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.

Saturday and Sunday Rides

July 19th and 20th, 2008

On Saturday I headed out to the Beach Hut... yep, Qualicum Beach again. There was to be a ride with a bunch from Victoria and Port Alberni, Courtenay and Campbell River. What a shock then for me to see a whole crew of riders passing me as I was riding that part of the town close to our meeting spot. I honked and some waved at me and they kept going. I was stunned. I tried to turn around and follow them, but because traffic was heavy and it took a while for me to turn around, I lost them. I didn't know what to do. So I thought well I might as well have a coffee before I head home.

When I got to the hut, and was standing in line, Ms. Bling, Lisa, was suddenly there, and so was Dogdrifter. They explained that Eric needed something and though they'd been riding past me, they were coming back. What a relief.

We soon went off for a ride to Nanoose Bay and then down to Schooner Cove. I had no idea that there was such a twisty road back there, and Schooner Cove is absolutely gorgeous.

We really enjoyed that ride, but there was a very frightening moment for me at one point as I was rounding a curve: I hit one of those oil snakes with my back tire and suddenly felt my bike trying to slide out from under me. I thought for sure I was going down, but somehow managed to come out of it. Flo was behind me and was so proud of the way I managed it. The trouble is I really don't even know what I did right. All my actions were suddenly just based on instinct and I think pure luck.

When we got back to Parksville, I honked and turned off leaving this fine group and heading back to Vic. They were on their way back to QB, on their way home eventually, but since I live South, I felt it was time to part. I wasn't feeling fantastic anymore, that oil snake made me very unsure and I just wanted to get back to Vic.

Sunday ride to Cowichan Lake with Vic

On the Sunday afternoon, Vic and I took a ride to Cowichan Lake. I really wasn't feeling great. I couldn't find my wonderful leather legs anywhere, and still felt unnerved by the oil snake experience. But the ride was uneventful for me. Not so for Vic... he experienced one of those oil snakes. I guess in the hot weather they become more slippery, and it seems to me that they were fresh too! He didn't have any real trouble, but did tell me he felt his tire slipping on the thing. We had a much nicer ride coming back then going up... we used the main highway to get to Cowichan Lake, but came back by the Skutt's Falls Road which got us to Duncan. That road has a few very nice curves and the speed is slower and it's much prettier riding. But for some reason, I just wasn't having my usual amount of fun, and I was glad when we made it home again.

Port Alberni Practice Lot

July 17th

I rode to work on Wednesday, but there's nothing special to tell about that. Golly, just riding that kind of ride is no longer exciting, though it feels way better than having to get there in a cage. What was exciting all day long was the prospect of riding to Port Alberni together to do the RLAP practice session.

Wayne actually set up quite a wonderful lot, using pylons as well as paint on the lot next to the MultiPlex. Vic and I headed off for this ride about 5:15 and by the time we got there, quite a few of our riding friends were already hard at the practice.

I was pleased that I managed the slow cone weave... actually did quite well on it. Also managed the other cone weave, well at least in one direction. The second set seemed closer together to me, and to everyone else as well. I think Wayne's going to check it and see whether it is somehow different.

I tried the figure 8 again, and though I can make one of those, it sure isn't the one intended. I'm way wide of the mark. I suppose I just need to keep trying. It sure is harder than it looks. I'm not even going to attempt the corner maneuvering yet. That's just so darned difficult.

We had a quick stop with the PA bunch at Starbucks after it was all over, and then had to head home, hoping to make it before dark. I should have brought my cell phone with me, but went as lightly as possible. I don't know why I even worry about it. The examiner at the road test laughed at me for it when I said I wanted to be free of the after dark restriction, saying: "It's not dark until 10:00 pm, and even then, who is going to stop and ask you, you're a really good rider."

It was just a few minutes after 10:00 when we pulled into the driveway. Mom was freaked. I guess it seems darker in our backyard, but it wasn't at all dark riding on the roads. For one thing, we didn't just have street lighting, we had an incredibly full moon. Certainly nothing to worry about.

The road to Port Alberni is an absolutely wonderful ride and the people that we ride with there are among the best of the best. What a great bunch, and they're all working so hard on that practice lot. Flo had a rough go of it this evening. I think she's putting a ton of pressure on herself to do it perfectly, and the result is that she was struggling. But she has more guts and determination than anyone I know, and soon she'll be dancing that bike through these courses. Donna Palladino makes it look like the bike is walzing. It's great to watch her! I sure hope my skills develop to that level in the next couple of years.

Gold River and the Fracking Road Test

July 15th...

The test ahead of me, we started the day by riding to Gold River. What a great decision. It kept my mind focused on riding for sure. It's not surprising that this is considered one of the ten best motorcycling roads in BC: there are so many twists and turns, and it's absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous.

Flo decided to give me a beautiful leather vest in anticipation of my passing the road test. I wonder if that jinxed me? The ride was fantastic, and I felt so very confident when we finally headed off to Courtenay. Mind you it was cold up there in the mountains, and the wind in my eyes really hurt too. Flo loaned me a great pair of goggles and that really began to help.

We got to Courtenay on time to do a little more work on my u-turns and I felt truly relaxed and confident getting ready for the test.

Everything seemed fantastic. I made sure of my signaling and shoulder checks, made certain to stop at intersections before the white line. I slowed down to appropriate speeds in playground areas, and followed all the instructions. In fact I followed one of them too well. I heard: "take the next left," but when I looked it was just about 3 feet ahead of me and so I was looking up the road, scanning for the next available left. I put on my signal and went to make the turn and realized I was on a double left turning lane. Crap!

I was already into the turn, so I felt I had no choice but to complete it. The examiners didn't stop me, so I rode on. We did all the stuff that I'd heard about, some of it before that fracking lane showed up, much more of it after. We even went onto the highway. When we got back to the Access Centre, I parked the bike properly and got off smiling. That's when I discovered that I had failed the test! That one error is considered a traffic violation and an automatic fail! The instructor, Nick, actually said: "You're a really good rider." But nevertheless, I failed.

I could have been knocked over with a feather. Tears sprang into my eyes. I stood there dumbfounded. He left and I looked up to see my friend Judy standing there with a beautiful pink long-stemmed rose. Yep, she thought she was coming to congratulate me, and suddenly she was having to comfort me instead. Flo also arrived, and she was as dumbfounded as me. I think she was ready to deck the examiner. We talked for a few minutes, and then, with my back to the car the examiner had walked away from just a few minutes earlier, I said: "He's gonna call and try to get me in next week. He was really very nice." And suddenly I heard: "Yes, I'll call you." Phew... good job I'd just finished saying he was nice. If he'd come just a bit sooner, he'd have heard Flo ready to deck him. Oh my goodness, what a day.

We left to go to Courtenay Motor Sports, and I discovered that word about the fail was already spreading. I got hugs from Mark and Carl, and then we were going to do some riding and meet up with folks later that evening. Flo took me on a rather punishing tour through town. She wanted me to regain my confidence and feel more comfortable in Courtenay. We also rode out to a beach in Comox. It was really nice, but after four long days on the bike, and feeling so disappointed in myself, I can't really say I was into it anymore. For that matter, Flo was pretty exhausted too, so we both decided to call it a day.

I was lucky enough to spot Vic's bike in Qualicum Beach at the Beach Hut, and the two of us rode on home. It was after 8:00 before we made it. Man, talk about tired and sore.

The examiner did call the next morning, and I get to ride the test again on the 22nd... the only drawback is that it will be during rush hour. Ah well, he said I'm a good rider and I know that to be true. I feel ready to do it and get it over and done with.

Campbell River to Nanaimo & Back Again

July 14, 2008

Four American guys that are touring Canada had contacted the forums to see if anyone wanted to ride with them. Grizz and a friend met them in Victoria. We'd originally planned a ride to Gold River, Vic, Michael, Flo and me. But when the posts about the 4 guys came, Flo felt that we Canadians should reciprocate the hospitality she'd been shown south of our own border.

Vic left Nanaimo, riding the slab (the fast highway) all the way to Campbell River. He called us from a gas station, and we rode out to meet him. Poor guy didn't even really get to finish his coffee before we hit the slab heading right back to Parksville. We'd heard from Grizz and now had plans to meet them there at the MacDonalds. Not exactly the ride Vic anticipated, and even while we were having lunch, he began to think about things that were waiting for him at the studio. More phonecalls with Grizz and we learned that they were just sitting down to lunch in Duncan. So we got on the bikes and rode to Nanaimo to Chapters to meet em there. Had a really nice coffee break and Vic decided to head back to the studio. I was kind of bummed at that, but did understand. He also understood Flo's need to return friendship to riders from California, so we waited. Flo and I both used the parking lot at Woodgrove Mall to good advantage, practising our u-turns. I actually managed to keep my turns within three parking spot distances and felt really good about my improvement.

When the guys arrived, we talked, took pictures and finally got under way. I told Flo I'd need to stop for fuel in Lantzville, but since she really didn't know where I meant, I ended up taking the lead for a little while. She took over again once I got my 94 octane at the PetroCan (the champagne of fuels for a motorcycle). And we took the ocean route all the way out to Campbell River. I couldn't believe how much it clouded over! Holy cadoodle, it got sooooo cold on that ride.

We got the boys to their gorgeous campsite, but they weren't interested in doing Gold River the same day. I think they just wanted to set up camp, and have a few drinks and dinner and get ready for their morning ride to Port Hardy. We tried to talk them into doing Gold River first, and Chris, one of the guys, really wanted to, but was outvoted. So we determined we'd do it ourselves first thing the next day.

Taylor Flats

July 13, 2008

Five of us managed a ride to the Taylor Flats on Sunday, and it sure was wonderful getting out there. I did forget to stop for fuel before we headed out though and I have to admit that I had a few moments of grave concern. I actually decided to put her on reserve when we made a brief stop. I figured we must be getting close to a gas station soon. Much to my amazement, the Little Hussy didn't even take $10 worth. I'm so confused about how the gas usage seems to fluctuate. I suppose it must depend on the kind of riding I've been doing, and perhaps on how much idling is involved. I can't count on knowing when to expect to re-fuel at this rate. I'll just make sure I stop whenever I'm getting close to having done about 110 miles or so.













Anyway, once the five of us got back to Port Alberni, we rode to Starbucks, totally looking forward to a coffee fix. But the guys were waiting and ready to burn up the road, so no coffee for us. We were late, and they were ready to roll. Off we went, this time riding the Port Alberni hump again on our way to Parksville. It was totally gorgeous out, but we went to Rathtrevor Beach only to discover that every single parking spot was absolutely full. We were quite a way from the Beach Hut by the time we decided to ride onto a bit of grass and park the bikes. Then, instead of walking over to the Hut for an icecream or something, we got talking and Flo, Judy and I decided to get on our bikes and make our way to Courtenay. We knew we were still in for a long ride anyway, because Flo and I would also still have to ride on to Campbell River. But the Courtenay thing was really important to me. I don't know it at all, and I knew I was going to be doing my test there on Tuesday the 15th.

On the way, Flo decided it was time for a few new pictures, and with the water behind us, we posed, sans helmets for each other. Judy looks so great in her red leathers on her wonderful red bike. Flo is becoming a true Skully Queen, and when I took my helmet off to face the worst flathead, she put her skull cap on me for a picture too.

We did a little touring around Courtenay, sort of trying to understand what I might be up against on my road test, and then went to Judy's for a little visit. She's got a great place with an incredible yard and beautiful landscaped pond feature. She's living in a retirement community, and is really an exciting member of the neighbourhood for being a biking woman! Once we left her it was time to head out to Campbell River. Man oh man, by the time we arrived, I was sore and actually exhausted. But instead of heading straight to Flo's house, she had me doing some more practicing in another parking lot. I love this friend, she's a relentless force and she's gonna make sure I get tons of practice! I am learning so much from her... but was I glad when Eric showed up at the same parking lot and we had a chance to finally quit. Off to the grocery store for steaks, and off to Flo's home to relax! And that's very easy to do at her place on her back deck, looking at Mount Washington. What a great view.

Eric made dinner, Flo and I got onto our forum, and well, the evening was fantastic!