Home again!

This year's amazing 9,561 kilometre trip had me riding in five different provinces.

It was the third longest ride since I started my annual motorcycle journeys in 2010. I have logged 75,744 kilometres since the first journey in the summer of 2010. To put this year's trip in perspective, the road distance between Halifax and Victoria is a mere 6,181 kilometres. To say that Canada is a big country is such an understatement; why Ontario alone goes on for days, and each of the other provinces visited are larger than much of Western Europe.

There are amazing sights in each part of this great land; whether its the majesty of the Rockies,

the beautiful Okanagan Valley with its dark green vineyards,

the way-out-to-the-horizon fields in the southern part of the Prairies,

or Lake Superior as seen from one of the lookouts along its granite shoreline.

At each stop, on each detour, there were wonderful things to see and experience. how often did I interrupt the music streaming from my MP3 with appreciative WOWs as I rounded a corner or crested a hill and observed yet another incredible sight. As I've said in the past, in my view there is no better way to see Canada than on a motorcycle; it's being in the picture as opposed to seeing through the windshield's frame, feeling the changes in the temperature and weather, and smelling the environment, whether it's the acrid smoke from the forest fires in BC, the sweetness of fresh mowed fields, or the fragrance of wild flowers in the ditches along the highways.

One of the best experiences was whisking by other motorcyclists.  At one point before Terrace Bay, between Wawa and Thunder Bay, I passed a group of 25 Harleys and the support van and trailer from Easy Riders Tour on a long passing lane. I smiled, broadly. I understand that the reason they have a van behind the group is to pick up the parts that are shaken off their bikes, or the strays that fall too far behind the herd.

I was away and rode on 21 days and stayed in hotels and motels on 17 nights; three nights were with family and friends, and the last in my own bed at home. Thanks to Neil and Glenda for their hospitality in Canmore, and to my brothers Gilles and Jean-Yves for taking care of my in the Greater Sudbury area.

The brief conversations with servers in restaurants, attendants in gas stations, hotels and motels, and strangers who wanted to know where I was from and going, were all welcome encounters.

I was extremely happen to meet my new blogging biker buddy from Saskatchewan in Moose Jaw and to ride with him for three days.  Greg is an excellent rider who, among other interests, shares my passion for motorcycling and discovery. I thank him for this new friendship and look forward to other opportunities to share some travels in the future.

My trusty BMW performed admirably throughout the trip; I only had to add, in total, about two-thirds of a litre of oil over the course of the trip.

I am also pleased to inform you all that I did not have to avail myself of the vast resources of Coutts Communicates' NORAD-like constant tracking system; though I was reassured to know that the whole team was ready, on but a moment's notice, to jump into action and provide whatever assistance was required.  Due to the wonders of technology, GPS, cellphone networks and Bluetooth, I was able to stay in touch with Jane and keep up with what was happening back home. I am very grateful to her for her continued understanding and support.

Finally I would like to thank you for taking the time to "ride" along with me via this blog.  I hope you found the trip interesting and hope to see you again next year.



For those who are interested by this kind of stuff here are some of facts about this year's trip:

Days away-riding: 21
Provinces travelled in: Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia
Furthest point west: Merritt, British Columbia
Furthest point north: Mt. Robson
Accommodations: 17 hotels-motels; 3 private
Total kilometres: 9,561
Gasoline: 468.5 litres, $575; 4.9L per 100km