Friday, May 25, 2012

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 27–Vancouver to Seattle

The morning brought with it another chance to say goodbye. One of the things I love about travelling is meeting friendly people, but by its nature it also means you don’t get to spend much time with them. I collected my stuff which had exploded out of my luggage all over the room. Funny how staying put for a day can do that. With the bags packed, it was time to go. I had one more person to meet before I left Vancouver.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 27 - Vancouver to Seattle

Do to scheduling problems, I wasn’t able to meet Bob sooner. I rode over to his office, and we set off to find a beverage.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 27 - Vancouver to Seattle

The meetup did not go as planned however. There was a small crisis which had to be dealt with first.

When we stopped at the café, we set about taking photos, and that is when I noticed my license plate had snapped in half lengthwise. It was fine when I left Sonja’s place. The rough and bumpy Vancouver roads had finished off what the Alaska and Cassiar Highways couldn’t!

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 27 - Vancouver to Seattle

Now how to fix?? Neither of us had a way to make a hole in metal that thick, and we didn’t have any epoxy either. The stores nearby didn’t have anything either, but we did have one tool left. A cell phone. Don’t leave home without it! Bob made some calls, and soon we were off again after strapping the plate to the luggage rack.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 27 - Vancouver to Seattle

We met up with fellow rider, Roger, at his shop.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 27 - Vancouver to Seattle

He whipped out a drill and three screws. The problem was resolved four minutes later. Nice!

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 27 - Vancouver to Seattle 

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 27 - Vancouver to Seattle 

Thanks Roger!!

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 27 - Vancouver to Seattle

We returned triumphant to the café to celebrate with a warm beverage.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 27 - Vancouver to Seattle

Bob was a bit trigger happy with his camera. I was not my energetic self due to many late nights and early mornings. I should have taken more.

We chatted away on all sorts of topics, but just as early in the morning the time for goodbyes came too soon. Bob had to get back to work. With a wave, we were off in our own directions. It was great to finally meet Bob. I had been wanting to meet him for some time as he was one of the first people who commented on my blog.

I headed back into Vancouver to get some goodies for the ride down to Seattle. Vancouver is a unique city for me in that it was the first I have ridden in that doesn’t have a freeway to the core downtown area. It was voted down repeatedly in the 60s and 70s, so they just never built one. Hence, it takes some time to navigate the web of spotlights and cross streets. For the traveller, I enjoyed it. It gave me more time to see the city in a way that blasting by at 60mph you can’t. As a resident, it might get annoying taking so long to get from one side to the other in normal conditions. In rush hour, both are painful. Fortunately, Vancouver has many HOV lanes which are friendly for motorcycles.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 27 - Vancouver to Seattle

I headed south along the coast towards the US border. I hoped it would be a quicker process there, and if not at least I could stare at the ocean. I had plenty of time to look at the ocean, as the cars were stacked up two lanes deep for more than a kilometer. It took about 45 minutes to get to the border agent, but she was very friendly and efficient once I got there. The crossing was easy, and before I knew it I was on I-5 heading south towards Seattle.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 27 - Vancouver to Seattle

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 27 - Vancouver to Seattle

I had planned on getting new tires and an oil change in Seattle on 5/25 since getting tires for my bike in Vancouver turned about to be overly difficult. There wasn’t much of a price difference between the two, both were more than I was used to paying in Minnesota. Since the dealer was open until 8pm, I popped in to see if they could squeeze me in. I was in luck as they could and did.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 27 - Vancouver to Seattle

There was a bit of a mix-up with the tires. I paid for them while I was in Alaska over the phone, but they couldn’t find my order. The tires were there, but no name on them. We agreed to have them charge me again, and we’d sort it out after I confirmed I was charged via my credit card statement (more on that later).

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 27 - Vancouver to Seattle

They took about 90 minutes to do the tires and oil. I nearly fell asleep laying on their comfy couches in the customer waiting area. Too many late nights! I wandered around and looked at all the cool old bikes they had on display.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 27 - Vancouver to Seattle

They found my rear sprocket was very worn. I had a new chain and sprocket kit installed before I left, and this one only has 7,000 miles on it. It seems when the new rear tire was installed in Fairbanks, they tightened the chain too much, and I didn’t notice. It seemed fine to me when I checked it. (and I did). oh well. At least I’m not sitting in a cube staring at a computer (I’m doing it in a café instead! haha!) They didn’t have time to change the sprocket then. I will have to figure that out later.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 27 - Vancouver to Seattle

The bike feels SOO much better with a decent tire on it and the chain correctly set. I was feeling some weird vibes from the bike as speed increased, but I blamed it all on the ME880. The SV feels good as new again. They even cleaned up the bike some and washed the wheels. The squeaky sidestand and footpeg are also now lubed up. Thanks to Nick and Mitch at Aurora Suzuki for taking care of me so quickly.

A tasty dinner.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 27 - Vancouver to Seattle

By the time I made it to the Seattle downtown area, the sun was getting pretty low and the “magic hour” had started. The hour photographers love for the beautiful warm light around sunset/sunrise. The downtown area looked amazing in that light, but I was tired and didn’t setup my GoPro before I left. No photos. In fact, hardly any today. I made it to the hotel where I’m meeting my wife Friday (5/25) and went straight to bed.

 

 

Day 27 Full Flickr Album

 

Today's Route:


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Video: Riding with Bobskoot

13 comments:

  1. That can't be the real bobskoot as it looks like he's wearing shoes...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, somebody did a bobskoot impersonation.

      Glad, you guys could finally meet, and of course there's always Bob fixing a problem ;-)

      Delete
    2. I was a bit skeptical at first, but then it turned out to be the real Bob. He does wear shoes and even moto boots!

      Delete
  2. Geez Chris, what does the state of MN use to make license plates? Russian Pot Metal? I thought that stuff all went to the motherland for Ural fasteners back in the day! : )

    dom


    Redleg's Rides

    Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hooray you get to meet up with your wife today.

    Ahhh Bobskoot. Trust me there is no way to evade him and his camera. I am impressed Vancouver streets did to your license plate what the Alaska Highway couldn't. Glad Bob could network and get it fixed for you.

    If I remember right you have a few days to spend in Seattle. If you have a chance and are hungry for chinese type food check out Bamboo Gardens, Vegetarian Cusinine, they aren't too far from the Space Needle and some of the best we've had. http://www.bamboogarden.net/

    Our rains finally stopped overnight so I hope the weather is cooperating with you in Seattle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not quite yet, i had to wait one more night.

      thanks for the suggestion. we didn't make it over to the space needle. blasphemy I know, to visit seattle and not see it.

      seattle weather worked out great. a bit cloudy now, so we'll see how it goes.

      Delete
  4. Chris,
    Perhaps the license plate issue has to do with "M" states. Mine is cracking. I mentioned to Mike, my tech guru, that it was probably all those wheelies I'd been doing. He laughed. I'm thinking he didn't believe me.

    I'm looking forward to you telling me all about Bob when you get back.

    Looking forward to the two-up march by the sea.

    Get some rest!
    ~k

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. M states indeed! :)

      Wheelies on Billie? maybe with heather pushing down on the back. hahaha. :)

      I'm looking forward to the two-up on the sea as well, so far so good.

      Delete
  5. I think the bracket for the Hyperlites added enough mass to cause the license plate to vibrate for all the miles. Unfortunately, it will probably happen again unless some reinforcement tiring the two brackets together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup, I think that was the cause as well. It made it several years like that though. This trip is the bike breaker hehe. I'll sort it out when I get home it should make it until then at least.

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  6. Getting stuff fixed on the road gives a sense of achievement, and the feeling about getting it done is a good one. Even getting the tires sorted makes you feel good, but I am sure you will look back in years to some and fondly remember the rack and license plate being repaired.

    I am pleased that you met Bob.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it did feel good to get those things fixed, and I always love new tires. so soft and sticky.

      it was good to finally meet bob.

      Delete