Fall Riding (not to be confused with falling while riding)

There is something special about fall riding. It is too late for leaf
peeping around here and our fall colours are less than spectacular at
the best of times, but despite that, getting out on the road, on a
late fall day, enjoying the sites, sounds and scents is fantastic.

Today was a near perfect day for riding. After the sun provided a few
hours of heating, the frost started to melt and it was time to give
the Venture a once over. It's been a while since I have taken it on a
decent ride and aside from adding a little air to preload the shocks
all was good.

This was also my first ride of any consequence using the new GPS. Now
I can add a few minutes of prep time to wire up the MP3 and the GPS. I
loaded the route and waypoints last night.

By noon the frost was melted, the temps fairly warm for October and
the bike is ready to roll so off I go.

Now the GPS picked a route out of town I would never have chosen, but
I am nothing if not flexible so dutifully I am obeying every turn,
until it took me through a one way street. Lol After that I did my own
navigating until I hit the super slab. Now the first couple of times
that not so sexy female voice advised me I was off route and she was
recalculating were fine, but by the fourth time I swear she was
getting pissed off. Kinda reminded me of my ex-wife.

Heading north on the super slab. No turns for a 100 klicks so I am
riding in peace with only the traffic to deal with and it was heavy
traffic.

Like folks have reported here before, the Venture and most motorcycles
have an 8 to 9% speedometer error. Now it must have been even worse
cuz that GPS kept creeping over 150kph when I knew the speed limit is
only 110kph. I'll call Garmin's tech support tomorrow. <g>
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/PA230062.JPG

Right on Q my not so sexy lady is telling me "In two kilometers take
ramp right" Cool, the map zooms in at the same time and shows me which
ramp to take. Of course I already knew this anyway but it's fun to
have a gadget confirm it.

Off the super slab and into some unfamiliar territory. The GPS guided
me almost perfectly until it wanted to take me on a gravel road. I was
sure I had programmed it to avoid gravel roads. Oh well, zoom the map
out and pick my own route. No problem cept the not so sexy voice is
getting pissed at me again for being off route. I will have to call my
ex to see if she is doing the voice overs for Garmin Canada.

Roll into Bentley where I was going to meet Zammner and ZKat from
Edmonton and Dean and his daughter from Bentley. Dean's daughter Theo
is just learning to ride and Dean thought a she was ready for riding
with a smaller group. He was right, she seemed to be very comfortable
with her 125 and riding with the group. We kept the speeds way down as
we covered the short hop from Bentley to Sylvan Lake where we stopped
for a bite to eat and to rehash the past riding season. It has been a
good year.

Because of the short day, we all had to head home after a very brief
visit, but what the hey it was good to see the guys and girls anyway.

As they pulled out of the parking lot at Timmies I swear Dean aged a
decade as he watched Theo accidentally pop the front wheel of the
ground for a split second. I could see by the look on her face she new
she goofed too.

Considering her Dad is an experienced rider and her Mom teaches a
motorcycle safety course I am sure Theo will be a fine rider.

Being the last to leave the parking lot I cranked up the Venture and
followed the GPS for a scenic ride home. Aside from the not so sexy
voice trying to take me down one more gravel road it worked flawlessly
and got me home a half hour before the sun set and the temperature
started to drop.

What a great day for a ride! I hope we have a few more like it left
before the snow flies.

Here are a couple of pictures of the day.
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/sylvanlake.htm

--


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

 

Sometimes it just works out that way. At least you will be able to
ride part of the way. After enjoying that SMOOOOOOTH Beemer you may
find the V-Star feels like it is working just a bit too hard to be
comfortable for you.

Have a good trip, look forward to hearing from you when you get back.
--


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

 

Hey there, calgary, thanks for sharing your next to last ride of the
year, eh? I don't know, just kidding here. I may have to get me one of
them there what Cha ma callits, GPS, or something, some day? I have
gotta make sure though, I can warrant the need for one, I will think on
it, (chuckle)
(bjay)

 

One doesn't measure need when deciding to buy a toy, Bjay, especially
a toy for the bike!
--


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