The Adventures of FriarJohn on Two (and Sometimes Four) Wheels

(posted on the wall of the Triumph Bonneville America group on Facebook…)

I’m going through withdrawals. I’ve finished my big planned trips for the year. I’ve gone on three trips in less than a year totaling about 7800 miles. I want to hit the road again, but I can’t afford it and I have 4 hours of vacation left. ::sigh::

It’s probably all for the better though. I need to put a new rear tire on my bike and I’m thinking about buying a new drive belt to try to cure the squeaking the current one is doing. It also wouldn’t be bad to get the new paint job done and other accessories installed (headlight, turn signals, etc.).

I dunno, just needed to whine for a minute. The road beckons…

A really good secret from PostSecret.com:

(Note: Updated several times after posting. My pictures now available. Zdenko’s too: 1, 2)

Reflections, in no particular order (and barely scratching the surface):
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Well, I’m off to meet up with Halpop (“Freedom” on BA.com) at his place in Thompson Falls, MT. Tomorrow we’re heading west over the Northern Cascades of Washington, rather than north up into British Columbia. This year we decided to make a run out to the west coast prior to the Kootenay Raid (Triumph Rally) in Nelson, BC (our fourth time at the event, and my fifth trip into BC). While out there we’re going to meet up with a couple of our Triumph brethren, tour Vancouver Island and ride to Nelson as a small group.

While in Nelson (Thurs-Sun) we’ll once again be staying at the Mountain Hound Inn. The only thing that would make this hotel better is if they had a back door that opened up directly onto the Grand Hotel’s parking lot, also known as Kootenay Raid HQ.

As per usual, watch this space for pictures and a ride report.