Line Of Sight Travels

After my saddlebag failure, I threw out the damage saddlebag and took the connecting straps off the remaining good saddlebag. My idea here was to use the remaining saddlebag as a tailbag. I have a 50L but that obviously is too much. I also have one of those magnetic tankbags but the magnets are too weak. It can function as a tailbag but is small. Using the remaining saddlebag as a tailbag would give me a 25L bag. Good for an extended day trip. The plan was to stow my stove, fuel, water, coffee, some biscotti and my utensils in the 25L bag. Attaching the bag and a small folding stool to the back of the bike, I was planning to stop for coffee a few hours out from home. Coffee and biscotti on the road. This worked well. I know because it was cold and wet by the ocean and hot coffee and some orange and chocolate biscotti was very welcome. The water boiled quick even in the wind. Feeling warmed up, I could now continue. "The Loop" or rightfully the Pacific Marine Road ...

Originally written July 24, 2021 Today's adventure was not exactly what I was expecting. I did make it safely there and back but I'll comment on the photos to tell the story. The obligatory pic at the Elk marking Strathcona Park. Views of Upper Campbell Lake from the Elk carving statue thing. Another view of Upper Campbell Lake. Pretty much the same as one above. The sign board at Lady Falls. Nice path and if I could make with my sorry ass, as Jon can attest to, any of you can do it to. View from the Lady Falls path. Stairs along the Lady Falls path. Rough carved bench to rest on if needed. I toughed it out and kept going. I guess this is the ornate carved rest bench but I kept going. Coming up on the observation deck for Lady Falls. Lady Falls. The bottom of Lady Falls. Lady Falls video. When I got back to the parking lot at Lady Falls I was greeted by 2 young ladies requesting help. I told them that I was old and out of shape so I would teach them how to change a tire. They w...

We all like to save money and anything motorcycle related is expensive. I spent only a few dollar to create a handlebar bag by using a fanny pack. Use a small fanny pack so it doesn't interfere with your steering. Regularly tighten the straps so it's not loose. Lastly, hang it as high as possible again to not interfere with your steering. The straps go over the top of the handlebar. Then when they loop under the handlebar they go to the outside so when they connect they tighten up the straps and help keep it a tight package. This makes a great place to store additional items that need charging while riding.

Originally written August 2, 2021 Today's ride was about it being a soulful ride. Having been on so many group rides and seeing so many... things. Yes I'm being vague because I have to admit that if all these little things are getting to me then maybe I need to re-centre MY riding mind. I have to admit that so much has happened this summer that many old memories have come back about bad stuff that happened to friends on the road over the years that this ride was needed. The final step of this ride is this write-up. Call it a punctuation and clearing of the soulful ride, call it just clearing my head. I took my time getting up this morning but I felt in no hurry. I took my time getting ready and kissed my wife good morning. I think I have come to feel that kissing my wife goodbye is a bad omen. Anyway, I strapped my gear to the bike (RHonda) and rode casually across town. Knowing I needed gas and a small bite to eat I stopped at the West Shore Parkway Tim Hortons and Shell. I st...

We've all done it. Gone for a great ride, have a big smile on our face and stop for lunch. We enjoy a good meal with friends at an out of the way pub or restaurant.  Then it's time to finish the ride. Gathering up our gear and walking for the bike we reach for our keys. Not in that pocket... Not in the other pocket... Did I leave them in the bike? Nope. Rushing back into the restaurant to see if they were left on the table. Nope. For some strange reason you find them in a different pocket or maybe you accidentally dropped them beside the bike. The day is saved but tarnished by momentary panic. This scenario is one I hate. Even if you check a pocket and the keys are there you keep checking, replacing one anxiety for another. The solution i use is simple and cheap.  Almost every zipper pull has a hole in the tab. Insert a small carabiner through that hole, not too small, remember you wear gloves, and you have a place to hang your keys. It's easy to reach and the keys won'...

Before you start a group ride you should have a plan, not just a destination. Many of the people who will respond to a call to join a group ride will be newer to group riding. In fact, they may be new to riding. The first mistake that the organizer can make is to not factor in the lowest level of rider. New riders likely don't do any pre-ride checks and probably haven't even looked at a video on how to fix a flat. As the organizer you will be looked at as the expert. You can mitigate this by being aware of the state of each bike and making sure your cellphone is charged. So, you've done your pre-planning and are prepared to organize the ride itself. You need a route with stops. I recommend 20 - 30 minute legs for newer riders. If you are going to do a longer leg, try to make it the first leg. That way you talk to the group and gauge the pace and length of legs. There are two parts to any ride; the ride itself and the destination. Try to make each sto...