And The Sun Went Down ...

The sun has set on another season of riding for me. It seemed like such a short season and it was shorter than the last few for sure. Today it ended with a last ride to the local gas bar to fill up the tank ...

Then to the carwash to wipe away the season's grime.

And finally ... I motored into the parking lot to meet the rest of toys waiting to be put to bed.

I don't have the luxury of a secure garage or the mechanical knowledge (or ambition) to winterize a motorcycle and maintain it properly in hibernation, so I leave it to the experts ... "I've got a 'guy' for that." Actually, it's a small crew of 'guys' at K-Tec Moto Services, Kingston.  Ross and his crew have been looking after my bike(s) for several years now. It's a place where everybody knows your name, and I like that. (That's Ross coming out to greet us.)

As the sun went down to end another riding season I reflected on this moto-year. It was, as always a great ride ... reconnecting with friends, enduring storms and exploring new places. I have lost some friends and have been fortunate to gain some friends.
Here's hoping when the snow melts there will be a new journey awaiting. Sweet dreams ... Star.

Sometimes 4 Wheels And A Roof Are A Good Thing ...

I rolled into Merrickville this morning at 11 am. For a fleeting moment, I had thought about riding the Star but didn’t: the sky was murky and the mercury lower than predicted. I was happy with my decision after an hour and a half drive through rain, heavy rain, sun and rain again. Four wheels and a roof were a good thing today. There was one brave rider, his or her cruiser parked along the main drag, but it wasn't me.

In the summertime the streets of this little destination mecca are filled with groups of motorcycles. It’s an historic little town known as the ‘Jewel of the Rideau’ that has won recognition as the ‘prettiest town in Canada.’ Today it was dressed for Autumn and devoid of tourists.

I met my friend Leslie and we walked the streets. We visited the shops that were still open, ate lunch at the Yellow Canoe Café and hiked through the historic ‘Ruins of Merrickville,’ along the river.

Leslie tells me the town fills up again near Christmas. Maybe I should come back in the winter.

Scenes from the hood ...

The lake looked lonely today in the mist ... I could see my breath.

A late maple, still hanging on to its glory, was a spot of sunshine as the raindrops started to fall.

Just a few scenes from the hood ... my favorite hood, my neighborhood.

The Star is still in the shed waiting for the ride to her winter hibernation cave. Maybe this week!

I'm Thankful For A Beautiful Day

This morning dawned still under the chill of last nights first frost. The sun illuminated the mist rising from the grasses. It held all of the promise of a stellar day for a ride.

Having had the VStar's recent 'scritch, scritch" noise checked out and deemed not critical;  I dusted off the cold weather jacket, pulled on the wool socks, plugged in the vest, turned on the heated grips and headed out for what will most likely be the last ride of 2014. There was little traffic and the colours were outstanding. I am thankful for so many things including this beautiful day.

I had hoped to meet up with other bloggers/riders from the 'hood' but for this season, it wasn't meant to be. Hope to see you on the road in 2015.

Last Ride - Open Invitation / Rider Meet Up

Sunday, October 12 looks like a day for riders to be thankful for ... anyone in the area is welcome to meet up, around 1 in the afternoon in the parking lot of (where else) Tim Horton's ...

98 Dufferin St (Hwy 7)
Perth
Ontario

Hang out for a bit...wait for the rest of us and/or just me.

Hope to see motorcyclists/bloggers or anyone there!

 

Leave a comment if you are interested in the motorcycle, moto-blogger meet up.



...But I Had An Umbrella.

It wasn’t a great day for a ride but I had an umbrella and walking in the rain seemed to appeal to me today. I love fall festivals and today was the 20th annual Battersea Pumpkin Festival.

I’ve been attending it for years: for me it has become the official start of autumn.

The entire community seems to join in the celebrations. Along the route I listened to a group of birds that gathered by the roadside to chatter noisily about their winter plans. It rained on and off … it’s a glorious time of year, but a sad time as well as nature prepares for the long winter ahead.

 

I’m glad my community celebrates the season rain or shine.