The big day of my adventure was fast approaching and I was feeling like a seasoned traveler. My departure was set for Monday, July 1st—a strategic choice because, naturally, everyone else would be nursing their Canada Day hangovers, leaving the roads blissfully empty. However, as any seasoned road warrior knows, Murphy’s Law can smell overconfidence a mile away and it pounced.Thursday afternoon, just when I was basking in my meticulous planning, I heard the dreaded hiss of a deflating tire—a rear flat. Cue a frantic call to CAA, who rescued my stranded Harley and transported it to my HD dealer. Let’s just say that CAA membership was worth every penny. The dealer miraculously worked me in but charged me $675. I discovered that changing a back tire involves more than just the tire fairy waving her wand—it’s a grand production.
Determined to hit the road early on Monday, I declared Sunday as Pack-the-Bike Day. My motorcycle soon resembled an overburdened mule, brimming with gear tied down by a web of bungees, tie-downs, and straps. I half expected my luggage to pull a Houdini act mid-ride.Now, a little nugget of wisdom—taking pictures while riding is a no-no unless you're looking to test the durability of your camera against pavement. Frequent stops could stretch the journey into a multi-day affair. That said, for those deprived of the visual feast, the back highways between north Burlington and Midland are a sight to behold.
One pit stop at Cashtown Corners for gas and a bit of a leg stretch, and I was back on the road toward Midland. I snagged a cozy little motel room at a rate that didn’t make me weep. The afternoon was perfect for sightseeing, allowing me to relive memories of places I hadn’t visited in half a century. A light dinner followed by a mesmerizing fireworks display wrapped up my day beautifully.
More stories await!
- Previous entry in the series 'Beausoleil trip': Part 2: Organizing
