July 6

Freedom, true and pure freedom. That is what I feel when I ride my motorcycle. The road ahead is something to look forward to and the sights, sound and smells of the road invigorate me.

Today was another day to live the dream and ride. I rode to the boat in the morning and the mountain in the afternoon. I left the Eldorado at 12:45 and headed towards Big White. It was a beauty day in the Okanagan. It has not been that nice this summer, so far rain and storms have been more of the norm rather than the exception. I kept rain gear on the bike; just in case. In a year of taking shelter from the storm, I didn’t want to take any chances. It would prove to be a wise move.

Sunshine beamed down on me, warming my body and thrilling my soul. Blue sky overhead held promise of a clear ride to the mountain. I made my way to the edge of town keeping my speed and anticipation in control. I left the city and climbed the first hill, I rolled open my throttle and absorbed the rush of acceleration. I have always enjoyed the ride to Big White. The peace of the country greeted me as I rounded the first bend, leaving the city behind.

Smells of fresh air and pine trees wafted through my helmet and I breathed deep. I reveled in the sensation of the open road and longed for more. I would have to be satisfied by my day trip to my condo at Big White; a taste of open road and freedom. Freedom is a concept debated throughout history, a feeling that can I attain by a ride on my Honda ST1300. A ride that wound its way up to my home at 1,755m; a change in elevation of over 1400 metres. For those that need imperial measurements that is over 4600 feet in elevation. The air was cleaner, and fresher the higher I went. The last set of rising corners to the Big White road was a thrilling combination of climbing S turns. I leaned into the corners and nimbly leaned back as I wound my way upwards.

I slowed for the turn off onto Big White Road, that’s when I saw my friend the moose. A young moose stood and stared as I slowed my machine to turn off. I honked in greeting and warning and he turned tail and scooted off into the trees. I felt a connection to nature by seeing that majestic beast. The next twenty-four kilometres were the last stretch of my afternoon cruise. Twenty-four kilometres of winding road to heaven. Too bad the road to heaven is so rough and full of potholes.

Big White road starts with a series of switchback corners. 30 km per hour is the recommended speed on those corners. On a bike, it is safe to go double that, except when the pothole tried to swallow the bike. I veered quickly and continued on, a little slower than before. It was an enjoyable twenty minutes riding the mountain road. Aware innately of obstacles and animals, I arrived at the mountain connected and refreshed.

I spent the next few hours checking in my renters and touring the hill. I ran into a few friends and had a delicious sandwich at the Globe café. I wanted to stay and spend more time in the peace of the elevation of 5700 feet. Alas, responsibility called me home to my wife and I rode back down the winding mountain road. Aware, alert, and connected with my machine I reveled in the flowing air and curving road.

As I approached Kelowna I saw dark clouds moving in. I felt the first drop strike, followed by more. Rain! A motorcyclist nemesis. I was almost in town, I hid behind my fairing and hoped it would quit. The rain clouds shrouded the hills across the lake and hovered in the sky above Kelowna. Sun shone down upon me as the rain pummelled down. I pulled into the Esso at the edge of the city and found shelter under the roof of the fuel pumps. I sat for a moment and caught my breath. I had my rain pants in the saddlebags on the bike, it was time to use them. I know when to get out of the rain, after all the storms this spring I have learned to be safe.

I remounted my machine and headed for home; safe from the on-coming rain. It was only five minutes and the rain had passed. I had mixed feelings, I didn’t need to stop and change; the storm was short-lived. I was glad I played it safe, if the rain had continued I would have gotten wet. Sometimes its worth being extra careful.