Last Day of the Conga

Well we all knew it was going to be a hectic pace to keep on schedule today and an early start. Between the border crossing and the new regulations, the ferry and just the stops along the way that were organized.

Well we were up and moving early, and were ready to roll ahead of time. We said our goodbyes to B and B and headed out for the border. Short trip up to Sumas where we gasssed up, hit the duty free and then Flo and Carl went to the vehicle inspection while we got in the border line up. It wasnt long but only one lane was open. By the time we had reached the front, Flo and Carl were in line as well. All went well and we all breezed thru. Flo still had to go inside and do the last of the paperwork and pay the taxes on the bike. All in all we were there for about an hour and ready to go.

We whipped up the road a short distance and picked up Willi and Linda(she is a member of the Langley HOG chapter and wanted to join us) A quick hello and off we went down the highway to get to Barnes. Somehow I managed to get us all there and a little ahead of schedule. There wasnt a huge turn out but we did have a few HOG members and my friend Mike(who did the winter ride for Diabetes) there waiting. Also a big surprise for Flo, when she was packing her puter her daughter posted that she couldnt come as she had to work, but there she was waiting for her! Lots of pics and such and the Marketing Manager at Barnes had gone and got us coffee and Timbits from Timmies. We all hung around for a bit and lord if I had the time I think my
salesman would have been able to talk me into trading in Therpy for the gorgeous 2 tone rootbeer Street Glide that I was drooling over. Now where the hell was that bike when I bought the Heritage. Well we gathered up the group and headed out for the ferry. Everything was on schedule and we made it to the ferry with time to spare.

Once aboard most of the group had something to eat, as they wouldnt be eating til they got home late at night and then with all the excitement prolly wouldnt even do so then. When we were finished we decided that we should terrorize the boat and send "Wilbur" and his helmet and entourage out looking for donations. Any body who looked, smiled or asked us what was up, we hit up for a donation, be it a loonie or more. I think we collected close to $200 on board the ferry. We docked on the island and it was only a short trip to the pull out where people were going to meet us. With me in the lead of our pink clad group of 6, I came around the corner and tears came to my eyes! There had to be atleast 20 bikes waiting there for us from all up and down the island. Some of these riders left home the same time that we left the states to be there for us! OMG it was just too much! We spent about a half an hour saying hellos, collecting hugs and reuniting with many of our friends whom we hadnt seen all winter. My friend Bear brought tears to my eyes, when he came up to me and gavee me a huge Bear hug and told me he was so proud of me for my own accomplishments as well as being part of the ride. In his usual fashion he did have to have his grope and make sure that my butt was still there after my huge ride a week ago. I lubs ya big guy and I got tears in my eyes again as I type this! The news did a story on Flo and when they were finished we mounted up and got the mule train moving again to our final HD store. We had 2 dozen bikes and some how by the grace of God, I managed to keep them all together for the 45 minute trip along 2 highways and arrive in one huge group. The staff and owner were outside waiting as we pulled in, horns honking. The owner came right over to me and shook my hand and congratulated me on the ride and the showing of bikes. I introduced him to FLo and her accomplishments as well. We were all turned loose in the store, I think Dr. Ruth bought half the store as well as the donation we received from them. They also made a sale on a new bike for another close friend of mine. So all in all it was a great day. We all rounded up and got some pics before I hollered it was time to mount up and head out again, if we were going to stay on schedule for thoose waiting further up island.

We left a few behind at the dealership(they were busy buying a bike) but headed out enmasse and up the Malahat. Last year when I took FLo over the "Hat" she wanted to know when we were going to "do" it and told her we already had, so it has been a little joke between us ever since. As we headed to the start of it there is a sign that says start of Malahat drive. I slowed down a little and then made a big show of pointing to it for her to let her know we were about to do it again. I watched her in my mirrors and the rotter gave me the middle finger salute!!!! All I could do was laugh my ass off at her and Im sure she was doing the same. The group headed up island and at my corner we had 2 more riders fall into the group and join us for the trip north. We stopped in DUncan for a gas stop, cause the smaller tanks were getting a wee bit dry after coming from Bellingham. Then off we went again to Nanaimo for the next group of waiting friends and for the final stop of my ride.

To me successfully I managed to keep the group together for the whole ride to this point and we pulled into another group of northern friends waiting all dressed in pink, including tutus!! Fancy ya outdone yourself! Again we had congrats, hugs and the same amount of excitement when we arrived. Little did we know but a lady who saw us on the highway followed us into the parking lot and she knew something was up in regards to Breast Cancer as there were pool noodle ribbons on more then just our 5 bikes including my tailgunner who had them on the back of his. She came over and talked to Flo to find out about what we were doing and then she ran off to the bank machine and came back with $250 to donate to the cause as her mom, had BC. It just doesnt stop! All said I think we had somewhere around $1500 donated yesterday. What a way to end the COnga.

Well this was the end of my journey and time for me to head south again. FLo and I had big hugs and it was hard to say goodbye, but they had to head north and I just couldnt keep going or I would never get home. The group all pulled out with horns and waves and headed north. We waited for them to be on our way and my escorts that joined in halfway up turned and headed home. With a quick stop at the Cassidy for a cold one then back home for a well needed home cooked dinner, cold beers and a hot tub to sooth the body. I think I could have stayed in there all night.

The trip is over but the memories will last for a long time. Thanks for allowing me to be apart of it and darn right if there is another, Im sure going to do my best to be on it as well. One of these days if I ever become rich and famous maybe I will ride the whole way with FLo. The mileage on Therapy is now at 19,000k and I did 4000k on this trip in total. Gee I find that number small considering I did 1700 of it in the first day alone. I didnt succeed in getting the Iron Butt award as it took me a little longer with having down time for some sleep and a ton of road construction. But in total was 20 hours of riding time in a total of 28 hours on the road. Still accomplished something that few would try, and thankfully my butt is still there.

I think its time to go back to bed now!