All Business!!!!!!

So I think I'm the luckiest feller on earth.... Here are just a few reasons why.
#1. I have a great Wife that not only understands my need to travel by Motorcycle, she supports me and encourages (doesn't discourage) me when I decide to go on a ride.
#2. I have 2 great traveling motorcycles.
#3. I have a business that requires some travel and I can decide how I want to go. Drive, Fly, Ride... it's my choice.

We have some potential business overseas that we are pursuing. The contacts on this file are both in the Okanagan Valley. So... it's spring time... relatively good weather = "have motorcycle will travel"...My routing was to go west on #1 from Calgary to Revelstoke, and then south to Nakusp and eventually go to B.C.'s #2 destination Highway taking me west to Vernon, and then south to Kelowna. This very nice trucker (Les) allowed me to be first in line and avoid a 3 hour ferry wait. I'm in the bow of the ferry completely out of the way of any other ferry boat riders. Very nice of Les to let me go first. There is quite a bit of construction on #1 and the flagging people actually recommend that motorcycles ride the shoulder to get up in the front of the line... so no waiting and no eating traffic dust and fumes. Some of the lines were up to 2 km long.... NICE!Here's another short "cable" ferry that I was able to get front row seating for. The ride from here to Vernon is "WOW" twisty, remote, very scenic, just a sweet riding experience. When I got on the small ferry, I did a walk around the bike to check it out. I knew leaving Calgary that the rear tire would need a new one soon but thought I could get to the Okanagan and back.... Not so, my walk around revealed steel cord showing in a 1" wide strip, needless to say I took it pretty easy for the rest of the way to Kelowna. I left the bike at a dealer in Kelowna and put some new shoes on the R1100BCR.... Hmmmmm.... new shoes, nice! I find riding enjoyable for a lot of reasons .... one of which is that when I ride I'm hyper sensitive to the environment, like road surface, traffic, everything around that could have an influence on my trajectory. There is no time to get involved in the worries of the world, cuz' I'm riding.

This is Derik from Germany.... Nice guy, traveling with his wife and a 2 year old.

The other thing I've noticed is that really meet some nice folks. Not everyone.... but certainly the majority of folks, from ferry boat passengers and workers, to flag people, to gas station employees, even some traffic, in the big picture it's the writers opinion that people are generally good. I think we all have moments where we are disappointed with our actions but again by a large margin, most people are good most of the time.This kind of pull outs and scenery is abundant. Great Ride... The only way it could have been better is to share it with Nola...

Chairity Ride

This is an annual motorcycle ride to raise money for and awarness of Teenage Depression.

I have never ridden in a large group like this. So it was a new experience for me. The group dynamics of this event were palpable. From the ponytail feller who was the ride marshall to the outriders who ended up being truly anoying, the group ride thing is not my favorite.

All that stuff aside it was a pleasure to be there and to participate in a worthwhile event. I heard about this ride last week and decided that it would be a good thing to attend. My intention was to attend and then go out and do a rippen' ride somewhere west of Calgary. With that in mind we all 'rondez voused' at Parkland Stake Center. Staging for the ride was cool, I met some great folks and looked over some very cool rides. There were some treats provided and good schmoozing with some quality folks.

With road construction all around us some folks were a little tardy. So we waited for a few extra minutes. Thad Manden, Brent and Juli Fairbanks were there, allong with Frank Stanford and some of his offspring. I got to thinkin' maybe I should break from the group and round up Nola and we can go out together. So I did. When I got home Nola was making breakfast, which she promptly abandoned and got ready to go. Carter was home too, so I asked him if he wanted to go, he made some calls and decided it would be a good idea. Just as we were ready to take off Nola said "Lets see if Auz wants to go!" He did want to go. So Auz went with me on the Adventure, and Nola was with Carter on the Boxer Cup.

Top: This is an Auz picture from the back of the Adventure with Carter and Nola just in front of us. Bottom: A long group of folks in front of Carter and Nola... Great picture Auz!

We caught up with the group as they went through Bragg Creek, and headed out to the Trans Canada and then out to Rafter 6 Ranch. Food was underway by the time we got out to the Ranch and it was GOOD. Steak and Beans and all the other fixin's to go with it... MMMMMM.... good

We then listened to Jeremy Kroker's motorcycle escapades in the Middle East. Great stuff Jeremy. I bought Jeremy's book called Motorcycle Therapy, and read it right away, good read, and Jeremy gives a fantastic presentation.

This was a wonderful day for me, and the family. It was so nice that we could all get together and share the experience. The impressive thing for me is that Nola, Carter and Auz were flexable enough and impulsive enough to take off for the day and have a 'Family Adventure' together, unplaned, unrehearsed and totally impromptu. Auz on the big streach with Nola and Carter in the background...

Thanks for the early Father's Day present ... (Your impulsive and adventuresome attitudes are a blessing to me.)

Calgary Motorcycle Show

I'm at home listening to "Helen Stelar ... This time around." from the Elizabethtown Soundtrack

Well it's that time of year again...

Off to the show we go. Andrew Mysyk and Tyler, Carter, Auz and I all went down to the Bike show to poke around. We all had a great time. The Cajun Fire "pocket dog" was great. The motorcycle world is very diverse, it seems like bike choice has a tendency to identify your self. That means that I'm a longdistance... go any where guy, that doesn't mind being dirty and off the beaten track... Hmmm... Probably true.

In the last few minutes of our time at the show we stopped at a booth where they casually mentioned a series of guide books called "Destination Highway" . There's a book for Southern BC, one for Washington State, and one for Northern California. Looking at them on the web it looks like these guide books are an excellent source for roads with soul and personality. Here's their site. http://www.destinationhighways.com/ This may become the mission for this spring time.

I'll keep you posted... mb

It was good to share time with our boys we enjoy hanging out with eachother. We are all looking forward to the next few months being over with so we can go out and get some adventures under our belts.

Winter is time to Plan and Prepair

Well it's been many weeks since my short and very cold ride to take the GS to the plant for the winter months... So there it sits, all lonely and dark. Spring will come soon enough. Presently sitting in front of my home computer listening to "classic mark stuff" on iTunes, (Boz Skags) it seems like now is the time for planing next spring, summer, and fall adventures on the bike and off.

I've had a great time riding and exploring this season. The only thing I can think of to make it better would be to share some motorcycle adventure time with family, so that means that we need more motorbikes around here. I've been looking for a good used 05 Boxer Cup Replika. It was surprising how many are for sale on the web right now... I've found one in Ohio that seems to fit the bill quite well. Take a look, see what you think..... I'll keep you posted. mb

Great Afternoon with a Georgeous Woman

This is the Highwood Pass along Highway 40 in the Kananaskis region of Alberta.
As you can see the scenery
is wonderful

The Long and winding road

Moving at speed... and taking pictures is always fun...
especially when it's done at the same time.

Here we are at the top of the pass. I have a hard time putting to words how great it is to be out on an afternoon cruz with the love of my life. She is a wonderful passenger, I could easily go to the ends of the earth with Nola as my co-pilot. She told me that when we are rippin' she just closes her eyes and goes with the flow, now that's trust. Wow! I Love you darlin'...

Our total mileage today was about 450 km... and included a buffet supper at the Kananaskis Lodge.
It was a Great day.

July 14 2007 Calgary to Salt Lake and Home

This trip comprises 2 days of riding (July 14 and July 21) and includes 5 days of business in Orlando combined with a family reunion in Brigham City Utah... Start day is July 14 2007

A short little "giddy up" ride from Calgary to Salt Lake/Provo via the twisty Mountain roads of Montana and Idaho... Great ridin' .... Hotter than blazes. I take off from Calgary about 10:00 am and go visit our daughter Holly and Hunter and Marshall our 2 Grandsons before leaving town.

Leave Calgary and go through Kalispell Montana down to Missoula Montana and over to Salmon Idaho... I stopped in at Lorne and Erliene's in Salmon just to say hello and hit a home run... they are actually at their store and it's 7 pm on a Saturday. It was only a short 10 minute visit. An absolute pleasure to reacquaint. Then off to Provo to meet up with family, Nola and Auz. Arrive in Provo ... find the hotel and get to sleep around 2 am... Great day... Wonderful ride.

I had a run in with a motorcycle cop ...
Aka Hunter Murray. (our Grandson)
I bribed him with some ice cream...
It worked...

Head back to Calgary on July 21, 2007

This is the top of Galena Summit. Great day. It's about 6pm here and I want to get home without stopping overnight ... We'll see if the Old Guy has it in him.

Here's another raving Motorcycle fan.
He needed to have a sit and just get the view.

There was a fire some where in the Sawtooth mountains... it got real smokey for an hour or so between Stanley, and Challis Idaho. The Gallina Pass to Missoula is a great ride.

So here's how the ride ends... It's late about 2 am and I'm trying to push home... It becomes evident that there is just no way I'm making it home unless I stop and rest my eyes for a few minutes. I think to my self... It will be cool and comfortable if I stop at a tourist pull out on the way down Logan Pass near St. Mary's Mt. So as I'm slowing down and pulling into a pull out, I startled a very large Bear. It was about 4 feet high at the rump and about 4 feet wide. It was the biggest bear backside I've ever seen. With adrenaline pumping from my close encounter I continued to St. Mary's and pull into a parking lot, lay out my therma rest and lay out on the ground covered up with a sleeping bag...boots and gear, minus helmet still on... It's amazing how well a person can sleep in less than ideal conditions. This was one of those sleeps. Up early and get to the Border around opening time. I got home to Calgary in time to prepair a lesson and teach my Sunday School Class of energetic 16-17 year old keeners. Great trip...

June 29 2007 R.B.T. Home Sweet Home Day 12

Up early... On the road out of Jasper by 7:00 am.

It's cold .. down to about 4 degrees C for an hour or so. up and over the pass and stop at the bottom of the 270 degree swooper and check out the river that falls into a rock crevasse. Cool spot. We get hung up by some trailer traffic. and work our way through it. then on to Canmore for fuel and I need 2 RED BULL for the final leg back to Calgary. ..

It's now a few days later and while I write this it would be great to be back out at it.

It has taken me hours to clean up the calcium chloride (dust suppressant) that was used on the Haul Road. ) when wet. that stuff sticks to bike parts and bakes on to exhaust . it is hard to get off! As opposed to Jon Lee who is easy to get off, or so I'm told. I enjoyed the trip immensely.

Apart from Ryan and I we were 4 guys that knew each other casually. We have become "fast friends" . Like James "the Hammer" said: "No one can take this away from us!" Great time. A little painful at times. What great adventure comes with out the reality checks and a "bit" of pain? We all stretched our capacity for endurance and have tested these machines to the maximum of our present capacity to push them. The machines are amazing.

Truly impressed with the versatility of these motorcycles..

Oh and did you know "Red Bull gives you Wings"

June 28 2007 R.B.T. Push to Jasper Day 11

Early start and good going. Stop at Fort St. John for Timmy's and fuel and Red Bull and scoot off to Dawson Creek. pictures at the mile '0' monument and continue to Grand Prairie. Stop for some fuel and pep & ched and Yep Red Bull and then off to Grand Cash.. Great Road. rippin fast. eat at Grand Cash and on to Jasper.

The 4 stooges

June 27 2007 R.B.T. Rippin' the Alaska Highway Day 10

The Alaska Highway “Scenic Section” Watson Lake to Fort Nelson.

What a beautiful road… we stop to chase some Bears and to wait for the Buffalo to cross the road … then hold up at Liard Hot Springs for an hour or so… good times.

Watson Lake Sign Post Forrest

What a great Road... Rippin'

Greg with his Super Man Rally Suit chasing Bears... with the Paparazzi following...

Ryan showing us a different kind of Bare.

Where is it! I wanna soak in the Hot Springs.

Puttin' out the vibe

Once Liard is done we Red Bull up and look at the road ahead it’s dark, Dark and stormy looking … a guy comes up to us and says: "that was the hardest rain storm I've ever been in"… we look at each other … swallow hard and do what we always do when we face adversity… get on the bike and ride. We got a little damp but the bulk of the storm passed before we got there. Beautiful country.

We stop at Ft. Nelson and fuel up eat and get ready to head out to Fort St. John. It’s 8:30 pm and we won’t get to Fort St. John for 3 ½ hours if we push… so we wimp out and take a room… so we can get up early and head er’…

Oh I forgot Greg and I started to chase bears mid way through the day... He wanted to wrestle them and I wanted to get pictures to sell them to the tabloids... It was fun... And we got some pretty good pics...

June 26 2007 R.B.T. Skagway Day 9

Breakfast at 8:00 meet up with a biker coming from the south and ask how the roads were he tells us of a nightmare construction zone ahead. We tell him that the road north is bumpy but not too bad. The construction zone south was cake, in fact it was a lot better than what was north of us. Sorry Dude... we didn't know.

We scoot down to Whitehorse fill up and Red Bull up. "did you know that Red Bull give you wings?" Then off to Skagway.

James taking a drive by picture of a Griz in the ditch while I take a picture of James

Some good times in Skagway.... So much fun it hurts...

Best meal of the trip... "Thanks Ryan"...

Posers!

What a drive! That road is beautiful. It is one of the most remote and away feeling places I've ever encountered (next to the Haul Road and Top of the World and White Rim and West Coast Trail and...) to think of the work and man hours spent hauling stuff up and over those passes during gold rush times makes me weak just thinking about it. The town is delightful. Lots of period dress and touristy stuff to take in . We went to the Museum and wandered around town for a while . Ryan bought us all a great seafood meal and we fueled up bike and mind and took off into the wild blue yonder once again. North East at Carcross and pushed through to Watson Lake. I got so tired at one point that we stoped at the road side to sleep on a gravel parking lot for 15 minutes and then head out again. We do some rippin' with Greggy at the head end of our train.