Fifteen, maybe twenty laps of my little grass, natural terrain MX course... yup, this is what it's all about...
Saturday, September 29, 2012
For Real.
Okay, this time for real... I'm back!
After struggles befitting the Quakers... we have internet! Early Saturday morning, Spring Valley, PEI. About 10C, no wind, no mist today. Coffee cup in one hand, Canon in ta other, I snap a few pics from my balcony. Nothing spectacular mind you, just the grass track laid out before me. Still have hundreds if not thousands of things to do and deal with including a return trip to Wawa, Ontario, pretty much half way back to Calgary, to load up the remaining things from the move, that were stranded there with my trailer troubles.
Like what; well tools. A man needs his tools right. Air compressor, a man needs his air compressor right. Snow blower, a man needs his snow blower, right!
Clothing, well a man, woman and child need their clothing right. Mementos, we all need our memento's that we've lugged around for what seems an eternity, right!
By the end of next week, it will all have made this journey. I hope the stuff doesn't sit in boxes for the next three years...
Later today we are headed to a wedding, yup... here two weeks and already we're invited to weddings! I may even get a chance to fire up a TTR and go for a little exploratory spin around the grass track. Hope so, after all... it's the dream I've been carrying for decades.
Several years ago I bought two Dirt Bugs. 10kph or so, tiny motor with a pull start, about the power of a gnat. Our first and only ride in Alberta, at MacLean Creek OHV sanctuary, after unloading the minibikes, we are accosted by a forest service ranger. Of course we are "illegal" even though we are well off the road, in a cow pasture the size of a basketball court, nary a vehicle, building, or even cow in sight, puttering around in a circle at walking pace, but still illegal! No lights (he suggested I rubber band a flashlight to the handlebar, no insurance, as if we were actually going to damage a Cadillac or something in our little piece of turf, and no registration. Illegal like I said. After politley reading me the riot act and suggesting we pack up and don't come back, well Mr. it was like the straw that broke the camel's back.
Fast forward to today. I am overlooking 15 acres. Raw hayfield with a short grass, natural terrain, 10' wide track. Here Anna can ride her bike, toboggan, putter on a dirt bike and me... I can go nuts! No lights, no insurance, no plate, no hassles!
Course that's not true exactly. I have waited, a hell of a long time for this.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Hey...
I have a good connection for today, I'm making the most of it.
Can you blame me?!
I air guitar-ed my way through the day yesterday, probably the best day I've had in months. Listened to the 'Boss', some Stones, a bit of BNL... even a little Shania, the old stuff. Served Brn breakfast in bed, went into town, did some shopping, filled the Blz.
Got the TY running, death rattle and all, and wheelied up and down the yard a bit, MY yard.
Compared to the previous few months and especially a few days ago when I was in such pain I was popping Tylenol for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a couple of capsules for snacks in between, where a good day for me is hell for someone else, when my bad left shoulder is my good one for a change...
Beds arrive tomorrow, TV included, and my BIG CRAFTSMAN made by Husky HD mower. I can feel a dirt track a comin'...
This, is certainly a beautiful view to wake to, don't ya think?
Can you blame me?!
I air guitar-ed my way through the day yesterday, probably the best day I've had in months. Listened to the 'Boss', some Stones, a bit of BNL... even a little Shania, the old stuff. Served Brn breakfast in bed, went into town, did some shopping, filled the Blz.
Got the TY running, death rattle and all, and wheelied up and down the yard a bit, MY yard.
Compared to the previous few months and especially a few days ago when I was in such pain I was popping Tylenol for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a couple of capsules for snacks in between, where a good day for me is hell for someone else, when my bad left shoulder is my good one for a change...
Beds arrive tomorrow, TV included, and my BIG CRAFTSMAN made by Husky HD mower. I can feel a dirt track a comin'...
This, is certainly a beautiful view to wake to, don't ya think?
And you thought this was going to be a cinch right...
So far... my life on the Island has been, shall we say... a wee bit of a struggle.
Between trying to sort out an internet connection;
"That will be no problem Mr. Simon/There is a problem Mr. Simon")
a greater understatement hasn't been heard since an anonymous tech at Nasa Control blurts "Houston, we've had a major malfunction..." as the shuttle explodes into gazillions of particles.
Being told by 5 reps for a year, high speed internet at our location was A okay, only to find that it's anything but.
I'm long out of step with the Island it seems, where nothing is how it seems. More on that later...
Suffice to say, everyone survived and even after a short discussion of selling our very new house and going our separate ways, Brenda and I have also made it over the hump so to speak.
Anna is in school, there are horses about, we may yet someday get connected. The battle is on with the contractors that in the words of one of my long time friends, "charged premium prices for mediocre work."
The OBN* has been at work, having got a phone call from the chief Electrical inspector for the Island about 3 minutes after telling the electrical contractor that I was unhappy with his work, to inform me that their job (his department) was to ensure that "contractors were treated fairly and got paid for their work."
To which I replied, 'I thought your job was to protect the consumer...?'
"Oh yes, that too..."
I spent some time with my buddy Mike, got him sorted with a nice used V Star (read Virago) 650 Custom that he bought from a nice young woman in Vernon River. Mike first bought a CB900C (10 speed) about a day before I arrived, a bike although decent, that is too top heavy and bulky for a guy that once rode an Exciter 250. Thirty years ago. He bought the Honda from a local dealer, they really should have sold him something else. A struggle ensued, no one died... yet.
I can see it now... Nevin on his Wing, Mike his V Star, Trevor on his Intruder, and me on my ThunderBird...
Is there a CDN version of the "Mild Hawgs" in the making?!
*OBN Old Boys Network
Between trying to sort out an internet connection;
"That will be no problem Mr. Simon/There is a problem Mr. Simon")
a greater understatement hasn't been heard since an anonymous tech at Nasa Control blurts "Houston, we've had a major malfunction..." as the shuttle explodes into gazillions of particles.
Being told by 5 reps for a year, high speed internet at our location was A okay, only to find that it's anything but.
I'm long out of step with the Island it seems, where nothing is how it seems. More on that later...
Suffice to say, everyone survived and even after a short discussion of selling our very new house and going our separate ways, Brenda and I have also made it over the hump so to speak.
Anna is in school, there are horses about, we may yet someday get connected. The battle is on with the contractors that in the words of one of my long time friends, "charged premium prices for mediocre work."
The OBN* has been at work, having got a phone call from the chief Electrical inspector for the Island about 3 minutes after telling the electrical contractor that I was unhappy with his work, to inform me that their job (his department) was to ensure that "contractors were treated fairly and got paid for their work."
To which I replied, 'I thought your job was to protect the consumer...?'
"Oh yes, that too..."
I spent some time with my buddy Mike, got him sorted with a nice used V Star (read Virago) 650 Custom that he bought from a nice young woman in Vernon River. Mike first bought a CB900C (10 speed) about a day before I arrived, a bike although decent, that is too top heavy and bulky for a guy that once rode an Exciter 250. Thirty years ago. He bought the Honda from a local dealer, they really should have sold him something else. A struggle ensued, no one died... yet.
 |
| Just call me... "Big Daddy" |
I can see it now... Nevin on his Wing, Mike his V Star, Trevor on his Intruder, and me on my ThunderBird...
 |
| "I can't get back up, give me a hand will ya?" |
Is there a CDN version of the "Mild Hawgs" in the making?!
*OBN Old Boys Network
I'm Baaaaack!
Well sort of.
If I were to tell the tale of my foibles this last month or so, you'd think I was making things up. It has been the most bizarre of experiences, seemingly bad Karma struggling with good, to get me here. A toss up which would win.
And where is here? Kensington PEI.
An office where I am using a secure internet connection for the first time really in two months. TWO months without internet, can you stand it...
Wawa... more trailer problems. Waiting around for a couple of days while Royal Tire finds me some suitable tires for the CargoMate. After changing from "econobox" car springs in Calgary, to the headshaking dismay of the spring shop, 2500 km eastwards to Wawa, where the professionals are telling me, the tires I am towing with are nothing more than "transit tires" made in essence to get the trailer from the factory (in Indiana) to it's destination, in my case High River AB. Their life expectency is less than 10,000 km under ideal conditions. Lemme see now... Indiana to Calgary, about 2500k, Calgary to Wawa... about 2500k.
That's pretty much all there is folks.
Following the further unloading of a thousand lbs into a storage unit, and the install of much better quality tires at Royal, I made my way the remaining 2500k through Sudbury, North Bay and Montreal* overnighting at a rest stop on route 20 just short of Quebec City.
Wish I'd driven the 100k that night as we spent an hr moving about 500meters to get past a traffic jam of epic proportions bypassing QC.
You'd think there was a nuclear alert, things were piled up so badly. Not a cop or traffic control or road worker in sight. No flagman, but lots of finger waving amidst steaming rads and drivers on the edge of control.
I was so glad to see the hills of New Brunswick finally!
Phoenix had settled into a rhythm once again, sleeping much of the day beside me on the console.
I arrived on the Island at 8 pm on Friday night barely two weeks ago. Had just enough light to back the rig into the lane and unload my bod and cat into the house. I'm greeted by darkness and a mess in the garage that the professionals I'd hired, left behind. In addition, the place is unfinished, wiring strewn here and there, holes in walls, an incomplete bathroom in our ensuite, sinks that wobble, floors going in the wrong direction and no happy greetings!
Brenda was in Kensington doing laundry, I was too exhausted to care much about anything...
Then it rained... for two solid days.
Welcome home guys!
*My first trip through Monteal in 1975 aboard my BMW R60/5 was major traffic jam due to some bone head careening across all three lanes, scattering debris in his wake, in very hot summer weather.
My latest trip... lo and behold, a major traffic jam while someone tossing their car down the road strewing debris in every direction. The local authority calls it "congestion" as if it where a little flem in your throat!
If I were to tell the tale of my foibles this last month or so, you'd think I was making things up. It has been the most bizarre of experiences, seemingly bad Karma struggling with good, to get me here. A toss up which would win.
And where is here? Kensington PEI.
An office where I am using a secure internet connection for the first time really in two months. TWO months without internet, can you stand it...
Wawa... more trailer problems. Waiting around for a couple of days while Royal Tire finds me some suitable tires for the CargoMate. After changing from "econobox" car springs in Calgary, to the headshaking dismay of the spring shop, 2500 km eastwards to Wawa, where the professionals are telling me, the tires I am towing with are nothing more than "transit tires" made in essence to get the trailer from the factory (in Indiana) to it's destination, in my case High River AB. Their life expectency is less than 10,000 km under ideal conditions. Lemme see now... Indiana to Calgary, about 2500k, Calgary to Wawa... about 2500k.
That's pretty much all there is folks.
Following the further unloading of a thousand lbs into a storage unit, and the install of much better quality tires at Royal, I made my way the remaining 2500k through Sudbury, North Bay and Montreal* overnighting at a rest stop on route 20 just short of Quebec City.
Wish I'd driven the 100k that night as we spent an hr moving about 500meters to get past a traffic jam of epic proportions bypassing QC.
You'd think there was a nuclear alert, things were piled up so badly. Not a cop or traffic control or road worker in sight. No flagman, but lots of finger waving amidst steaming rads and drivers on the edge of control.
I was so glad to see the hills of New Brunswick finally!
Phoenix had settled into a rhythm once again, sleeping much of the day beside me on the console.
I arrived on the Island at 8 pm on Friday night barely two weeks ago. Had just enough light to back the rig into the lane and unload my bod and cat into the house. I'm greeted by darkness and a mess in the garage that the professionals I'd hired, left behind. In addition, the place is unfinished, wiring strewn here and there, holes in walls, an incomplete bathroom in our ensuite, sinks that wobble, floors going in the wrong direction and no happy greetings!
Brenda was in Kensington doing laundry, I was too exhausted to care much about anything...
Then it rained... for two solid days.
*My first trip through Monteal in 1975 aboard my BMW R60/5 was major traffic jam due to some bone head careening across all three lanes, scattering debris in his wake, in very hot summer weather.
My latest trip... lo and behold, a major traffic jam while someone tossing their car down the road strewing debris in every direction. The local authority calls it "congestion" as if it where a little flem in your throat!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
The Beat goes on...
There certainly hasn't been much posting this last 6 weeks or so. Lots has happened but of course time has been limited, and after the 14th of last month... I had no home phone or internet connection. Have we grown too dependent on technology? BIG Question that.
So, when I last left you I was in Dryden Ontario. A pulp town I remember from my very first foray across the country at age 20, back in '75. There was no internet in them thar' days me heartie!
Things seemed to be going well, cooler road temperatures and a rhythm settled into. I felt the worst was behind us (Phx and I) and we could be on the Island in a few more days. After a very expensive fill at Kakabeka Falls, a place that didn't even qualify as a hamlet in '75, where condos now sprout, we cleared Thunder Bay, famous really for the termination point of the very driven and subsequently famous, Terry Fox. TF inspired millions and Barb even got to do a TF run in Budapest when she visited in 2008.
Another fill in Nipigon, and east on 17 this time around. I took 11 through Hearst and Kapaskasing in April but felt the route was too bumpy for the big load. Maybe should have taken 11 after all. The Trans Canada via 17 climbs and falls and undulates around the north shore of Lake Superior. Several climbs were accomplished adequately but slowly in low gear.
At Terrace Bay, I pulled off for the night, 260km short of my planned stop in Wawa.
After checking into the Norwood Motel on September 3rd, a holiday Sunday, I find I am at the same place that Brenda and Anna occupied a week earlier. Apparently Anna left her camera behind in room 116, but it
failed to turn up.
That night, checking the rig, something I routinely have been doing, I notice in the gathering dusk, all four of my new tires on my new trailer are wearing badly on the inside edge. Very hard to spot. Being unable to accomplish anything in TB, I gingerly drove in wet weather to Wawa, where I am still holed up at the Wawa Motor Inn two days later. Why you may wonder... unloaded some gear at a storage facility and waiting for replacement tires for the trailer. The tire experts at Royal Tire, tell me blow out was imminent. Not a pleasant thought while driving and towing a major moving load. His comment when surveying the affair was, 'why would they place bias ply tires on such a heavy rig?' After all, they haven't been in use for decades really.
As I am finding out the further east I progress, cheap. The manufacturer builds these units as cheap as possible. Great... I pay thousands of dollars, and what do I get... cost cutting. Maybe that's why jobs are going to China, maybe that's why my electric brake lines cross between the axle and frame, a place where the poor quality lightweight springs are guaranteed to slice your brake lines if they contact the frame, maybe that's why my axles are deflecting causing premature tire wear which if not found, would result in a massive blow-out situtaion, with potentially, surely severe consequences.
Maybe maybe maybe...
I just want to get there in one piece and live to tell the tale.
 |
| leaving in good spirits |
So, when I last left you I was in Dryden Ontario. A pulp town I remember from my very first foray across the country at age 20, back in '75. There was no internet in them thar' days me heartie!
Things seemed to be going well, cooler road temperatures and a rhythm settled into. I felt the worst was behind us (Phx and I) and we could be on the Island in a few more days. After a very expensive fill at Kakabeka Falls, a place that didn't even qualify as a hamlet in '75, where condos now sprout, we cleared Thunder Bay, famous really for the termination point of the very driven and subsequently famous, Terry Fox. TF inspired millions and Barb even got to do a TF run in Budapest when she visited in 2008.
Another fill in Nipigon, and east on 17 this time around. I took 11 through Hearst and Kapaskasing in April but felt the route was too bumpy for the big load. Maybe should have taken 11 after all. The Trans Canada via 17 climbs and falls and undulates around the north shore of Lake Superior. Several climbs were accomplished adequately but slowly in low gear.
At Terrace Bay, I pulled off for the night, 260km short of my planned stop in Wawa.
After checking into the Norwood Motel on September 3rd, a holiday Sunday, I find I am at the same place that Brenda and Anna occupied a week earlier. Apparently Anna left her camera behind in room 116, but it
failed to turn up.
 |
| My buddy, making hisself at home. |
That night, checking the rig, something I routinely have been doing, I notice in the gathering dusk, all four of my new tires on my new trailer are wearing badly on the inside edge. Very hard to spot. Being unable to accomplish anything in TB, I gingerly drove in wet weather to Wawa, where I am still holed up at the Wawa Motor Inn two days later. Why you may wonder... unloaded some gear at a storage facility and waiting for replacement tires for the trailer. The tire experts at Royal Tire, tell me blow out was imminent. Not a pleasant thought while driving and towing a major moving load. His comment when surveying the affair was, 'why would they place bias ply tires on such a heavy rig?' After all, they haven't been in use for decades really.
 |
| Superior north shore, one mutha of a lake! |
 |
| Pretty relaxed even for a cat! |
As I am finding out the further east I progress, cheap. The manufacturer builds these units as cheap as possible. Great... I pay thousands of dollars, and what do I get... cost cutting. Maybe that's why jobs are going to China, maybe that's why my electric brake lines cross between the axle and frame, a place where the poor quality lightweight springs are guaranteed to slice your brake lines if they contact the frame, maybe that's why my axles are deflecting causing premature tire wear which if not found, would result in a massive blow-out situtaion, with potentially, surely severe consequences.
 |
| half a trailer load, the guy says. |
Maybe maybe maybe...
 |
| All four tires, 2500km and this is what I am faced with! |
I just want to get there in one piece and live to tell the tale.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
XC
Trip Report
Hey Gang... the last week packing was a distinct "Blur" I have no idea where my phone charger is, although I used it just before leaving, no idea where my camera gear is, and no idea where my spare clothes are...
What I do know is after a hair raising, white knuckle trailer wobble just coming onto Stoney Trail Thursday evening... the first day was very long, tiring and stressful.
I drove East of Calgary until 2.30 am Friday morning, before pulling off for 2 hours sleep?!
Phoenix didn't know what to make of our leaving and he was most troubled and a real handful, which didn't help matters. Next morning, having passed through Swift Current (the current is anything but) lazier than a Southern Hillbilly poling the bayou... then on through Regina, finally pulling off the highway at Grenfell Sask.
The morning was difficult to say the least, over 30 celcious and poor road conditions. Lots of cracks, fillers, and potholes. Worst of all are the 'truckers grooves' My rig was always unsettled tracking in these, and would not keep a straight line no matter how hard I concentrated. By driving just right or left was better, I was on the center line or the shoulder, so little room for any error. Eventually the pavement got better as did my mood.
Phoenix has settled into his road groove as has Dad. By the time we passed Brandon, I was feeling more relaxed and confident in the rig. Three things were helpful, the near unconscious mood of my driving partner, the improved road conditions and the cooler/wetter day. Being at least 10 degrees under yesterday and with periodic light rain, the tires, cabin and trans ran better. My mileage has run from 5-6 as high as 11-12 depending on speed and of course, headwinds. Today both increased.
I had inquired yesterday about placing my cargomate on a flat deck in Steinbach, but really once past Winnipeg, I felt confident about making the entire trip, trailer in tow. If the weather stays cool, and Phx likewise, I think we can make the journey by next week Wednesday or Thursday.
Keep your fingers crossed for me...
pics later!
Hey Gang... the last week packing was a distinct "Blur" I have no idea where my phone charger is, although I used it just before leaving, no idea where my camera gear is, and no idea where my spare clothes are...
What I do know is after a hair raising, white knuckle trailer wobble just coming onto Stoney Trail Thursday evening... the first day was very long, tiring and stressful.
I drove East of Calgary until 2.30 am Friday morning, before pulling off for 2 hours sleep?!
Phoenix didn't know what to make of our leaving and he was most troubled and a real handful, which didn't help matters. Next morning, having passed through Swift Current (the current is anything but) lazier than a Southern Hillbilly poling the bayou... then on through Regina, finally pulling off the highway at Grenfell Sask.
The morning was difficult to say the least, over 30 celcious and poor road conditions. Lots of cracks, fillers, and potholes. Worst of all are the 'truckers grooves' My rig was always unsettled tracking in these, and would not keep a straight line no matter how hard I concentrated. By driving just right or left was better, I was on the center line or the shoulder, so little room for any error. Eventually the pavement got better as did my mood.
Phoenix has settled into his road groove as has Dad. By the time we passed Brandon, I was feeling more relaxed and confident in the rig. Three things were helpful, the near unconscious mood of my driving partner, the improved road conditions and the cooler/wetter day. Being at least 10 degrees under yesterday and with periodic light rain, the tires, cabin and trans ran better. My mileage has run from 5-6 as high as 11-12 depending on speed and of course, headwinds. Today both increased.
I had inquired yesterday about placing my cargomate on a flat deck in Steinbach, but really once past Winnipeg, I felt confident about making the entire trip, trailer in tow. If the weather stays cool, and Phx likewise, I think we can make the journey by next week Wednesday or Thursday.
Keep your fingers crossed for me...
pics later!
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