Sturgis North

[Hoochie Papa]

My wife's girlfriend headed out there yesterday. She really wanted us to go with her claiming ther would be 50,000 bikes there. As difficult as it was, I had to decline the invitation.
So to the BC folks- how is the traffic been out your way?
50,000 riders.....thats a lot of borstch.

[Kootenanny]

I had to go to Grand Forks yesterday (over Bonanza Pass) for a business meeting.  It was absolutely pissing rain, the kind that bounces off the road...water was deep enough on the highway to hydroplane me on a couple of occasions...and I saw quite a few motorcyclists heading the other way, towards Nelson, looking rather grim and miserable in their rain gear.  

Sure enough, the 2011 "RAT Raid" is on in Nelson this weekend (big Triumph rally).  This is also the weekend for "Sturgis North" in Salmon Arm, and also the "Great Canadian Bike Rally" in Merritt.  Unfortunately, there is a huge low-pressure system over BC just now, and it's been cold and wet for the past week (after the coldest, wettest spring on record...).  The Fraser river is at its highest level in something like 83 years (around 6 weeks after the usual freshet, BTW).  Sorry, guys, the weather just now is NOT co-operating.

We are, of course, hoping for much better weather during the Borscht Burn...this kind of summer is just not seen here, it is ALWAYS hot and dry (with perhaps the occasional thunderstorm), we simply do NOT see this kind of extended wet weather here.  Sheesh...I might as well be back in Vancouver...


(BTW, if they actually get 50K bikes in Salmon Arm, I'd be very surprised...even if the weather was good, I can't see they'd get that many.  I think the organizers have been smokin' dope right from the start...I've got a thread up about it somewhere here...)

[CanadianBird]

It's raining in Kitsalino at the moment. I agree with the above posters. I didn't even begin to ride until May this year, that latest ever. The Borche event intreques me.

The only event, off topic, that I have attended with thousands of bike is the Oyster Run in Anacortes in Washington State. It was the summer after 911 and mostly a Harley event. I did ride a Harley at that time.

I've ridden in the Kootneys, with my wife, and it's wonderful biking country.

[bubba zanetti]

I rode yesterday but not much in the preceding week due to the heavy rain, but did not notice any extra MC presence. I did see a group of Hell's Angels at the Chevron in Castlegar. BC Chapter with very fresh (super white) looking "colours" and a large, grey cube van/support van. Probably filled with toy run tshirts ...  

I read this morning that attendance is much less than anticipated in Salmon Arm and rain is getting the blame. Beautiful morning here and a high of 27C forecast but ...

Though it looks like a nice morning in Salmon Arm.  Pretty area and amazing lake ...

http://www.masconcable.ca/webcams/index.asp

[Kootenanny]

I rode yesterday but not much in the preceding week due to the heavy rain, but did not notice any extra MC presence. I did see a group of Hell's Angels at the Chevron in Castlegar. BC Chapter with very fresh (super white) looking "colours" and a large, grey cube van/support van. Probably filled with toy run tshirts ...  

I read this morning that attendance is much less than anticipated in Salmon Arm and rain is getting the blame. Beautiful morning here and a high of 27C forecast but ...

Though it looks like a nice morning in Salmon Arm.  Pretty area and amazing lake ...

http://www.masconcable.ca/webcams/index.asp

Yeah, I guess there are a few HA chapters in BC.  And I understand there may be some HA involvement in the local "toy ride" (another reason I have no desire to have anything to do with it).  I haven't noticed many around here, though...maybe that's about to change.  Oh, well.

As for Sturgis North attendance..."Maybe the rain...is really to blame...I'll remove the cause...but not the symptom!"

[bubba zanetti]

 The Borche event intreques me.

Get on yer bike and ride. Or no longer be intrigued (sp)  !  We do ensure everyone leaving is a pot addict, now enjoys wearing tieDye clothes and listens to nothing but Neil Young. Aside from that, what have you got to lose ?  

The Koots is the best riding.  Why? Well California can boast as many lovely roads ( if not more ! ) the Koots can boast no traffic on said roads. And we eat Borscht the night before so there.

My gawd. Rob707 lives in the Redwoods for heaven's sake and he keeps a comin back !!    

So there .... quit your pre contemplative mode and move into planning. Hell, just pack yer bike and give me PM !!!    

Intrequed ...    ... Kootenays can improve yer spelling to (too) ...   ... yes, I know it has done nothing for mine !!!  

[Baz]

Get on yer bike and ride. Or no longer be intrigued (sp)  !  We do ensure everyone leaving is a pot addict, now enjoys wearing tieDye clothes and listens to nothing but Neil Young. Aside from that, what have you got to lose ?  

The Koots is the best riding.  Why? Well California can boast as many lovely roads ( if not more ! ) the Koots can boast no traffic on said roads. And we eat Borscht the night before so there.

My gawd. Rob707 lives in the Redwoods for heaven's sake and he keeps a comin back !!    

So there .... quit your pre contemplative mode and move into planning. Hell, just pack yer bike and give me PM !!!    

Intrequed ...    ... Kootenays can improve yer spelling to (too) ...   ... yes, I know it has done nothing for mine !!!  

I can safely say that my friends in Nelson hurt me last week. (The reason I didn't invite Mr. Bubba for lunch)

[Kootenanny]

Well, looks like maybe SN wasn't quite the huge success they expected:

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/126025063.html

[blkhrt81]

Talked to one guy that had been there. He wasn't impressed, figured it was pretty expensive and he thought there had been maybe 5000 bikes tops.