What an awesome day for the ride!!! We had 8 people show up this time: Ken (08 GSXR1000), Kevin (08 VStrom650), Rob (08 BMWF800ST), Brian (BMW GS650), Phil (08 Triumph Thruxton 900), Steve and Ave (08 Goldwing), Joey (80s era Seca750) and me (00 ZRX1100). Quite a different mix of bikes but we all had a blast! Phil’s bike had a real bark to it as he has replaced the stock exhaust pipes with some racier ones and Ken’s bike has a nice growl to it as well.
The day started out somewhat cool and overcast but as the sun came out it warmed up nicely. First stop at Timmie’s in Southampton and then off to Sauble Beach, Wiarton, Lion’s Head, and then Meaford for lunch at Ted’s Road Range Diner. Phil and Ken switched up bikes for the ride to Ted’s and both had positive comments about the personalities of each other’s bikes.
Don’t be fooled however by the exterior of the Quonset hut. This place is quite well known and not too far from the Meaford Tank Range. The food was excellent. Choices of our group varied from the Bison Burger, Elk Burger, massive Cholestoral platter mix of cheese, onions, meat and fries (I can’t remember the exact name) and my choice, the Ostrich Burger and onion rings.
From there, Kevin and I switched bikes and I tried out his VStrom. I found it to be quite a tall bike and a bit unnerving in the twisties as it had a totally different feel than my Rex. Obviously it was much lighter on its wheels and the fact that the fairing did not turn with the handlebars reminded me of my old 83 Interceptor set up. I can see how it would be a great touring bike as the ergos were very relaxed – almost a bit too relaxed for me.
Once we got to the observation area overlooking Collingwood, I switched back to the old school muscle bike feel of my Rex. Phil, Ken, and, Steve and Ave left us from there to head home directly as they had appointments to keep and we continued on through the twisties around Blue Mountain. Absolutely stunning! Can’t wait to ride it once the trees really start turning.
I think I'm going to have to figure out a way to mount my digital camera into the stock mirror mounting hole (I don't use them as I have bar end mirrors). This way I will be able to snap a few pics of the twisties while I'm riding instead of wishing I could stop to take a few. Hopefully I will have this ready for the next fall ride.
In total, I put 493km on the bike with a total seat time of 7 hours.
