Circle Tour 1998

—Ian Q.
from April 1999 BRMC News

The day had finally come! After months of planning and preparation, I couldn't believe that Labour Day weekend was upon us. The weather looked great for the weekend and 18 bikers had signed up to go on the tour. Most of the guys had arrived Friday evening, however some got lost (must have taken a DEEtour or hit a WIGHTout) and ended up at the "Heritage House Hotel". Didn't the Heritage House have male strippers back in September? Ummmmh…. They said they tried to call us but couldn't get hold of anyone. We only put three cell telephone numbers in the directions, but they couldn't get through. Oh well, they all made it to Melriches Coffee House Saturday morning and all with big smiles on their faces.

Saturday morning was early to rise. Everyone arrived at "Melriches" early (except a certain someone from Red Deer) and we shipped out one large group early in case of long weekend ferry line-ups. Jeff and I waited for last minute arrivals from Red Deer, and once he came whipping into the parking lot we took off for the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal. Out to Horseshoe Bay we rode, anticipating the worst ferry line up possible, and as we came to the crest of the hill down into the ferry terminal, not a car was in sight. We blasted through the gates (OK, we did stop and pay) and got to the front of the line with everyone else. We caught the ferry to Langdale on the Sunshine Coast and then stopped for gas. I could have sworn I had put in the directions to make sure you had a full tank of gas and even said where gas stations were located on Davie Street. Oh, but as it turns out it was the group that went on the "DEEtour", so they must have used more gas being lost in that "WIGHTout" with all those strippers.

We stopped for lunch just south of the next ferry terminal, at "Ruby Lake" and sat outside on the deck enjoying the beautiful view. We got to the next ferry terminal in plenty of time, and again there were only a few vehicles. A cute biker from Kelowna (originally from Revelstoke) named Jason pulled up on his crotch rocket. Many of the boys immediately migrated over to him. I think he found our group very friendly. He was going to visit his brother in Powell River. We got to Powell River and waved goodbye to Jason (parting is such sweet sorrow). Part of our group took a tour of Powell River while the other part waited quietly for the next ferry to Comox.

We crossed Georgia Strait and headed up to our campground, northwest of Comox. This was a pleasant place on a river with a bar and restaurant. This is also the place where the "UGLY POTATO INCIDENT" took place. I'm not going to get into the details again of the "UGLY POTATO INCIDENT", (see the October 1998 newsletter for that story) but my advice to all Border Riders is as follows. If you are sitting next to Randy (yes, our quiet and reserved President) in a bar when he has had a few drinks in, and suddenly an obscenely large potato is placed in front of him, take it away immediately and hide it (or run!). If you don't, be warned that angry women in pink bathing suits that use to be married to RCMP officers and now hate all men because of that, will show up. The potato will be in her hand and she will be trying to get at Randy with it. She will be using phrases and terms that even this "big boned girl" from southern Alberta hadn't heard before (well, not since I left southern Alberta, anyway). Oh the trauma of it all . . . Actually, I got over my trauma recently when I heard there is going to be a change at VD '99. Queen Vicky is out! The famous Potato Queen of Idaho (AKA: Queen Ida) is going to show up instead, and no less on the arm of none other than that famous country and potato singer "Stompin Tom Connors" flown in direct from Canada's potato growing province, Prince Edward Island. Rumour has it that Stompin Tom will be serenading famous Queen Ida with his famous smash hit "Bud the Spud"! I can hardly wait. Make sure you send all your encouragement to Queen Ida and tell her how much we are looking forward to seeing her at VD '99 singing "Bud the Spud" with Tom in one of her finest potato sacks. You can send your encouragement c/o of our President's e-mail address or the club's Canadian address!

The next morning after a big greasy breakfast at the campground with lots of potatoes, we hit the road north for Campbell River. Unfortunately, after weeks of sunshine some very threatening rain clouds were above us. After arriving in Campbell River, we called over to Gold River on the West Coast to find out about the weather. After discovering it was raining about half the group decided to head south while the rest of us continued west to Gold River. On the route we went through Strathcona Provincial Park and stopped for some delightful picture taking at the park entrance like the one of David M. attacking the moose! The highway was a great motorcycling road with lots of turns and curves and beautiful scenery. It didn't actually rain until we arrived in Gold River. Gold River was a pleasant place, and the staff in the pub where we ate was very friendly and happy to see us. The owner actually bought us all a round of drinks before we left.

We headed back to Campbell River, then south to Denman Island to Bruce and Don's home. They have a great home and yard that they are very proud of and definitely should be. They have put a lot of work into it to make it a home. After everyone got their tents set up in the yard, we sat around on their deck enjoying the stories of the day. We had a beautiful supper with Roast Turkey and all the trimmings. We all went to bed early, since we had all had a long day and many had even longer trips getting home the next day. Monday came and many of the Seattle boys decided they needed to leave before breakfast since they knew they would have many "DEEtours and "WIGHTouts" to get through on their journey home. Those of us that stayed for breakfast were treated to a gourmet breakfast of the best eggs benedict I have ever had, with many other treats. The last group said their good-byes and headed down to the ferry. Jeff and I were the last to leave since we were heading north to Port Hardy to continue our larger circle tour of BC which will be written up in a coming newsletter.

All in all, I thought it was a great trip and I think everyone ended up having a good time. Thanks to everyone who came on the tour and made it a success! Hope to see everyone again this coming Labour Day weekend.

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