After leaving Maple Ridge on JUne 5, I finally made it back home last night at 8:30. All told, including the routes to and from Morgantown and the 2 1/2 days spent riding back country of WV while there, the old Valk now has an additional 12,250 km (7,612 miles) on the odometer
Included were some real good days riding.... several 11 - 12 hour days, a couple of 13 hour days, and two 15 + hour days on the solo leg of my return trip. What a great trip it was....hopefully be able to post some photos in a few days, but today will be spent taking care of a few chores then cleaning and prepping the Valk for departure tomorrow AM to the annual "local" Valhalla rally being held this year in Port Angeles WA where the co-pilot and I meet up with 30-40 or so Valkyries and other assorted bikes from the NW states and Western Canada for a couple of days to ride, tell stories, and share some laughs. A mere 4 hour ride for me, this will seem like a quick burn around the block after the past 2 and ahalf weeks.
Highlights of the ride to InZane:Meeting and hooking up with Brad, Michael, and Mark (Bikerboy1951, 97blkvalk, Mark) in Fargo ND after they responded to my post last December looking for riding partners to Morgantown, and graciously invited me to join them. They are great guys...we became fast friends and enjoyed a lot of laughs to and from WV from ND. Since Fargo was basically the half way point, this afforded me the opportunity to have the best of both worlds - several days each way riding solo which I really enjoy, and the camaraderie that sharing the ride with a small group of like-minded riders provides
Having the opportunity to hang out for a week and finally ride with my namesake cousin Mike who met us there from Ontario. Growing up and living our entire lives on opposite ends of the country, we've never had a chance to ride together before, or even get together that often for that matter
Putting more faces to names of those who I regularly see and converse with on occasion on the Technical and General forums on this site, and meeting many more friendly, interesting, and some wildly entertaining members from all parts of the US in particular. This was my 2nd InZane in a row after missing out all those years previous to SD ...looking forward to making it 3 in a row next year
Observing, listening, and learning more about my Interstate that I've owned for 15 years from those who are more mechanically adept and inventive that I am .... things I can do or add to, and things I SHOULD be doing to my Valk ... thank you to those who took the time to answer my many questions!!
Riding through many states I have never ridden through before, and also several that I have never even travelled in before. Saw many great sites and met many friendly and great folks along the way. So much history in VW and other states I rode through .... I especially enjoy the secondary routes going through the smaller towns. I'm used to it as I'm sure most of you are .... the Valk just seems to attract strangers at gas stations, cafes, or whatever stop along the way so you get a chance to meet and chat with them.
Me and Valk also got in a lot of practice riding in a straight, flat line through some of the middle states...something we're not accustomed to here in BC. We just about had it down pat after several days on the way out, and I think we've finally mastered the technique after a few days on the return trip
Being able to contribute to the fundraising efforts for the WV Make a Wish Foundation ... the rep from M.A.W. seemed a bit overwhelmed when the total sum was announced at the banquet ...Well done VRCC
Negatives:None...Zip...Zilch...Nada
Regrets:One, and a rather large one at that ... That I never thought to take the time before I left to thank all of the VRCC staff and volunteers in person for their efforts in planning and putting on this event so that members like me could just look forward to and enjoy the ride there and have everything set up and taken care of for my stay. A huge oversight on my part ... Please accept this belated Thank You from a very grateful member in BC
JUNE 5, 5:00 AM
JUNE 22, 8:30 PM
