Thursday, September 24th, I went with another Stelco retiree on a ride to Port Burwell. Al has a H-D Heritage Softail that he bought last year. We left at 10:30 and stopped first at the Port Dover Timmies for a coffee and small rest. We were 30 km or so short of our destination when the road signs were mentioning something about construction ahead. Next there was a sign showing gravel, yet were we cruising down the road on fresh asphalt, so we continued on. We were just beginning to get into the Wind Farm area with the giant wind turbines, when you could smell the tar in the air, and there was the construction guy stopping traffic. He said we were looking at about 20 km of fresh laid gravel ahead of us, so we detoured north for a while and then came into Port Burwell through Vienna.
It was dead in town, a couple of stores and restaurants open so we had a fish dinner and then went down to the deserted beach. We came home the same way and pulled up the driveway at 6pm. Some of the trees had started to change and the lack of traffic made for a nice ride. Gotta love fall riding!

The nemesis of all bikers, that dreaded winged deliverer of pain, the wasp.

I really thought I might get away with a whole season without a sting. After all, it is September 20th. Then I went through Fort Erie, my personal city of stings. I got a beauty here last year, where the little bugger got me twice before I could gear down, pull over, rip off the helmet and the shirt, and stomp his little ass into the pavement. Always happens right down hwy. 3 where it is four lanes wide, full of businesses and traffic, and of course, gawkers galore!! I must look like quite the sight ripping everything off and standing there gasping and full of adrenaline!

Well, of course, you must of guessed by now that the same thing happened today. Luckily only one sting this time and I crushed the life out of the little ##%&^#% then dumped him out of my shirt ... barely slowing down. He got me right on the ribs, though not so much meat, and the usual tinge and swelling at 10 minutes. But not 10 seconds after I emptied my shirt, I felt the crawling feeling on my neck of another little varmint. Had to do the gear-stop-rip-stomp dance on the side of the highway, yet again!! And this one was a nice fat bumble bee, would of tingled if he got me in the neck! Whew!

I remember when I was young, around the late 70's, I was zipping down hwy 53 in Hamilton, it was more of a country road back then, and something ... bee, wasp, June bug, small bird ??? got me in the windpipe and it was such a whack I had to pull over to get a breath! That was one I will never forget!!

Aaaah, wasps ... gotta love 'em .... love to kill 'em, that is!!

On my way home from golf today (76 best score ever at Cayuga course, 7 pars and a birdie, I was in a dream, thanks for asking) I decided to stop for lunch at Attercliffe Variety. Nice little "ma & pa" run place with decent food.

Outside were two guys from the Southern Cruisers (Welland area chapter) and I noticed one of their bikes as being quite unique. It was a Hyosung Aquilia, the 650 version. The guy said he bought it in Niagara Falls from a dealer. Nice looking bike, like a smaller version of the HD V-Rod. It had a beautiful shape to it, I was surprised to hear it held 16 liters of gas. He told me to throw a leg over, and I was surprised how light it felt, and the front end felt like it was raked a bit. Different, really different. I liked it. Felt like a great starter (650 ergo less insurance) nice and light, and a good feel to it.

Weather Channel said this was the last of the 25C days so I decided to ride over to Port Colborne for the weekly perch lunch at Minors on West St. Beautiful day, not too hot or windy, bright blue skies making for a nice ride.

When I arrived at the canal, there was a yacht moored there that was truly jaw-dropping. This beauty was called the Sycara IV and said it was out of Bikini (Islands?) It was a mass of chrome and highly polished wood. Shone like crazy, and with all that chrome it was a naturally biker magnet.

Doing a little Internet research I found out the following:

Burger Boat Company has announced the delivery of Sycara IV, a 46m Fantail Motor Yacht, to her owners. Imagine going back to a time when people actually knew how to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of yachting. Owners of Sycara IV, Ray and Elsie Catena, were committed to exactly that – recapturing the splendor, grace and charm of an era gone by – when Sycara IV was designed. This was their inspiration for Sycara IV, a beautiful traditionally styled, early 1920's era, Fantail Cruiser.

An impressive collaboration of high profile experts were involved in the design and execution of this yacht, including: first and foremost, Mr. and Mrs. Catena with their extensive yachting experience and yacht building knowledge; Steve Narkawicz, their highly experienced and talented project manager; Bruce King with his classic schooner bow and fantail hull; Ken Freivokh, chosen to define her interior and exterior styling true to the early 1920's and Burger's team of designers, engineers and craftspeople.
While the Catenas have cruised distant ports of the world with their previous vessels, the vision for this family yacht is to see America and its surrounding waters such as the Great Lakes, the Erie Barge Canal system, its mighty rivers and the Intracoastal Waterways.
Sycara IV will make her world debut at the 2009 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

So, it would seem they were on their maiden voyage, breakin' the ole tug in .... so to speak!

Like me, you are no doubt wondering, what does Mr. Catena do for a living?

http://www.raycatena.com/

This is the website for his Porsche, Mercedes, Lexus dealerships in NY and Manhattan.

Aaaaah, how the other side lives.... I can only dream.

Another interesting little adventure on the bike.

It was Wednesday morning and anticipating our run to Sauble Beach, I inhaled my Rice Krispies and was yanking on the choke by 7:30 am. It was a cool morning, about 12 deg. C, and I was layered for the run. There was a blue sky with a scattering of clouds and the bike savoured the cool air as I tore down River Rd. to Scott's place, no use trying to sneak up on him.... he could hear my bike and knew the sound from miles away.



We were both looking forward to the day in the saddle, and were soon on hwy 6 south heading north towards the 403. I didn't realize how many cars there are in an early morning commute down the 403 escarpment. It was stop and go for most of the way but we were soon blasting back up the mountain towards Clappison Corners and we stayed on hwy 6 all the way into Guelph were we had our first stopover at the Speed River park. The picture below was taken of Scott as he stands proudly beside his tourer, an '85 Yamaha Venture Royale at the Speed River park.
















Guelph is a very nice city, lots of old buildings in the city core that are in wonderful shape. It has a clean appearance, but unfortunately, stoplights every 50 feet. Makes it easy to get split up, which did happen .... but nothing too bad.


We were soon back on 6 north scooting through Arthur and Mount Forest, but then we ran into the dreaded road repairs. Too bad because we were making good time! These road repairs were the worse kind, first we got the "grooved pavement" crap were that big machine has come along and chewed off the first inch or so of asphalt, creating the road that steers for you.... a special treat on a motorcycle!! Then we came into gravel, dirt or "groovy road" again on each of our little construction adventures, but first we would come upon streetlights set up on the roadway, where we would sit and wait while the people coming from the other direction passed on by. Had time for a banana at one stop and chance to change some clothes at another.











The above picture was taken as we approached Owen Sound, it was at a roadside picnic area. Just a small little area but quite scenic with a small lake and dam. I thought it was on the Saugeen River, but we passed that picnic area about 20 minutes later, and I must admit it looked even better. Maybe next time.... ;)


Owen Sound has really expanded since I last went through there, Power Centers, fast food places etc., but I remembered the hill you come down as you roll into town giving you a nice view of Georgian Bay.


Shortly we were turning left at Hepworth and heading into Sauble Beach. The same as Grand Bend, it is a small tourist drag with beach stores, restaurants and bars. And of course, the famous Sauble Beach sign below.



















We had lunch at Bob's Bar B Que, a burger and I had a chicken pot pie that was quite good. I noticed that most of the places had $8 or $9 burgers. Seems to be the new norm, over-priced burgers with a scattering of warmed up fries. I realize it isnt a 12 month season in these tourist places, but like everyone else, if I feel gouged I won't be back. Whatever happened to the mom and pop places with the great count of home made food? I actually overheard Bob (the dam owner of the place) joking about "Carving off the salmonella" back in the kitchen, leaves you with a nice warm feeling ;)

I had Scott take the customary "under the sign" photo, and an hour after arriving in Sauble, we were back in the saddle and heading south down Reg Rd 13. Nice ride down here, twisty turns, pine forests on one side and cottages on Lake Huron on the other side.