Track my Winter Ride by CLICKING HERE
This will go live as soon as I leave in the morning, Wednesday, January 14th 2015. Did a little more tweaking to the bike, not much time to really plan anything between trying to sell my house and hanging out with friends etc. So, let’s see how this trip unfolds this time around compared to May/June X Country 2014. 😉
Continue reading “SPOTWalla Tracking Link”
This could be my route for my X Country Winter Excursion…departure date still being determined. Will make a pit stop in Florida to see my folks, (snow birds) and cousins if all works out. More details to come…will probably take the 101 down through the Oregon Coast…
8366.71 km or 5198.83 miles
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE. Best to watch videos full screen and in HD
When I look back at all the years I have spent in Canada, all the fortunate riding I have been able to do since 2010 when I got my street license these videos will enable me to really see, feel and reflect. My life here has not been bad. Continue reading “Remembering 2014…my own form of therapy”
Update: I learned how to import vehicles into the USA from Canada today. Not terribly difficult but nonetheless work. I had to contact BMW & Fiat USA to apply for letters of compliance. This was after I called the Canadian divisions because that made sense to me. NOT! 😒 Compliance letters mean my vehicles meet USA DOT and EPA standards. Both vehicles do.
However, since my motorcycle and car were not built-in North America I have to pay 2.5% duty on the Kelly Blue Book values. Just another way to tax us. After I decided what State I will live in I will have a letter of import all ready from the border and just have to get them inspected. More money and will have to change the insert for my speedometer to MPH versus KPH. I can get that insert from a BMW and Fiat dealer. Continue reading “Canada to the USA….oh, the joys of moving back “home””
Just wanted to announce today I passed my Canadian citizenship exam and have been approved 👌 to be sworn in I hope in the next 2 months! My interviewer asked “what took you so long?” Continue reading “Welcome to Canada-Better late than never”
Feel free to click the pics for larger Hi-rez versions
2014 has been one hell of a year for me and still is on some levels. Separation, leading to divorce, death of my beloved 10-year-old Beagle, Cruizer…work issues, deciding to leave Canada after almost 18 years and start over? So, what to do? Do I dwell on all the misfortunes I have experienced or do I try to hold on to the things I am and should be grateful for? Seems like such an easy question to answer doesn’t it? I should instinctively say I am THANKFUL for being alive, my family, my friends, my passion for organ donation, my dogs, my bike, my many many trips I am able to take, yet I am not completely convinced I feel this thanks deeply in my heart.
I think after I write this post and I’m reminded how fortunate I am, I hope to end with a truly genuine thanks. Let’s see how I feel as I write and post some of my favorite pictures from the Fall of 2014. I don’t BS, been told I offer too much information, TMI, but again this is me and what I like to do is actually write how I am felling in the moment and I just happen to share it with well? A few people around the world. 😉
Continue reading “2014 – A Year to Forget but I am still THANKFUL…”
Heading to New York for US Thanksgiving. Haven’t been back for this holiday in so long. Time to be with family, see some more possible virtual friends and of course old friends alike. Looking forward to getting out of town – oops I have been out of town a lot lately on my bike but now I am flying.
I wish I could take my Beemer…. Continue reading “New York Bound – Happy US Thanksgiving”
I figured that when I put anything on my bike that has real life testing to prove my dedication to a manufacturer or online company that has great customer service and products I need to share. All of us when buying bikes look for the best value, protection, and items that assist us with better visibility, etc….real life reviews are what I look for and they are hard to come by when reading magazine reviews. Just for the record I am not paid to endorse any products. I just share what works well for me. I also share what I would buy again and again.
If you buy from them mention my blog or name…you never know!
Continue reading “AltRider = Premium Quality and Protection”
All pics can be enlarged by clicking on them and I always add more pics at the end that aren’t always in my posts. Little raw videos at the end. Just FYI.
Starting out temperature was -18C for everyone else .4F and let me tell you this…IT WAS COLD!
The best part of my morning was Co Co’s being open at 0430 for some freshly brewed coffee.
Spoke with the owner for a bit who is a talented artist along with his wife. They have been at this location, right near the turn off for Osoyoos for 5 years. Nice ambiance and nice people. Coll decor too.
I wore my base layer, then my riding jeans minus the knee armour and my KLIM pants. Good thing I have lost a little more weight to be able to wear all that I had and still be able to move and get my leg over the seat. 😉 I always carry a back up heated liner. Gerbings WON today over my Powerlet. Was way warmer in the frigid cold with Gerbings than Powerlet. I constantly moved my toes in my boots and that saved me from having another frozen foot. So, I learned from yesterday’s arctic blast and things went better today. Once the temps got to reasonable ones I was free!
When I left Maple Ridge yesterday, Nov. 14th my plan initially was to take Route 3 to Osoyoos, BC. Last minute change as I always do I decided to take the Coquihalla Pass and then an off shoot of Route 5 to 5A. Continue reading “Princeton, BC to Leavenworth, WA”
SPOTWALLA TRACKING CLICK HERE – Going to head out on another 2 night trip today. While it’s below freezing outside and some might say I am a little nuts for going out…I am hoping that the weather folks are correct when they report COLD yet beautiful days over the weekend.
I am not sure I will follow this exact route but will try to get through the mountain passes that apparently all ready have had snow safely. I will follow the sun and while I am riding on this trip I will also be thinking about my transition back to the USA from Canada. Continue reading “Winter Comes Early – Why I ride”
May 17 2014 – June 15th 2014 (2014 X Country Solo Trip) if you make to the bottom you will see some stats or you can scroll down not read this wordy post and cut to the chase. 😉
I got a big smooch from Sierra when I arrived home…
My good luck charm came with me the entire trip and I now wear it everyday too…nice people gave this to me…really nice!
Continue reading “Final Day & Reflections”
I was able to take two nights off and use a day to replenish some items I needed for the trip back , like get a new camping stove. I broke my other one days ago.
Now I can get back to at least boiling water when I want and need to. Continue reading “Day 10 – Quick update”
Day 8-635.4 KM’s
Day 9-739.6 Km’s
I have arrived on the east coast of the USA in North Carolina yesterday, May 25th. Took me 9 days to get here with a lot of boring pavement riding
yet I was not really bored. Continue reading “It’s Harder Than You Think Yet Easier”
761.2 KM’s
I have to say this…after riding today and seeing so MANY cattle pens where I know they are being raised just for their meat, I hate the fact I like meat. 
I am not a left-wing nut about being vegetarian or anything but when I see hundreds if not thousands of cows living like this is kills me.
I Love all animals and wild life….not sure why I eat them?
OK, that was my rant for the day.
I left Casper, Wyoming at about 0700 only to be warned of the impending dome I might face out of the roads today in all directions. One thing for sure you can see where to ride or not because you can see the weather ahead clearly.
Continue reading “Day 5 – I don’t like being a Carnivore”
Advgrrl Motorcycle Adventures & More 