Biker Chick-en Rides Again

No sooner had we come home from Saskatchewan and my first big ride on my own bike, we were back at it again. Tuesday after work, we leathered up and rode to Irvine to meet our friends Monika and Ed. Oh how I love the 120 and NOT having to drive through the Hat. We filled up in Dunmore and headed east, I was a little worried about going through the narrow gate when we got there, but the big gate was open and I sighed a sigh of relief and maneuvered through all the other bikes to park safely away from everyone. For THEIR safety not mine. I still don't feel in control and I don't think the confidence will come until I do.

After a quick visit with old friends and new, we headed out (big gate closed but I made it through and uphill to boot!) and even though i stalled twice at the highway (damn idle) we were on the road again, with me leading the pack to Rusty's Roadhouse in Dunmore for a bite to eat. Well, i was in the lead for a while. I forgot the speed limit was 110 kmph and having a U.S. bike, 65 mph is as fast as i like to go - in the dark - when you can't find the high beam/low beam switch... Guess I Should have checked BEFORE we left Irvine at dusk! But after all was said and done, and a little swerve here and there where I shouldn't have, no major wind to contend with, no major stall or falls and no bee's in the bonnet.

oh yeah, forgot to mention last blog, last time we left Dunmore, Ray could see my brushing the hair around my ears, thinking to himself... oh, we're going to town, (just to walmart for dog food) and she has to fix her hair... NOOOOOO - riding along I heard a THUNK above my ear, so I looked in the mirror and saw a little black fuzz in my helmet - I try to dig it out and it's a BEE and it's stunned and it's stuck in my hair. So i start trying to flick it out and it won't get unstuck!!! When it finally did, I didn't know where it went, so I had to stop and take the helmet off, the jacket, the neckguard, you name it, I didn't want ANYTHING under my leathers that shouldn't be there!!! Plug the heated vest in a wee wee wee, all the way home! First time riding in the dark. I must say, I'm getting pretty good at the mile of gravel to the farm too. I'm already looking forward to a bigger bike, maybe that will help my confidence. Maybe I won't feel like the prairie wind is going to blow me to the next province. Maybe I better learn to keep her between the ditches first.

There was no riding for the rest of the week and weekend as the weather was crap and it's turning crappier as I type. More snow on the way, but not as much as expected. And I don't feel like wrapping up in leather right now. I'm a bit tender from the two new tattoos I got today. Revolution Tattoo on Dunmore Road had the exact tattoos I've wanted since the Dead Hog Boogie but didn't want to have to ride to Red Deer to get them. So today, I got a mouse in honour of my home town, Souris Manitoba (souris is French for mouse) and a little butterfly on my hip just because. An early mother's day present to me but I made Ray come into town to be there when I got them. Almost chickened out after he finished the first one, but grinned..or ground my teeth through the second.



I think that's it for a while. Tattoo wise that is. I mean, have I been going through mid-life crisis or what? The only thing left on the list of things to do before I'm 50 is sky-diving, but I think I will leave that for the rest of the Voeller Clan to persue. Maybe I should go back to knitting or bowling. Maybe I should join a club. Maybe I should just shut up now and enjoy what I've got...and go put ointment on my wounds. lol

Burstall or Bust - Biker Babe-y

I finally got the registration signed over and registered my new bike. New to me, the 1985 Yamaha Maxim X 700 sat in a hangar for 12 years and after spending the winter getting refurbished, Monday I got the plate and was ready to ride. The weather however didn't cooperate all week, so finally, Friday night, I rode down the mile of gravel (alone) to the Etzikom and waited for Ray, who got off his bike when he arrived and faux choked me not waiting for him when he had to stop and get his back rest from the shed. So down the Etzikom highway, and no hitting the ditch when I cornered to head to Medicine Hat, my first trip to the big city. I'm so excited.

Since I am not licensed, Ray has to ride behind me at all times, so I get to lead the way. The whole ride down the #3, not a bike on the road for me to salute with the low 5 wave. East onto the 120, North on 13th, stop light at Strachan... stall. I need to get the idle set higher. Stop light at Dunmore... stall (grrrr) Pull in to Dayz Off Pub... not a friend on the patio to see me pull in. I'm so disappointed.

Couldn't stay long since my headlight was burned out, but as we were going to lock it up for the night, it suddenly came on. Just a sticky starter button, so after a couple of O'Douhls and dinner, I get to lead the way to the hotel of my choice. Howard Johnson. Jacuzzi Suite. I'm so spoiled.

The next day we head down the #1 to Dunmore to fill up with gas before going to Burstall. Stop light at Dunmore Rd... stall... but it wouldn't start. I ran out of gas. I'm so embarrassed.

Ray switches it to reserve tank but the gas station is to the left and we're in the right lane so while turning right I spin out on the gravel and end up in the other lane in the path of a truck. omg ... stop light... stall... turn to left... stop. Ray rides my bike to the gas station and i sit and wait. I'm so rattled.

After filling up in Dumore we head north on the 41 and the wind is gusting....REALLY gusting. I stop and ask if this is a good idea for my first solo ride of the year. Ray says I can't be a fair weather rider, even though his sunglasses where blown off his face. I have to lean to the left to keep the bike on the road and I have no feeling in my hands from gripping the handle bars so tight. I pull over at the first rest stop and as much as I try not to, I just start crying. I'm so terrified.

After a short break so I can stop shaking, we continue down the road and then head east to Burstall. Thankfully the wind is at my back the rest of the way there. Ray fills the bikes up and after an O'Douhls served by Blanche at the Burstall Hilton, and we are on our way again. The street sweeper isn't due through until Monday, and there is far too much gravel on the roads for me to practice, so we head to Leader where the streets have been cleaned and the 2 hour rain that morning has dried. I still am stalling at most intersections but after touring the town, we stop at the Leader Inn. Bar hopping is out of the question since it's the only bar in town, so we spend the night. I'm so exhausted.

The next morning, the sun is shining, the wind is calmer and we retrace our route back to the Hat. 65 mph all the way home. I'm so happy. And so is Ray. I made it home safe and didn't give him a heart attack. And I'm not sure that riding is my thing. I miss talking to Ray, taking pictures, enjoying the scenery, heck even resting my head, closing my eyes and taking a nap! I'm so glad I am not taking my bike to Sturgis this summer. I am SO NOT READY!!!