Truro to Cape Breton

Day 27...

After a solid nights sleep I went for breakfast only to be greeted by the cheerful smile of Diane – the Super 8 Truro’s employee of the quarter! Diane is a gem and when I told her that I needed some stuff for my bike, she made arrangements for her dad to come and grab me to take me to Canadian Tire.
I grabbed what I needed and we headed back to the hotel. I tended to Black Betty (my bike)

Diane offered me some wipe down rags and to get a bucket but with the looming rain I decided to not wash Black Betty but to wipe her down a bit from the mist that was all over her and just wash the bugs off the headlight and windshield.  I took a bit of time in the hot tub, went to the room and packed and got ready to head out. 

A camera shy Diane!

The hot tub and pool area

I had breakfast, and went to check out. I thanked Diane and her dad for everything they had done and was finally on my way to Sidney at about 10 AM.

The breakfast room

The Super 8 Truro not only had a really comfortable bed and great staff but the breakfast was really good too! If you find yourself in the Truro region – check this hotel out…Diane and all of the staff will treat you well, of that I am very sure!

The beds are so very comfortable

Super 8 Truro NS 
Treaty Trail
Hwy 102 Ext 13A East or West
Truro, NS B6L 1W3 CA
Phone: 902-895-8884
Fax: 902-895-8801
E-Mail: gm@super8truro.com
Web Site: http://www.super8.com

Onwards to Sidney in Cape Breton – YEAH!!!!

It was over cast and threatening to rain but it was warm and the entire way to Sidney I never got what you could call any amount of rain, it was more like a mist.

As I crossed the Causeway into the Cabot Trail region I was excited like a little kid.

It is so beautiful – words can not come close to describing how pretty.

I got horribly lost trying to find the rally head quarters, I wanted to stop there first before I checked in to the hotel, but in the end run, I ended up checking into the hotel first and getting directions from the staff at the Comfort Inn on how to find the rally.

Once I knew where it was, the actual finding of it wasn’t bad – the Casino and Tim Horton’s had great signage as to how to find them. I pulled into the parking lot and who should I run into? Micheal, the Ratbiker from Germany – he was holding court as many admired his eye catching rat bike. After a great gab, I went and took in the vendors, got en event itinerary and met up with the CMC and the Saddlebags.

Support The Sure

The gals from the Saddlebags and I made plans to ride to the Storm the Fortress Event the next evening (Sunday Night). 

I had the most wonderful visit with Glenn and Gwen from Motorcycle Mojo – they are in the process of setting up their cabin on the trail and had driven up with a trailer filled with furniture!  Glenn’s brother, John is a leather smith and has a shop on the trail.  I also caught up with Harold and Wendy Nesbitt from Tour Guide Nova Scotia and 5 area riders from Grande Prairie!

The gang from Grande Prairie AB

Riders at Cape Breton Bike Fest, visiting and sharing tales of the road

I saw Patrick from Pro Poly cushions in Yarmouth and he is going to make hubby’s 97 Road King seat as comfy as mine so that he quits trying to steal mine! (www.polyprocushioning.com)

It was wonderful. 
I headed back to my hotel to get rested up for Sunday, it was shaping up to be a busy day! 
When I got there the place was jam packed with bikes!

I was a tired, but happy girl to be here!

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Some time in Halifax

My Share the Road, Share the Ride Conga 2011 took me into Halifax for Day 26. Black Betty (My motorcycle) needed to have some maintenance done on her. It has been a long time since her oil change back in Smithers BC!
Day 26...I made it to the Irving Big Stop on the outskirts of Halifax and was greeted by Medric and his wife Jocelyn. Medric and Jocelyn had a wedding to go to in the Digby area – Jimi Swinamer and his gal Sally were tying the knot! Jimi owns Riding in Style Leather and hosts a weekly Biker Down Society fundraising BBQ at his store. Medric was to be Jimi’s best man.

So – off to Powertrend Cycle, the plan was that we would get the oil changed on my bike and then get over to Route 1, the Victory Dealer to get a new back tire on my bike.

Like all good road trips, plans change in a heart beat!

When I had trouble with my bike in Revelstoke, I took Roger Goldammer’s advice to have a Power Commander installed on my old war pony and he shipped it to Power Trends for me. My thinking was if Power Trends didn’t have the time, I could get Dan the Man in Winnipeg to do it on my way back. Well, Roger sent the power commander and when I was talking to Sean, I asked if he had time to install it and he asked me why I thought I needed a power commander – so I told him what Roger told me about my bike running too lean and my spark plugs being so white. Sean decided to do a test on my bike and low and behold he discovered I had a cracked intake rubber on top of it all. 

So we discussed the shop’s rate - $65 per hour and the cost of the parts. Medric jumped on his bike to go and get the parts from Privateers Harley-Davidson and Jocelyn, I and Deanna of the Halifax Lady Riders Club hung out. 

Deanna and I at Powertrend

Deanna was supposed to be riding with me to Truro that afternoon with some other gals but had been rear ended by a cabbie the night before – yes on her bike! She was sore and stiff but grateful to be alive!

Sadly, her bike was in no shape to ride so no riding with me for her.

Medric heading to Privateers, Jocelyn would hang with me

Now, I had no idea where Privateers was, but Medric made it back in incredible time and his timing was impeccable as Sean was ready to begin the install of the rubbers. Medric and Jocelyn had to go – my bike’s repair was going to take too long for them to be able to ride me to Route 1 – the best man can not be late for the wedding! 

I bid him a Jocelyn a safe ride – hugs were shared and off they went. Now, Medric had organized the sponsorship by both Power Trends Cycle and Route 1 for me – and then he went above and beyond again by going to the Harley store to grab the parts for me – if it hadn’t been for him and his effort, I would never have met these great people and gotten taken care of the way I did. 

The showroom at Powertrend

The parts & service desk

Power Trends Cycle is run by Garnett and Sean – these two techs have a great reputation in the Halifax area and I got to witness first hand why.

They know their stuff and they go the extra distance for their customer and for the out of town traveller. They have some great pre owned bikes for sale, lots of parts on hand and a roomy shop that allows them to take care of many bikes. They work on everything from sport bikes to VTwins. They have a well equipped shop that allows them to build engines, sell used bikes and they have a good stock of parts on hand not to mention a great selection of riding gear and motorcycle accessories.

Sean working on Black Betty

After Sean got done with the repairs on Black Betty he took it for a test ride – when I asked for my bill for the additional repairs I was told no charge – I damned near cried – what a sponsor! I made sure they were set up with their membership in our Rider Friendly Business Association and thanked them for all of their help – this shop went far above and beyond for me and I also got to hear that same sentiment expressed by other riders who were dropping their bikes off or picking them up. If you are in the Halifax area and find yourself needing an oil change or any other repair done to your machine I highly recommend that you check these guys out!
Powertrend Cycles 5558 Bilby St.
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K1V3 
PHONE / FAX: (902) 461-8122
Web Site: http://www.powertrendcycles.ca/
Email: sean.mcgowan@powertrendcycles.ca

My next stop was Route 1 – one of Power Trends customers drove me to the exit I needed to take to make sure I got there with no challenges and before long I was being greeted by Dave Martel, the sales man for Route 1 – the areas Victory Dealer! Dave is a member of www.beltdrivebetty.com and a subscriber to the Busted Knuckle Chronicles.

Before I knew it my bike was being wheeled into the shop by John Reilly – the shop’s customer relations specialist …he introduced me to Brian Jackson, the service manager so that I could ask any questions or impart any information I felt I needed to about my bike before they began. I let them know about the sensors for the Doran 360 M Tire Pressure monitoring system I have on my bike and left Black Betty in their capable hands.

 While the guys put the new tire on, I took a Victory Cross Country with a tour pack added to it, for a test ride and went over to see Jimi’s shop – Riding in Style Leather and to have a coffee with Deanna, one of the Halifax area Lady Riders. Now I was supposed to be riding with Deanna and some of the other gals in the Monday Night Lady Riders Group later in the day, but the night before Deanna had been rear ended while on her bike by a taxi so there was to be no riding for her. She was mostly fine (stiff and sore) but her bike was not in such good shape. When she and I met at Powertrend Cycle earlier in the day, we made a plan to hook up at Jimi’s place.

John Reilly bringing out my demo ride

 The Victory Cross Country is some sweet to ride. I was impressed with how light on the kick stand this big beast was – it took me totally off guard. The responsiveness of the throttle and the fact that it has many, many sweet standard features also had me feeling very impressed, so much so that I would like to really take one of these out again and put it through its paces!

I know a lot of people have a hard time wrapping their heads around the space age look of the Victory, but truly – once you give yourself permission to try one, I think you too will be impressed. The saddlebags on this thing are enormous and vastly improved in quality from when the brand first appeared. Victory has come a long way in both accessories and clothing since they first entered the market and they can offer the rider pretty much anything they need.

When I showed up at Riding in Style Leather, Deanna was already there…she and I spent some time buying stickers along with ogling the various offerings of the store and then went next door for a coffee.  Deanna and I made a plan to meet a little later for the Riders Down BBQ and she had rearranged for a few gals to ride with me as far as Elmsdale…those gals would meet me at the Tim Horton’s on Cobequid Rd Sackville and take me via back highways…I was looking very forward to that.

Back to Route 1 I went where I was greeted by Scott Cahill the owner. Scott showed me an article on how the American Police Services in the Deep South are converting to the Victory Cross Country for their new police department motorcycles. They find the Harley just can’t take the heat of the south the way the Victory can. The Cross Country makes an impressive looking law enforcement bike.

After thanking Scott for letting me take their bike out, Dave Martel took me around the shop for a tour and showed me the various clothing and footwear, the accessories that are available for the Victory rider and their machine. It wasn’t long before a washed and cleaned up Black Betty was wheeled out front for me by John and that was when I discovered I had left my rain gear over at Powertrend Cycle. No fear, after a quick phone call, one of the parts guys was sent in the Polaris car to go grab it for me.
 

Dave Martel

It was another excellent example of eastern hospitality and fantastic customer service! I had a great experience at Route 1 and I am sure yours will be equally as rewarding!

Route 1 Motor Sports
Unit 101, 115 Sackville Dr.
Lower Sackville NS B4C 2R3
Phone: 902.252.3184 
Parts & Service:902.252.3253   

Fax: 902.252.3188

Web Site: http://www.route1ms.com 

After saying my thank you’s and hugs and hand shakes all around, I headed back over to Riding in Style Leather and the Biker Down BBQ.
Riding In Style Leather & Becca's Boutique
528 Sackville Drive
Lower Sackville, NS B4C 2R8
Phone: (902) 252-3377
Web Site: http://www.ridinginstyleleather.ca

It was great being able to support this group even in a small way by buying a helmet sticker and a burger – the Bikers Down Society does great work in Nova Scotia helping out riders in the advent of a crash. Visit their web site to learn more: http://bikersdown.com/

The Biker Down Society BBQ

Inside Riding in Style

I met and spoke with many of the area riders and then soon it was time to head off and meet with the ladies. I showed up at the Tim Horton’s in Falls River pretty much on time, I grabbed an iced coffee and chatted with Brenda and a number of other riders. We made our plans and off we went to take back roads to Truro and that is when the road trip got a wee bit scary.

We headed out on this lovely, twisty back road and before I knew it we were in Elmsdale,  and it was time to part ways...I headed to Truro and the Super 8 where I was going to stay for the night.

The gal that checked me in told me about breakfast, pool times etc and handed me keys to my 2nd floor room. Black Betty was parked under the canopy in front of the hotel where the front desk clerk could keep an eye out on her. I fell into bed exhausted.


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From Digby to Truro - the back way...

I love riding the roads that other riders say are their favourite so when Sea Dog the Magic Man and his lovely wife Jocelyn agreed to take me to Truro on a sight seeing adventure I agreed whole heartedly. These two Canadian Lone Wolves took me to see some spectacular sights - the roads are not in the greatest shape so caution should be exercised (One rider found out the hard way that speeding on ill kept back roads will land you and your bike in the appropriate respective hospitals)

Just outside of Digby 20 minutes or so was this incredibly windy little road that brought us down to this great river...

Annapolis Royal

We HAD to stop in at the Leather Barn - what a great little shop!

The old Fort in Annapolis Royal

This old fort is incredibly well cared for and maintained - it is Canada's OLDEST community!

In fact - Port Royal as it used to be known was the capital of Acadia and later Nova Scotia for almost 150 years, until the founding of Halifax in 1749.

There is no way for a picture to show you just how high or how steep the banks are here but the whole fort is surrounded by these incredibly steep banks...

Last stop before parting company and heading in to Truro: “Look Off” in Blomindon

From the Look Off you can see almost all of the Annapolis Valley - breath taking and stunningly beautiful!

I want to thank Sea Dog the Magic Man and Jocelyn of the Canadian Lone Wolves for being such incredible tour guides and thank you to Sea Dog's step mom for the fabulous lunch!

Until next time...ride safe

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The final day of the Wharf Rat Rally 2010

Last day at the Wharf Rat Rally saw me ride with my brothers and sisters of the 1st & 2nd CAV units - myself being from 3rd CAV meant that all of the units were represented!

It was an honor to ride with Trapper and to meet so many really wonderful people.

I got to hang out with Melinda from Cycle Source magazine and Bean're and Kendra - today was my day to be a photographer and a reporter.

In spite of the hurricane and the fact that the ferries were not running on Saturday - Sunday turned out to have a large crowd and although down from years gone by - still a decent turn out.

The people of Digby themselves were very warm and funny and the riders who came from as far away as Florida and Texas were incredible ....here are a few pictures and a bit of video to showcase the rally...

Trapper Cane of the CAV as we get ready to go in the parade through town

1st CAV, 2nd CAV - Air Force and 3rd CAV Patches

Trapper showing the flag that bears all of the unit patches for the CAV

The CAV

Trapper and his gals

A cute sign in Pam the Tee Shirt Gal's Booth

Theresa "Sweet T" Davidson

Her hubby Bob the Tattooist died of a heart attack and 

we held a minute of Thunder in his memory for her

The Digby Scallop Queen

Trapper assisting his newest conquest into his side car...the lovely 89 year old Pauline all the way from Texas gets her first motorcycle ride

Add caption

The Yarmouth Bike Gang came out for a while....

And these lovely ladies in pink were promoting Johnny Pag motorcycles

a rather interesting sign for you to draw your own conclusions from...

One of the smallest bikers at the rally!

Yes - the Wharf Rat Rally survived Earl and while attendance was down and the weather was not always ideal, the riding community still found ways to entertain itself!

Next destination...Truro

Until then...ride safe

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The Wharf Rat Rally - doesn't give a Wharf Rat's Ass about Earl

That was the caption on the buttons that the rally coordinators had made up to sell - they sold out really fast too!

The rally is very small compared to last year. There are a number of reasons for that. The Economy, the increased cost to rent a booth and EARL. My conservative estimate is 3,000 bikes and there are only a few vendors, maybe 40 including the custom bike builders and the "VIP" booths like mine. The vendors report that business has not been that great and they too attribute that to the economy and the fact the Earl kept so many riders away.

The organizers have been slammed with all kinds of changes to their plans - the school is now prepared as an emergency shelter for people so bikes are left out in the elements - Earl is at the time of writing still a hurricane and here in Yarmouth we have seen high winds and lots of rain.

None the less - every attempt was made to entertain the riders who did come and while the beer garden was hardly used and the music was not all that well received the Wall of Death, Beanr'e and the Sea Dawg the Magic Man were big hits as were the demo rides by both Harley and Honda, the Hub City Stunters and the FMX stunts. I have not been to see the two stunt shows yet nor have I had the chance to see the demos but I did see both demos in Moncton at Toys for Big Boys...

Here are some of the random shots I have from the rally so far...

My booth with all of the Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Information, the Stanford Inn's Offer to Riders and of course our special printed edition of the paper - some tees and hats to sell to help with gas expenses and the conga donation bucket - if people flipped me a few dollars to help with expenses I gave them a Free Subscription to the paper...it all helps!

Day One Pictures (For me day one was Thursday Sept 2nd)

Beer Garden with the harbour in the background

Privateer Harley-Davidson

One of the builders from Quebec

Day Two Pictures: Friday Sept 3rd

The Canadian Lone Wolves show me their good side...

My friend Sweet T at the memorial booth for her hubby Bob Davidson the Tattooist who was a big part of the regional riding community. Bob passed away from a heart attack

A much busier street on Friday than it had been on Thursday but still a far cry from what last year brought

The vending area of Water Street - a rather small vendors market compared to previous years

These unique bird houses didn't go over well even though they were widely admired - I think most riders will be waiting to see if they have room in their saddle bags or tour packs...

Tammy & Daphne of the Comfort Inn in Yarmouth - these gals and their staff KNOW the meaning of customer service. Because of them, when Earl was scheduled to hit the area, the ensured my bike had a safe place to stay at the Shell station - thank you JIM!!!! (Jim is also a rider and he allowed not just my bike but two other Comfort Inn Customers rides to be stored next to his in the "empty" bay of the station)

Luc Le Blanc and his Family - Luc owns Kent Kounty Customs

Strip Club Choppers!

The Town Crier from Annapolis Royal - Peter Crofton Davies & his Escort Valerie Davies

The Town Crier from Annapolis Royal -

One of the gents from the Wall of Death

Kendra - a quirky, funny and warm Floridian who rode with Beanr'e...I love the tail girl!

Beanr'e in the go cart in the wall of death - HELL YAH! Go Beanr'e

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Mailman shows off those sexy legs

Beanr'e being chased by the bike..

Sea Dawg the Magician entertains the crowd..

Mailman shows off those sexy legs of his while Joe looks on...Yes the people who travel with Beanr'e are all characters!

While the rally itself is smaller and less organized than in years gone by - the riders are what make the whole thing fun and interesting. The backdrop of Digby Harbour, the hospitality of the business people and the Nova Scotian's (which is legendary) was fantastic...

Once the new team that is organizing the rally has a chance to gel I am sure things will rock yet again and of course hopefully by then the economy will have recovered and Mother Nature will be gentle and kind again....

The volunteers like Terry, Victoria, and so many more who busted their humps - thank you - you made all of the small stuff stay small by looking after we vendors,"VIPS" and customers with so much grace and dignity. You are a credit to the rally and the community.

Well - today is Saturday - Earl day and I am taking advantage of a down day to get the books caught up, the blogs done and the last newspaper before my holiday begins - finished...I will have another update after tomorrows day of wandering around!

Until then - ride safe..

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