T
tom42n
Guest
Better late than never? A matter of opinion.
anyway here is my story.
---------------------
BEEMERS AND GUZZIES IN UTOPIA
by Tom Anspach (9/5/05)
A little background
The Moto Guzzie Riders of Ontario have held a small rally (50 people or so) at
this Camp Saulaine location for a couple years. Last year they and the BMW
Rolling Broccoli Riders, centered in Big Bay Ontario, with Riders from all over,
decided to hold a joint rally to help the economics . . . and to have fun. It
appeared to work out very well, so keep your eyes and ears open as it is
expected to re occur for the next several years. The weekend before US Labor
Day at the same location. This year, 2005 August 26, 27, 28; Fri, Sat, Sun.
The Rally
The rally was held at Camp Saulaine a few miles west Thornton (about 1 hour
North of Toronto). This is a great rally site, or for any gathering for that matter.
A central building with a ÔÇÿliving room styleÔÇÖ lounge, large kitchen, huge dining
room, and several rooms with linens etc. (motel/lodge service - these rooms
were a small extra charge). A large dormitory, with common shower and rest
rooms, consisting of about 24 rooms with a couple double bunk beds (bring your
own sleeping bag - these rooms, along with camping, were included in the rally
fee). A large old barn with a stage and chair seating where the upper level
hayloft used to be. The lower level consisted of restroomÔÇÖs, showers, and a
ÔÇÿserve yourselfÔÇÖ bar room with tables and chairs. The grounds were grassy and
shaded, with plenty of nice camping space. The Nottawasaga river flows
through the grounds, with camping along the North bank. In all an excellent rally
site.
In this setting there were 127 people registered. I would guess that about 50 -
50 BMW and Moto Guzzie people, with the usual smattering of other brands.
About 50% made use of the dorm facilities. I like to camp, so I camped. My
friend from Youngstown Ohio used the dorm and thought it was nice, altthough
he mentioned it would be nice,had he brought his tent. I was river front on the
bank of the Nottawasaga river. Other than a few local riders who were off site,
everyone was on site. The nearest motels were several miles away. There were
only a couple RVÔÇÖs. It was very interesting seeing this combination of Moto
Guzzies and BMWÔÇÖs parked around the HQ area. And of course ÔÇÿKicking Lies
and TellingÔÇÖ tires was in full swing.
Being a long time ÔÇÿRolling Broccoli RiderÔÇÖ I had wanted to go as soon as I saw
this rally listed, and put it on my list . I had not seen many of the RBRÔÇÖs for
several years. As I rode into the rally on Thursday (I like to get to a rally early to
sort of ÔÇÿget in the grooveÔÇÖ), I followed the little Broccoli signs and wound up at the
ÔÇÿRBRÔÇÖ encampment near the Beer Hall. Where else would you expect them to
be? I stopped and one of the RBRÔÇÖs asked if I was OK. ÔÇ£No IÔÇÖm thirstyÔÇÖ.
Immediately a beer (Canadian) was provided. Acquaintances were renewed and
new people met. . . as I tried to decided where to camp. I was also BrocÔÇÖd. The
RBRÔÇÖs have a ritual . . . since broccoli is green, of painting the little finger nail
on the left hand with green finger nail polish. It is ÔÇÿmandatoryÔÇÖ.
After hanging out at the ÔÇÿRolling Brocolli encampmentÔÇÖ for a while I finally
decided to camp down along the river. It was about 1/4 to 1/2 mile to the HQ
location. But I needed the exercise. The small group in my area, of tents, had a
nice camp fire and listened to the river running over the rocks, among other
things. Several conch horn blowing tech sessions were included. Watch out,
Canada now has several new ÔÇÿconch horn playersÔÇÖ.
On Friday night I forgot to put my food away (usually in my hard side bag). I
heard some raccoon rustling during the night, crawled out and chased them
away. But it was too late. They had taken every scrap of edible food, leaving
only the stuff that was in cans or bottles. They even took my tea and ground
coffee . I did not know that raccoons drank tea and coffee! Maybe Canadian
raccoons do. So the next day I stopped at a grocery store for ÔÇÿraccoon
replenishmentsÔÇÖ on the way to the Creemore Copper Kettle Festival.
In the small town of Creemore NW of Camp Saulaine, on Saturday, the Copper
Kettle Festival was going on. My friend from Ohio and I decided to go. As I
mentioned I stopped on the way to replenish groceries. From later analysis this
is where I missed the correct turn off to Creemore. Anyway ÔÇÿI leadingÔÇÖ became
LOST. Rode right through the heart of a large Canadian Army Base. After
wandering around on back roads, wondering where the heck we were, finally
figured out how to get to Creemore using my compass and map. Very neat little
town. Saw a great bag pipe band. Had a Creemore micro brew (I was not too
impressed, maybe it was the plastic cup and 3 dollars Canadian) and a salmon
sandwich (great).
The only Rally problem (that I knew of) occurred Sat eve. The eve meal was
being done by a new caterer. Served on regular dinner plates with metal cutlery.
No plastic! Even using the large dinning room there were 2 seatings. I donÔÇÖt
know exactly what happened but it was very late by the time things got going.
However once started the food was VERY GOOD. . There was roast beef, roast
potatoes, plus, and delicious deserts. After dinner the ÔÇÿusualÔÇÖ ceremonies were
held in the barn with awards, door prize tickets and a few speechÔÇÖs. After which
the ÔÇÿgoodbyesÔÇÖ started in preparation for leaving the next morning.
Early Saturday evening it had started to rain. Some people thought that it was
heavy. I had mentioned that after being through Ivan at the RA rally in West
Virginian last year, and the Thursday night storm at the MOA National in Lima it
seemed pretty tame to me. And my new cheap tent made it through again,
without a leak. By late evening the rain had stopped but it was still plenty humid.
The next morning while I was up for an early shower and coffee, cereal and
bagels a large weeping willow limb fell down across the MC road that came in
from the river. Just missing, by 5 - 10 feet, or so, a campers tent and bike.
Theories were that it was so loaded with water that it finally gave out and broke
off.
major snippin for brevity. of:
Route Taken
The Ride (including the automated 407 ETR Toll Road around Toronto, and the border crossing at Port Huron and Detroit). . if your some reason you want it send me an email tom42n (at) kconline(dot)com
The Bike
My bike BMW '85 K100RT, 182,139 miles, ran flawlessly. Except for an
intermittent neutral light/switch that showed up just as I prepared to leave the
gate after registering for a camp site at Patagona SP. If the neutral light/switch
is not ÔÇÿonÔÇÖ the bike wont start. So I hit the starter button and NOTHING. Oops
what is going on here? Everything had been working perfectly. All seemed in
order, till I noticed the neutral light was not on. Fortunately I had the foresight
(which is unusual) to remember that the clutch has a by pass switch so you can
start the bike when it is in gear buy pulling in the clutch. I pulled in the clutch
and it started right up. Then I noticed that the neutral light was intermittent at
times. The next day . . it worked perfectly again, and has continued to work
perfectly. I recall about a 130,000 miles ago, or so, my gear indicator had some
sporadic intermittent problems. It finally cleared up and has been working great
ever since. Have some of these gremlins returned? Will have to keep my eye
on it.
ThatÔÇÖs It
ThatÔÇÖs my story for this enjoyable MC ride to a neat MC rally in Ontario Canada.
----- It is good to have an END to journey toward,
but it is the JOURNEY that matters in the END. /Ursula Le Quin
I must admit, I have had many conflicting emotions writing this story of enjoyable
memories when so many people have been tragically impacted by Hurricane
Katrina in the Gulf Coast states.
anyway here is my story.
---------------------
BEEMERS AND GUZZIES IN UTOPIA
by Tom Anspach (9/5/05)
A little background
The Moto Guzzie Riders of Ontario have held a small rally (50 people or so) at
this Camp Saulaine location for a couple years. Last year they and the BMW
Rolling Broccoli Riders, centered in Big Bay Ontario, with Riders from all over,
decided to hold a joint rally to help the economics . . . and to have fun. It
appeared to work out very well, so keep your eyes and ears open as it is
expected to re occur for the next several years. The weekend before US Labor
Day at the same location. This year, 2005 August 26, 27, 28; Fri, Sat, Sun.
The Rally
The rally was held at Camp Saulaine a few miles west Thornton (about 1 hour
North of Toronto). This is a great rally site, or for any gathering for that matter.
A central building with a ÔÇÿliving room styleÔÇÖ lounge, large kitchen, huge dining
room, and several rooms with linens etc. (motel/lodge service - these rooms
were a small extra charge). A large dormitory, with common shower and rest
rooms, consisting of about 24 rooms with a couple double bunk beds (bring your
own sleeping bag - these rooms, along with camping, were included in the rally
fee). A large old barn with a stage and chair seating where the upper level
hayloft used to be. The lower level consisted of restroomÔÇÖs, showers, and a
ÔÇÿserve yourselfÔÇÖ bar room with tables and chairs. The grounds were grassy and
shaded, with plenty of nice camping space. The Nottawasaga river flows
through the grounds, with camping along the North bank. In all an excellent rally
site.
In this setting there were 127 people registered. I would guess that about 50 -
50 BMW and Moto Guzzie people, with the usual smattering of other brands.
About 50% made use of the dorm facilities. I like to camp, so I camped. My
friend from Youngstown Ohio used the dorm and thought it was nice, altthough
he mentioned it would be nice,had he brought his tent. I was river front on the
bank of the Nottawasaga river. Other than a few local riders who were off site,
everyone was on site. The nearest motels were several miles away. There were
only a couple RVÔÇÖs. It was very interesting seeing this combination of Moto
Guzzies and BMWÔÇÖs parked around the HQ area. And of course ÔÇÿKicking Lies
and TellingÔÇÖ tires was in full swing.
Being a long time ÔÇÿRolling Broccoli RiderÔÇÖ I had wanted to go as soon as I saw
this rally listed, and put it on my list . I had not seen many of the RBRÔÇÖs for
several years. As I rode into the rally on Thursday (I like to get to a rally early to
sort of ÔÇÿget in the grooveÔÇÖ), I followed the little Broccoli signs and wound up at the
ÔÇÿRBRÔÇÖ encampment near the Beer Hall. Where else would you expect them to
be? I stopped and one of the RBRÔÇÖs asked if I was OK. ÔÇ£No IÔÇÖm thirstyÔÇÖ.
Immediately a beer (Canadian) was provided. Acquaintances were renewed and
new people met. . . as I tried to decided where to camp. I was also BrocÔÇÖd. The
RBRÔÇÖs have a ritual . . . since broccoli is green, of painting the little finger nail
on the left hand with green finger nail polish. It is ÔÇÿmandatoryÔÇÖ.
After hanging out at the ÔÇÿRolling Brocolli encampmentÔÇÖ for a while I finally
decided to camp down along the river. It was about 1/4 to 1/2 mile to the HQ
location. But I needed the exercise. The small group in my area, of tents, had a
nice camp fire and listened to the river running over the rocks, among other
things. Several conch horn blowing tech sessions were included. Watch out,
Canada now has several new ÔÇÿconch horn playersÔÇÖ.
On Friday night I forgot to put my food away (usually in my hard side bag). I
heard some raccoon rustling during the night, crawled out and chased them
away. But it was too late. They had taken every scrap of edible food, leaving
only the stuff that was in cans or bottles. They even took my tea and ground
coffee . I did not know that raccoons drank tea and coffee! Maybe Canadian
raccoons do. So the next day I stopped at a grocery store for ÔÇÿraccoon
replenishmentsÔÇÖ on the way to the Creemore Copper Kettle Festival.
In the small town of Creemore NW of Camp Saulaine, on Saturday, the Copper
Kettle Festival was going on. My friend from Ohio and I decided to go. As I
mentioned I stopped on the way to replenish groceries. From later analysis this
is where I missed the correct turn off to Creemore. Anyway ÔÇÿI leadingÔÇÖ became
LOST. Rode right through the heart of a large Canadian Army Base. After
wandering around on back roads, wondering where the heck we were, finally
figured out how to get to Creemore using my compass and map. Very neat little
town. Saw a great bag pipe band. Had a Creemore micro brew (I was not too
impressed, maybe it was the plastic cup and 3 dollars Canadian) and a salmon
sandwich (great).
The only Rally problem (that I knew of) occurred Sat eve. The eve meal was
being done by a new caterer. Served on regular dinner plates with metal cutlery.
No plastic! Even using the large dinning room there were 2 seatings. I donÔÇÖt
know exactly what happened but it was very late by the time things got going.
However once started the food was VERY GOOD. . There was roast beef, roast
potatoes, plus, and delicious deserts. After dinner the ÔÇÿusualÔÇÖ ceremonies were
held in the barn with awards, door prize tickets and a few speechÔÇÖs. After which
the ÔÇÿgoodbyesÔÇÖ started in preparation for leaving the next morning.
Early Saturday evening it had started to rain. Some people thought that it was
heavy. I had mentioned that after being through Ivan at the RA rally in West
Virginian last year, and the Thursday night storm at the MOA National in Lima it
seemed pretty tame to me. And my new cheap tent made it through again,
without a leak. By late evening the rain had stopped but it was still plenty humid.
The next morning while I was up for an early shower and coffee, cereal and
bagels a large weeping willow limb fell down across the MC road that came in
from the river. Just missing, by 5 - 10 feet, or so, a campers tent and bike.
Theories were that it was so loaded with water that it finally gave out and broke
off.
major snippin for brevity. of:
Route Taken
The Ride (including the automated 407 ETR Toll Road around Toronto, and the border crossing at Port Huron and Detroit). . if your some reason you want it send me an email tom42n (at) kconline(dot)com
The Bike
My bike BMW '85 K100RT, 182,139 miles, ran flawlessly. Except for an
intermittent neutral light/switch that showed up just as I prepared to leave the
gate after registering for a camp site at Patagona SP. If the neutral light/switch
is not ÔÇÿonÔÇÖ the bike wont start. So I hit the starter button and NOTHING. Oops
what is going on here? Everything had been working perfectly. All seemed in
order, till I noticed the neutral light was not on. Fortunately I had the foresight
(which is unusual) to remember that the clutch has a by pass switch so you can
start the bike when it is in gear buy pulling in the clutch. I pulled in the clutch
and it started right up. Then I noticed that the neutral light was intermittent at
times. The next day . . it worked perfectly again, and has continued to work
perfectly. I recall about a 130,000 miles ago, or so, my gear indicator had some
sporadic intermittent problems. It finally cleared up and has been working great
ever since. Have some of these gremlins returned? Will have to keep my eye
on it.
ThatÔÇÖs It
ThatÔÇÖs my story for this enjoyable MC ride to a neat MC rally in Ontario Canada.
----- It is good to have an END to journey toward,
but it is the JOURNEY that matters in the END. /Ursula Le Quin
I must admit, I have had many conflicting emotions writing this story of enjoyable
memories when so many people have been tragically impacted by Hurricane
Katrina in the Gulf Coast states.
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