Archive for May, 2009

Kingston has a new Bike Night

// May 23rd, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Biking, depression, photography

my ride msbn So last night I attended the first Market Square Bike Night. This night is held at the Springer Market Square behind City hall and all are welcome. Any riding club welcome and no hassle for wearing your badges either. I got there a little to late as I thought it started at 6 when in fact it was 530. Upon arrival the Town Crier was present driving an early model Suzuki and proclaimed the Bike Night as an area event.

This is what riding is supposed be like look at the smile while showing off her new ride.
new ride msbn

When you suffer from chronic depression any deviation from a plan or your path in life is hard to manage at the best of times. Yesterday Dan, Chris and I took a sightseeing flight to Rockport and back which coupled with my workout and lots of sun made the evening go smoothly. The crew that put on the First Market Square Bike Night made everyone feel welcome. No comments about who’s badge is on your back, no being removed off contact emails, facebook groups, flickr groups etc by attending.
The even went the extra step by providing kickstand plates for those with out. The weather stayed good, and even the classic car community is starting to attend

For the first turn out it was well attended with more then likely over 130 bikes coming and going throughout the evening and many of non bikers stopping in and taking a gander. Hats off to the two scooter jockeys that withstood comments and kept a great attitude and smile all evening. For those that missed the evening for one good reason or another you missed an great opportunity to meet new friends and chat with old ones.

Photo’s of the evening ad future evenings are and will be here. High quality pics are available as well, permissions are needed to use my pics as well.

Join the Market Square Bike Night Facebook Group as well.

Live to Ride – Ride to Live

// May 17th, 2009 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

The motto of the North American Biker. Today Sean and I went out looking for abandonments and on the way met two very different characters with the same love for riding.

The first guy was in Bedford Mills that was selling an old mill for 3/4 million dollars and is going to retire to a smaller place with room for his work shop. The guy rebuilds classic bikes and was working on his truck but took a few minutes out to tell us about his new bike a 1935 Indian.

We talk about driving sportsters around Ontario and how rough it was driving small bikes and old ones at that. He is a customer of Motosport Plus in town so I am sure we’ll met again.

The second guy was a retired gent that drove across Canada on his moped bragging about getting 130 km to the gallon and taking 3 months to do so. Ok my hat is off to him I spent my preteen years in Germany and rode a moped when I was 13 and found it small. I remember I guy from High School in Borden running away from home on his moped and drove down the 400 back to Toronto to his Moms.

So next time my back gets a little tired driving around on my Ultra Glide Classic with rubber mounts., shocks and a nice comfy seat. I will remember these two driving with one purpose in mind.

Just to ride. Now if only the local bike clubs could adapt that mentality.

So off to the US for some Exploration Day Trips

// May 12th, 2009 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

So like normal I had to drop everything and run out for a task. So off to Watertown, I only had the bike to use so I packed the camera and off I went.

The first thing that one notices when riding in the US is the amount of Patriotism compare to Canada. I think it’s a bylaw in many small towns to fly the flag. As a Vet many people thank you. The houses are a different story, many homes that would be condemned here in Canada actually have people living in them still.

I took 12 to Watertown and noticed just like route 66 the interstate has taken it’s toll on the small family motel business many lie ruins and abandoned some even have the decor of the day still in them as the owners just closed shop and left. Today Sean and I will head to the Upper New York Mental institute for a photo shoot and take the old Seaway trail to Watertown.

Finally a Dive

// May 9th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized

I love diving and photography especially when I can combine them. It took a long time this year to get going one of the reasons was the political climate of years gone by. I find it hard to get motivated and even harder to volunteer my time to be rewarded by nothing but slander and shit from the vocal minority.

People forget that volunteers do this for free and the only reward is a thank you. But in Kingston if your not doing it the way we did it in the old days you will pay dearly. The even sadder thing is when you give them everything and back off nothing happens cause the only work they can do is running off of the mouth.

Nuff of that back to the dive. First dive on the Munson the munson is always dark but today it was like being at 180 feet with no ambient light. Sean and I located the mooring raised it and checked the line. No problems so off the Comet.

The Comet was the opposite 70 feet of vis and a lot colder 41 on the bottom. Located the mooring line raised it and off for a photo shoot. the deck caved in a bit more over the winter but other then that a nice dive.

Mooring work done by the GLUE dive club as the others stayed home again. Saturday’s work will start on the Davie, I am on the afternoon run hopefully SM Douglas or Eccles.