Biker Friendly Ontario

This province will apparently give me another temporary plate for a further 10 days, upon the expiry of my original one. Fantastic. I don't have to rush to NYS and can see more of Canada if I want. I have been riding round Toronto today, getting to know my way around. I end up getting into conversation at every other stop light- everywhere is so friendly and people are always intriugued to hear the British accent coming from the back of a Japanese bike plated in USA. I met a French Canadian Road Contractor Foreman in the street, who, it turns out, is willing to set me up to import Harleys and electric scooters. He also put me on to the extended plate possibility- that random conversation may have saved my road trip. Not sure about the business proposition though! I have some great video footage of the city at night, from the back of the bike. Might try to get to Niagra tomorrow.I am in a hostel right in the centre of Toronto, didn't get to sleep last night til about 6am thanks to some horrific Karaoke. I have changed rooms for tonight to get away from the racket.

TORONTO

Toronto is so cool. And everything is so cheap. I have a possible alternative plan, if the registration goes well (it probably won't) I may return to Ontario and head up to Montreal and then round to Nova Scotia to stay with Judd and really get to know somewhere rather than be always on the move.

Some pictures...




Here is the bike in a multi storey- luxury parking for CDN$27 for 5 hours!


Fuel efficiency is down to about 40 odd round town. Perhaps I'd get more if I turned Ontario Rock FM down a bit....

Fuel Efficiency. Non bikers- skip this part

By the way, the first two tanks of fuel gave me 53 and 52 mpg. Mostly cruising at 50 - 70mph. Crusing at 60 indicates 2,500 revs. 4 gears plus OverDrive. 174 ft lbs torque. Hmmmmm

Oakville, CANADA

I have arrived in Oakville, 30 odd miles from Toronto. I am staying with Barun and Margaret who my mum visited in Canada in 1967.

They have been really friendly and very welcoming. Barun is from India and Margaret from Glasgow and they have lived in Canada for about 30 years. Their house has an indoor spa pool.Cool. I washed the bike already- it was covered in mud spray from the rain. I haven't got it to wheelie yet....

I am in Toronto today and will probably be here for the next 36 hours. I am hoping to take a ferry across lake Ontario tomorrow to reach Rochester, NY State.

I have bought some great boots- which make you walk like a cowboy. Sometimes I surprise even myself with the odd unexpected whoop of Yee Harghh...

I really like Toronto, it is an interesting mix of American and European atmosphere. It would be great to live here.

Canada 401 and Highway 3

Picture of the bike waiting to go over the Ambassador Bridge into Canada, Monday 26 July, 10.53pm. I reached Detroit by 10pm and didn't feel tired. I had not managed to get hold of Jenny Hocking's brother so I just carried on into the night. Canada 401 all the way to Toronto if I wanted. I reached the bridge to ZZ Top- 'Sharp Dressed Man'. (apt?- have you seen my yellow water proof?!) Customs was unexpectedly simple. 'Passport please...' followed by 'Are you carrying any weapons into Canada?' I laughed nervously 'No' and that was it. Sounds for the bridge crossing turned into Thin Lizzy 'The Boys are back in town' and then Stairway to Heaven. I alone on the bridge with about 10 artic lorries. Like a goldfish swimming with sharks. An hour into Canada took me to a place south west of London, Ontario -cheap motel and a patchy night's sleep. Then for a bit of scenery- Highway 3.



Stopped for lunch in classic outback petrol stop (steak sandwich, mash, pot of tea, 10 Bic razors and a local map all for 6 quid) and then headed back to 401 and Oakville (via a Harley Davidson store for some browsing).

On the road

After buying a tent and a mat and putting some finishing touches to the insurance, I was really ready to go. Picture courtesy of an up-ended shopping trolley and the camera set to timer. I must say a big thank you to PC Clinic of Coldwater. They let me send and receive faxes which really helped reduce the paperwork headache. Thanks to Chasity and Ed and the team.


It started to rain pretty soon after I left, but the amazing thing is that the Wing keeps you virtually dry.

A WING and a prayer...

The moment came. I fixed my temporary plate to the bike, packed in my gear, and stood in awe, excitment overpowered by apprehension. I savoured the moment as I sat on it for my first ride. Big, toppling.... it's like sitting at the dinner table and having to watch your manners. The seating position makes you sit straight but relaxed. I teetered off down the driveway (gravel makes for a good first handling impression - NOT) and then off up the I-12 back into town. Cruise control set to 55mph, stereo on, tuned to Michgan Rock FM. For my first twists of the accelerator I was greeted by Aerosmith -'Walk this way' followed by Metallica 'Seek and Destroy'. Photos to follow. I 'm off to buy some boots and some leathers and then hit the road for Detroit, then Canada (Toronto) and then NY state for Niagra Falls and full registration... I hope.

BRISTOL, Indiana

I decided to head straight back to Coldwater because I wouldn't have any time to properly see a new place. On my way back from Chicago, I found myself on I-80 which runs across the top border of Indiana state. My exit back to Coldwater was from a town called BRISTOL, Indiana. (Pop. 400). Now, I have heard of this place because my friend Richard Greenaway goes there every year and knows the locals. So, I absolutely had to stop and take some photos and have some food. I told a couple of people I was from Bristol, UK and they were suitabley impressed (although, following in their expression was 'But why the hell do you wanna come here?').

Chicago and the Roof of the World...

Above: A little run about for nipping to the shops...







The view from the Sears Tower was breath taking. Chicago is famous for so many things- more details and photos when I get some more time. Met some friendly and talkative people. I have a DeWitt Panthers t- shirt ($3 bargain) and only after did I wonder if that was okay.. I mean, I could be walking round with the equivalent of Westbury Park Primary Football Club on my shirt- as it happens it's more like Cotham School American football wannabe's. Oh well- any way this guy on the street spotted me and started conversation, having recognised the logo. He was from Michigan. Then there was Dan, reading Satre on the Chicago express train. We started talking and it turns out he wants to come to the UK and be a social worker. We walked for a while and he got me into the Chicago Art Insititute for free- so I could sprint round and see the Monets. Excellent. Travelling back tonight, might go to Indiana on route....

Sweet Home Chicago!

Well. I had to get out of Coldwater... the insurance agent managed to get me the policy but i noticed at the last minute that it was dated for next Monday (two days time). So, I hired a car and drove west, through the NW corner of Indiana State and into Illinois. Driving was a bit intimidating to start with but I got it sorted pretty quickly. They drive just like in the Blues Brothers! I have a Buick Le Sabre, it looks like a Jag. I will try and go up the Sears Tower tomorrow (Sunday) and then look around for the day, then back to Michigan, maybe via somewhere in Indiana or Ohio. I am learning a few things about myself, and about surviving in the USA. I have read enough Andy McNabb books to know how to plan for contingency! Roll on Monday, Goldwing here I come.