Holiday to the Stomp

Well been awhile since I blogged but heck I have been busy riding, riding, working and riding more! Not sure exactly where all I have been but it seems every weekend has been busy, not to mention the evenings. At present there is over 26,000 on Therapy! I have attended most of the Show n Shines in the area and considering she is new with no customization, she is placing 2nd, only behind one extremely tricked out and customized FatBoy that shoots flames out the exhaust. I have gone on a couple poker runs as well. Campbell River and Dranes. For future reference, if you get the urge to attend the one in CR, DON'T! It is an over organized Pub crawl to the point that it turns in a mass of 300 plus bikes with riders pumped up on alchohol and testosterone. Yep cause for an accident, not to mention at the third stop we were all informed that the police had already set up a road block at the last card stop. We left and came home at the fourth stop, being totally unimpressed with it. Dranes on the other hand was a great ride. Everyone went out on their own pace and it was a great route of all backroads to Parksville, a few new ones and others that were a refresher for me. We made a few new friends as well that day. Anyways as I said been very busy off riding and enjoying so far this summer, but the major event was looking forward to the Salmon Arm Stomp, getting off the island again and my birth day!

It all ended up that Mountain was taking his RV so we were able to travel light and pack everything in with him. Len wasnt too imprressed about the early hour I set that we were leaving but so be it! We were up at 4, had coffee, packed the last couple things and headed over to my house to meet Sue and Steve who were coming with us. His first road trip after buying the bike a month ago! Suzie didnt realize what her butt was in for!!!

Considering the hour, everyone was in good humour and off we went, quick stop for gass in Duncan and off to the Nanaimo ferry. It is actually great travelling at that time as there is no traffic on the road. It was a little cool but easy trip up. We got to the ferry to find Ed and Susie, Mir and Bill waiting as well as another old friend named Bob. Bob was on his own but was supposed to meet another in Hope. He decided to ride along with us when we got to the other side.

Well the first minor screw up happened as we were about to dock. We got a call from Mountain saying that the RV didnt start and he had to be towed off the ferry! Shit what about all our gear??!! Not to worry he was going to get a mobile mechanic out there to fix things and they were still coming. Asked if we knew any numbers and couldnt help him. He said to carry on and he would be intouch. So we left the boat and headed along the #1 towards the new bridge, I asked Ed to pull over somewhere so that we could call and see if Mountain had figured things out, meanwhile along the ride, I realized we have a friggin mechanic with us and if we had to we could detour to Tssawassen and get things fixed! DOH! All was fine and he had someone coming in an hour to get them on the road again, so off we went. ew bridge is nice but I really friggin hat big bridges!!! The ride along Hwy 7 to Hope was beautiful and all were enjoying the ride. We got to the off ramp in Hope and Ed makes his last screw up of the morning before he is revoked of his Road leading duties. Yep there were 3 or 4 turns Eddie decided to miss and this one had our rag tag group of 8 having to make a u turn on Hwy 1 to head into Hope! Edwierd, your fired!!!!

Okay on the right track again and into Hope where we collect 2 more bikes for the ride. We met up with Pops (Scott) and Bobs friend Shannon there. Off we left with myself now in the lead(Ed was fired) in somewhat of a proper group formation going on. Well we got stuck behind a slow mover and Bob and Shannon zipped off and passed them, so be it, I wasnt going to try and have a large group pass one by one on passing lanes instead I figured wait til we had a proper passing lane and all could go at once. We were zipping along and hit the tunnels and what a roar going thru! All the bikes and a few having to rev up a bit more just for the fun of it! We finally hit some long passing lanes, I think outside of Boston Bar and the pandamonium ensued!!!! One passes, then another, then back in group, I look in my mirror and who the hell is this gaining on me???? Hell its Sweet n Low, grinning from ear to ear and going like a bat outta hell!!!! She just kept on going, passing everyone and anyone. Dont think she realized that the last 2 bikes she caught werent part of our group and she was going to take them as well til Len or Ed caught her and reeled her in!!!! Well I must say it was a sight, our group of 10 owned the highway and were spread out 4 wide in the 2 lanes!!! Look out the Island riders have taken over!!!

We finally stopped just outside of Lilloet (I think) to get gas in the little tanks. This is when we found out that poor Pops scared the bejesus out of himself and poor Bob was right behind him, waiting for the worse. I guess in all the fun, he took a corner a little hot and caught some gravel. Bob said he was all over the road but some how managed to pull himself out. Think we all settled down a little after that. Sure glad everything turned out ok.

Well off we went again in the heat heading for Spences Bridge. The pub there is a big biker stop. Somehow Len got in the lead again and it was the start of Lens detours for the weekend! He went right past the pub heading for Ashcroft but thankfully for the rest they followed me into the pub!! Really neat Pub there and great service. We all had a bite to eat and a cold one or 2. They have an old pan head on display in the bar in great condition. Definately a stop if you havent been there.

Off we went again this time taking the back route to Merrit. Great highway to ride, lots of twisties and the group was all having a great time. Len kept passing trying to get video of us all riding and the lead positions changed quite often. At one point he stopped so he could video the group passing by from the side of the road, well Ed just kept on going, he was into his ride and ended up waiting at the other end just outside of Merrit. Most of the group stopped when they saw Len taping but I just kept going as well, knowing that they would catch up soon enuf and they did. Finally found Ed waiting and we carried on into Merrit. Oh lord big surprised, we passed the turn off for LOgan Lake and I believe the curse of Susie's triangle is broken, we didnt lose anyone or anything but I did send out a prayer as we were going thru. Well Merrit is a gas stop for the bigger bikes and we are heading for the Chevron, Len again got in the lead and took what would seem the long way around but after Ed decided to turn the remaining 6 bikes around and go back thru town he found us already gassed at the Chevron and wondering how the hell we got there so quick!!!!

At this point I decided that I had to make a stop at Kamloops HD. There was a pair of boots there in June that had my name on them and being my birthday and all, I thought I might have to treat myself. So it ended up that Sue and Steve, Len and I were going to haul ass into Kamloops and then catch the rest either on the highway or at Falkland. Well low and behold they had the boots in my size and they looked too damn good on so I had to buy them. The boots ended up being the talk of the weekend, especially for the boys(nebermind the rest of the leather accesories I acquired over the weekend) I packed away the old boots, we all had a look around and then off we went again to catch up with everyone.

We met the group in Falkland, some having drinks, others a bite for dinner, we were almost there. All along we were receiving messages from Mountain on his progress and he was finally making good time now that he was on the road. As for the first showing of the boots, well I had to give Ed a rag so he would stop drooling!!!! That was just the start! Well we had a beer and the others were ordering dinner but we decided to wait as we werent that hungry and just wanted to get settled in and hope to find a spot for Mountain and the RV. We left all behind but for Bob and Shannon and head along the last leg to the stomp. I love the road heading into the grounds, nice twisties thru the farmlands.

Well we arrived and had a quick look around for somewhere for the RV and couldnt really decide on a good spot, I had seen one but wasnt sure if he could fit it in. Ok to heck with it for now, he wasnt that far behind at this point and should be showing up within the hour. Parking, hellos and beer are on the agenda for now, so we made our way over to where B and B were to mark off an area that Bry had been blocking with the trike for our tents. Big hugs and let the beer begin! Bry moved the trike and we parked the bikes there and proceeded to have a beer or 2 while waiting for Mountain to arrive. Len and I took a walk with a rope that Steve had to look at the spot I thought would be good. Yep can get an RV in ther so block it off we did. Back to the beer and waiting. Mountain arrived after one more call for directions and at first wasnt sure about the location but after a quick look on his own he agreed that I had picked the primo spot for them. Time to unload the bike and trailer, get him parked and get our stuff set up.

Well by 8ish, everyone was set up, relaxing and starting to enjoy themselves. Bry was the next boot victim and I was beginning to think I was going to need a lot of rags if this kept up! We saw Art and Colleen and big hugs for them as well, heck I didnt know they moved off the rock until a few months ago!!! Was a great day of riding, with many good friends and a night full of fun and laughter!! Til day 2