Summer musings ...

[bubba zanetti]

My year is not done, just waiting on some parts for the Triumph.
But it does give me some time to reflect on the summer...

It was a hot one here, with many days in the very high 30's. I found the afternoon riding to be uncomfortably hot on many occasions. The hottest I have been on several days over 40c. Pretty sure I had heat stroke one afternoon.  It was smokey too. An unprecedented fire year had reduced visibility and uncomfortably bad air pretty much everywhere I went. Apart from the Sunshine Coast.


So I am thinking about planning major rides earlier and later in the summer. It would be great to be on a trip right now. Cool mornings and afternoons in the 20's.

Still, had some good and a couple of great rides. Refined my gear to now include a HitAir "air bag" Jacket to help keep my crash demons at bay - but they are hot unless you moving though well vented. Just thick and heavy with the air bladder.

I am thinking of the Borscht Burn too. Late July is too hot.  An earlier or later event is on my mind. I would also like to take it on the road in a blended homage to the Banff Run. Borscht Banff and Burn?  Begin in Whistler. We could stop here at my place or alphabetman's or camp somewhere awesome on the way to Banff. Early July or mid September appeals to me.  Perhaps a thread to discuss...

Winthrop Washington is one of my fav places too. Highway 20 is beautiful with great riding.  Early in the year is better.

Baker City is my home away from home. Love the riding in the area. Early summer riding or early fall is best. I missed Steve's Ride but won't next year. I did see the Total Eclipse there though and was amazed.

Next year I get back off road too. Not sure of my plans but Baja, The Steens, Cariboo all are big on my list.

Next year. One needs be careful with saying next year ... sometimes it never comes.

[Sport-Touring]

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Those are all great places and ride ideas, bubba. I loved the first Banff Run. It worked out so well and the riding was fantastic. Or maybe keep the distances not so great to allow for the exploration of the smaller backroads. Then again, there are certain roads in BC that need to be ridden....  

[Oxblood]

I like the idea of the Borscht Burn being taken on the road. A movable feast as it were.

Its ashame you missed Baker City this year. The smoke cleared up nicely for Saturday's ride, and the temperature never got too hot.

As for me, next year may only involve a couple of big trips, so I will have to choose wisely. I want to get to the UK for a family visit some time in the new year, and the combination of spent vacay time and cash will necessitate fewer long trips. Still, I do hope to get in at least a couple of fun rips.

[kver]

Zikes -- the last time my sprint looked like that, I commuted on the ZX10R for the whole summer... amazing how hard it is to schedule 2 days in the summer to fix the bike once it's apart, given all the other fun things to do...    

[ST1300Rider]

I certainly didn't' get my usual miles in this year, unless you count air miles. Our spring holiday chewed up our discretionary spending fund so I stayed close to home. First year since 2001 I've missed the STOC rally, which just happens to be in Baker City next year. Finally got out to the Borscht run and loved it but that was my only excursion into BC. The heat and smoke kept me close to home. Low to mid 30's seems to be my comfort ceiling these days, don't think I could survive 40 any more. There's talk of an Alaska run next year among my ST friends that have gone ADV. We'll see.

[bubba zanetti]

I certainly didn't' get my usual miles in this year, unless you count air miles. Our spring holiday chewed up our discretionary spending fund so I stayed close to home. First year since 2001 I've missed the STOC rally, which just happens to be in Baker City next year. Finally got out to the Borscht run and loved it but that was my only excursion into BC. The heat and smoke kept me close to home. Low to mid 30's seems to be my comfort ceiling these days, don't think I could survive 40 any more. There's talk of an Alaska run next year among my ST friends that have gone ADV. We'll see.

I think you had an amazing summer especially riding those roads along the Adriatic.     Albeit a bit compressed.

Baker City just might be the unofficial capital of Motorcyclists everywhere. Lots of meets and rally's in the immediate area.

[bubba zanetti]

Back on the road. After a rear hub, bearing failure, I am back on the road after about a month gathering parts. Found all the bearings, seals, clips etc at Triumph Dealer and found a very slightly used axle in Wales, saving me about $400 on parts and a ton more on labour. Bit of a challenging job for my skills but all back together today for a beautiful fall day ride.  

Arrow Lake

[motrhead]

 Nice! Glad to see you back on the road!
 I just rode out to the farm. Still commuting by bike, but there have been a few days now with frost on the bike in the AM.
 8c in Kamloops, 12C out here (Monte Lake) today. I think about 10C is the threshold where I close my visor and put on the cold weather gloves...lol
 Also got my Harley running today, as I am thinking about selling it. With the two Buells, the Harley sits untouched and collecting dust. I thought I would be keeping that one forever!

[ST1300Rider]

What's the deal with you and rear wheels?????  

[bubba zanetti]

What's the deal with you and rear wheels?????  

I wheelie haven't a clue.  

[bubba zanetti]

This may be the last weekend.  Been a lovely year.  

[Oxblood]

This may be the last weekend.  Been a lovely year.  

This last week we have been spoiled here in Vancouver. Clear sunny skies with very warm days. It has been getting up to between 15 and 17 here. So warm the mozzies are back!

[bubba zanetti]

Rode yesterday and a few hours on a nice afternoon today. Only about 12c though. It's very pretty riding through the falling leaves and bright sun.  

[Acadian Rider]

It was sunny and 20C or very close to it today in Moncton but I did not get a chance to get out on the bike. Went for a run instead.  

Next chance is Tuesday. The weatherman says 12C and sunny for that day.

[bubba zanetti]

It was sunny and 20C or very close to it today in Moncton but I did not get a chance to get out on the bike. Went for a run instead.  

Next chance is Tuesday. The weatherman says 12C and sunny for that day.

Run! Good for you Leon! Faire du jog?   Nice you are having a great fall. It was 16c here last week. But not gonna last.

[Acadian Rider]

Environment Canada is saying that it was 18.2C in Moncton yesterday. not quite 20C but close.  

Today we will be getting rain but the forecast for tomorrow is sunny and 13C. That is warm enough for me to go out for a ride.

Regarding the running, I have been a runner for 35 years but that is not something that I write about much in here. I am now up to over 40,000 lifetime kms.  This year I did five races: 1 x 5k, 1 x 8k, 2 x 10k and 1 x 1/2 marathon. It is the most races that I have done in a long time. Retirement life is good.    

[Oxblood]

Yesterday it got to 22 in White Rock, and a couple of spots on  the Island also surpassed 20. Nutty for October.

Alas, the good weather out this way is going to be ending soon. By Wednesday we will be back to seasonal temps around 10 and rain

[motrhead]

Boom. Just like that...woke up to 10 inches of snow on the ground...14" plus now. My season is over  
 PMS season is here!

[bubba zanetti]

Same here Dean. A little less but assume that is the final curtain call.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

You poor buggers. I just went for a ride today - absolutely stunning out there. Ok, maybe not "stunning", but there are some beautiful little valleys not far from here that caught my attention. Sorry - no photos today!! But here's one from last Thursday, taken from Germany and looking south to the Alps