Ride For Dad

WET!

Dry Right Now!

Our Little group of HOG Riders (a couple missing in action)!

Hello Betty Boop!

Well today was the Ride for Dad day, a charity ride in support of Prostate Cancer.
This has become a big event across Canada taking place in cities across the country.
The Ride in this city is a Police escorted run along the Eastern and Western Parkways to the a west end location followed by a 100 mile Poker Run.
The day can only be described is wet and rainy with a few breaks in the weather, all in all not to bad.
I think lots of people probably registered and paid but did not ride because of the weather, the turn out was light to say the least.
I led the Eastern Ontario HOG participants on the run. The group was small, 6 bikes to start with and one dropped out so we ended up being five bikes and 8 people for the entire run. The escorted section of the ride went fairly well, it can be hard to ride with people who are very casual riders, they tend to be up and down on the speed and wander all over the road. All you can do is give them there room for the safety of all.
The poker run gives you a lot more flexibility in riding and having some fun. Our little group were all good riders and we all enjoyed the run. Lunch in Kemptville was great, BBQ Pork and or Beef on a bun with all of the trimmings, very tasty indeed. There was lots of food so refills were offered to all.
The ride ended at Rideau Carleton raceway which turned out to be a very noisy, busy spot being as an other major event was taking place at the same time.
I checked in said goodby and hit the road towards home. OH YES home, a long hot shower was in order, one of the anticipated parts of the day after riding around in the cool rain.
It was a great day.
I now have a very dirty Harley sitting in the lane way which will take a a bunch of time to clean up, not a big worry in my life at this time.

Nice Weather

The weather continues to be real nice. warm days and cool nights.
Yesterday I played golf in the morning after which I ran a few chores returning home for a late lunch. Shortly after arriving home the winds picked up and we encountered some heavy thundershowers and lots of rain. I stood in the front window for a good 30 minutes watching the rain pelt the ground. We needed the rain so it was a good thing. After dinner I went for a walk and the outside air smelled real nice and clean, this was a special sensation that I still enjoy a great deal.
Today's picture shot in my garden, early morning yesterday!

Long time between posts

Some of yesterdays ride group

Marathon start!

Big Crowd of Runners!

Yup, Long time between posts, mainly because there is not that much going on.
Played Some golf, cut some grass, rode the bike a bit and that's about it.
I did go on a ride with the Ottawa HOG yesterday, real nice day.
We were 9 bikes and a did a tour of the seaway valley from, Manotick to Cornwall where we had a real nice lunch on the seaway, to Brockville and home. All in all about 250 miles, BIG ride.
This morning I was off to the 7am start of the Ottawa Marathon, big crowd of runners as you can see from the attached pictures. Of course the Black African runners are in the front and will lead all of the way, win and finish in about 2 hours 10 minutes, good fun stuff.
Other than that I have been fighting the wildlife around the house. I had a Robin insisting on building a nest on my back porch light. I took the nest down 3 times before I finally installed spikes to deter the little bugger. This morning I was up in my attic placing mouse poison, I seem to have a bit of a problem with these little buggers again.
I also am ragging war with the Black Squirrels. The neighbors claim they are not feeding them but I have lots of broken peanut shells around and an over abundance again of these destructive little buggers.
Little buggers, all of these creatures seem to be big time destructive!
THE WAR RAGES ON DIXIE STREET!
Yahoo!

Sunday May 20th, What a Day, What a Ride!

Ya Baby, the weather finally turned on our side in the Ottawa area, a high of 90f and not a cloud in the sky.

A small but intrepid group of riders met for breakfast at Beckett’s landing, what else do HOG members do ride to  EAT!

The group was small, the Pres. AKA, Sandy, Dawn, Sheila, Richard, Lise, JP and myself.

No real planned route but Sandy agreed to take the lead so after filling up on Breakfast off we went.

Prescott here we come, yes a gas break. Off towards Brockville, we cris crossed the 401 and ended up on the 1000 islands Parkway heading west towards Gananoque where we could see the bridge to the US.

A quick right turn and we were at Stinsons Gas Bar and Restaurant (for exact location speak to Sandy), also known as the Pie stop.

Home Made Pie, what do Bikers do ride to eat, Chocolate/Peanut Butter Pie, wow too much, oh yes my choice but lots of other homemade treats and delights!

We all waddle out to the bikes, off to Athens and a rest stop at the park where we decided it was about time to head towards home for me and some off towards Dawn and Sandy’s home for  some social time.

What a day, 90F by the time I arrived back at my Ottawa Home after a 250 mile ride, great day, many more to come I hope.

Attached a few pictures form the ride!

Spring Has Sprung

Yup we have enjoyed a few nice days in the last week, Spring Looks to have Sprung.
It is very green a lush around here, grass cutting is now on a 4 day cycle.
The big bummer in my life right now is a very sore left foot which has left me hobbling around. I am icing and stretching the ligaments in the foot, not really sure how I hurt the baby.
The foot has slowed down my golf walks but I have been out on the bike. I finally ran the gas out of the tank that came in from the US.
The Americans drive all of there monster size vehicles and complain about the price of gas, well they should come and fill up around here. My rave of the day is that the barrel of oil has dropped a lot of late but not the local price of gas. OH well another record profit period for the oil companies due to good administration, what BS! We Canadians really are stupid when it comes to the price of things.
Enough of the rant, life remains good.
Today's picture, part of the bicycle rental fleet placed around Ottawa for pay per use, really neat concept and I think it does well, pay by the hour of use and drop the bike off at one of any number of locations!

Home One Month Today

Yup back home in Ottawa one month today!
The weather continues to struggle towards more summer like conditions.
We have had a couple of nice days but not enough to keep me real happy.
I have been busy puttsing around and collecting things for my new Florida home.
I have to be careful not to pick up to many things or i will need a truck to return south.
Today's picture shot today on one more cool, damp day in Ottawa.

The Weather Could Be Better

Yup since my return to Canada the weather has been cold and wet, it needs to become a lot better.
That being said I have been busy enough, some house things, business things, play things and some golf, it is all good.
Looking forward to putting in some seat time on the Bike real soon, maybe this weekend, who knows for sure.
Today's picture arrived from friend Robin in Florida, it was shot on a camera phone some time during the past winter months, looks like the start/gathering for a ride. Notice my hair was getting pretty long at that time!