Go Fly a Kite!

Kite flying is great fun. We purchased several while we were in China and had an old-timer there show us the ropes. Running and pulling on your kite is over. You stand in one position, hoist the kite into the air and voila, it’s airborne.

Families and friends attended the kite-flying event in Parksville, BC. We arrived in our Ural and grabbed more attention than usual because Frank wore his kilt under his chaps. He loves the freedom of the kilt and will go through most lengths to wear it.

In the field, we flipped our kites into the air and set them on the wind currents. I have a little one that looks like a penguin and Frank’s is a large red squid. We’ve invested in long cords and can send our kites so high that they are nearly unrecognizable.

Back at the bike, we answered questions about its origin, mileage, maintenance and overall enjoyment. I encouraged the ladies to talk to their husbands about giving up their solo bike so that they can enjoy the comfort of a well-padded seat and the open expanse.

Ural riders have a style of their own.

The red dot is Frank's red squid.

Ready for lift off.

Sand Castles and More

Our destination on Monday, July 15, 2013 was Parksville, British Columbia. It’s a 120-kilometre ride south from our hometown of Campbell River. Every summer, from July 13 to August 18, Parksville Beach is the place where worldwide sculptors gather to create masterpieces from sand and water.

Along the way, we stopped beachside in Qualicum Bay to enjoy the salt-scented breeze from the ocean, the squawk of seagulls, the rhythmic roll of white-capped waves and the homemade taste of our granola bars.

“It doesn’t get any better than this,” Frank said.

“I don’t know how it can,” I said.

We mounted our Ural steed and plowed through the soft beach sand to connect with Highway 19A. We arrived at Parksville Beach and were overwhelmed with the magnificent details of the sand sculptures. We sauntered about and met other admirers from around the world.

Back at the parking lot, two other motorcyclists who wanted to know about our green Patrol greeted us. Frank answered all their questions with pride. You need to factor in the curiosity of others when you ride a Ural.

Sand Structures at Parksville Beach

Beauty and the Beach

Everyone Loves the Ural

Ural Loves the Load

Urals Love Camping

 It wouldn’t surprise us if you could stack one Ural on top of another and the bronco would love the load. We packed our camping gear behind Frank, the driver, and me, the passenger. I climbed in and sat comfortably with my legs stretched out while Frank mounted the steed. We didn’t even hear a creaking sound. The charger stood firm and moved forward with solid confidence in its capability. Our excursion that time was without incident. I felt pride in our bike’s capacity.

Back at home, the lumber companies and small engine repair shopkeepers get a kick out of the bike’s ability to haul a lawnmower on its back, lengths of lumber and plywood and large pieces of furniture. Frank is a sailor and there’s a secure knot for every load.

Last month, we headed up the road to our garden plot and brought along a load of lumber, a roll of chicken wire, two rakes, a shovel and a large bag of planting potatoes. We thought nothing of piling the Ural with all that stuff. When we arrived, the other gardeners stood around the bike and commented on its uniqueness.

Indeed, the Ural is unique as are most of its owners. What a pleasure.

At our garden plot

What we built with lumber and chicken wire

Thrill Ride To Stella Lake

Western Skunk Cabbage

 The pungent stench of skunk cabbage made a huge impact on my nostrils that day. It faded away gradually as we drove further down the logging road where I was treated to the bouquet of tree bark, blossoming leaves, budding flowers and the distinct smell of dust thrown at us by passing trucks. Our destination was Stella Lake.

Initially, we had turned east off Highway 19 north onto the Elk Bay forest service road. Its teeth rattling potholed condition and the crackle of shattered glass-like gravel under our knobby tires was our first inkling that our trek would be a grand adventure.

Logging trucks, regular trucks and vehicles hauling boats shared the network of graveled roads with us on this Vancouver Island excursion. Our Ural was no match for a massive load of felled trees on the back of a truck or the speed of a 4-wheel drive got-to-get-there-fast vehicle. The dust they kicked up clogged our senses and the flying rocks pecked and rattled our windshields. We ducked into a ditch and waited for the monster trucks to pass.

Stella Lake Serenity

 Even over the roar of the bike engine I could hear the screech of birds calling to one another from the treetops warning each other of our approach. As I looked up into the sky to watch the frantic birds swooping to protect their nests, I was thrilled with the dynamic sketches made by the trail of smoke from fast moving jets. I glanced forward and watched as Frank forced our steed down a steep twenty percent narrow rock covered grade. Our reward at its end was Stella Lake. We picnicked there and then headed for home.

Road east off Highway 19 North

Adventurous Road Conditions

It's a logging road

Two In The Sidecar

 Our 56-kilometre excursion from Campbell River to Comox Lake in Cumberland, BC included picking up an extra passenger in Courtenay to pack in the sidecar. The riding rule in British Columbia, Canada, is that a sidecar passenger must wear a certified Department of Transportation helmet and be seated properly.

Seated correctly means that our six-year-old grandson’s feet must touch the floor. I pinched my legs together and pulled him onto my lap so that his feet could reach on either side. I wrapped my arms around his slight frame and our driver, Grandpa, surged the bike forward. It was an exciting first ride for the boy. He told us later that he really liked the bike because you can see everything on the road and in the ditch. That’s the very reason I love it also.

At Comox Lake we examined and collected driftwood on the rocky shore, threw rocks into the water, and stood to watch boaters back their vessels into the water and roar off. On the ride back we stopped at a cabin once occupied by Chinese and Japanese coalmine workers. If you plan to travel on Vancouver Island be sure to stop at Cumberland. Let us know you're coming and we'll meet you there.

http://cumberlandbc.org/

We love water

Exploring Perseverance Creek

Life Is A Highway

♫ Life's like a road that you travel on

When there's one day here and the next day gone ♫

Tom Cochrane sang it best when he explained to the rest of us what it feels like to mount your bike and head into the wind. As a sidecar passenger in our Green Rat Patrol, I am able to turn my head in all kinds of directions, taking in the sights, sounds, smells and glory of the sun from all directions. The roar of the engine is at my left while the roadside is so close I could reach out and touch it.

On this riding day, we headed north to our familiar café, renowned for its luxurious cinnamon buns. After savouring its sweet taste and swallowing a good portion of hot coffee, we took a stroll down to the water’s edge. A friendly dog accompanied us to the dock to refresh his quench with cold lake water.

On our return trek home, we veered off the highway onto a logging road. Once we were bouncing on this gravel road, everything that seemed to matter mattered no more. A smile fills my face and happiness pumps heart. I listen to birds chirping ecstatically warning others of our approach. The aroma of the nearby ocean fills my nostrils while the thunder of our steed’s motor pushes its way into my ears. Indeed, life is a highway that turns off onto a side road.

♫ Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I wanna drive it all night long ♫

Life Is Grand

Clear your mind with a view.

Happiness is being a sidecar passenger.

Endall, Be All

Endall Road, our destination on February 23^rd, turned out to be all that was needed to satisfy me as a Ural bike sidecar passenger. The brilliant blue sky, slight wind and cool seven degrees Celsius temperature encouraged my husband and I to get on the road.

We travelled thirty kilometres south from Campbell River on South Island Highway to Endall Road in Black Creek. After a short distance on a smooth paved secondary road, a gravel side road caught our eye and we turned onto Sturgess Road. Remarkably, over the distinct engine roar, I could hear dogs barking, nearly screaming. I was shocked at the stressed screeches and then calmed considerably when I read the sign, “Canine Conduct Training Solutions”. It was feeding time at the breeding centre.

Our smooth packed gravel way turned into a roller coaster ride. Frank set our chariot into second gear and maneuvered through the loose chucks of large gravel, sloppy, slick, muddy, pot-holed construction site. The Patrol bucked at every opportunity to make its way past the mess. A man in a Visi-Vest flagged us down. Soon we were surrounded by a troop of seven workers.

“You’re on private property,” he said.

“We’re just exploring. We’ll turn around and head out,” Frank said.

The crew watched us drive away. I enjoyed the return thrill ride once again.

Back on Endall Road, we passed many farms. As a sidecar passenger, I’ve trained my nose to recognize the distinct odors of cow manure, horse manure and the all too grotesque scent of sheep manure. We travelled to the end of Endall Road and enjoyed a picnic of sandwiches, tea, carrot sticks and bananas. I’ve learnt over the years that you don’t have to look for extravagant destinations with your Ural bike, simply get on the road and explore your neighbourhood.

Sidecar Passenger Sky View

Sidecar Passenger Mountain View

Neighbourhood Pathways

Love the Ride