Pacific Marine Circle Route - Means TWISTIES baby!

The beginning of the adventure.

Today was a moto adventure day.  I was out the door by 8:00am and meeting up with a moto mama friend Cindy.  We were doing 'The Loop'.  The weather forecast looked promising with sun and 70 degree temps.

Cindy and I waiting to see if anyone was going to tag along.  When we pulled up there were beautiful vintage cars parked at a local restaurant.  I couldn't resist snapping some pics.

We waited for a bit but it turned out it was just the two of us which was awesome, we always have a ton of fun together.  So off we went.  It takes about 5-6 hours to do the Loop.  It is out in the boonies and there are very few services along the way.  Here is the Loop map.

Our first stop was Sooke.  As we were approaching you could see a heavy layer of marine fog/cloud.  It can also be very chilly on this side of the island, my mesh jacket wasn't cutting it, thank goodness I brought layers.

Next stop Jordan River, this is the beginning of the Loop and wicked twisties.

There are several one lane bridges and it is twisty paradise!  The switchbacks are awesome and challenging.  This is a route in which you follow the road signs and posted speed.  It is pretty isolated and there is no cell service, so if you get into trouble you have to wait until someone comes along to help.  Its also an active logging area, so you have to be vigilant and attentive to your surroundings.

The weather in the morning was cold, misty, and foggy. BRRRRR!

Moto posers........

This is the bridge over Fairy Creek. This is just the beginning......  T W I S T I E S!!!!!!!

I survived a party with Fifteen 15 year olds

Happy New Year! It was a happening place at Scooterpie house. My daughter had a New Year's Eve party. A group of her friends came, they brought goodies and were ready for fun. Rockband & stereo was blaring at various points and large quantities of junk food was consumed. Everyone had a blast and we rang in the New Year old school with noisemakers and clanging pots. We also follow the Scottish tradition of a dark haired person crossing the threshold of our house carrying shortbread. This is supposed to bring good luck and the house is blessed with prosperity. See Hogmanay traditions.

The kids were awesome and had a great time. When I was cleaning up after the sleepover portion I always find random stuff and today was no different. Half eaten cookies, wrappers, assorted chips & crackers, socks, hair accessories, sleeping bag foamy, and coat.

The weirdest find was the piece of paper that said 'Judgement Is Coming' - hmmmm makes me wonder, but I know I survived the teenage New Years apocalypse party.

Hope you all had a great New Years!

#Two #29in29

# 2 in #29in29 - "Big Blue" The Johnson Street bridge in Victoria.

This is a picture of 'Big Blue' the Johnson Street Bridge which connects Victoria to Vic West and Esquimalt.  The bridge was designed and built in 1920 under the direction of Mr. F.M. Preston who was the city engineer at the time.  The bridge was completed in 1924 to the tune of $918,000.00.   The bridge is a bascule-type bridge, this is where one section of the bridge rises while a counter weight lowers the opposite end.    The Strauss Bascule company held the patents to this bridge design and  Joseph Strauss the Bascule company owner went onto design the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.  There are two components to this bridge, a car and pedestrian section and the other a rail section. In the fall of 2011 the rail section was deemed unsafe by engineers and it was raised to stop pedestrians and bicycle commuters from accessing it. During the design process the City of Victoria decided to forego adding a rail section saving them significant funds. Approximately 30,000 vehicles cross 'Big Blue' every day. In 1999 a $1million repair/facelift was done allowing engineers to inspect and repair the main span.  The Johnson Street bridge has been the centre of heated debate over the last few years with proponents on both sides for repairing the existing bridge or  completely replacing the bridge.  This caused quite a bit of debate amongst Victorians with their Mayor and City Council.  Ultimately a referendum was held and it was decided that the bridge should be replaced.  The Mayor and Council asked for designs to be rendered and placed on public display and feedback was solicited regarding the design.  At present work is underway to prepare for dismantling of the rail section and the car deck soon to follow.  The City of Victoria borrowed approximately $49.2 million dollars and the project is expected to be completed in 2016.  

#29in29 FuzzyGalore.com

5 local road trips and dream trip challenge

I am already dreaming of the 2012 motorcycle season and where I will go.  Being a new rider I think I am going to stick close to home and 2012 will be about logging miles and getting road/highway experience before we go on a really big adventure.   My challenge to all of you is 1) List at least 5 places in YOUR own country that you want to visit 2) If you could go anywhere in the world on your motorcycle or scooter where would it be? You can have as many dream trips as you want.  Please link back to me so I can see your choices.

1) Over the Malahat Highway Trans Canada #1 to Parksville.  - This may not seem significant to most, but it would be my first foray on a major highway over a mountain.  Its all about baby steps.

2)  During the summer I want to Motorcycle to Tofino.  If you have never been to Tofino you are missing the wild West Coast at its best.  The roads are sharp and twisty through here and you may be tempted to speed, but you really have to stick to the speed limits that are posted.  The roads are sharp and steep with very little margin for error because the road is very narrow and a lot of it is cliffside.

3)  I would like to do the Port Renfrew loop - its a good day trip and very scenic.

4)  Next adventure would to be up the Sea to Sky highway and onto Whistler.

5)  My biggest dream trip would be to go across Canada on my motorcycle and get out to the Maritime Provinces.  I want to see my country and what better way to do it than by motorcycle.  This trip is going to have to wait a bit though  because I need more experience.

Dream trips

1)  Now for the Anywhere in the world trip I think I would like to go across Europe.  Its funny as a Canadian I somehow think everything is different over there and wonder about the trees and scenery.   When I look at a fellow twitterer's tweet pictures from Norway it looks just like home and very green.  So much for preconceived ideas.

2)  The most attainable road trip for me will be down the Oregon Coast and to California.  We went down the Coast quite a few years ago and it was spectacular and I can only imagine how fabulous it would be on two wheels.

3)   I think I might even like to go through South America, I am really not much of a heat person so I may have to rethink this.

Please tell me where your two wheels may take you in the coming year, link your posts back to Scooterpie so I can see how adventurous you are!