Calling all Southern Ontario, and Eastern Quebec riders.
Well, folks, I know it's early yet (hell, most of our Canadian constituency are still hibernating), but there's nothing wrong with getting a plan together...
Last June we had 3 riders, and 5 in Sept. Lets see if we can double that for June of this year!! I'm thinking that the same general area would be a great place to ride again, and the cabins where we stayed can accommodate about 30 people if needed, but will need to be booked somewhat in advance. Right now I'm suggesting either the weekend of June 7-8 or 14-15. Check out the S.O.S. post in the pictures section from last years rides.
Good times, good people, good roads...
Anyone interested?

Good hearing from you 599001! I am in for either weekend.

Ya, let's get some more... I notice quite a few Southern Ontario areas in people's location listings.

Anyone from the NE US should try and make it too. C'mon, c'mon... GTs!!!

Glad to see you're still with us! How is Carrier?
I just wanted to throw a couple of dates out there. That way, if there is interest, there is plenty of time for anyone to book off a friday if needed.

Boo! I'm heading to the east coast around June 6th.

Count me in for the next swarm tho.

D'oh!! How long are you going for?

Glad to see you're still with us! How is Carrier?

Thanks for asking. Carrier is pretty good at the moment... 4 months post-amputation!

We had a bit of a scare a few weeks ago. The meds & chemo messed up his heart and he was having these horrible fainting episodes when his blood pressure plummeted. The worst was when I was holding him under the chest, his heart started pounding, building to a crescendo before stopping. He lost consciousness and I yelled his name and pounded his chest. After what seemed like an eternity, I felt a weak pulse... thank God. We've got him off the meds except for his heart meds and he is doing well, he's a champ.

Here are some pics:
http://www.slidedesigns.com/files/carrier01.jpg
Out hiking... ya, he can do 1.5 hours. Crazy, eh!

http://www.slidedesigns.com/files/carrier02.jpg
More hiking...

http://www.slidedesigns.com/files/carrier03.jpg
He loves horses...

http://www.slidedesigns.com/files/carrier04.jpg
Out for a walk with his sister, Bailey.

I have a real soft spot for dogs. If I was holding my dog and I felt his heart stop I'd be a sobbing mess!

I'm glad he's ok.

I'm gonna try to make the meet, but paying for my new toy might have me working weekends...

[img=http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/739/dsc02931la9.th.jpg] (http://img240.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc02931la9.jpg)

Just thought I'd add that in, a face only a parent could love :) ... actually you can her knee replacement scar in that pic too. Cool teflon knee cap in there....

D'oh!! How long are you going for?

A week.

Think we're leaving June 6th. I'll double check tho and if the dates are different I'll be in for the swarm :)

Just thought I'd add that in, a face only a parent could love :) ...

A parent, or another Boxer fan... 8) They are a beautiful, good natured breed, with one of the most expressive faces in the dog world.

Slide: It's nice to see Carrier has adapted so well in such a short period of time!

I'm gonna try to make the meet, but paying for my new toy might have me working weekends...

[img=http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/739/dsc02931la9.th.jpg] (http://img240.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc02931la9.jpg)

Just thought I'd add that in, a face only a parent could love :) ... actually you can her knee replacement scar in that pic too. Cool teflon knee cap in there....
She looks to be drooling.

It's rare that she's not. :)

I have a real soft spot for dogs. If I was holding my dog and I felt his heart stop I'd be a sobbing mess!

I'm glad he's ok.

Thanks... ya, it was emotional!

I'm very happy to say that he is doing awesome and was whipping around our property yesterday in the fresh snow. Now that we have reduced his pharma to the minimum, he is much better... goes to show you.

Just thought I'd add that in, a face only a parent could love :) ... actually you can her knee replacement scar in that pic too. Cool teflon knee cap in there....

No way man, that's a great looking dog!

Where's the destination for this one? I'm in Niagara, coming here would be awesome too, lots to see.

Mostly 500 series highways, and some twisty county roads, somewhere north of Hwy. 7 between Peterborough, and Perth. (most likely using Sharbot Lake as a base)

Which roads/routes/dates we take are to be decided once we have a group together. For more info. and maps, check farther back in both group rides and pictures, under Ontario, and Southern Ontario Swarm. There were 2 previous rides.

Hope to see you there! 8)

Where's the destination for this one? I'm in Niagara, coming here would be awesome too, lots to see.

Hope you can make it! I'm not too far from you so we could meet up for the ride there.

Hey guys and gals,

It's been a long while since I have browsed or posted -- feels like it's been a long hibernation this winter!! Hope it's been a good one for everyone. Sorry to hear the news Slide -- glad he's doing better.

I've been lured away by the Acura TL forums due to a recent purchase, but don't worry -- I'm back for the summer!!

Looking forward to catching up on some posts. I better get reading!

Count me in for the Swarm.

I was wondering when you'd emerge from under your log! :P Good to see you're still with us. TLs are sweet cars. 8)

Hi guys, I too am waking from my winter slumber... I hope to get the bike back from storage this weekend :twisted:
I'd love to do the ride again, and as of now either set of dates would suit me I think. We gotta get better luck with the weather this time!
Slide, glad your dog is doing well... funny, my girlfirends choc lab goes nuts when ever he see's horses... hard to control, though I think he dosn't quite know what to make of them. (Or maybe I just don't know what to make of his behaviour towards them :roll: ).
As "official s.o.s. photographer" you might be want to know I now have a Pentax K10D, and a full blown "LBA" to go with it.. lol

I'm interested in either of the dates, hopefully work won't interfere like last year.
________
VAPIR OXYGEN VAPORIZER (http://oxygenvaporizer.com)

ukkev: It's good to see you're in. I hope all is well.

DaveB: I hope that you can join us this time. We should try to nail down a date pretty soon. (should give lots of time for booking off a Friday if needed/possible)

Everybody: If you have any suggestions as far as routes you want to try/try again/avoid, a preferred date, go faster, slower, etc, --Feel free...

I think the walk we took up the road and back for pizza was a bit long, I'd like a shorter one this year. :)
Otherwise I don't really have any preference, NE Ontario seems to have lot of good roads, so just slight variation (or complete), would be fine with me.

I think the place was great last year... pizza, booze, gas all close was bonus!

As far as a route, I'm easy although I'm a slut for Peterson Road! :twisted:

So what weekend are we agreed on?

Can't wait! :D

If it ends up being the 14 &15 I'm in.

And, I'm popping some sporty tires on the bike this year so I'll be in full hooligan mode :)

Well, folks, Things are suddenly not looking so good for me this year. (ok, not suddenly, but the roof was the icing on the cake...)
I don't think that I will be able to make the ride. However, I would be happy to set things up for you (reserve a place to stay, suggested routes, etc.), if you're still serious about the ride. A number of things have come up which will put an end to my riding season before it even gets started...
I'll try to explain without making a novel out of it:
A former employer of my wife ripped the government off for hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax money, and tried to put the blame on her. He later decided to come clean, and confess. ( but not until after we had payed out $10,000 in lawyer fees...nice.)
Our dog, Rudy, developed a small bump on his backside (looked like a big pimple, really). Upon further inspection, and a biopsy, we discovered that it was the early stage of a Mast Cell tumor. (apparently they are not uncommon in Boxers) The tumor has since been removed, and Rudy hasn't missed a beat. Another $3,000, but the money doesn't matter--I'd do any thing for my Bud!
On Friday, during a heavy rainstorm, our roof developed a leak. ( another $3,500 to spend, in roofing materials ) I don't know that I will have the money to insure the bike this year.
The number of accidents already this year ( some hit very close to home ) has me concerned.
My friend Mark (who joined us last June) was involved in an accident a few weeks ago in his car. A lady coming the other way on Hwy 49 lost control, and pretty much hit him head on. He is ok But his G35 is a mess. (the multitude of airbags in that car saved him from major injury)--the lucky bastard is now awaiting delivery of a new BMW 135.
"Stand-up-wheelie Paul" crashed again last weekend (up to his usual antics, I'm sure). Slide and 599T, you met him in Frankford last year.
Worst of all was just this week, just a few miles from my house. I don't know all the details, yet, but what I do know has me pretty shaken up.
There was a collision involving two motorcycles in Wellington this week. I know one of the people involved, and he's a good kid. I haven't spoken to his dad yet, but what I hear isn't good. Broken femur, upper arm, ribs, pelvis, ruptured spleen, and other various injuries...

I am seriously thinking about taking the year off, and even the possibility of selling my bikes...

Wow, sorry to hear about your luck.

I hope things start looking up for you.

Ouch.
I'm not so sure it will be the same without you mate. I could say it would be great for you to make the arrangements for us again this time, but I won't mean it because I honestly think you should just sit on the situation for a bit. I'm also not going to say you'll come round (to liking the idea of doing the ride again), but I find it hard to see such a bike lover loose all faith in motorcycles.
Nothing needs to be firmed up right now I'd imagine.. .right?
Otherwise I guess one of the rest of us could book the place, and you obviously can come alone at short notice.

I hope seeing as your wife won the case against her ex boss, the lawyer can send the $10,000 debt back in his direction.
Glad to hear your dog is ok, dang it! pet bills are crazy these days.

Have you been on any of your bikes yet this season? or has lack of insurance stopped all of that?

Take it easy..
K.

I am very sorry to hear about all your troubles and I hope things are looking up. When it rains, it pours... all those things can really beat you down but I'm sure you'll be able to surface and get things back on track.

If you need to take some time off, just follow your gut. I know it's tough but it would be a shame to sell your 599. You have done some great work to it and it's 599001!

I am glad to hear that Rudy is doing OK. We'd mortgage the house to care for our pups! Sadly, we lost Carrier 2 weeks ago. He fought hard but his greatest asset, his big heart, was also his undoing. The cancer finally won. We miss him terribly. Anyway, a few people have been asking about him so I think I'll post something in "Off Topic" soon.

As far as the ride, your offer to arrange things is good of you but not necessary. I'm sure we can sort things out even if it's not a pro job like you've done in the past! If you do remember the name of the place we stayed, that would be appreciated.

Good luck in the coming weeks and I hope things start looking up.

Thanks for the support, but other than Rudy it is really not that big of deal.

Pepper: Sh!t happens, I will get over it. Things have a way of working out.

ukkev: I would be happy to do anything I could to help you guys out. Who knows, perhaps Ang & I could show up Saturday night and throw you guys a barbeque (I will bring the Slideburgers) I have not lost faith in biking (I will still be off-roading). I love the idea of doing the ride, I just dont think it will be feasible this year. We can use the money for other things, plus, I just have a bad vibe about riding this year. I still have insurance until the end of May and the 599 is serviced and ready to go. The roads are still a little sandy and dusty for my taste (and my riding style).

Slide: How can words express what I am trying to say. Ang & I are so sorry for your loss. When I read that you had lost Carrier, it was like a punch in the guts. I had a tear for him.
Like you said, I am just following my gut and think I should take the season off. I dont really want to sell my bikes, and may have been a little premature in saying that, but if it becomes necessary they will be the first to go. The place we stayed at is called " The Maples". They are at 14030 Hwy 38 Sharbot Lake, cabin D. I believe they have a web page, and were talking about buying Sunsets Restaurant, as well.

599001: Thanks for your kind words. I had to switch my avatar to my boy!

I guess this ride is no longer? Maybe we can put something together for later in the summer or early September?

I am off to Nova Scotia via Montreal on the way and New England on the way back – June 14-22. Maybe I'll run in to you Pepper... downing oysters and IPA!!! :wink:

I can't wait to hit those roads, a lot of guides have said that they're some of the best roads in North America!

http://www.vintour.ca/gallery/3roads1.jpg

Oh, y'all suck :wink:
http://www.vintour.ca/gallery/3roads1.jpg
:shock:

It doesn't look like the ride is going to happen. It would have been nice to see the group get together and go for it, even if I couldn't be there.
I doubt I'll be riding this year ( at least not on the road--Pepper has me thinking about a track day or two...), but, again I would be happy to help with any group ride plans that may pop up for that area.
I've heard a lot of great things about the roads "down East", as well. It would be nice to get out of Ontario and away from that crazy new "street racing" law.

I am off to Nova Scotia via Montreal on the way and New England on the way back – June 14-22. Maybe I'll run in to you Pepper... downing oysters and IPA!!! :wink:

Ohhh man, that pic has me dying to go right this second.

Would be cool to run into you. I'll pm you my mobile, shoot a text when you hit the east coast.