Kingston - Bike Week

On Thursday, July 21,2011 six bikes headed for Kingston, Ontario for it's first Bike Week. After reviewing their website, it appeared it would not be an extensive event but decided to go anyway sine it would take us through good riding areas. The weather was unpredictable with rain and thunderstorms in the forecast, however our Ride Captain assured us we would not get wet. The projected temperature was to be near record setting (37 degrees).

We arranged to meet in Manotick and then proceeded to the Mainstreet Family Restaurant in scenic Merrickville for breakfast. It turned out to be a good choice.





We then travelled the backroads to Maitland along the St. Lawrence River on route#2. This route contains many restored older stone homes. We passed through historic and scenic downtown Brockville and then proceeded along the 1000 Islands Parkway. This is a very scenic route along the water with vistas of interesting homes on small islands.
























The parkway ends in Gananoque where we stopped at the DQ for ice cream and drinks, since by this time the temperature was well into the 30's. We arrived in Kingston around 2:00PM and stopped at the Kingston Memorial Center where the Bike Week vendors and activities were centered. As expected, we were not overwhelmed by the quantity and quality of the vendors or events. At least we were served free ice cream at a Tim Hortons booth. It was a promotional event to introduce the ice cream which will be coming to restaurants soon. I liked the new ice cream and will look forward to this new menu option.

By now the temperature was about 35 degrees so we decided it was time for a patio to quench our thirst and have a meal prior to our return trip. We found an Irish Pub on the Kingston main street located in the Prince George Hotel.

















Departing Kinston





After our food and drink, it was time to mount up and take another backroads trip to Ottawa. We took Hwy#10 which is a winding and hilly route which took us through Newboro to Westport and # 42 to Smiths Falls. It was still 35 degrees so we had to stop at Timmies for some more liquids. As we entered Ottawa near 9:00 PM the temperature was still at 35 degrees. We travelled about 430 kilometers and the Ride Captain still has his credibility intact since we arrived home dry.


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Breakfast Ride - July 16, 2011

On a beautiful Saturday, nine bikes and 13 people meet at "Lock 17" Restaurant, Burritts Rapids next to the Rideau Canal for a leisurely breakfast. We then departed for a back roads ride through such towns as Athens, Newboro, Westport (ice cream and a bio break), Perth, Calabogie, Pakenham (another ice cream break), Almonte and a return to Ottawa along the Western Parkway, past Parliament Hill and then to the Aviation Parkway.

It was an 11 hour outing that measured over 400 K.

While in Calabogie we stopped for a visit to the Calabogie Motorsport Race Track. It was "lapping day" where car owners can take their personal cars on the track. There are three classes of drivers (A,B and C). Your level is determined by your experience on that and other similar race tracks. C level drivers are accompanied by a track official. Most of the cars were street type cars such as BMW, Porche, Mustangs, Corvettes and even jacked up Honda Civics. Licence plates were from Nova Scotia to Florida. On particular car was and Dodge Charger from Kentucky with Florida Plates which was a fully equipped police car. It was later learned the car was being used as a pace car. One young guy driving a M series BMW owned by his mother, described the track as the best and most technical race track that he had ever experienced.







Athens (not Greece)






Our newest transfer member from "The Rock"






Westport Marina


































Kentucky/Florida police car

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New Member

Near the end of our July Monthly Meeting, Steve Lalande of the SQ, was inducted into the Blue Knights, Ontario II by President Ron Lewis.





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Blues Festival - Mont Tremblant

On Saturday, July 9, 2011 thee bikes and 6 people travelled on a beautiful day to Mont Tremblant Resort to attend the annual Blues Fest. We departed Ottawa and crossed Ottawa River on the ferry at Cumberland and proceeded through the back roads which were in very good condition. We eventually connected to Route 323 which has been fully upgraded over the years and has bypassed several small villages. I have to say, I miss going through those villages and the twisting roads. It may have been great riding for motorcycles in the summer, however it was not a great ride in the winter months on the way to Mont Tremblant for skiing.

We had a lunch on the outdoor portion of Le Shack Restaurant and then did some sightseeing prior to the start of various performances in the open air venues. There were lots of people in attendance with standing room only unless you arrived an hour early for each performance. It was a great day for music lovers and people watching.

We departed in time to arrive back to Ottawa prior to dark to avoid the deer population along the way.











































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Blue Knights Annual Atlantic Friendship Ride

During 16/21 June 2011 three members of Ontario II travelled to Miramichi, NB to attend the annual Friendship Ride which is attended by Blue Knights from eastern Canada and the USA. Approximately 130 members on about 100 bikes attended from 17 chapters from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Quebec, Ontario, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Virginia. We travelled via NY,Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine to New Brunswick. The two day ride was great with good riding roads and exceptional weather. The good weather ended just after we arrived at the resort in Miramichi. It rained for the next three days.

We enjoyed meeting the members from all the various chapters. The hospitality was great which culminated with the Saturday evening meal and entertainment. Lobster and steak were plentiful.

Our plan was to return via the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton or the Gaspe. Since the rainy weather was heading east, we chose the Gaspe which was west. However that decision didn't help us escape the rain and fog. The visibility was so poor in places, we could not see more that a few yards ahead. If we want to see the spectacular Gaspe scenery, we will have to return some other time. Surprisingly I still enjoyed most of the ride.





















Perce Rock








David and Ron








David and Don













































































































The oldest attendee (81)








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