Author: Marg V

Welcome to my blog. As a bit of a background ~ I am a middle aged woman who lives on Vancouver Island, Canada. But first and foremost, I am a motorcycle enthusiast. Here on the coast, even though we are Canadian, there is an opportunity to ride all year round (although some days during the winter are "iffy"). I used to ride a relatively 'small' cruiser as defined in today's market - a Canadian Anniversary Edition 2008 Vstar 650 Silverado which was a bike I truly fell in love with. Although it was a smaller bike, to be honest I'm a smaller woman. I stand 5' 2" in my stocking feet and only have a 27" inseam, which rules out quite a few of the bikes out there. In 2013 I had the opportunity to upgrade to a monster cruiser - a 2009 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic and now, my new steed is a 2016 Harley Davidson Heritage Soft tail. Anyways - as we travel along this road we call life I'll reveal a bit more about myself (at some points it might prove to be too much). Come along with me.

Happy Dec 21, 2018

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December the 21st on the Northern hemisphere is the shortest day of the year – the darkest.  This is the day that stands for the turning point of the seasons.  When there is more dark than light.  More cold than heat and – some of you might be surprised to know – in my part of Canada, it means more wet/storms than other times of the year.  Fall on an island off the coast of Canada is a stormy time with winds and rain hitting all time highs.  The strange thing about storms on our coast is, when most people should be ‘hunkered’ down and preparing for the worst – we head to the beaches (especially the Tofino and Ucluelet area) to watch the wild show. This is the time of year when the enthusiasm for wind and waves brings out the hardy surfers.

Winter on ‘my’ island in Canada means that we will be getting massive wind and rain for the ‘monsoon’ season (until at least Feb) and then the warmer weather starts.  We very seldom get snow, and when we do it doesn’t stick around for long.  I’m sorry if I’ve destroyed your ideas that Canada is a snow bound, cold locked country during the winter months.  Not on ‘my’ island.  In fact, ‘my’ island is a coastal rainforest – meaning we have a moderate climate during the winter and are more likely to throw on a raincoat and rubber boots than a parka and mittens.

Anyyyyyyyyyyyyywaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy  ….. I digress.  This is also the time of year when some Canadian riders start their planning for the year.  I’ve been busy planning a short 6 day trip to Southern Alberta and back – specifically Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump.  I actually worked there for a short time in 1986 and was part of the inaugural crew helping prepare for the arrival of Lady Diana and Prince Charles.  I haven’t been back since and HB has been curious due to my blathering about the place.

As you might have guessed – when the weather goes for crap, my mind says “plan a trip”.  And thus the point behind this whole blog post.

If money/time/health concerns were no object, where would you love to plan a motorcycle trip? Please comment below.  I’d love to hear from you!

Ride well. Travel safe.

Today’s musical selection:  Gypsy Sons – Whiskey and the Devil

 

 

G’Day All

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I admit it.  It’s been a while.  A long while and a lot of stuff has gone on. I am sorry that I have been quiet.  With the beginning of the year and my recovering from surgery that took longer than I thought it would – to the end of the year and my recovering from a slip and fall that resulted in a fractured rib.

To put it bluntly – 2018 sucked the big one for me!  Not nearly the amount of riding I wanted to do.  Not nearly the time to get out and enjoy myself.  Not nearly the mental state that allowed me to enjoy life.

Here’s hoping 2019 will be different.

In the meantime – the bike, she’s plugged in  nice and snugly in the garage.  I’m being owly because I did not get my bike quota during the year.  And I just want the riding season to start again soooooooooooooon.  Can you hear the whining going on now??

Ha ha.  See you on the road.