Calculating the subsequent hangover and lack of sleep following last Friday's Company X-mas party, we kept our trip down to the
Seattle Motorcycle Show to a last minute decision. We woke up at around seven-ish, felt ok, and arrived at the Peace Arch border crossing around nine. Since we are permanent residents of Canada, but holding a German passport, we get 'special attention' from the US officials every three months for our visa-waiver, mugshots and fingerprints included. Meanwhile they must have over a dozen in their collection, but they never get tired of taking new ones.
We arrived in Seattle by noon, and it rained cats and dogs. That probably explained why only a few riders actually visited the venue on their bikes. What stroke me odd, was that there were no signs, no billboards or adds featuring this event or giving directions. Then we entered the tiny hall, and were thinking: Is that all? Where is the rest of it? There I thought that the
Calgary show we visited last January was tiny, but it seemed that even the Stampede grounds featured more exhibitors and events than this sports arena (I mean a sports arena? Seriously? Come on!). And speaking of lack of exhibitors, where were BMW and Triumph?
A rare sight on the grounds
If it is yellow it must be good.
The Suzuki Burgman 650 fits hubby like a glove.
Maybe it was the hangover but I was in a reasonable grumpy mood, that could only be enlightened by meeting
Bob and Yvonne, and
Stacey who volunteered at the Woman Ride booth. We chatted for awhile and parted ways to go explore some more. I had heard that
Brad,
Brandy and
Rick where also around somewhere but we must have missed them. Unlike them lucky bunch we didn't have the luxury to stay overnight, so we live to meet them another time.
We headed home late afternoon. Traffic was heavy possibly due to Christmas shoppers, but we made it back to the comfort of our couch before 7PM. Getting back into Canada is almost as easy as traveling in Europe, and friendly as always. We just had to flash our permanent resident cards and were welcomed in without further ado. Gotta love this country.
Conclusion: Meeting friends made it worthwhile visiting the fair, but compared to other shows this event was not a memorable one.
I heard the show was much smaller this year. I didn't make it ... but would have been fun to meet up with all you hard-core types -:) Maybe next time you're down. Glad you didn't wash away!
ReplyDeleteSonja:
ReplyDeleteIn your second photo, my eagle eye spotted a beautifully-restored 60's Ducati 200 cc Elite, one of the most gorgeous bikes ever. I had the rolling chassis from one to make a Tricati special when we lived in the UK. Thanks for the memories!
I must admit our "Bike Shows" are pretty dismal. STill at least you got out.
ReplyDelete@Chuck: I thought of you. If we had had more time we could have arranged to meet over a cuppa java in your favorite joint. Hope to see you next year.
ReplyDelete@Geoff: Mr Eagle Eye, you spotted right. It is one of those old Ducks. Glad to have triggered some good memories.
@Raftnn: Oh well, you have to take what's available. Yet I hove fond memories of the German INTERMOT in my hometown Cologne.
Hubby looks quite nice on the Burgman. And that little Norton would fit into the stable nicely! :) Looks like it was a good time! -Lori
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