Well, we are now in 8 days into 2012. I cannot think of a better way to welcome the new year but by attending the first Bike Show of the new year. Here are a couple pics to whet your appetite and chase away the Winter blahs!

What do we most lend our strength to? To what cause do we bear arms. Are we so bound by the current mores of a society that attempts to define us on terms we have not voluntarily acquiesced to?

Some would say we have choice in all things; others would beg to differ. At what point does one decide to stand for or against something? Or someone? What standard of forbearance has to be breached, before we say enough! I protest! I have to do something about this; even if it means your demise over mine.

War. Battles. Conflict. The trifecta of dynamic global tension. It has ever been thus since the dawn of time. From Cain and Able, all the way down through time to Saddam Hussein & George Bush; Osama Bin Laden and Barack Obama. Today it is terrorism vs western ideology. Or is it?

Ideas once given a voice and a receptive ear, become ideologies. We sometimes forget that these are a result of hearts that have been radically affected in some dramatic way; whether for good or ill.

Nov 11th is the day that Canada pauses to remember. Remember what exactly? Most Commonwealth countries (and some that are not) will pause on that day to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service to their countries during a time of war. Why would any individual take it upon his or herself to voluntarily leave hearth and home to travel to a place that in all likelihood not only despises them, but is fully bent on ensuring their allotted time on earth is shortened as expeditiously as possible? Courage? Honour? Commitment? Duty? Yes, but I am sure there is more to it.

There are those who argue that all wars are wrong. These are logical, intelligent, reasoned individuals, who have every right to their opinions. I would counter with this; while all wars leave deep scars (some visible, most not); separate loved ones, (physically, emotionally and some permanently); create global economic crises and divide countries, not all are wrong. An article headline in today’s (Nov 10th 2011) Globe & Mail by columnist Judith Timson, was titled: I wear a poppy for its victims, but don’t support war.

Let’s be honest here; yes, war is messy, vicious, and quite easily brings to the forefront some of humanity’s baser predilections, but there are times when it is necessary and therefore should be supported. There are those who are quite vociferous about how Canada is wasting the best of its youth and by extension its future, by sending soldiers to engage in what many construe as unnecessary. I say the sacrifices that have been made since World War I and prior, risk becoming null and void with that stream of thinking. It is true that many of those precious lives lost in past conflicts, could have (should have) been avoided; but the greater overarching view of history shows that we have a long way yet to go before wars are eradicated altogether, much less man’s penchant for it.

I am not a soldier. I have never been to war. I know that I cannot even begin to comprehend what kind of terrible toll is thrust upon our young men and women serving in far flung locales. I am quite certain that what they experience is far outside even their highly trained, disciplined and equipped comfort zones. Certainly light years beyond mine. Yet they serve willingly. It is an honour to even live in the same country that birthed these individuals, whose sacrifice affords me the privileges I enjoy. I am not for one moment romanticizing or encouraging war; but there is a time and a place where it is required. Oh how I wish it could be otherwise.

We are a Global Village. Like it or not, you share Terra Firma with fundamentalists of all stripes; corrupt dictators, drug addicts, self-serving politicians (please note that not all politicians have given up on their higher ideals of actually serving their constituents), just to name a few. The fact that they are conflicts simmering at any given time, about to erupt into some sort of conflagration is almost inevitable.

Lest we lose all hope, we have also had individuals of moral fortitude, who in the face of conflict, have stood tall, even risking and in some cases succumbing to death because of that risk. Here are a few such individuals, in no particular order and irrespective of their individual belief systems, who have left a lasting impact on our world. Martin Luther King; Mother Theresa; Benazir Bhutto; Abraham Lincoln; Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

As you take part in the humanitarian, economic and social privileges accessible to us today, regardless of your viewpoint on war, why not take a risk. Remember those who risked all for us over the past decades. Most of these freedoms have been borne through the crucible of conflict; both domestic and global.

Never forget.

Well we had the Poster Boys of Grand Valley profiled back in the summer. Now they have decided to challenge the media distribution channels with their first  video.

Honestly though, hopefully this will be the first of many 036 member- submitted content items. All of you have your own issues…er, I mean story, that’s just waiting to be told. Whether it be photo, video or print, send it in.

Summer proved to be quite good this year, with many well-attended rides within and outside of our local chapter. For some of us it was also a season for acquiring new bikes, or repairing used ones. Our major Summer overnight ride saw 12 of us head over to Ottawa to participate in the annual CMC National Rally. Eleven of us continued on into rural Quebec and Algonquin and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the culture. We will definitely revisit other parts of Quebec in the future.

While Summer may be waning, we are gearing up for the Fall riding season. Cooler weather and the change in foliage colour, provide for unique riding experiences. This year’s annual chapter Fall Ride is being coordinated by Jim Woodhouse and is scheduled to take place on Sep 24th. Jim has led several of our week-end rides this season and we are looking forward to this one with great anticipation.

With the onset of cooler weather, please take extra care in your ride preparations. Among the usual safety checks, please pay careful attention to your tire pressures and be keenly aware of the road temperatures prior to riding. Tires need time to warm up and if the ground has been cold-soaked overnight, that diminishes your traction. Also be cognizant of your attire; what may seem comfortable at a standstill, will quickly seem frigid at speed. But who knows, we may yet have an extended summer.

When the time finally arrives to park the bikes for the season, there will still be a lot to partake in. This year we are endeavouring to engage our members with activities that include the whole family. We will have such things as Bowling, Dinner Parties, Movie Nights, along with our regular Meet & Greet functions. Some have already suggested heading down to the Playdium Gaming Centre in Missisauga, Roller Skating, Laser Tag and Indoor Paintball. Of course we cannot forget the annual Bike Shows that will be coming up in December and January. If you have any other suggestions for activities during the Winter months, by all means let us know.

So, for now, continue to enjoy getting out to ride while you can and remember to ride safely!

A Few of The Summer Crew

Wow … what a past week for Kristie.

1. Got married to Tom (Tomcat).
2. Honeymooned with 10 other 036 members at the National Rally and for 5 days through Quebec.
3. Successfully completed her M Exit ride on Sunday (Aug 7th).

Congratulations Kristie!!

Here are some of the photos that were taken on our 5 day jaunt to Ottawa, Quebec & Algonquin Park. I will label them as time allows. As soon as more are provided by others, they will be posted. You have to ask Dave W (Wingguy) about Rat B*****d … or is it Rat’s A**?

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Talk about CMC commitment!

The Orange Villains very own Kristie and Tom tied the knot two days prior to departing on a 5 day ride to the 2011 National Rally and Quebec with 11 other CMC members.

Upon their return to Orangeville, it has been discovered, much to everyone’s amazement, that they are still married!

Contrary to what Lynette may think, the real poster boys are represented by the Grand Valley Twins – aka Slash 2. (Don’t ask)

Two of our very own were featured in the Ottawa Citizen over the weekend at the CMC National Rally. Both Paul & Mike were on hand for an impromptu photo op.

A few shots of today’s long but fulfilling ride back into Ontario.

The day included one set of blown front shock oleos; one snapping turtle and a fellow traveller from afar.

Day 3 Mont Tremblant QC

Day 3 of our 5 day 4 night CMC tour of South-central & Eastern Ontario & South-western Quebec.

Crossing into Quebec this morning was fairly uneventful until just prior to Montebello, when a vehicle decided to pass all eleven bikes in our group with opposing traffic less than 500 metres away.

The oncoming car was forced off of the road into the ditch and the driver of the offending vehicle forced his way right smack in the middle of our staggered formation, ostensibly to avoid hitting the car that it had just run off the road. Fortunately our quick thinking members with alert reflexes, averted what could have been a catastrophe.

There may have been an attempt to pass on a few words of informed “consternation” by one or two of our members, but as with anything related to this two-wheeled pastime of ours, there is always something valuable to learn via the attendant experiences. In this case it was a reminder that we who travel via motorcycle, are invariably deemed as invisible; and maybe to a lesser extent irrelevant, when it comes to being seen and sharing the road.

On a lighter note, and what I consider to be my highlight of the day, I was asked for directions.

At first glance that may not seem earth-shattering, but I found it hilarious.

I was walking back to our hotel from downtown Mont Tremblant, when a car coming from the opposite direction slows down and stops opposite to where I was. A young lady rolls down the window and begins speaking in French to me. From her tone, (I do not speak French) I gather that she may be asking for directions. So, not being conversant in the local tongue, I respond in English that I too am new to this town and not from around here…all the while hoping that she understands English. She immediately responds in English and asks how to get to Montreal.

What tickled my fancy was the fact that here was a native Quebecer, stopping to ask how to get from one location in Quebec to another, in English, from a Non-French speaking traveller from Ontario.

To simplify things I told her to park and I showed her the route via Google Maps via my iPhone.

Thanks to Steve Jobs & Google Maps for reconciling the Canadian English / French debate!

Well…I thought it was funny!