfort meant a shorter ride than I'd been thinking about all day.



It does feel delicious getting some of that warm wind in my face, leaving the visor up and wearing sunglasses. My mom rode an Indian in Australia when I was just a little girl. She wore shorts, a sleeveless shirt knotted under her breasts... and I thought sandals, but just learned that she'd go barefoot. What delicious rides she must have enjoyed. But I can't help but wonder how the heck she'd kick-start with her little bare feet. And she liked her speed, and they wanted her to race professionally. She scared the crap out of my dad, and he finally convinced her that she could not race because she had two little girls to raise. I think she still wishes she'd done it though. She's getting up there in years, but plans to be a passenger on a few rides this summer. The picture of her here is with our oldest son, Everett, on his Virago just a couple of years ago.



My sister and brother have no real interest in riding... I guess I'm the only one that got that gene and it took me 57 years to figure it out. Better late than never!

I'm really happy about my calm riding in the face of a dog charging me as I rode by. I'd seen him and veered a little more to the left, giving myself more room if needed to avoid him. When he charged, I just gave the bike a little more juice and ignored him. His snarling and barking mouth notwithstanding, I somehow knew that there was little chance of him getting a chunk of me. I am an animal lover, and dogs, well I'm crazy about them. But if they want to charge me while I'm riding, well, it's me or them and guess who I'm protecting. That makes twice I've had a critter obstacle to contend with, and me and my Hussy have done well and I'm proud. It builds confidence to successfully cope with these kinds of scarey obstacles. The fact that I'm not freaking out just makes me so happy.

Flo's Conga Ride from Florida to Canada

I'm delighted with the forums I belong to: Women Who Ride and Vancouver Island Lady Riders (Delphi Forums). I've been given the greatest encouragement here, as well as some extremely great advice from the women who ride. I found it difficult to relate to Vic and Stephen, though I rely on them hugely for instruction and protection when we ride. Both learned to ride as young men. As a grandmother, learning at this stage, I wanted some female role models. I found them. I want to celebrate them here too.

Let me introduce you to Flo. She started riding three years ago, and she's now 53 years young. She's picking up the new love of her life in Florida, and she will be riding her "La Reina Queen" all the way to Campbell River on Vancouver Island. But alone? Not really. She's going to have company almost every step of the way, and she's starting her ride with the best of the best: The Palladinos of Ride Like A Pro fame. Women from the forum (and some of their male partners too) will join her along the route, provide spare beds along the way, and generally help to make this an adventure of a lifetime with more support (thanks to the internet) than she could have dreamed. I'll be waiting for her with a lot of other island riders. WE LOVE YA FLO.

She arrived in Florida yesterday, and I just have to include a couple of pics. In the first, you see her with Donna Palladino at the airport. The next one is Flo meeting her queen. Does she look happy or what? Anyway, she has a blog too, so you can check that out if you like.

http://goinwitheflo.blogspot.com/

She should be arriving on Vancouver Island sometime between the 5th and 7th (personally, I hope it will be on the 6th). She's also going to take part in the Vancouver Island Ride for Breast Cancer. What a way to come home. We're all with her in spirit, and she, and Donna Palladino, and Willi, and Jenn the Dragon... they're the best role models I could hope for, and I'm lucky to be one of their number now. Yippee for me.

May 16th -- Genoa Bay with Janice, Vic and Steppie

Wooooohooooo.... I got to meet Janice this morning. She came over to ride with us. We had a wonderful warm weather ride to Genoa Bay. And the picture here is taken there... we had to stop for a coffee.

I notice that I'm a little stiff when I start out. Maybe partly because we had not been out for a while. But once I warm up and relax, things are just soooooo much smoother.

At one point as we were negotiating our way through wonderful winding sections of road, I suddenly thought, "gotta be careful in case of deer." Wouldn't you know about a second later a beautiful doe jumped out and ran across the road in front of me. I'd already slowed instinctively when I had the aforementioned thought. The pleasure I felt in not being surprised, and being able to brake further without panic and simply ride on... ah, how do I express this... it was sheer delight. Stephen was riding lead and didn't see her at all, but Janice and Vic did, and Vic was so thrilled with my riding. Me too.

This is the first warm weather ride I've enjoyed on my bike. I love the windscreen... it sure cuts down on that buffeting that I had on my chest before... even seems to cut the buffeting of my head. I suppose the wind is directed up over me somehow, even though the windscreen is only shielding my body, not my head. The warm air felt so wonderful. Gotta admit, though, that stopping means instant overheating and I can't be fast enough getting the helmet and gloves off. Ah, the things we do for fun! I love my bike. I am nuts about my bike.

Got my Windscreen

Well I'm not in any shape to ride the hussy today... the burn is just a little too sore yet. Truth is, it's really chilly and windy out there today too. But we drove into Duncan and picked up my new windscreen and mount. Yippee... that's going to make the rides on the highway a little more comfortable and keep some of those bugs from smackin' into me too.

But the windscreen is pretty and suits the 'lil Hussy' perfectly.

Yikes... it burns!

Okay, so I'm an idiot. The proof is here, bandages around my knee and thigh filled with corn starch to kill the burn. But so far it's burning, burning, burning. I want to cry, but also want to laugh at myself. My mom's in the yard when it happens. Oh you want to know what happened?

Well, my men folk decided to adjust the handle bars on my 'lil hussy' for me. Raising them up a little in order to prevent me from leaning forward. They remind me that it's a cruiser, not a crotch rocket. "Mom, try it out and see how you like the handlebars this way," says Steppie (Stephen's nickname). I'm in the middle of glazing, wearing a pair of sandals and some shorts. "What the heck" I find myself thinking, it's just in the yard and driveway. I start my baby, ride it onto the grass, slighly uphill, and hit a bit of an obstacle (a dip in the lawn), my bike begins to tip over, my bare legs make contact with the hot pipes. Stephen had the bike going just a little earlier, so it's still hot from that.

Out comes the Corn Starch and some strips of fabric. We pad the burns with lots of the starch and the intensified pain of the burn tells me that I'm probably going to be okay... should be preventing huge blisters this way. Ah, I try to ignore it, get back into the studio to continue my glazing. We have a show next week to prepare for and I can't just quit when there's so little time left before the show.

The bandages are moving up and down with every step I take and I'm getting irritated. I want to cry like a baby, but also want to laugh at myself.

The Duncan Run -- May 7th

With so little time out from studio work, Pottery Store meetings, teaching occasionally at the Chemainus Native College, looking after home and property, pets and family... there's just not enough time in the day for what I'd really prefer to be doing now.

Well, we did ride to Duncan today. And, with the Old Chemainus Road all torn up, we used the highway. Gosh, I hate to admit this, but I do like the speed. Anyway, at the Honda dealer in Duncan I ordered a windscreen and mount for my bike. I'm hoping that will truly reduce the amount of buffeting that the wind causes, especially when I am being passed by big trucks on the highway. It will also reduce the impact of some of those bugs.

I'm still occasionally forgetting to turn on my gas... didn't have that with the Virago... it had lock position, but I don't remember a special knob for gas. Maybe they just had the gas on and didn't mention it to the students. I'll have to get a closer look at one of those Virago's again.

I have 3 classes to teach on the 8th, but perhaps I can manage a ride in the afternoon. Sadly, it looks like it's going to rain a lot in the next couple of days, so the bike will have to wait once that starts.

Received the RLAP V dvd from Donna and Jerry "Motorman" Palladino. Donna included a few riding exercises for the three of us. I'm thrilled with the dvd... the very first thing I learned in watching the first few minutes was how to pick up my bike if I drop it. Gosh, wish I'd seen the video before going to Costco and dropping the bike there the other day.

The forums, Women Who Ride, and Vancouver Island Lady Riders, have both given me such inspiration and encouragement. There are three women in particular who seem to be ready to give give give. I'm extremely thankful for Flo, Donna and Willi. I love being a member of these forums and hope I'll be an inspiration for other new riders along the way.

I've signed up to greet Flo when she arrives here sometime in June... possibly the 7th. There's a conga line riding along with Flo from Florida to Campbell River on Vancouver Island. The internet is responsible for this amazing and wonderful camaraderie and protection. Flo is buying her bike in Florida and riding it home... but she won't be alone very much at all. Women from coast to coast have signed on to meet her along the way and to offer her their homes for the night as she makes her way back to BC. What a wonderful and beautiful thing that is to me. I've found myself in a new community, and I am so very happy to be here. Yippeeeeeeeeee... I'm one of the women who ride.

After School Ride After All

And I was so sad that I would not get a ride. But, when I got home, Stephen was there polishing his bike, so I suggested that we ride to Chemainus to meet Vic. That meant a quick highway blast into town, and then a turn onto the old highway that runs along the water's edge between Chemainus and Ladysmith. I actually had a moment of tension when we turned onto the old Chemainus Road and discovered that there was "single lane" traffic ahead and possible half-hour delays. It was rush hour and unbelievably busy and I knew I'd have to be very careful in that situation. But I was following Stephen, so I thought that would be simple enough.

He stayed on the single paved lane, narrowly riding the right edge even when the so-called single lane traffic turned into traffic coming from both directions. There wasn't a flag person to be seen anywhere either. I followed him, but when I saw that we were going to need to share this single lane with oncoming traffic... well, let's say the broken unpaved gravel road suddenly looked better to me and I moved over. So did all the traffic coming from behind me and so I was suddenly leading traffic. The car in front of me was following closely behind my son and staying on that single lane, until finally that car too had to move right. Thank goodness it wasn't as long a rough ride as I feared and the fact is that it boosted my confidence for having handled that so well. Once we got to the Pottery Store, Stephen and I agreed that we'd take the highway all the way home and avoid that mess again.

Now for the last exciting part of this. Vic and I rode to our friend, Ken's place, and that meant I needed to negotiate a long gravel driveway too. I enjoyed a brief visit, but then I had to go to my choir and that resulted in my first solo ride. I know it's just a short hop, but it was still the first time that I was on the road by myself. It was so wonderful. I know that's weird, but it gave me more confidence again.

I do have one crazy little problem that I have to remember and avoid. I have a tendency to start my bike, but forget to open the gas line. That means I get started and take off, and seconds later feel my bike dying. Oh well, it's taught me how to find that little knob and turn it as I'm riding... a good thing too, cause it means I'll be able to switch to reserve gas in a smooth fluid motion. Gosh the things you have to learn. I love my bike!

Stu''ate Lelum -- not riding today

I spent much of the night riding my bike and then woke up rather exhausted. It seems hard to think about anything else at the moment. Since I got called in to TOC today (teacher on call), I just won't have a chance. I have choir tonight as well. I was so tempted to ride in this morning... but who wants to spend a day teaching with a helmet head. Dang, that bike is a beacon. What is it that Willi says: "sunshine on chrome is the best alarm clock." I don't know about the alarm clock part, but it sure is a huge beacon calling: ride, ride, c'mon girl, ride!

May 5th -- The Shawnigan Ride

Wow... what an incredible day. This was a great ride thanks to Stephen and Vic. There's no denying that there is a true sense of protection in being the middle rider; and that sure does help me to relax. The other fantastic thing is that it gave me a constant clue, lines to follow in cornering, speed to maintain... it all goes so easily in this pampered spot.

We had to make our short ride on the highway to get to Ladysmith. Yeah, that's technically where I am living, but since I am not in town, I need to get onto the highway to get there. I can go to Nanaimo and all sorts of other wonderful locations, but I cannot get to Ladysmith. What a hoot.

I have to admit that those short highway rides are a real turn-on. I love the way the "Little Hussy" handles at that speed. I feel as though I'm completely one with her and it's so delicious to lean into the gentle curves of such a nice piece of road.

The back roads are beautiful, and the reduced speed gives me all kinds of practice looking around and trying to determine potential obstacles. I keep thinking "look for obstacles" and I try to list them as I go. After all, that road test that now takes 1 1/2 hours includes the question of obstacles... at least so I'm told.

We rode through Duncan, down to Maple Bay and Genoa Bay. There's a little road called Mays Road that sits hidden in a valley running parallel to the highway, chock full of curves and so beautifully hidden that you almost feel like you're alone in a beautiful past with just a few lovely farms and some livestock in an amazingly pastoral setting. But the real thrill was the ride around Shawnigan Lake.

And speaking of this quaint and beautiful spot on our island... we went to the gas station in Shawnigan Lake. Of course I ride with total concentration on potential obstacles, rider in front of me, etc. I notice the beautiful scenery when we're riding along, but when you have sudden traffic and stopping and turning into gas station parking lots... well, let's just say I wasn't exactly taking in the scene. And a scene is exactly what we rode into.

The gas station had a big American flag. We like them... provided, of course, that there's also a Canadian flag. This is Canada after all. Stephen was instantly peeved... "What the #$) is this, I mean, man this is Canada." And then we admitted that it seemed really weird. There's a van, upside down... on it's head... glass everywhere. And then Vic said: "I don't think this place is open today." And we begin to take a look around and see more car wrecks... a few more upside down and on their sides. What?

It was at that moment a fellow came over to tell us that we were in the middle of a film set. They're doing a series, something to do with a meteorite hitting, and 38 days of something or another. It was all rather exciting. Though it had me a little nervous about finding another gas station.

Anyway, we had a great run, and turned onto the highway at Mill Bay and rode back to our place to stop in and check on the dogs and have a munch before heading out again. We did that too, after an hour's rest, we were onto the highway and off to Costco. So goodbye to the short blasts and hello to longer highway rides. Vic's got lots of room in his saddle bags so we can pack quite a bit in, and it's so much more fun going shopping on the bikes. I'll have to save up for some saddle bags of my own. I do have a small confession to make here: I dropped my baby in the parking lot at Costco. Well, maybe dropped is a bit too strong a word, more like gently laid her down. Well, that's out of the way. They tell me everyone drops their bike at least once, and I've got it behind me. I made much too sharp a turn and had my front brake on too, and over she went and I knew I couldn't stop her, so I just held her and laid her down gently. I felt like such an idiot. But hey. I guess if it has to happen, it happened in a safe environment. It sure humbles you.

My wish list is growing with each ride: windscreen for the bike, saddle bags and a back bag, heated riding vest, pants, gloves (oh that would be soooo nice), leather pants and jacket. And it would be wonderful to put a pink and silver detail on that pretty black Hussy too. Ah, I love my bike.

May 4th -- A Yummy Riding Day

Now that's what I'm talking about... what a day! We rode all the way into the North end of Nanaimo... stopping at Serious Coffee, of course. I thought we could perhaps find a motorcycle course happening on Hammond Bay at the high school, but no sign of anyone there. We sure tried lots of back streets, and found some gorgeous back roads too.

Yesterday's ride is still fresh as we head out today, and I feel much more comfortable and confident. My turns are cleaner too, and yes, I'm remembering to shoulder check. Vic is telling me to make the wide apex turns and I'm trying to improve. My thing is to make sure I'm in the clear no matter what. And how cool is this: we rode to visit Lilach and Ron and their little boy, and they were duly impressed!

It's a totally different experience riding the lead. I'm excited about this, but nervous too when I'm in heavier traffic, or when we're on an unfamiliar winding road. And speaking of a winding road, there's a delicious one between Maple Bay and Genoa Bay. Yes, that's right... we rode the northern route for part of the day, and then turned around and road south. Vic joked that this was my very own little version of a dragon's tail. It may not seem much to some others, but I spent a good six hours on that beautiful bike today.

I have to admit that by the time we were on the last half hour of this day's ride, my right knee was aching with cold, my ears were sore under my helmet, my right thumb was starting to bug me. I didn't really want to stop riding, but my old body said: ENOUGH. Vic, on the other hand, took off again almost as soon as we got home. He didn't get enough speed out there with me today... just a short burst of highway travel for the two of us earlier. I'm thinking I'd like a windscreen on my baby. I wouldn't mind warmer riding clothes either.

Oh and one other very exciting and silly little thing... I ran out of gas and switched to the reserve and got to the station without having to stop my bike this time. See, I'm finding things easily now! Yeeehaw!

May 3rd -- Cedar-Yellowpoint Route

Finally got back out on that bike again.... Yikes, I thought I'd have managed to get out sooner. But I need at least 13 degrees Celcius, and some companions. I only managed about an-hour-and-a-half today, and there wasn't anything special about the ride. We'd hoped to try a new area that my mother said might be good... but the road wasn't nice and we turned back. We ended up doing the Cedar-Yellowpoint loop a few times. I am pleased that I'm not struggling to find gears as much... there's no jiggling around on the bike as I try to remember where and what and how it all works. I feel more at ease with each ride.

Well, the truth is that when I first get on the "Little Hussy" I'm stiff. As a result of the tension in my body, the bike seems stiff too... like it gets what I'm feeling and behaves likewise. Vic is giving me pointers too, and tells me that I slow down too soon when I see a stop ahead or a turn. But he's so pleased with the progress he sees. By the end of the ride, I'm loose, feeling so much more at ease.

The Cedar-Yellowpoint route is nice for getting me relaxed. There's not a great deal of traffic and I don't have stops all over the place. That said, it's not going to give me the riding experiences I truly need. We'll have to venture further and do more on the back streets of Nanaimo. We'll be out again tomorrow. After all, the Saturday ride couldn't happen until work was done. Tomorrow is mine for riding!