Ola

Sorry its been awhile, a lot has happened and not happened. The ‘not happened’ part…basically I was just surfing and hanging out with Vik and Karen for the last week or so. The ‘a lot happened’ part… the bike is stored, I said my ‘see you soons’ and I have flown back to Ontario for Christmas.

I’m not sure if Vik will be posting a more detailed account of his travels but included within is abit about the last week in Mexico. Here is a link to some of the pictures he took - Vik's Pics

Vik flew in last week and we both just chilled out around town.

He has done a few bikes trips here and there on my bike, ultimately putting on 1000kms! Maybe I’ll get some pics from Vik. They may not be my travel pics but they are the bike’s travel pics.

Loaning the bike is not a problem as he has the same bike back home, we bought a pair of them, lol. His is an ’83, mine the ’82.

The last week in Mexico we met up with some other friends from Vancouver (Cynthia and Bryan) staying in Puerto Vallarta and had a fantastic dinner hosted by Mi Miel Maple at the restaurant she manages. Someone, to remain nameless (benefits of being the author ;-), had one seriously hefty margarita beforehand (then shots with the serving staff) and was abit roudy thus casting a light pall on the evening. Regardless everything was spectacular as we dined under patio lanterns on a stunning patio right on the ocean at Karen’s restaurant.

The last week I basically just surfed as much as my body and the waves would allow. Thank god there are not good waves allll the time or I would be a wreck. It’s a very taxing and demanding sport when you are learning. Like most things once you get better at it much less effort is required. I however wa sn ot better therefore by the end of my last week there my stomach and shoulders were so sore I ached at any minor exertion.

A few hectic days of getting final preps, packing (my goofy green Mexican tourist bags since my good duffel was scoffed by banditos - it was empty) done to end the trip and I was off to the airport.

I got to drive the bike on the way to the airport one last time before leaving. It was interesting driving it with Vik on the back. Usually we are riding side by side with big helmets on while whipping around on Canadian highways. Riding 2 up, slow, with open face helmets on the big bike was fun as we could chat the whole time.

We had fun chucking matchbox cars at little kids…Ok explanation, I like to give stuff to the kids that gawk at the bike and make a big deal when I stop for gas. Since I ran out of ‘steeekers’ on the Baja I buy packs of matchbox cars, 25 for $4, at the little stores in Mexico. I have a supply of them on the bike all the time.

They are small and light and wouldn’t really hurt if one hit you at say 5 km/hr as ‘someone’ drives over topas and tries to ping you off while you stand there staring at the bike. My personal favorite is the mad scramble for the matchbox car that ensues once they actually realize it was something interesting that just whizzed by to land in the dirt near them!

With Vik and I both on the bike we were able to successfully launch a few cars into moving cars and the back of a truck - nice matchbox car delivery/attack technique.

I unloaded my travel gear off the bike, last minute review of bike storage etc with Vik and headed into the airport. Wow, moving, going, fast paced, security, ughh.

I made the mistake of booking a flight that had a connector in the US so I had to endure endless security lineups, declaration forms, my passport scanned into some database, more security, then carry-on inspection and metal detectors before proceeding to the final security checks before boarding…and that was for a connecting flight!!!

During my 1.5 hour layover it took 1.6 hours to get through security. Even sprinting through the airport I nearly missed my flight. This s not a political forum, but for our American friends, if you were wondering, my opinion is - Y’all really are overdoing it.

Regardless I made it and am now securely ensconced in the central heating comfort of my parent’s house. Good thing too given the freezing temperatures and snow outside. A shocking change from wearing board shorts and light summer shirts. “I am too tanned to be in snow!!!”

Its an interesting process to go from being alone on the road for weeks on end, no one to account to but your own travel ambitions and no schedule but that of the sun’s to a much more structured environment. It’s a very simple life when all you have to do is find a bite to eat, keep the fuel needle above E, find a reasonable place to bed for the night and just ride, ride, ride. Sure there are mechanical things to deal with, pictures to take and obstacles to be navigated but the majority of one’s time is spent in a peaceful reflective state with what start out as exhilarating moments of overwhelming freedom that soon blend into a general sense of autonomy and carefree sense of being you know you have to treasure as it is so fleeting.

Now I have to go back to a ‘normal’ life. I’ve been off for awhile. The past years have been pretty action packed with the MBA, doing a course at MIT and consulting long hours. This extended trip has been a great reward and very welcome break.

In August I came to Ontario for a week of family visiting then I carried on to Europe. In Europe for two weeks I spent one week traveling and backpacking and a week on a rented BMW 650gs traveling. I rode through the mountains and coast of France, Spain and the enigmatic Andorra. 2200kms on the roads of Europe, just to see what the place was all about was a true pleasure.

So now after 4 months off I have the following summary:

Wing and a Prayer Trip (Oct 21 to Dec 21)
8 weeks
3 countries
7300 kms on the bike
3000 kms in a truck on the Baja
Helped get 4th in unlimited class in the longest continuous off road race on the planet
Traversed the Baja 2.5 times
Learned how to Surf

European Recon (Sept 06 – Sept 13)
2 weeks
3 countries (France, Spain and Andorra + England by backpack)
2200 kms on a rented BMW F650GS
Saw incredible architecture and sights, lots of awesome wine.

I’m glad I’ve had this bit of time with my family to visit and acclimate. Being home allows me to adjust to the culture and pace slowly in a relaxed and comfortable environment.

When I get back I have to secure my new place to live, get back into the work routine and generally adjust to an entrepreneurial consultant’s life in a busy city.

I fly back to Vancouver on the 30th and work in the New Year. I will be in that reality for a few months before I get back to get the bike. I’m not sure exactly when I will be going, or for how long, its all very work dependant, but I’ll try to send periodic updates as to plans.

Basically this motorcycle travel thing is in my blood. I love the autonomous travel part. On the bike you experience the areas between destinations like no other form of travel. It’s fast, a lot can happen, it’s adventurous, it’s still social and other than lost income it’s really not that expensive.

About this blog? Well I will keep it going until the Wing lands home. As to other trips and adventures I may continue writing in here, maybe somewhere else but yes I will continue with these trips. Hopefully even longer and further, it’s a very big world!

If you are interested in more reading about adventure travel specifically motorcycles there are some fantastic blogs written by everyday people who just went for it on this website. There are some books published and even videos movies have been made.

As I mentioned I will send periodic updates and thanks again for all the encouragement and feedback!

I hope all had a very Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!!!