What Kind Of Blogger ...

What kind of blogger rushes off to a blogger to blogger meet up and forgets a camera? That would be me! Oh well, it isn't about me it's about seeing my hood through the eyes of moto bloggers Sonja and Roland of Find Me On The Road: (2wheelersrevisited.)

After several hours and a whirl wind tour of the St.Lawrence Seaway, Thousand Islands and Kingston we had the chance to kick back and relax around the table. It was like old times. With a background of cricket song the conversations lasted late into the night. At least I had the camera for good byes this morning. Bon Voyage. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your Eastern journey.

… Riding through the tunnel into the paddock I definitely had that first time feeling. (part 2)

Riding into the paddock Saturday was like riding into a bee hive buzzing with sound, movement, people and motorcycles.  It took me a bit of slow motoring before I decided where to park – I had been told you just park anywhere. That seemed true if you could find a spot.

This was the Vintage Road Racing Association Festival weekend at Canadian Tire Motosport Park. It was a three day event with an endurance race Friday, 5 lap heat races Saturday and 8 lap final races on Sunday. It was my first time at a Vintage (or any kind) of race.

The race bikes - all 40s to 80s (many classes): the riders and crews just as widely varied.

I felt an overwhelming sense of casual community; spectators and participants alike all with one thing in common. I left with an understanding of how it is friendships made through this community might last over the decades. Oh, and I watched a couple of the heat races too!

A few highlights from Saturday morning.

Riders gather for the start of the first 5 lap heat on Saturday

 

  

I measured this one on the sound meter - 90 db idling!

 

PS: Special thank you to Don for letting me know about the event (I don't think I caught you on film though.) Thanks to Ken and Phil for the crash course in the event, the facilities and the best corners and to Ron for the personal, guided tour Friday afternoon (and all of the fine details you tried to cram into my head about vintage road racing ... that have all sadly, already, mostly leaked back out.)

There’s Nothing Like The First Time …

64Duck aka Don suggested in a comment on a previous post, “… if you attend CTMP formerly Mosport this coming weekend; many motorcycle pictures, 1 car, no boats.”

WELL!!! Never been so why not. I called for advice from two Vintage Road Racing veterans and lined up an expert (former racer and track record holder) guide to meet me when I got there.

The first kiss, the first ride, the first time you see an outlet mall (okay, maybe that one was just me) but there’s nothing like a first time experience to make you feel like a kid again. Riding through the tunnel into the paddock ... definitely a first time feeling.

As promised: no boats, one car and lots and lots and lots of motorcycles.
More to come…..

Sojourn To The Capital Area

This week's forecast called for near record high temps,  nasty humidex readings and thunderstorms by Tuesday and/or Wednesday … just not the kind of weather that encouraged me to pull out the gear and ride the Star to the Capital area. (What the heck - I took the Tuscon.)

Where, on one of the hottest days of the summer my friends had planned a lovely hike in Gatineau Park ...

(Brandy, look what I found at the Champlain look out! Sadly I noticed the rider was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt.)

We also stopped at the Pont Brabant-Philippe for a little geo-caching fun. (This bridge was finished in 2015 and replaced the original covered bridge crossing the White River destroyed by arson.) 

Day two of my Sojourn to the Capital, the humidex hit 40⁰C. The air was oppressive ... I love mother nature but it was time for some urban hiking at a few of our favorite air-conditioned locations. (Thanks to Google for the photo.)

One Big Boat, One Unique Bike And A Whole Lot of British Cars

Another summer weekend and another special event in Kingston.

This time City Park was the venue for an art show plus the annual Boot and Bonnet Brits in the Park event … and a whole lot of beautiful British Cars.

Amidst the British cars was one lone 1958 Excelsior JAP motorcycle. Owner Barry Brown had tons of information about the bike and its cinder track racing history

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The park is one block from the Kingston Yacht Club where this weekend, “O Canada,” an IMOCA60 premier offshore racing yacht was moored and accepting visitors as part of her promotional tour.

Another Summer Saturday

On any given summer Saturday, Kingston’s Confederation Basin is filled with ‘serious’ boats and today was no exception. The Thousand Island Poker Run was happening today and there were definitely some serious boats in the harbor.

I’ve never actually seen the beginning of this event before so it was time.

Also … there were plenty of motorcycles about …

And Saturday market fare …

Plus the annual sheep dog trials event at Grass Creek Park.

Just another summer Saturday in my home town.