It was just a very short ride... but I got that bike on the road after school yesterday. My sweet Victor was here just waiting for me. He had changed the brake fluid and installed the new battery. I told him that I needed a coffee first. I wanted to chat about my afternoon... we sure had some shocking moments at school. Imagine kids smoking pot in front of the school sign. Imagine kids taking off from their co-op placement. Imagine attitude. Yes, these were some of the experiences I wanted to share before getting on that bike.
Then my sister called. She's a wonderful friend, but when we get to talking on the phone, more than minutes tick by. Golly, and we have so much to say to each other anyway. It was comical really, Vic was tying my boots for me, getting my riding leathers, helmet, gauntlets, actually dressing me for a ride while I talked on the phone. Who really wanted me out there?
I managed to get on my bike and ride up the road, wondering how much fuel was in my tank. I always set the tank to zero when I fill her up, and I've never managed to get beyond 130 miles on a tank (yep, miles, not kilometers... she's an American baby). Mileage was reading well over 160, so I knew it had been moved somehow and that meant I had no clue. As you might expect, I didn't get far before I could feel the bike losing power. I gave her a little more throttle and she picked up again for a moment or two... confusing me. Then she began to lose power again and I had that "oh, oh, I need to find the knob to switch to reserve" moment. That's easy to deal with when you're riding all the time, but on an inaugural, it's a bit of a panic. Found it quickly enough though (meaning before the bike came to a full stop), and switched, and though it took a moment for the fuel to power me up, my bike was soon responding and I was on my way to the gas station with a huge grin on my face.
I didn't stay out. I was tired. I just managed a quick detour out to the highway (you just know I wanted a little speed) before heading back home. But it was the 8th of April, and my first ride of this year... actually a full month later than last year's effort, proof that our spring has been slow to arrive.
Perhaps I'll blog more often this year, perhaps not. I just thought it would be nice to make note of this first ride and my sweet partner's efforts to get me out onto the road.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The battery...
Yes, a new season is just ahead. I picked up a friend at the ferry terminal on Saturday. As we drove back to my home I realized it was warm and sunny and there were so many bikes out there enjoying the roads. That did it. I knew it was time for me to get some insurance on my Little Hussy.
My friend, MaryJoy, was all excited about the prospect of a ride as well. But our anticipation turned to disappointment very quickly, while I also learned a very important lesson. Start your bike before you spend the money on insurance. Yep, my battery is dead!
I was upset enough to send Vic off to get a replacement right away. It didn't matter that we had a dinner invitation, very little time, and lots to do that day. I wanted and needed my ride. Vic called Canadian Tire and they assured him they had two batteries in stock. Luckily, he brought my old battery along and quickly learned that what they had wasn't what I needed. He ended up going to the Honda Bike Shop in Nanaimo and ordering a new battery.
Sunday was glorious and I was saddened to see even more bikers on the road whilst I was not one of them. Perhaps the word here is jealous. Ah well. Monday and Tuesday too were gorgeous. Today I will get my battery; however, it's promising to rain later. Ah those plans... how often they go awry. Yep, it's a new season, but I'm not sure when I'm going to get to enjoy the ride.
My friend, MaryJoy, was all excited about the prospect of a ride as well. But our anticipation turned to disappointment very quickly, while I also learned a very important lesson. Start your bike before you spend the money on insurance. Yep, my battery is dead!
I was upset enough to send Vic off to get a replacement right away. It didn't matter that we had a dinner invitation, very little time, and lots to do that day. I wanted and needed my ride. Vic called Canadian Tire and they assured him they had two batteries in stock. Luckily, he brought my old battery along and quickly learned that what they had wasn't what I needed. He ended up going to the Honda Bike Shop in Nanaimo and ordering a new battery.
Sunday was glorious and I was saddened to see even more bikers on the road whilst I was not one of them. Perhaps the word here is jealous. Ah well. Monday and Tuesday too were gorgeous. Today I will get my battery; however, it's promising to rain later. Ah those plans... how often they go awry. Yep, it's a new season, but I'm not sure when I'm going to get to enjoy the ride.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
It's October and the season is over for me!
It's really hard to believe that this exciting year of riding is really pretty much finished for now. It's hard to believe that my intention to blog about each ride lost inspiration, making way for the riding instead. And I sure did put a lot of miles on that lovely Little Hussy of mine... actually over 9000 km!
For a while I figured that I'd be able to catch up on the blogs... look back over the photos (especially those in my friend Flo's photobucket), and catch up on the rides. But the truth is that the rides became so familiar by the last few months that I no longer needed to sit down and talk about what I'd experienced or learned. Riding has become second nature. I get on the bike, and though I might have a butterfly or two during some traffic situations, I don't have a whole bunch of them flittering around in my stomach before I start out.
One of the last rides I enjoyed with friends was just a week ago. Mir called early one morning and suggested we meet in Mill Bay. We joined up with Jenn after we'd had a coffee at the Timmy's and the three of us headed off to lunch in Cowichan Bay. On that morning ride I realized the season was pretty much finished for me. My fingers were losing their feeling, and riding requires good hand control of throttle, clutch and brakes. It was much better when it warmed up and the sun was so gorgeous too. Trees changing colour, and the beauty of the snappy fall weather are wonderful, but honestly a little hard to enjoy when you're too cold. I'll need some kind of heated clothing to take weather below 10 degrees C. Yep, pretty much finished.
There was one special thing that I need to mention here. I rode my bike on voting day. Yep, I arrived at the school in full leathers and got quite the happy looks from some folks... and a little mis-judgement from others. The thing that struck me though was the fact that my very first ride of the year was on International Women's Day (IWD)... and it looks as though my final ride of the year might just be Election Day. On IWD, I clearly remember thinking how it was a true privilege to be able to ride as a woman, and how there were still countries on this planet where women don't have any rights yet. On Election Day, as I rode I remembered that first ride and thought how here I am so priveliged as to ride to vote, as well as to vote, and that's something that Canadian women didn't get to do until about 70 years ago. What a great start and end for this 57 year old woman.
Yep, I've put more than 9000 km on my bike. I can ride! I have my class 6 license. All in all, it's been a great year.
For a while I figured that I'd be able to catch up on the blogs... look back over the photos (especially those in my friend Flo's photobucket), and catch up on the rides. But the truth is that the rides became so familiar by the last few months that I no longer needed to sit down and talk about what I'd experienced or learned. Riding has become second nature. I get on the bike, and though I might have a butterfly or two during some traffic situations, I don't have a whole bunch of them flittering around in my stomach before I start out.
One of the last rides I enjoyed with friends was just a week ago. Mir called early one morning and suggested we meet in Mill Bay. We joined up with Jenn after we'd had a coffee at the Timmy's and the three of us headed off to lunch in Cowichan Bay. On that morning ride I realized the season was pretty much finished for me. My fingers were losing their feeling, and riding requires good hand control of throttle, clutch and brakes. It was much better when it warmed up and the sun was so gorgeous too. Trees changing colour, and the beauty of the snappy fall weather are wonderful, but honestly a little hard to enjoy when you're too cold. I'll need some kind of heated clothing to take weather below 10 degrees C. Yep, pretty much finished.
There was one special thing that I need to mention here. I rode my bike on voting day. Yep, I arrived at the school in full leathers and got quite the happy looks from some folks... and a little mis-judgement from others. The thing that struck me though was the fact that my very first ride of the year was on International Women's Day (IWD)... and it looks as though my final ride of the year might just be Election Day. On IWD, I clearly remember thinking how it was a true privilege to be able to ride as a woman, and how there were still countries on this planet where women don't have any rights yet. On Election Day, as I rode I remembered that first ride and thought how here I am so priveliged as to ride to vote, as well as to vote, and that's something that Canadian women didn't get to do until about 70 years ago. What a great start and end for this 57 year old woman.
Yep, I've put more than 9000 km on my bike. I can ride! I have my class 6 license. All in all, it's been a great year.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Labour Day in Port Alberni with Robocop
September 1, 2008
I thought I was ready for this event, but though I thoroughly enjoyed the ride to Port Alberni (it really is such a scenic and wonderful ride with loads of twists), my shoulder wasn't ready for the parking lot practice.
One of the PA riders, Chevy, has set up the parking lot by the College and Multiplex in Port Alberni. It has the slowcone weave, figure 8, slalom, intersection, and even a snowman marked out in paint, and Chevy (aka Wayne) also brings small traffic cones to really help with the visuals. The end result is a perfect "Ride Like A Pro" practice lot. It was terrific to see the huge turnout, and Dave Hay, the RCMP Motorcycle Trainer here on Vancouver Island, was there to give us his experience and some terrific training. He ended up setting up another rather difficult practice pattern called the Texas Star as well.
Stephen excelled at all of the patterns and sure made me proud. Vic does well with his riding too. I started the slalom and the off-set cone weave, but my shoulder was just bitchy with ache and the slow friction zone maneuvering wasn't kind. Oh well, it did give me the opportunity to watch everyone else and to sit and chat with friends.
The PA group is wonderful, and they had a barbecue set up cooking hotdogs for the riders and a huge cooler full of very icey water to keep us all hydrated. What an incredible day for all of us. We ended it with a ride to Starbucks and another delightful gab session before heading out to the highway and home again. Memories are made of days like this and I'm sure thrilled to have become a member of this fine group of people. Gosh how I've changed. I can remember driving to BC in 1992, and as I got to the midwest, I began to notice more and more motorcycles on the road. By the time I got to the Dakotas I couldn't find either a restaurant or a motel that didn't have more bikes than anything else in the parking lots. I actually started to feel nervous about this. After all, I was driving through the States all by myself. Where were all these bikers coming from? Where were they going?
Now I realize they were the best safety factor for me on this solitary journey. They were all heading to Sturgis where every year a good half-a-million riders come together to celebrate their bikes, each other, and all things to do with riding. Maybe some day I'll make it to Sturgis and enjoy that celebration with them... although maybe that's more bikes and people than I can cope with. It's something to think about.
I thought I was ready for this event, but though I thoroughly enjoyed the ride to Port Alberni (it really is such a scenic and wonderful ride with loads of twists), my shoulder wasn't ready for the parking lot practice.
One of the PA riders, Chevy, has set up the parking lot by the College and Multiplex in Port Alberni. It has the slowcone weave, figure 8, slalom, intersection, and even a snowman marked out in paint, and Chevy (aka Wayne) also brings small traffic cones to really help with the visuals. The end result is a perfect "Ride Like A Pro" practice lot. It was terrific to see the huge turnout, and Dave Hay, the RCMP Motorcycle Trainer here on Vancouver Island, was there to give us his experience and some terrific training. He ended up setting up another rather difficult practice pattern called the Texas Star as well.
Stephen excelled at all of the patterns and sure made me proud. Vic does well with his riding too. I started the slalom and the off-set cone weave, but my shoulder was just bitchy with ache and the slow friction zone maneuvering wasn't kind. Oh well, it did give me the opportunity to watch everyone else and to sit and chat with friends.
The PA group is wonderful, and they had a barbecue set up cooking hotdogs for the riders and a huge cooler full of very icey water to keep us all hydrated. What an incredible day for all of us. We ended it with a ride to Starbucks and another delightful gab session before heading out to the highway and home again. Memories are made of days like this and I'm sure thrilled to have become a member of this fine group of people. Gosh how I've changed. I can remember driving to BC in 1992, and as I got to the midwest, I began to notice more and more motorcycles on the road. By the time I got to the Dakotas I couldn't find either a restaurant or a motel that didn't have more bikes than anything else in the parking lots. I actually started to feel nervous about this. After all, I was driving through the States all by myself. Where were all these bikers coming from? Where were they going?
Now I realize they were the best safety factor for me on this solitary journey. They were all heading to Sturgis where every year a good half-a-million riders come together to celebrate their bikes, each other, and all things to do with riding. Maybe some day I'll make it to Sturgis and enjoy that celebration with them... although maybe that's more bikes and people than I can cope with. It's something to think about.
This Much Time Has Passed?
August 3, 2008 -- Rod Wiseman Memorial Ride
Well holy Hannah, I had no idea that it has been so long since I took the time to add to my blog. All I can say is that riding became a lot more fun and much more important than keeping track of it all. It seems every time I go out the door, provided it's not raining, it's on my Little Hussy.
There was a stretch of almost a month when I didn't do much riding because of a shoulder injury. That truly stressed me out. After all, this is still my first year as a rider, and I sure didn't want to be stuck here at home unable to go out.
I took part in the Rod Wiseman Memorial Ride, meeting riders from Victoria through to Cobble Hill in Ladysmith to head out to the parking lot at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo. That was on August 3rd... and it was great being with so many of our biking community here on the island. It tugs deeply at the heart to know you're riding in memory of someone who spent so much time on a motorcycle. There's a truly emotional ache when you put your passenger pegs down in honour of that rider who is no longer with you. Rod was a motorcycle instructor, and many of my friends learned to ride with him and his wife Wendy.
On our way up island, we encountered an accident in Nanoose Bay, and we were fortunate to get past before all the emergency personnel came to slow traffic down to an impossible and impassable crawl. We'd broken up into 5 or 6 riding groups with a leader and tailgunner for each group. We did a nice little ride around Schooner Cove before getting back on the highway in Parksville and heading to Qualicum Beach... yep, to the Beach Hut. Oddly enough, thinking that we'd slowed some because of our little detour, we still managed to be the 2nd group in. And the waiting began! And some more waiting, and waiting. Another group finally arrived and informed us that they'd been held back because of the accident in Nanoose Bay.
Things became even sadder as we waited because the next group to arrive informed us that there'd been a crash between a couple of the bikes. It had happened just as they were heading out to the highway from Nanaimo. It was really shocking to hear that one of the riders had run into Wendy Wiseman, Rod's sister-in-law, and her new Harley. She was wearing all the right gear though, and despite minor damage to the new bike, as well as having her jacket shredded to the arm, she wasn't too bad. They did have to take her to the hospital and it sure put a damper on all of us to hear about this happening.
At this point I realized that my aching shoulder wasn't going to let me finish riding all the way to Campbell River... which also meant a three-hour ride home after that... so I said my sad goodbyes to all the great folks on the ride and headed home again. It was actually the start of a real slowing down for me, though I wasn't aware yet that it would mean no riding at all for a little while. But that's another story.
Well holy Hannah, I had no idea that it has been so long since I took the time to add to my blog. All I can say is that riding became a lot more fun and much more important than keeping track of it all. It seems every time I go out the door, provided it's not raining, it's on my Little Hussy.
There was a stretch of almost a month when I didn't do much riding because of a shoulder injury. That truly stressed me out. After all, this is still my first year as a rider, and I sure didn't want to be stuck here at home unable to go out.
I took part in the Rod Wiseman Memorial Ride, meeting riders from Victoria through to Cobble Hill in Ladysmith to head out to the parking lot at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo. That was on August 3rd... and it was great being with so many of our biking community here on the island. It tugs deeply at the heart to know you're riding in memory of someone who spent so much time on a motorcycle. There's a truly emotional ache when you put your passenger pegs down in honour of that rider who is no longer with you. Rod was a motorcycle instructor, and many of my friends learned to ride with him and his wife Wendy.
On our way up island, we encountered an accident in Nanoose Bay, and we were fortunate to get past before all the emergency personnel came to slow traffic down to an impossible and impassable crawl. We'd broken up into 5 or 6 riding groups with a leader and tailgunner for each group. We did a nice little ride around Schooner Cove before getting back on the highway in Parksville and heading to Qualicum Beach... yep, to the Beach Hut. Oddly enough, thinking that we'd slowed some because of our little detour, we still managed to be the 2nd group in. And the waiting began! And some more waiting, and waiting. Another group finally arrived and informed us that they'd been held back because of the accident in Nanoose Bay.
Things became even sadder as we waited because the next group to arrive informed us that there'd been a crash between a couple of the bikes. It had happened just as they were heading out to the highway from Nanaimo. It was really shocking to hear that one of the riders had run into Wendy Wiseman, Rod's sister-in-law, and her new Harley. She was wearing all the right gear though, and despite minor damage to the new bike, as well as having her jacket shredded to the arm, she wasn't too bad. They did have to take her to the hospital and it sure put a damper on all of us to hear about this happening.
At this point I realized that my aching shoulder wasn't going to let me finish riding all the way to Campbell River... which also meant a three-hour ride home after that... so I said my sad goodbyes to all the great folks on the ride and headed home again. It was actually the start of a real slowing down for me, though I wasn't aware yet that it would mean no riding at all for a little while. But that's another story.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Road Test Passed
July 22nd...
Well I headed off to Courtenay fairly early, not sure what kind of traffic I might be up against, but knowing I was to meet Flo at Courtenay Motor Sports (CMS) at 1:30, and my test was scheduled for 3:30, meaning I had to register at 3:15.
The ride up was delightful and I took the more relaxed ocean route for most of it. And so I actually got into town at 12:30. Time to stop, tank up with fuel (God forbid I should run out during the test cause that would be an automatic fail), and to have a bagel and coffee at Tim Horton's. I was still a little early, so I thought I would check out the leather shop, just a little way up from CMS. As I was looking at gloves there, who rides up? Flo... she was early too and spotted my bike. We stopped in at CMS and then headed into town for some practice. Flo thought I should do a few u-turns, and well, would you believe on my first attempt I actually dropped the bike. I was so freaked. She made me do about 12 more. I finally agreed that they weren't great, but they were more than good enough to pass the test and it was time to quit trying them. It made me feel sick that the one I had done on the previous test had been so perfect,
and here I was struggling to make them smooth. Crikey.We pulled into the access centre after I had some milk at the A+W just down the road from it. I felt I needed to settle my stomach. Nick spotted me fairly quickly and was really friendly and seemed glad to see me there. Before I knew it, I was miched and on my bike and off to do another test. We started out on a different route than the previous week, and before too long I was going up a hill and the lights turned yellow. I glanced in my rearview mirrors and decided to stop. It wasn't easy, but I managed to stop before the line. Phew.
On we went, me following directions, and yes, we did do the turning lane again. No problems there! Then my bike stalled at an intersection... oh my guts! I was freaked. But we carried on a little way and then he told me to park. I had a sick sensation at that point, but backed my bike into the 45 degree angle as if everything was fine, then turned her off expecting to get off, and suddenly I heard: "that's fine, just pull out again when you're ready." Wow, no needing to talk about hazards? I was so surprised. Off we went, and out onto the highway. By then we'd done the roundabout, done the slow speed playground areas, and I figured we were getting close to the end of the test. Sure enough... we headed toward Cliffe Avenue, and that's when I felt the dang earpiece slipping and couldn't make out for sure what Nick was telling me to do. I tried to shove it back and heard: "don't worry about it." Phew.
We were back at the Access Centre within a few more minutes, and Flo was there taping my arrival. And so was Judy, who gave me one heck of a great hug. What a relief, I not only passed, but got told I did a really good job. In fact, before it was over, Nick actually said: "excellent." I'm now official. I have achieved my class 6 status and all restrictions have been removed. Woooohooooo.
The Day Before the Road Test
July 21st
I just had to get out and do some riding in Nanaimo. I wanted to find streets with lots of stops and opportunities for right and left hand turns, and uphill starts and areas to do u-turns. Most of all I wanted to find my comfort level back again. I had a test ahead of me the following day. I also wanted to spend time with Vic. Phew, I'm so glad we had this day. It all came back, the ease, the comfort, the ability to feel like I could handle my bike. Yep, definitely turned it around again. Got myself mentally ready for that test. And one of the things that helped me get there was finding my leather legs... they're just so wonderful! They keep my legs protected from any gravel or stuff. They give me a sense of se curity, and as nice as they look in this image, they're even better over my own red Doc Martens. And they're so great when the weather is too hot for chaps. They come from a great guy, Scott, who makes them to measure, and they feel great.
I just had to get out and do some riding in Nanaimo. I wanted to find streets with lots of stops and opportunities for right and left hand turns, and uphill starts and areas to do u-turns. Most of all I wanted to find my comfort level back again. I had a test ahead of me the following day. I also wanted to spend time with Vic. Phew, I'm so glad we had this day. It all came back, the ease, the comfort, the ability to feel like I could handle my bike. Yep, definitely turned it around again. Got myself mentally ready for that test. And one of the things that helped me get there was finding my leather legs... they're just so wonderful! They keep my legs protected from any gravel or stuff. They give me a sense of se curity, and as nice as they look in this image, they're even better over my own red Doc Martens. And they're so great when the weather is too hot for chaps. They come from a great guy, Scott, who makes them to measure, and they feel great.
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