Christmas Dinner - 2010

Ontario II, Ottawa met on Thursday, December 9th, 2010 for our Christmas dinner. We shared stories and enjoyed a Christmas meal.





After the dinner, we conducted a short monthly meeting and then had the pleasure to induct two of our newest members as Blue Knights.





George Howe






Yves Grimard

With our recent snow fall and sub zero temperatures, it appears that our riding is over until next spring.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Last Ride of the Year? - The Race and Ice Cream

Some times it just happens. Steve, a friend from Orleans and I decided to go for a ride on Saturday. Our Chapter Secretary, Ron called Friday evening to discuss the minutes from our recent monthly meeting. He asked if I was riding this weekend due to the unusual fine weather for this time of the year. I confirmed I was riding the next morning and we decided to meet up somewhere. I called early Saturday morning and agreed to meet at Restaurant Lock 17 near Manotick. Ron indicated that Jeff would join us as well. Little did I know the ride would turn into a race, decided by one tenth of a kilometer.


We met at Lock 17 just after 10 AM. Jeff was surrounded by Goldwings.
























After a long leisurely breakfast during which many war stores were told and world problems solved, we headed out into the sunny and relatively warm day. It was 6 degrees when we departed from Orleans and eventually rose to a balmy 13 degrees.

The route took us through scenic Merrickville to Smiths Falls and Perth. The day was so calm, the rivers and ponds looked like mirrors.

















We then planned to travel through the Lanark Highlands to Calabogie and Pakenham. However even though we just finished breakfast, we couldn't pass the ice cream in Balderson.






































Looks like something or somebody got their attention in the above photo. Sorry guys, I lost the next photo. It was an occupied cute convertible.

It was a great scenic ride via the rolling hills and sunny skies. As we approached Calabogie a diversion to the Calabogie Motorsport (Race)Track was in order even though it would be closed for the season. As we approached, the gate was open and a couple of vehicles were parked in front. We approached the people standing by the vehicles and chatted them up. We learned there were many racing programs both competition and ride your own. They have Ninja 600cc bikes and gear for rent as well as a fleet of Mustangs which can be self driven after some instruction from their staff. Some days, they allow you to take your own vehicle for laps around the track.

The course is 5.05 KM with 20 turns (up to 6 degree banks) and elevation of 65 feet during the course. We should plan a ride there next year to partake in one of their programs or attend a race.






























As we were about to depart, I casually stated " we will take a spin around the track and then head home". The race instructor replied "If you want to, come over to the office to sign a waiver and I will lead you around the track". It didn't take long to make a decision. As he was preparing the forms for signature, he inquired of the date. I looked at my watch and it was the 13th. I then realized it was Saturday rather than Friday so I signed up.

Within minutes, we were following the instructor's vehicle into the first turn. I was surprised at the number of very tight turns with banking and elevation. The instructor directed us to follow his line into each turn since most of them were blind. Good idea since we couldn't see if the exit of the turn would go right or left. After cautiously make one lap, we headed into the second lap with more knowledge and on one straight stretch, I was close to 160KM. The straight stretches are not that long and you have to break very hard going into the turns which can bring you back to 20 KM. We were all pumped after the two laps and had to dissipate the adrenalin prior to going back on the road to Calabogie through the 60 KM speed zone. It was a random thrill of a life time that was not planned. Sometimes these things just happen. Enjoy the moment.

As we headed for our next destination, Scoops, in Pakenham for our second ice cream of the day, I checked my GPS to see my recorded highest speed. It was registered at 155 KM. We arrived to our disappointment at Scoops which was closed for the season. While planning our next stop at the nearest Tim Hortons, Ron N. checked his GPS for top speed which he proudly declared was recorded at 154.9KM. I couldn't help myself and showed mine at 155. It's a guy thing.






The next stop was Timmies in Carleton Place where we rehashed our adventure over coffee/hot chocolate and some calorie-wise donuts. Jeff and Ron N. departed to their Carleton Place homes while Steve and I returned to Orleans.

It was a bonus ride day for November, unplanned but one of the best of the year. Sometimes things just happen.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Fall Colour Run

Five bikes and six hardy riders participated in the annual fall colour ride. The temperature ranged from 10 to 16 degrees under partlly sunny and cloudy skies.

The ride started in Orleans and we followed the Ottawa River east through Cumberland, Rockland, Wendover, Lafaivre, L'Orignal to Hawkesbury. After a bio break we crossed the river into Quebec and followed it past the Carillo Dam to Lachute.





We followed route 327 to Morin Heights and then stopped in Saint Sauveur for lunch at Moe's Resturant. We turned west via route 364 and followed this hilly and multi-curved highway.





























At Weir we went south to Lachute via route 327 past Carlin Lake Golf Course.





We travelled about 400 K during eight hours and enjoyed the mostly golden, yellow and brown leaves. The leaves had peaked earlier in the week. Hopefully there will be more riding prior to the snow.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The Rideau Canal - Jones' Falls Locks - 2 AUG 2010

We left Ottawa at 9:30 AM with four bikes, five riders and were joined by a dog along the way. The first stop was Smith's Falls for a coffee at where else but Tom Horton's. The weather forecast called for possible showers and isolated thunder storms, but so far it was sunny and 25 degrees. We then headed to Jone's Falls locks arriving around 1:00 PM. We found a picnic table several yards from the locks and enjoyed our lunch watching the boats pass through. The lock master and his helper operated the lock doors by hand as they did when originally constructed in the 1800s.That is where "Jake", the lock master's dog took a shine to us and set up camp under our table (see photo) for the duration of the meal. The journey continues along back roads, one of which turning into gravel for several miles. We eventually travelled along one of my favourite roads, Hwy #10 into picturesque Westport for an ice cream stop. While entering Westport we noticed dark menacing clouds to the north which was our intended route to Perth. After enjoying our cones, we took out a map and picked a route more to the east and departed for Smith's Falls. We sidestepped most of the rain with only a few sprinkles along the way. The route home took us through scenic Merrickville and then a coffee and bio break at Timmies in Kempville. As we arrived in Orleans we notice there had been subtantial rain in the area. Ten minutes after arriving home, it started to rain. My neighbour mentioned it rained several times during the day with thunder and lightning. Looks like we missed it all. It was an enjoyable day after 400 kilometers.  

Military Police National Motorcycle Relay Ride

On Sunday, July 25, 2010 five bikes and eight riders met at the Goodtimes Center (motorcycle dealer) in the west end of  Ottawa. We were there to support the Military Police National Motorcycle Relay Ride which will start in Comox, BC on August 17th and terminate in St. John"s, Nfld on September 10, 2010. They held a BBQ along with the sale of hats, pins, t-shirts etc in oder to raise funds for two charities that the ride will sponsor. The charities are the Military Police Fund for Blind Children and the Wounded Warrior Fund. One of the main co-ordinators of the ride is Wayne Kendall who has just applied to join our chapter. He will also travel the full distance of this ride. It will pass through the Ottawa area at the end of August where we will join them on that segment of the ride.

After the BBQ with planned and departed for an impromtu ride which took us to the Champlain Lookout in Gatineau Park, along the east side of the Ottawa river to Quyon, Quebec, crossing the ferry to Fitzroy Harbour, Ontario. Chapter members peeled off along the way, heading back to their respective homes. It was an enjoyable day for a worthy cause.

Bonnechere Caves Tour - July 18, 2010

Our Chapter gathered at the Rocky Mountain House Restaurant, Renfrew for breakfast at 9:00 AM, 18 July 2010. After breakfast, the 11 bikes with 15 riders departed for the Bonnechere Caves near Douglas. We entered the caves to become "Spluners" with a very entertaining and informative guide. It was interesting to hear the discovery and history of the caves along with the fossils found in the area. Upon leaving the caves we travelled along part of the Opeongo Trail and stopped in Rockingham for a view of St. Leonard's Church and a group photo. The church was built in 1864 and served as a Church of English parrish until 1941.  Next we travelled to the village of Wilno, settled by the early Polish settlers. A traditional Polish buffet was available for our mid day meal. We made our way back to Renfrew where the group spit to head to there respective home. It was an enjoyable and well organized ride. Thanks to David Bowles for planning and organizing the day.