Fall Colours

[motrhead]

 Since the Kootenay Colours thread is now back a few pages, I thought a Canada wide thread would be appropriate.
 Last week I licensed my '99 Buell X1 Lightning, after a 2 year hiatus while I racked up kilometers on the Norge with my significant other on the back. The Norge requires shelling out for a new Michelin rear, and needs a proper tuneup, so it's getting a rest until spring.
 I was supposed to do this ride last weekend, but I popped the clutch cable on the way home in traffic, so had to put it off until I had a clutch again. I made a temporary ball end at work and ordered a replacement cable. So far my fix is good!
 The sunlight was perfect, it was just warm enough to be pleasant, and there was very little traffic. It was so nice that I didn't stop until Lower Nicola, where I grabbed a couple photos. My intention was to stop and get a coffee, and maybe lunch in Merritt, but I was having too much fun exercising my right wrist, and rediscovering the impeccable handling of the Buell. I finally stopped again by Aspen Grove, where by now the sun was weakening, a large cloud bank was moving in, and temps were dropping. Gassing it for Princeton, and the twistiest bit of the route, and not worrying about pictures seemed to make the most sense, so I cranked it open harder and carved some corners.
 By Princeton I was chilled and had a few numb fingers from the cold blowing through my summer gloves. I topped up the tank, and went looking for a coffee, but by now the rain was  was spitting and I didn't feel like getting any colder! There was a convenient pullout on the way out of town, so I left the bike running, pulled on my extra jacket and winter gloves, and thundered back toward Merritt and warmer weather (did I mention this thing is loud?   ). I had intended to stop at the Quilchena store to warm up and grab a coffee, but they were closed early, so I said screw it, cranked my speed up toward Kamloops, stopped there for gas, and sped home to warm up with a homemade hot chocolate and my Sweetie.
About 5 hours and 500km. 9 stops for pics, gas and construction.
 I still LOVE this bike!

 

[Sport-Touring]

[bubba zanetti]

I love that road Dean. North of Quilcheena?  Usually, at this time of year. I base out of Merritt

BTW Dean. That was me in the rain !,,!
Sorry, I was very fogged up and just riding home.

[motrhead]

Yes, north of Quilchena. I remember the road well from childhood, and I really love a road that hugs close to a lakeshore, without barriers, like they all used to do.
 I thought I recognized that Triumph!

[YYCZED]

Our fall colours are white: got about a foot of snow last night and it's still snowing. At least I got new snowshoes on sale over the summer!

[motrhead]

 I feel for you man! We got a little bit of snow at the farm overnight last night, and it's 3 degrees here at 5pm and trying to snow some more. it's only a month early...lol It rained so much the last few days that I can't get my bike out of the driveway due to the mud!
 I think you guys officially have the worst weather in Canada.

[MidLifeMike]

I'm at that age where I have to bite my lip before I utter "Well when I was your age . . . " but -- when I was a kid, I remember the colours in Central Ontario / Muskoka being astounding.
My dad would take us up on a Sunday afternoon and the trees were crimson and gold for miles. Now all I can find is shades of 'meh' though people say you have to know what back roads to go on. One time I thought I hit the motherlode up ahead just west of CFB Borden but it was five seconds of splendor as I passed a nursery field of young maples. I'm blaming the long dragged out transitions from summer to autumn. We're not getting those early cold snaps and frost that I think stimulate the trees to prepare for winter.

Now I just ride because I want to ride my familiar roads. I used to have a wee cabin on 17 acres of mixed bush near Minden Ontario. If I want colour, I'll fire up some photo filters when I get home. Hell, only this year I was clued in that filters are why the ladies look so good in their smartphone selfies.

[bubba zanetti]

Great ride up the Slocan today and back via Pass Creek Rd. Beautiful day and the leaves are looking awesome in the sun.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

MURPHY!!!!!!!!  


Also, I like how you comment how you had a lovely ride, yet the photo is from your driveway  

[YYCZED]

Last Monday I had to park my bike out front of my building while they gutted and fixed up my underground parking lot.  

It snowed 1.5 feet that night and the next day.  

On Sunday I finally got it dug out of a snowbank and parked underground again. Today it's snowing once more. I guess my riding season is over, after a grand total of 600km this summer  

Our leaves didn't really turn this year, they just dropped off the trees suddenly when the snow hit.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

How about "fall colours" without any trees?

[motrhead]

My last fall colour pics, as my bike turned into a pumpkin, and I am stuck on four wheels until February...I got one last ride in on Friday.








The previews show the last 2 pics right side up, but they load upside down. After about 18 hours trying intermittently to fix them, I give up! Please orient you screens or heads to suit!  

[bubba zanetti]

That last pic looks like Monte Lake  

I might be done. Snow up high and rain forecast for the week. Getting chilly.

[motrhead]

That last pic looks like Monte Lake  

I might be done. Snow up high and rain forecast for the week. Getting chilly.

Ding ding. Girlfriend's place is a few KM to the left.
 The Coq got snow, and Halloween is here, so the snow should be too, any minute. I still see one Guzzi V7 on the freeway in the mornings, and feel guilty for giving up early myself! I'm supposed to be the last guy riding! LOL
 Maybe next year...

[YYCZED]

After our 1.5 feet of snow in early October, we got a second autumn. Had a nice ride on Sunday, and now my Zed is under a blanket until March or April next year.  

[bubba zanetti]

Out for a full tank of non Ethanol today, the skies just looked great and so rode for about 1.5 hours. Albeit, down in the valleys.  I gassed up on the good Chevron and more SeaFoam too. 12 C in Fruitvale. Rear tire is going away but I just love Fall riding. No insects, clean roads and still on my fav bike ever.

Have had a great year road riding. Nothing off road ... but all in all, I’ve been to Alberta, Wa, Ore, Nev, Cal and Ida this summer.

Happy me !  

G!  You need to plan an epic trip this coming year.
I am thinking San Felipe

[bubba zanetti]

Got home and a full on sqall was coming down.

Double rainbow before it dumped.

[Blue is Best]

That is a great picture Bubba!

[bubba zanetti]

Thanks Blue !

Still riding up here, but the sun is getting low on the horizon.

5C on my bike temp. Heated gear rocks in the Kootenays in November!  Had a lovely ride today. This time of year you never know, it may be the last of the season.

Castlegar to Salmo, Nelson and then out to Syringa Park on Arrow Lake where this was taken. Sun is low but the roads are empty. Great ride and one of my best local rides of the year actually. Pavement ends about 1km from there.

I love this bike. It is likely my favourite bike I have owned. We just fit. And since losing 25lbs, so does all my gear!! LOL

[Oxblood]

Nice photo, and the Sprint looks great.

[motrhead]

I am envious. I ended my season far too early, but we are at around 3,000 feet, so the weather dictates  early PMS! LOL. We get the odd nice day, but riding would not be fun most mornings now. I do miss the Kootenays.

[birdrunner]

I noticed lots of leaves off the trees.  We'd better get busy raking, or there could be lots of fires next year.  

[bubba zanetti]

Bird ... Arija is at U of A finishing her Masters.  I watch the wether to give me a sense of her world.

I am so surprised you have so much sun.

Here in river or lake dominated valleys, we have low cloud. Go up higher and you get sun ... sun

[birdrunner]

Bird ... Arija is at U of A finishing her Masters.  I watch the wether to give me a sense of her world.

I am so surprised you have so much sun.

Here in river or lake dominated valleys, we have low cloud. Go up higher and you get sun ... sun

A)  Arija is in her MASTERS?      When did that happen?
B) next time you're up here,  call.   We live close to a beer pub.