Find me on the Road (or Trail)

January 16, 2012

Deichwanderung

Wir konnten es kaum erwarten, heute wieder durch den Schnee zu stapfen... Moment, was sagen wir da? Wir sind doch bewegungsarme, winterhassende Stadtmenschen!

Es waren milde minus 2 Grad, es gab über Nacht noch ein bisschen mehr von dem weissen Niederschlag und heute morgen strahlte die Sonne, was das Zeug hält.

So ging es nach einem ausgiebigen und herzhaften Frühstück nach Pitt Meadows auf den Wildlife Loop.

Viel war nicht los, und es ging ein scharfer Wind, der uns den Schal fester um die Ohren wickeln liess.

Das Durch-den-Schnee-Stapfen ging ganz schön in die Beine, und die Bewegung hielt uns warm.

Nach anderthalb Stunden kehrten wir an unseren Ausgangspunkt zurück. Unser zweites Frühstück hatten wir uns hiermit redlich verdient.

January 15, 2012

What's next?

Darling, you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
If you say that you are mine
I’ll be here ’til the end of time
So you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

(Lyrics: The Clash)

So, what do you think? On the one hand there is still a certain British Brand tempting me (Triple, Tiger, Bonneville, Scrambler - I would take any of those). On the other hand this little Harley has grown on me.

What I thought to be a short fling, has become a deep respect for the brand known for leaking piles of metal. I was always under the impression that these bike were made only for the ride to the next pub, or destined to be trailered to marque specific gatherings, but not to be used for actual serious road trips, since usually one would spend more time wrenching in the garage than traveling on the blacktop.

Speaking of the Sporty, the mpg is not great (frankly, it sucks!), but so far this bike hasn't asked for more than gas for the tank, air for the tires, and the occasional (very rare) wash for the looks.

Now, there is a potential road trip on the horizon, the IMBC 2012, and neither my two-wheeler nor I am ready and prepared for this challenge. I will need to build up the physical strength to endure a multi-day journey on a motorcycle, and as for my bike... well, Rover will need some serious modification:

1. A bigger tank
2. A comfy seat (need a new seat anyway with the bigger tank)
3. A luggage rack and saddle bags
4. A different set of handle bars for comfortable long distance riding
5. A set of highway pegs
6. A long overdue inspection
The overall price tag is about 3,500 to 4,000$.

Instead, I could go on a two week ocean cruise for this money...
Or I could keep the money, leave the Sporty as is, and rent a touring bike instead.
Or I could sell the Sporty, and throw the money in for a new and already well equipped bike.

I am left with more questions than answers. Help! Anybody?

Wir machen das Beste daraus!

Nach einem verschneiten Morgen machten wir uns mittags auf, diese ungewohnte weisse Masse, auch bekannt als Schnee, zu erkunden. Zu diesem Zweck fuhren wir 'raus nach Belcarra, schauten erst einmal in der Bedwell Bay nach, was das Luxusleben der anderen so macht.