The sky was grey this morning making it hard for me to rush
my packing and get on the road. Visions of riding in the wet and cold were
swirling in my head, slowing me down decidedly. A last minute call from fellow
rider Ron, fresh on the mainland from Newfoundland, inspired me to pack the
last few things and get on the road - again. Ron is hunkering down in Cape
Breton for Arthur so I thought, if I turned left I could meet him in
Charlottetown but I should be as far as Quebec City by the end of the
day.
The new luggage packs a bit differently than the old and
though it seems I am taking less ( and electronics are taking over from
cosmetics for most space required) I seemed to be carrying a little more weight
up top and a little less down low. The bike felt heavy this morning. I decided
to start on the secondary roads to get the feel of the fully packed bike again.
I headed out the same way I’ve done for the past five years. It dawned on me later
there was a much quicker way. I didn’t have to swing by my Mom’s place to say
good bye this time… but there I was heading past her house, the long way. Old
habits die hard, she was my biggest fan.
The scenic route seemed to take forever. Maybe it was the
fact that the Star’s gas tank and my gas tank were not working together. My pit
stops and her pit stops weren’t happening at the same time even though I was
taking advantage of her need to stop as a bonus pit stop for me …. any way you
look at it, it seemed like a lot of stops, so I moved over to the super-slab
and started to barrel down the TransCanada and now here I am in Levis Quebec
and as hard as it was this morning to kiss my soft, downy bed goodbye, and as
hard as I know Big Agnes will be to sleep on I can’t believe how cozy the
inside of my little paprika tent looks and feels, or how much I miss this life
in the winter. Now I sit waiting to see what Arthur will do. I may stay in
Levis for another day – we’ll see.
PS, The Star passed the 50 thousand km mark and I missed it.
The last picture makes me want to take off on a road trip.
ReplyDeleteI know your Mom was your biggest fan, but there are a few more of us out there too! Enjoy your first night in in your snuggely tent!
ReplyDeleteKaren:
ReplyDeleteYour last photo is making me homesick . . . Hope the storm passes without incident
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Looking forward to following this summer's travels (thanks to all those electronics - Bob would be proud). Have a great trip!
ReplyDeleteYou traveled quite the mileage already, given that you just started. I am always impressed with the luggage your trusty steed is carrying. Not sure I could handle the weight that well. I keep my fingers crossed that the weather gods are with you on your journey.
ReplyDeleteYou didn't miss the 50k mark, you were riding......
ReplyDeleteHope the weather cooperates and you don't get as wet as last year.
I'm just starting the journey with you. :) But I can catch up quickly. I'm glad you were able to hit the road in good spirits, heading for a friend. Have fun!!
ReplyDelete