Fired up the willing engine, responding with a roar

[FJRBandit]

"Drive like the wind, straining the limits of machine and man

Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I've got a desperate plan

At the one lane bridge, I leave the giants stranded at the riverside

Race back to the farm to dream with my uncle at the fireside" Rush - Red Barchetta

A couple of weeks ago the wife and I were sitting around watching the new Rush documentary - Rush; Beyond the Lighted Stage, when I recalled that they were going to be in concert in Toronto the following week on Saturday night. I mentioned it to the wife and got a pleseant approval to go to the show. I'm not sure she knew all that would entail, but she mentioned that I should fly up to Toronto. I checked airfares and found that it was simply cost prohibitive. Then a brilliant idea passed before me, let's take a ride! Knowing that my vacation time is limited and already with other trips scheduled, I began looking at routes that might be feasible. I quickly gleaned that IF I was going to do this that unfortunately it would have to include a lot of slab. I charted a course that would allow me to work at least half a day Thursday and not use my coveted vacation time. I could still make it to Indianapolis where I could spend the first night with a good friend. Then from there I would be able to make it to Toronto in one day on Friday. Spend Saturday touring Toronto and the surrounding area and see the Rush concert on Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre. Then up early Sunday morning and strike out for West Virginia. Take US219 and actually get to ride some good roads on the way home. Then take I-81 and slab it back in for an easy ride home on Monday. Total miles would be around 2,200 in the four and a half days (eventually that swelled to just over 2,500).

The next day I sent my partner in crime, Mfletch, a text and asked if he was game. Unfortunately, with the oil spill in the Gulf having a direct effect on his livelyhood he said he just couldn't do it. By this time I was so fired up I decided I would make the trip solo. While I have taken a few long distance solo trips, they've all been within a day ride of home. I had no worries, but the wife had serious reservations. I explained that this was likely my last chance to fulfill a lifelong dream of seeing Rush in Toronto. She reluctantly gave her graces for the trip.

While searching the forum for possible connections while in the Toronto area I ran across a link for an upcoming rally that just happened to be taking place on that Satuday. Forum member Mattster had organized a fund raising event called the UpperCan400.

From the website --- "The UPPER CAN 400 MOTO RALLY - THE RIDE FOR KEVIN, is a recognized fund raising event through the Rick Hansen Foundation, for the benefit of spinal cord research and rehabilitation. This ride is an 8 hour 400km motorcycle rally, where riders must travel across southern Ontario in search of various locations. The event is being held, not only to raise awareness of spinal cord injuries, but to raise money for the research of a cure, and to assist those affected in their rehabilitation."

I thought, what better way to spend Saturday before seeing Rush that evening?? Not only would I be able to meet a few local folks, but more importantly I would be able to contribute a little to a very worthy cause. I contacted Matt and he welcomed me with open arms.

So, with all of that said, let's begin....

After working Thursday morning, I headed home, jumped on the pre-loaded bike, "Fired up the willing engine, responding with a roar" and headed out of Birmingham for my weekend trip to Toronto -

Hit a milestone on the bike (after only 18 months of ownership)

On northward through Northern Alabama

Through Nashville

For Old Michael and Puppychow, from somewhere in Kentucky

Then settled in for the evening with my good friends Curt and Sherry in Indy

That's Thursday --- I'll start with Friday's trek tomorrow ......

 

[FJRBandit]

After staying up way too late shooting the bull with Curt (ok, I'll admit it, drinking beer with Curt B) ), it was a sunrise wakeup and out the door to beat the rush hour traffic through downtown Indy.

The clouds were hanging low that morning, but the temp was perfect! Especially after running 7 hours the day before with the thermometer not dropping below 97 at any point in the ride.

My first ever foray into PURE Michigan.

As the trip progressed I noticed that I kept seeing interesting vehicles on the road. This being the first (note the casket on board)

In front of the hearst, this...

I had to stop to store the radar detector, as Ontario does not look favorably on those detecting their radar devices. So time for a shameless photo op of the Grey Ghost

Waiting to pay the toll - ends up causing an issue. While it was rather warm I was concerned about the engine temp rising. I left the aux lights (PIAA's) on because of all of the cages changing lanes erratically as the toll booth lines shifted.

Crossing the border overlooking Lake Hurron

It wasn't all fun and games though... Eventually, the engine died at the top of the toll bridge. Bike wouldn't start. :blink: I was on the phone with Mfletch and we decided it was likely that the battery had been drained by the PIAA's, as the stator wasn't charging at full capacity while sitting in the single file line for almost 2 hours. Fortunately I was at the peak of the bridge and able to coast down the other side to the Canadian customs booth. The customs officer checked my creditials and then summoned help. A cute little Port Authority maintenance officer climbed out of her service truck. She handed me jumper cables and I hooked them to the respective terminals, pushed the starter button and vroooomm... what an awesome sound when your in that situation! Being that I was at the boarder I was a little too worried to take any pictures of the situation, especially after Mfletch got busted last year by the US Customs boarder patrol taking photos of my detainment. I just climbed aboard, thanked my rescuer and went on my way. :yahoo:

Finally, after 11 hours and almost 600 miles, I arrived at my hotel in Oakville, Ontario to a gorgeous sunset...

Tomorrow, UpperCan400 tour of Southern Ontario and then back to Toronto for the Rush show!

 

[Old Michael]

...A cute little Port Authority maintenance officer climbed out of her service truck. ....I was a little too worried to take any pictures of the situation, especially after Mfletch got busted last year by the US Customs boarder patrol taking photos ...

Oooooooh no, Señor Bandit.

Flimsy excuse.

You should have been willing to risk arrest in order to furnish us with photos of the "cute little" Port Authority officer.

-Ride Report Fail-

You might be able to redeem yourself with snapshots of scantily-clad subjects you encounter on the remainder of your trip.



Groovy stuff, Bandit. Keep it coming.

 

[FJRBandit]

The next morning I was up and at 'em again bright and early. My first challenge was to find the starting point of the rally because the Garmin couldn't locate it by address. I found it on the laptop on Google Maps and put the approximate location in the Garmin. I struck out around 7:30 for an 8:00 rider's meeting.

Found my destination, with only one missed turn. Immediately met Matt and my two riding partners for the day, from left to right, Jason, Matt (Rally organizer) and Gary. These, folks, are three great guys!

The people doing the real work.

Gary and Jason charting our course for the day.

Some of the other participants and their steeds.

The Grey Ghost ready to roll on the days treasure hunt

Jason performing a little morning mischief

Off and running

My uncle's country place where he keeps the Red Barchetta from a better, vanished time

More of those fun cars, when was the last time you saw a Karmann Gia??

and then a true American classic...

This is just bad ***!

View from the escarpment overlooking Lake Ontario

another American classic! Notice my new pals behind me. Can you imagine, me leading the group??? Actually, Garmin is "taking the lead".

On to Neil Peart's hometown...

Messing around at the museum on the St. Lawrence seaway...

Waiting for the ship to pass and cross the draw bridge

here we go

stopped for lunch at Port Colborne

Fish and Chips and, of course, beer!

We eventually met up with the ominous clouds in the distance in this photo. The rain was hellacious, but the lightning was even worse. Some of the craziest cloud to ground lightining I've ever seen. That's saying something considering I hail from tornado alley. Unfortunately, the rain put us way behind schedule. I had to part from my new pals and head back to the hotel, without even a proper good bye from the side of the road. Oh well, hopefully I'll be able to go back next year and participate in the UpperCan 400 again. Thanks again to Matt for all of his hard work putting the rally on. It was really well organized and all for a great cause!

I hustled back to the hotel and of course all my gear was soaked. I spread everything out to try and speed the drying process since I had to have an early departure the next morning. Off to catch the train and head to Toronto for the main event!

Who goes to Toronto and doesn't take a picture of the CN Tower??

After pre-concert festivities at Jack Astor's, I head that way...

"Living on the lighted stage approaches the unreal" Rush Limelight getting goose bumps as I'm walking in.

Photos of the show with the iphone didn't turn out too well, especially from my (disad)vantage point in the rafters. But suffice it to say, I was as giddy as a little girl at the Justin Beeber concert. Met some great people sitting around me, all die hard Rush fans. We ended up buying each other beers throughout the show - It's truly a brotherhood!

Back to Jack Astor's for a late dinner before catching the 0048 hrs train back to Oakville. Planning on a 6 am wake up and 7 am departure...

 

[FJRBandit]

OM, I really wish I had a few of those to share, but unfortunately none from this trip. I'll have to keep that in mind. On my next trip I'll do better

But for now, it's time to head towards the house, 1,165 miles away. My plan is to make it to at least Lewisburg, WV or better yet Bluefiled, VA. I had a "scouting report" on local attractions in the area. That would be 650 miles on back roads. The plan today is "no slab" unless absolutely necessary. So how do I start out, you guessed it, on the Queen's slab.

Crossing the St. Lawrence Seaway, again

QEW comes to an end and Buffalo is just ahead

Crossing the boarder

Upstate New York

Pennsylvania welcomed me!

Lunch at the Summit was not the summit of lunches <_<

Stopped and paid my respects at the Flight 91 (Temporary) National Memorial in Shanksville, PA

The actual crash site is just this side of the tree line just beyond the ongoing construction in the mid-ground of the photo

Everyone loves a covered bridge - this one has stood since 1870

Like Biker Geek, I'm always amazed by these things too!

BTW -BG's ongoing report in this section is awesome. He and Mrs. BG are currently on a 3 week Pacific Northwest tour on his Ultra Glide. It's definately a must read, especially now that this one has come to an end.

The last of the interesting vehicles on this trip.

My camera battery died after this picture. I ultimately made it to Elkins, WV, far short of my intended destination for the evening. I had to shut it down due to all of the deer out having dinner along my path of travel. The next morning I awoke at 7 am and was on the road by 7:30. Due to rain I didn't have access to my camera for the first three hours. As I was still 560 miles from home after 3 hours on the road, in the middle of nowhere WV, I had to hammer down slab style. I arrived home just before 6 pm after a 670 mile day, dead tired.

Time to head for the shower, and of course, grab a cold beer!

Back to my own little Middletown Dreams by, who else, Rush

It's understood

By every single person

Who'd be elsewhere if they could

So far so good

And life's not unpleasant

In their little neighborhood

Dreams flow across the heartland

Feeding on the fires

Dreams transport desires

Drive you when you're down

Dreams transport the ones who need to get out of town

They dream in Middletown

For those that would like to see all of the photos posted to my Picasa album here's the link

https://picasaweb.google.com/turkbence/Toro...010?feat=email#

Till next time.... ride safe!

 

[wnyfjr]

Upstate New York

You went right through my back yard! Been down through Ellicotville and into Salamanca many times. Those of us around here refer to it as Western New York, not upstate, but we'll let that slide.

Great ride report and must have been a great show too! Seems like a lot of things to pack into one trip. Nicely done!

 

[FJR-RemingtonRider]

Geez, did they give you a t-shirt for that long trek to the concert.

Enjoyed the pics of the entire trip. Nice to see Canada-never been; yet.

 

[mfletch69]

RACK HIM!

Nice work my son. Now take a shower.

 

[MEM]

Photos of the show with the iphone didn't turn out too well, especially from my (disad)vantage point in the rafters. But suffice it to say, I was as giddy as a little girl at the Justin Beeber concert. Met some great people sitting around me, all die hard Rush fans. We ended up buying each other beers throughout the show - It's truly a brotherhood!
Back to Jack Astor's for a late dinner before catching the 0048 hrs train back to Oakville. Planning on a 6 am wake up and 7 am departure...

As diehard as Bubbles ?! clicky

Great RR, Bandit!

 

[cadman]

awsome read bandit, thanks for the great pics!

cadman

 

[FJRBandit]

Thanks for the compliments all.

My apologies to wnyfjr and all of Western New York, no disrespect meant. I've always viewed everything in NY north and west of the Adirondacks as "Upstate". Now I know.

MEM, I have heard of Bubbles but he wasn't one of the die hards sitting near me.

and Remington, all I can say is make the trip, you won't be dissapointed. It is a beautiful place with great people.

 

[weekend rider]

Most eccellent trip report and the pics and beauty of the countrty side great report

 

[mattster31]

Nice photos there Turk!!! Glad you had a great time. See you next year??

 

[flyball]

Excellent RR. And for a very worthy cause!

 

[Bungie]

Great ride report! Nice to see one from near my neck of the woods.

I hate to tell you this, but I've seen Rush about 5 times growing up in Toronto. The first time I saw them they were playing at my high school! Just a few short years later we'd make the annual pilgrimage down to Maple Leaf Gardens to see Rush on New Years Eve. Actually, you know the album, All the Worlds a Stage? I was at that concert the cover photo was at! I'm a star!

 

[wheatonFJR]

Great ride report!! Better yet...great trip...loved the spontaneity.

Loved the shots of the classic cars. :clapping:

 

[FJRBandit]

Thanks for the compliments again guys! It was an awesome trip. I just hated that Mfletch couldn't make it. So that was really my driving force to capture the trip as best I could with as many photos as I could take, all the while rolling at speeds you have to very closely monitor for the monitors. B)

The classic car thing just kinda happened. It was fun to see as well. On the Rally ride somewhere outside of Hamilton, I missed what would have been the best of all, a Hackney Carriage (old British taxi cab). Probably not a big deal to our Canuck friends, but certainly something I had never seen back in my little corner of the world.

Hey Bungie, I though I saw you on All the World's a Stage album cover, but I swore you weren't THAT old! :yahoo:

Mattster, since Bungie is so tight with Rush, maybe he can talk them into playing a private gig at the Rally next year. I'll probably be able to get 15,000 to 20,000 people to attend. That way we could really raise some Big Money (inside Rush pun intended)

 

[Bungie]

Mattster, since Bungie is so tight with Rush, maybe he can talk them into playing a private gig at the Rally next year. I'll probably be able to get 15,000 to 20,000 people to attend. That way we could really raise some Big Money (inside Rush pun intended)

Hey, I went to a high school with a guy, whose cousin's friend is Alex Lifeson. Not a word of a lie! Thats how the connection was made for them to play at our highschool. This was way before they ever cut their first album. I do remember them playing Bastille Day.. kind of a different version of it though.

Had another friend who claimed he was best buds with Daryll Sitler (you gotta be a Leafs fan to get this one). Well we called him on it one day and we all piled in my car and went over to Daryll's house. Sure nuff. He knew him, later that day Lanny Macdonald and Tiger Williams showed up. Buncha pimply faced cheese eatin' high school boys partying with royalty! Good times good times!