B
bigalsmith101
Guest
On a K75/3 chasing Miquel Silvestre from Vancouver, British Columbia going east.<br><br>
Hello everyone! In just the few short days that I have been a BMWMOA member ( a week), I have already had the wonderful experience of reaping the benefits of such a large group of well informed, connected, and enthusiastic people. It has sure been fun.<br><br>
Last Saturday, (September 12th) I was given the email of Miquel Silvestre from a fellow BMWMOA member (Statdawg) who replied to a post I made the day before. Miquel is a Spaniard with 3 GS’s under his belt having travelled Africa, Central and East Asia, Russia and the Stan’s. He is now more than half way through his goal to ride from coast to coast across North America.<br><br>
After a couple of corresponding emails, Miquel showed up at my door in Bellingham Washington on Monday September 14th. I had told him that he was welcome to stay and that I was on his way north to Vancouver. He was glad to stay and save the hotel costs. We went out for dinner that night and first tried a Vietnamese restaurant that Miquel had noticed. Neither he nor I had ever had Vietnamese food. And, we still haven’t yet. They didn’t serve beer! Miquel would have none of that, so we had to leave of course! I chose a place that I KNEW would have been and plenty of it; the local college football bar. Two pitchers of beer and two steak platters latter and we were back to my apartment. I informed Miquel that he would be sleeping in my bed that night and he refused! Ever humble, he opted instead to sleep on my thermarest sleeping pad. <br><br>
The following morning, Tuesday the 15th we were off to Canada after searching for some WIFI around the ubiquitous apartment complexes that surround the college town that I live in.<br><br>
<br><br>
The difference in age between Miquel and I is 18 years. I am not yet out of my university years and am 22. He is in a well established career mode at home in Spain and is 40. As soon as we hit the pavement on our bikes, it didn’t matter. Miquel was riding his 2008 BMW R1200GS, and I was riding my 1995 BMW K75/3. We were all smiles and thumbs up as we headed for the Canadian border. He was very excited to be going to Canada for the first time in his life. I happen to be a dual citizen of USA/Canada. I appreciated his enthusiasm. We stopped several times to try to find a sticker of WA State, but alas, as Miquel said, “Sometimes you lose.” We couldn’t find a damn sticker for his bike. We arrived at the Canadian border, and after answering the many questions of, “Who are you,” “How do you know him,” “Where are you going,” “How long will you be in Canada” and then answering them again and explaining ourselves, we made it across with no issues and Miquel was in Canada. YES! We took some photos of the “Welcome to Canada” sign and headed north to Vancouver, BC.
<br><br>
<br><br>
We didn’t spend much time in Vancouver, and instead headed west towards our eventual mutual destination of Calgary, Alberta. Miquel was headed to New York, New York, USA. I however had to start my senior year at Western Washington University in Bellingham on September 23rd, and therefore could not join Miguel across the country.
<br><br>
We did however stop to check out the Olympic Clock that is counting down the Days, hours, minutes and seconds until the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver BC .
<br><br>
<br><br>
After 3 or 4 U-turns in the middle of city intersections,
<br><br>
<br><br>
we found the local BMW motorcycle dealership where Miquel bought a quart of oil for his ‘08 R1200GS. “It’s a thirsty bike,” he explained. We then continued east toward our eventual stop of the night in Princeton, BC. The mountain roads were brilliant for the last 120km (74 miles) and I had a hard time keeping up with Miquel’s more powerful bike. I found myself in 4th gear trying to get up to 75mph in the thin mountain air. 5th was reserved for flat or downhill sections at 80mph plus. It was a good time. Who knew the Canadians don’t give a hoot about speed limit and road signs? The car in front of us passed a Semi in a clearly posted “No Passing” double yellow line area. We followed of course. The area was a mile long straight downhill section and the Semi’s were restricted to 50km/h. No reason a car/bike couldn’t go faster eh?
<br><br>
Upon arriving at our hotel that night, we got a discount because, “You are from Spain,” the receptionist said we hit the local restaurant, Miquel had his beer/s along with dinner. (That $10 CAD “discount” paid for Miquel’s beer! Hey, as I say “Take what you can get!”)
<br><br>
<br><br>
Wednesday September 16th. What a good day for riding it was on Wednesday! Everywhere we went, we went fast, on nicely paved, dry roads. 100km/h signs saw 140km/h bikes cruise by. The Rocky Mountains are a treat to ride with beautiful scenery every time you pull through the next bend in the road.
<br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
The only mishap was half way through our days ride. We passed a fuel station with a posted sign, “Next services 74km,” and instantly wondered if I would make it or not with the current gas that I had in my tank... Well, 18km or just about 11 miles before the next fuel station, my bike abruptly quit running. Crap! I thought I had run out of fuel, and Miquel agreed that I probably did. I had gone 140 miles on 5 gallons, or a measly 28mpg. Dang mountain roads!
<br><br>
<br><br>
Well, Miquel took my 1.5 liter water bottle and headed to town to fill me up with some fuel. I sat in the sunshine on my bike, taking it easy and giving the thumbs up sign to passing bikers who slowed down to enquire on my situation. When Miquel arrived back about 25 minutes later, I was excited to take some pictures of my flimsy plastic fuel container filling up my tank.
<br><br>
<br><br>
Of course, I emptied the impromptu fuel bottle and “BAM!” nothing happened. My bike still wouldn’t start. Miquel and I exchanged varied looks that seemed to portray many emotions at the same time. “****” “AHAHAHAHA” “WHAT NOW!” and “Ohhhh Wellll” come to mind. Well, I am not one to give up that easily, so I took off my seat, grabbed my owner’s manual out of the rear storage compartment and started flipping through the pages until something caught my eye. I had seen a diagram of the fuse box. I instantly started pulling fuses out one at a time, checking each one and putting it back as I saw that it was still o.k. The 5th or so fuse that I pulled out happened to be blown and the fuse diagram proved it to be the fuel pump fuse. I replaced it with the brake light fuse (another 7.5 amp fuse) and the bike started on the first attempt. Off we went!
<br><br>
Lucky for me it started, because neither of us wanted to spend another moment under the hot sun. The ride was nice, when we were riding, but staying in one place easily worked up a sweat. Miquel was the first to act and promptly switched helmets to his “Harley Helmet” that included the tastefully added BMW emblem sticker.
<br><br>
<br><br>
We stopped along our way east at Mariposa Orchards. It is a HUGE fruit and vegetable stand with many kinds of apples, pears, plumbs, and other Pacific Northwest fruits. All the prices are very good and beat your local supermarket for freshness and availability. I couldn’t finish the apple that I bought for the sheer size of the thing. It was HUGE! Miquel wouldn’t/couldn’t see it go to waste and finished it for me. Mind you, I am 6’6’’ and 215lbs, and about 10 inches, 75 lbs heavier than Miquel, yet he can put it away! We continued east until we reached Salmo, British Columbia where we stopped for the night to camp. We set up camp and headed back to town. Unknowingly, that small town closes down early for the night at around 7pm, so the grocery store and restaurant were closed as well. We were left purchasing beef jerky and peanuts at the local fuel station and drinking a few beers at the local pub. Still, that day was much better than the previous day. We had little or no traffic, great riding conditions and happy spirits.
<br><br>
We finally departed from Salmo, BC at around 1pm on Thursday September 17th. The weather had been terrible the night before and the sky had opened up upon us. It had rained the entire night. I made good use of my huge tarp that I keep rolled on up on my bike, and by the time we left, the sky had cleared and the sun had come out.
<br><br>
<br><br>
We made good time through some more wondrous roads until we reached Radium Hot Springs, BC. What a great mountain town it was!
<br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
Everything was quite uneventful on the way there and we averaged about 140km/h or 80 mph the entire way. Of course, just before we entered the town we went 85mph-0mph in about 5 seconds when Miquel spotted 3 or 4 big horned ram feeding off the side of the highway. A few pictures later and we were on our way.
<br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
There was a car show scheduled for the next day on Saturday September 19th, and all sorts of old hot rods and rat rods, roadsters and old school muscle cars were grumbling around, filling up at the gas stations and being hand washed by their various owners. It was quite the sight.
<br><br>
We stopped at a gas station and I asked where the cheapest place to stay would be. She mentioned a hostel on the east side of town called “Misty River Lodge” (http://www.radiumhostel.bc.ca) and we ended up there for the night in a 6 bed dorm room that remained empty except for us for the rest of the night. We set up camp at the hostel and headed into town in search of food. We ended up at a local pub and ordered huge burgers and a pitcher of beer. Miquel ordered double meat on his burger, which I ended up eating, and we left happy. We walked next door, bought a 6 pack of beer and headed back to the hostel. There we commenced to have “our last beers night” and drank the 6 beers in the hostel room and out on porch of the hostel. It was a good time for sure.
<br><br>
The next morning, Friday September 18th, we headed to town for some food at a local coffee shop and to use the present WIFI, and then Miquel and I parted ways. Miquel, the previously ascertained (check prior posts) Spanish Adventurer and modern day Renaissance Man spread his arms wide, we hugged and with smiles on our faces took off in different directions down the main road of Radium Hot Springs BC Canada. Miquel was headed to Calgary, Alberta, and I had close to 600 miles ahead of me on my way home to Everett, Washington.
<br><br>
<br><br>
If it weren’t for school, I’d still be riding East to NYC with Miquel if he’d have me. Alas, school is my job, and those of us tied to our “job” bear witness to their limitations. So be it for now, but for me, this is just the start!!!
<br><br>
Special thanks to Statdawg for putting my in touch with Miquel, and thanks to the whole community for giving me so much in so many small ways. AWESOME.
Hello everyone! In just the few short days that I have been a BMWMOA member ( a week), I have already had the wonderful experience of reaping the benefits of such a large group of well informed, connected, and enthusiastic people. It has sure been fun.<br><br>
Last Saturday, (September 12th) I was given the email of Miquel Silvestre from a fellow BMWMOA member (Statdawg) who replied to a post I made the day before. Miquel is a Spaniard with 3 GS’s under his belt having travelled Africa, Central and East Asia, Russia and the Stan’s. He is now more than half way through his goal to ride from coast to coast across North America.<br><br>
After a couple of corresponding emails, Miquel showed up at my door in Bellingham Washington on Monday September 14th. I had told him that he was welcome to stay and that I was on his way north to Vancouver. He was glad to stay and save the hotel costs. We went out for dinner that night and first tried a Vietnamese restaurant that Miquel had noticed. Neither he nor I had ever had Vietnamese food. And, we still haven’t yet. They didn’t serve beer! Miquel would have none of that, so we had to leave of course! I chose a place that I KNEW would have been and plenty of it; the local college football bar. Two pitchers of beer and two steak platters latter and we were back to my apartment. I informed Miquel that he would be sleeping in my bed that night and he refused! Ever humble, he opted instead to sleep on my thermarest sleeping pad. <br><br>
The following morning, Tuesday the 15th we were off to Canada after searching for some WIFI around the ubiquitous apartment complexes that surround the college town that I live in.<br><br>
<br><br>
The difference in age between Miquel and I is 18 years. I am not yet out of my university years and am 22. He is in a well established career mode at home in Spain and is 40. As soon as we hit the pavement on our bikes, it didn’t matter. Miquel was riding his 2008 BMW R1200GS, and I was riding my 1995 BMW K75/3. We were all smiles and thumbs up as we headed for the Canadian border. He was very excited to be going to Canada for the first time in his life. I happen to be a dual citizen of USA/Canada. I appreciated his enthusiasm. We stopped several times to try to find a sticker of WA State, but alas, as Miquel said, “Sometimes you lose.” We couldn’t find a damn sticker for his bike. We arrived at the Canadian border, and after answering the many questions of, “Who are you,” “How do you know him,” “Where are you going,” “How long will you be in Canada” and then answering them again and explaining ourselves, we made it across with no issues and Miquel was in Canada. YES! We took some photos of the “Welcome to Canada” sign and headed north to Vancouver, BC.
<br><br>
<br><br>
We didn’t spend much time in Vancouver, and instead headed west towards our eventual mutual destination of Calgary, Alberta. Miquel was headed to New York, New York, USA. I however had to start my senior year at Western Washington University in Bellingham on September 23rd, and therefore could not join Miguel across the country.
<br><br>
We did however stop to check out the Olympic Clock that is counting down the Days, hours, minutes and seconds until the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver BC .
<br><br>
<br><br>
After 3 or 4 U-turns in the middle of city intersections,
<br><br>
<br><br>
we found the local BMW motorcycle dealership where Miquel bought a quart of oil for his ‘08 R1200GS. “It’s a thirsty bike,” he explained. We then continued east toward our eventual stop of the night in Princeton, BC. The mountain roads were brilliant for the last 120km (74 miles) and I had a hard time keeping up with Miquel’s more powerful bike. I found myself in 4th gear trying to get up to 75mph in the thin mountain air. 5th was reserved for flat or downhill sections at 80mph plus. It was a good time. Who knew the Canadians don’t give a hoot about speed limit and road signs? The car in front of us passed a Semi in a clearly posted “No Passing” double yellow line area. We followed of course. The area was a mile long straight downhill section and the Semi’s were restricted to 50km/h. No reason a car/bike couldn’t go faster eh?
<br><br>
Upon arriving at our hotel that night, we got a discount because, “You are from Spain,” the receptionist said we hit the local restaurant, Miquel had his beer/s along with dinner. (That $10 CAD “discount” paid for Miquel’s beer! Hey, as I say “Take what you can get!”)
<br><br>
<br><br>
Wednesday September 16th. What a good day for riding it was on Wednesday! Everywhere we went, we went fast, on nicely paved, dry roads. 100km/h signs saw 140km/h bikes cruise by. The Rocky Mountains are a treat to ride with beautiful scenery every time you pull through the next bend in the road.
<br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
The only mishap was half way through our days ride. We passed a fuel station with a posted sign, “Next services 74km,” and instantly wondered if I would make it or not with the current gas that I had in my tank... Well, 18km or just about 11 miles before the next fuel station, my bike abruptly quit running. Crap! I thought I had run out of fuel, and Miquel agreed that I probably did. I had gone 140 miles on 5 gallons, or a measly 28mpg. Dang mountain roads!
<br><br>
<br><br>
Well, Miquel took my 1.5 liter water bottle and headed to town to fill me up with some fuel. I sat in the sunshine on my bike, taking it easy and giving the thumbs up sign to passing bikers who slowed down to enquire on my situation. When Miquel arrived back about 25 minutes later, I was excited to take some pictures of my flimsy plastic fuel container filling up my tank.
<br><br>
<br><br>
Of course, I emptied the impromptu fuel bottle and “BAM!” nothing happened. My bike still wouldn’t start. Miquel and I exchanged varied looks that seemed to portray many emotions at the same time. “****” “AHAHAHAHA” “WHAT NOW!” and “Ohhhh Wellll” come to mind. Well, I am not one to give up that easily, so I took off my seat, grabbed my owner’s manual out of the rear storage compartment and started flipping through the pages until something caught my eye. I had seen a diagram of the fuse box. I instantly started pulling fuses out one at a time, checking each one and putting it back as I saw that it was still o.k. The 5th or so fuse that I pulled out happened to be blown and the fuse diagram proved it to be the fuel pump fuse. I replaced it with the brake light fuse (another 7.5 amp fuse) and the bike started on the first attempt. Off we went!
<br><br>
Lucky for me it started, because neither of us wanted to spend another moment under the hot sun. The ride was nice, when we were riding, but staying in one place easily worked up a sweat. Miquel was the first to act and promptly switched helmets to his “Harley Helmet” that included the tastefully added BMW emblem sticker.
<br><br>
<br><br>
We stopped along our way east at Mariposa Orchards. It is a HUGE fruit and vegetable stand with many kinds of apples, pears, plumbs, and other Pacific Northwest fruits. All the prices are very good and beat your local supermarket for freshness and availability. I couldn’t finish the apple that I bought for the sheer size of the thing. It was HUGE! Miquel wouldn’t/couldn’t see it go to waste and finished it for me. Mind you, I am 6’6’’ and 215lbs, and about 10 inches, 75 lbs heavier than Miquel, yet he can put it away! We continued east until we reached Salmo, British Columbia where we stopped for the night to camp. We set up camp and headed back to town. Unknowingly, that small town closes down early for the night at around 7pm, so the grocery store and restaurant were closed as well. We were left purchasing beef jerky and peanuts at the local fuel station and drinking a few beers at the local pub. Still, that day was much better than the previous day. We had little or no traffic, great riding conditions and happy spirits.
<br><br>
We finally departed from Salmo, BC at around 1pm on Thursday September 17th. The weather had been terrible the night before and the sky had opened up upon us. It had rained the entire night. I made good use of my huge tarp that I keep rolled on up on my bike, and by the time we left, the sky had cleared and the sun had come out.
<br><br>
<br><br>
We made good time through some more wondrous roads until we reached Radium Hot Springs, BC. What a great mountain town it was!
<br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
Everything was quite uneventful on the way there and we averaged about 140km/h or 80 mph the entire way. Of course, just before we entered the town we went 85mph-0mph in about 5 seconds when Miquel spotted 3 or 4 big horned ram feeding off the side of the highway. A few pictures later and we were on our way.
<br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
There was a car show scheduled for the next day on Saturday September 19th, and all sorts of old hot rods and rat rods, roadsters and old school muscle cars were grumbling around, filling up at the gas stations and being hand washed by their various owners. It was quite the sight.
<br><br>
We stopped at a gas station and I asked where the cheapest place to stay would be. She mentioned a hostel on the east side of town called “Misty River Lodge” (http://www.radiumhostel.bc.ca) and we ended up there for the night in a 6 bed dorm room that remained empty except for us for the rest of the night. We set up camp at the hostel and headed into town in search of food. We ended up at a local pub and ordered huge burgers and a pitcher of beer. Miquel ordered double meat on his burger, which I ended up eating, and we left happy. We walked next door, bought a 6 pack of beer and headed back to the hostel. There we commenced to have “our last beers night” and drank the 6 beers in the hostel room and out on porch of the hostel. It was a good time for sure.
<br><br>
The next morning, Friday September 18th, we headed to town for some food at a local coffee shop and to use the present WIFI, and then Miquel and I parted ways. Miquel, the previously ascertained (check prior posts) Spanish Adventurer and modern day Renaissance Man spread his arms wide, we hugged and with smiles on our faces took off in different directions down the main road of Radium Hot Springs BC Canada. Miquel was headed to Calgary, Alberta, and I had close to 600 miles ahead of me on my way home to Everett, Washington.
<br><br>
<br><br>
If it weren’t for school, I’d still be riding East to NYC with Miquel if he’d have me. Alas, school is my job, and those of us tied to our “job” bear witness to their limitations. So be it for now, but for me, this is just the start!!!
<br><br>
Special thanks to Statdawg for putting my in touch with Miquel, and thanks to the whole community for giving me so much in so many small ways. AWESOME.
Last edited:
I've got more to add but Smugmug is giving me the " Temporary Service Interruption" screen...........
That last minute decision to order the burgers proved to be a wise move. 
