Texas in Watertown - 29 SEP 2012

Saturday September 29, 2012- Watertown, NY

6 bikes with 7 riders set out on Saturday morning for a scenic drive to Watertown, NY. It was cool and the fog was heavy in the Ottawa area. We travelled the back roads though Richmond, Franktown and into Smiths Falls. We then continued on Route 15 to Route 5 through Athens and Mallorytown to connect to the Thousand Islands Parkway. Over the Ivy Lea Bridge and into the USA, the sun broke though the clouds and it felt warmer. We took Routes 12, 12E, 180, and 3 to Watertown, which may be a little longer than Interstate 81 but the ride was really nice. We had lunch at the Texas Roadhouse Restaurant, where the portions were “Texas sized”. This left no room for dessert and the mention of ice cream was met with groans. We then did some shopping at the Salmon Run Mall. Since the day was running out and the sun sets early at this time of the year. It was decided to skip a scenic ride on the USA side and take Interstate 81 to the Canadian Border and then the Thousand Islands Parkway to Route 2. Two riders then broke off in Brockville to go home and the remaining riders continued on Route 2 to Highway 416 to Ottawa, where we all parted ways.

Ride of Splendor - 16 SEP 2012

The Ride of Splendor is a special ride for our Chapter. It was the 13th Annual charity motorcycle dice roll run for the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. John Neave, a former (Heaven I) Ontario chapter president and his wife Flora were original principal organizers for this event. Flora continues today.

Registration location.








Nine bikes and 12 riders attended the event on a cool day. We had refreshments during registration and departed for an extended ride led Paul K. to such locations as Burritts Rapids, Merrickville, Kilmarnock, Lombardy, Rideau Ferry, Perth, Crosby, Westport, Bolingbroke and
Our first roll of the dice was in the Carleton Place Curling Rink during registration.

Our second roll of the dice was in Lombardy.








Our third roll of the dice was in Maberly.












These are some of the sights along the route.
























The fourth dice roll was back at the Carleton Place Curing Club however, we diverted to Balderson for ice cream since it the weather warmed up somewhat.

Upon our return, we enjoyed a meal, refreshments and the usual 50/50 draw and silent auction. 173 bikes registered and raised over $10,000.00 for the Hospital.

Flora joins us for a chat.








Blue Knights Ontario Chapter II was awarded a trophy for the motorcycle club with the most participants.

Petawawa - 15 SEP 2012

Petawawa Sept 15, 2012

8 bikes with 9 riders set out from the Tim Hortons on Carling Ave. at 9:45am on a cool morning. The sun was shining but temperatures were in the 15C range.The group took the Ottawa River parkway to the Champlain bridge and drove into Quebec. We then travelled on a scenic route along the river on route 148 to the bridge back to Ontario at Pembroke. Two Ontario II chapter members and one spouse visiting from Nova Scotia met us at the Boston Pizza in Pembroke for a delicious meal. We took some time to warm up for the next leg of our journey during the meal. After lunch we received a police escort from the Canadian Military Police to the Petawawa Military base where we enjoyed a tour of the base museum and talked with some military police officers. After the tour of the artefacts and military vehicles on display, we headed back to Ottawa along the Ottawa river on the Ontario side. A mandatory stop at the Diary Queen in Arnprior was made to enjoy the “official” food of our chapter. Due to the cool weather, we had the restaurant to ourselves. After the ice cream we continued to Ottawa and our respective homes.

New Member - August Monthly Meeting 2012

A former Blue Knight was inducted into Ontario II.

Mike B.

NEC Fall Conference, Sugarloaf Resort, Maine - 7/9 SEP 2012

Six bikes and 8 riders attended the Fall Conference of the Blue Knights North East Conference (NEC) at Sugarloaf Resort in Carrabassett Valley, Maine.
Four bikes and 6 riders departed from Ottawa and two bikes from our chapter departed from Nova Scotia and both groups arrived within 10 minutes of each other.

On Friday 7 SEP 2012, the Ottawa group's route took us to Cornwall, Ontario and crossed the border into New York state. We travelled east along the border through Vermont, New Hampshire and into Maine. The roads in Maine were excellent.

Stu and Tracey our ride captain and lead rider.




Rick D.




Paul H.




Some of the scenery along the way.








































Entrance to Sugarloaf




The Hotel




The group from Nova Scotia left on Wednesday,encountered heavy rain for two days and arrived on Friday.

Friday evening was for registration, meet and greet, a meal and refreshments. A shuttle bus was available for local entertainment in a near by establishment.

Saturday morning started with breakfast followed by the business meeting. Vendor tables were set up for sales items. After the meeting, a police escorted group ride departed at noon to a lunch in New Sharon, Maine. The weather forecast for the day was heavy rain. Somehow we were able to complete the ride and stay dry.
































The ride was not just for humans.








Our lunch was served outside at the Top of the Hill Grill and BBQ.














Saturday evening was the banquet. During the banquet the rain came hard with thunder and lightening. We were inside and dry, so our timing was good so far.




The rain stopped about 7:00 AM on Sunday morning just in time for our 9:00 AM departure to Ottawa.








Our ride home was pleasant and dry. Overall a great trip.

Cornwall and Eastern Ontario - 1SEP 2012

On 1 SEP 2012, 8 bikes and 9 riders took a scenic ride to the St. Lawerence River from Ottawa via back roads to Route #2 where we passed through Spencerville, Iroquois, Morrisburg, a diversion along the Long Sault Parkway and then to Cornwall.




















We stopped for a lunch at Shoeless Joe's Restaurant in Cornwall.








The food and decor were very good. Portions were large as can be seen with Stu's burger.




After lunch, we continued east along Route #2 which gave a great view of the river to Lancaster. A turn north on Route #34 took us toward Alexandria.
















You knew it would happen. We stopped at the DQ for our Chapter Food - Ice Cream.




We worked our way back to Ottawa. The weather, scenery and food made for a great ride.