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... Beeming in BC
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 500
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Ride Report - RIDE FOR DAD 2009
RIDE FOR DAD - Victoria BC Canada - May 24, 2009
On Sunday, together with 750 other bikers (and 250 pillions, total 1000 participants) we raised over $100K for prostate cancer research. If you look in the photo at the bottom of the link, you can see that the marshaling area is about half full. http://www.motorcycleridefordad.org/vis/ Before the ride actually started, the area was jam packed with bikes ranging from total custom fabrication choppers to at least one Honda 125 from the early 70's. Plenty of Harleys and derivatives of all description but also plenty of metrics from all over the rest of the planet. I was delighted to see a fairly large turn-out of Beemer riders ranging from ancient through to merely vintage to a lovely new K1300R. Mine was the only R1200S in the fleet as near as I could tell. But there is a yellow one in town somewhere nowadays and if he/she was on the ride there there would have been the two of us. The ride was in two parts - a mass parade through Victoria (courtesy of police roadblocks and irrelevant streetlights) and then a 7 hour poker ride with a few scheduled breaks including a provided lunch (with live music, fun conversation, and bike ogling). This ride started a few years ago and (at least here) was a Harley fest when it started. However, it has grown considerably in the past couple of years and I was in the company of bikes from every manufacturer, year, and model I could imagine. The opening speeches were brief, and occasionally poignant given the reason for us being there. The swag booths were doing a brisk trade and I picked up a couple of pins, a t-shirt for the missus, a hat for my son (attending as pillion), and a bottle of Iron-Arse BBQ Sauce that has turned out to be quite excellent! My companions in my regular riding group included a Suzuki single cylinder chopper of undetermined vintage, two Kawasaki Vulcans, a Triumph America, and Victory Vegas 8-Ball. A couple of these folks have sport bikes as well but opted for the cruisers for the day. In my group, I was the lone sport-bike for the day ... but I wouldn't have ridden anything else. The camaraderie was outstanding and included young/old male/female squid/rebel riders from all walks of life. To the best of my knowledge, there were no incidents worthy of reporting. The opening parade involved riding two-abreast in fairly tight formation and, I will admit, gave me cause for concern. But we Canadians are both polite and highly skilled so it was a complete pleasure. There is nothing quite like being in the middle of a pack of 750 bikes when they all fire up together. The weather was perfect - warm and sunny. The route selected was scenic and avoided highways almost entirely. The provided lunch stop was an event in and of itself with live music, superbly coordinated parking direction, and a sea of happy smiling faces. On a personal note, although my alternate pillion seat is modified to include a small butt-stop (see signature link to pictures) my son reported that 6-7 hours as a passenger on my R1200S was a complete delight. And I would know if it wasn't because he is not one to hold back if uncomfortable. So, take that as a vote of confidence that, if you must, carrying a passenger on the R1200S is indeed possible.  After an experience like that, I fully intend to participate many times in years to come. What a gas!
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2020 Ducati V4 (beast) 2007 R1200S (still perfect) '91 Ducati 907ie (sold - down payment contribution) '79 Kawasaki KZ1300 (sold - what a monster )
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05-26-2009, 12:11 PM
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I wanna Live 'til I die!
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sun Diego
Posts: 10,324
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Good for you, Ian...
Looks like there have been a shiet-load of people... as it should be! Can't wait to see your little rock in August... I am leaving on Thursday... I'll contact you on my way down!
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Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak... https://www.facebook.com/Uncommon-Adventures-by-Rick-Ralf-681965548931729 2005 R1200GS - 2006 Suzuki DR650 - 2011 Husky TE250 - 2014 KTM690 Enduro - 2022 Husqvarna Norden 901 |
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05-26-2009, 12:41 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: british columbia
Posts: 9
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Sorry I missed it.Had to work .Did the Port Renfrew Lake Cow loop Monday.Awesome!
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R1100s Gpz 900a1 Ninja |
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05-26-2009, 03:56 PM
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... Beeming in BC
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 500
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Quote:
Cheers, Ian
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2020 Ducati V4 (beast) 2007 R1200S (still perfect) '91 Ducati 907ie (sold - down payment contribution) '79 Kawasaki KZ1300 (sold - what a monster )
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05-26-2009, 07:23 PM
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... Beeming in BC
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 500
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Quote:
Ian
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2020 Ducati V4 (beast) 2007 R1200S (still perfect) '91 Ducati 907ie (sold - down payment contribution) '79 Kawasaki KZ1300 (sold - what a monster )
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05-26-2009, 07:29 PM
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Ghost Spoiler
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good onya!
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05-26-2009, 08:22 PM
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2010 
