A Rare Winter Ride

Knowing the weather was supposed to be great this afternoon I got up
early to get all my chores out of the way so I could enjoy a rare
winter ride this afternoon.

12:00PM the chores are done, the RSV is wired up and I am on the road.
As I am heading west out of town to the tune of my old high school bud
Ra McGuire "We're Here For a Good Time" I get to thinking of how much
I love Chinooks.

There was a perfect Chinook arch framing in the Rocky Mountains over
the western sky so I figured that was pretty much as good a direction
to head as any.

I treated the Venture with a half can of Seafoam a few weeks back and
what a difference it has made in the performance of that machine. Not
only has the starting problem been rectified the motor has a snap back
to it.

Right now this Venture is the perfect bike for me. It has the comfort
that lets me ride all day without feeling like a twisted pretzel by
the end of the ride. A high revving V-4 that will let me cruise at
whatever speed I feel comfortable with at the time and when I let her
spin up to that sweet spot in the power band the bike stands at
attention, firms up and challenges the curves in the road. All the
while treating me to my favorite music, instead of wind noise. It just
doesn't get much better.

Now I am firmly convinced deer hate my music, since I have not even
had a close call with one of those hooved rats this season.

Heading west out of Calgary on highway 1a the road turns slightly to
the right curling around a foothill just before heading down to the
river valley in Cochrane. As you come around that curve the view opens
up to a vista of the river valley with the Rocky Mountains in the
background. I think all southern Alberta riders know this spot. It is
truly a spectacular view. I keep thinking I have to stop and take a
picture to share with you folks. Next time.

Once past Cochrane and Ghost Lake, my perfect day starts to get windy.
Did I say windy? I meant really freaking windy. The wind rolls out of
the mountains, then twists and turns through the rolling hills giving
huge gusts that will hit you from every direction. Combine that with a
crappy road and it does become a challenge.

Not to be deterred I crank up the stereo another couple of notches and
carry on.

Before long the old highway becomes a series of rolling curves. Really
challenging them is best left to a time when the roads have not been
sanded for the recent snows and do not have those shaded damp spots
that could still be icy. For the most part it was still a brisk pace.

It became pretty clear the Chinook did not affect Canmore as it did
Calgary. I was feeling a little cold by the time I past Eckshaw and
the cold combined with the potential for ice had me considering
turning back. But the tank had enough left in it to make Canmore but
not to get back to Calgary so I motored on.

A quick stop for gas in Canmore and something to eat at Joeys Only and
I am on my way home.

Riding with the wind was much warmer and knowing which sections of the
road were a little iffy allowed me to take the corners a little more
aggressively. What a blast! I don't know how I am going to be able to
wait until spring for more of this.

Lot's of bikes out today and on the way back I passed a couple of
Harley baggers on that same hill outside of Cochrane. Heading east it
is a steep uphill grade with a series of consecutive sweepers that is
perfect for smile and pucker value. The Harley riders must have seen
me coming cuz they kindly got out of my way to let me pass, and pass I
did. Man those two bikes sounded sweet as I flew by.

Once at the top of the hill it is pretty much a straight shot home, to
put the bike back in the shed until the next Chinook.

Just a couple of comments on riding with the GPS. Since I had no idea
where I was going I had not programmed a route into the gadget. It was
still cool to have a digital map right in front of me while riding and
it sure made choosing the best passing opportunities easier. At one
point I got behind a tandem truck dumping rock and crap all over the
road. The GPS shows my exact location and the nearest straight stretch
of road where I could pass. Knowing that, I could hang back, out of
range of the crap until I got to the spot I could get past the beast.
Something else that proved handy was being able to see the bends in
the road just out of visual range while riding the twisties, when
there was an opportunity to take my eyes off the road for a second.

All in all, it was a fine day, 200km over 2 hours and 39 minutes
averaging 85kph with a maximum speed of 136kph. Damn I love toys. lol

--


Don
RCOS# 7

2000 - Yamaha Venture Millenium Edition
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/radium1.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/banff.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/kananaskis.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/walkercalgary.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/calgarybrowning.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/venture.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/gem.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/highwood.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/reynolds.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/sask.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/osoyoos.htm

 

Your always welcome to follow the Canadian Geese and winter down here in
good ol' Texas......Bring the bike and ride all winter.

 

Well there is a very good chance my bike will be trailered to Vegas
this winter and then ridden to anywhere the sun still shines with some
heat. Could be Texas, ya never know.
--


Don
RCOS# 7

2000 - Yamaha Venture Millenium Edition
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/radium1.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/banff.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/kananaskis.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/walkercalgary.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/calgarybrowning.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/venture.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/gem.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/highwood.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/reynolds.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/sask.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/osoyoos.htm

 

Let me know when you are coming down.I'll roll out the Road King and we can
put on some pavement while your down this way. Lots of good places to
explore down here. Fun to share with someone here on a visit.

 

I won't be making the final plans until the new year but rest assured
I'll post the times dates and route. As always a local guide to show
us the great roads and best watering holes is always appreciated.
--


Don
RCOS# 7

2000 - Yamaha Venture Millenium Edition
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/radium1.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/banff.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/kananaskis.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/walkercalgary.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/calgarybrowning.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/venture.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/gem.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/highwood.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/reynolds.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/sask.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/osoyoos.htm

 

All a part of the service I provide.

Well sometimes we cannot be too choosy. The Venture has outstanding
wind protection that makes cool weather riding quite comfortable.

I run synth in my bike and I am sure it helps the cold weather
cranking. I am going to try it in the car this winter. Cranking it
over at 30 below zero will be a true test of the synth's
characteristics.
--


Don
RCOS# 7

2000 - Yamaha Venture Millenium Edition
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/radium1.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/banff.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/kananaskis.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/walkercalgary.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/calgarybrowning.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/venture.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/gem.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/highwood.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/reynolds.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/sask.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/osoyoos.htm