The long way around 4249km - 4463km

From here to my parents it's about a forty-five to sixty minute ride if you take the shortest path. Via Stave Lake, it appears to take four and a half hours. That's including my many stops for taking photographs and checking the map. Err...it also includes all my kilometers of backtracking after realizing I was going the wrong way.

The ride started innocently enough. Kino and I pulled out of my parent's driveway sometime around seven-thirty. After several false attempts I finally figured out the path to 0 ave., the almost perfectly straight stretch of road that straddles the border all the way to Chilliwack. I wanted to return to Bradner Road again (a route I had discovered several weeks back whilst on a mission to run out of fuel), and looking on the map I noticed it passed directly through the town of, well, Bradner. I figured that would be a perfect place to change visors, maybe grab a snack or pop, and use the washroom. Well, turns out Bradner was the perfect place to change visors, as the sun was just starting to dip behind the trees as Kino and I pulled in. Actually, it was more of a pass through and U-turn after realizing that school, general store, and Community Garden WAS Bradner, and it was easy to miss. In fact, the only major signage around consisted of a big thank you to Mr. Bulbitz. Thanks for the memories Mr. B.



After continuing North past the big lights (light) of Bradner, the road began to twist and turn around tree shaded hills. The hill above one corner revealed the long-held secret of where Christmas Geese come from. I don't know if this counts for free range.


We turned East on 58th and followed the signs to the bridge to Mission. Then began a long series of wrong turns, missed turns, and map stops. The plan was to head North and take Dewdney Trunk Road all the way through Haney and eventually onto Lougheed Highway to home. The plan did NOT include a visit to the grounds of Westminster Abbey (okay, I didn't ACTUALLY go in...it was closed), a journey along the road to Stave Lake (whoops), several attempted emergency roadside washroom stops (stupid houses/cars/joggers) and a chat with a local chestnut horse. The roads were gorgeous , and the silhouettes of the trees stood black against a crescent moon lit dark blue summer sky. I'd love to visit that trip again in the daytime, complete with a picnic lunch and a little more light to see the sights and read my map. (There were more than a few map checks in front of Kino's headlight.)

All I know is that we went on a lot of twisties, through some beautiful country, deep into the cool air of dense forests, and at some point over a dam. I'm a little saddle sore right now, but I know it's going to be one long, deep sleep tonight.

Happy Canada Day! - 4338km - 4249km

What an awesome Canada Day! Sunny, plenty hot, and the best night sky you could imagine for fireworks. Kino and I rode out to Yayoi-san's house, and she cooked an awesome dinner of Salmon, Fried Rice, and Miso Shiru. We tried some interesting sakura-flavoured green tea, which tasted a lot better than it sounds! After the big fireworks at Nat Baily (which we could kinda see from the balcony), Miho-san brought out some Japanese sparklers, and we went out front each armed with a firework in one hand and a digital camera in the other. No better way to celebrate the nation's birthday than with things that sparkle and glow!

The evenings have been great for riding this week. It's a little too hot in the afternoon for anything in town, but once the sun goes down it's perfect for a little exploring. I'm much happier in my ability to handle Kino, and now that I know how to check the oil levels on my own I'm not too concerned about the recent gear oil leak. Yayoi-san has her motorcycle licence from Japan, and is really looking forward to a ride. Once I pass the 5,000km mark, it'll be time to get a second helmet and start going on some picnics! At this rate, I'll hit that mark sometime next week...

Where the hell have you been? 3883km - 4338km

Okay, so I haven't been very good about posting lately. But I have many excuses! Firstly, I've been going for a few group rides with BCSB. Secondly, I've been going to extra Kyudo classes in preparation for my upcoming Yon-dan exam. I've also been hanging out with friends, some new and some not so new, and finally, it's summer. I have better things to do than sit in front of a computer and so should you. (Shame on you for reading this! Get outside and build some sandcastles dammit!)

First off, the group rides. Last Tuesday I joined up with a night ride, which took us through Jericho, UBC, Richmond, and finally Burnaby. I learned a shameful lesson about why it's important to ride for yourself and NOT try to keep up with the pack, but everyone was very cool about it and took the time to explain the importance of riding at your own pace to me. I felt really horrible about the ride, but after going back to the same route a couple of nights later I felt a lot better. That and both Bob and Martina were full of nothing but kind words about the whole situation, and I feel like it was a lesson learned that will one day save my life. Ever since that night, I always ride as if my best friend were my passenger. Feels good to be doing things right again.

So a large contingent of riders descended upon the Rugby Club & Grill, and hopefully left a big enough tip to make up for all the trouble we caused. (No fights or damaged goods...just a lot of customers at a night and time they probably didn't expect such a crowd.) There I met Bob and CJ for the first time, two awesome people with impressive riding resumes. Being half Japanese, I felt it necessary to take a picture of everyone's food. Featured on this entry is my cashew chicken with schezwan edamame beans and CJ's plate of grilled veggies. Become a biker...eat well!

Since that night I've been on a few rides around town. Maybe I'm backwards, but I'm finding my favourite rides are actually just cruising around downtown. My slow speed maneuvers are starting to feel a little more polished, and being stuck in traffic is no longer the teeth-grating experience I remember it to be.

Kino started to leak gear oil from somewhere near the rear wheel. A few drops a day, but enough to make me call the shop to make an appointment. However, they were booked solid for a whole week, but told me to just try tightening the bolts. Damn if it didn't work....either that or I'm out of gear oil. Sunday I'm taking it out to Whiterock where we can work on the bike and add some gear oil if necessary.

Tonight we stopped in Kits to pick up a burger at Vera's to take to the beach. We parked next to an older red V-star Classic, sans a lot of the fixins' that Kino has. I wish the owner would've come out to tell stories of her/his bike, but sadly it didn't happen. Also of note: Kino's glove compartment is EXACTLY the right size to hold one large hamburger. I found that food stays nice and warm in there too. Can't say the same for the coke though.....had to shove that in my jacket.