Day 27: River Port, Nova Scotia
Distance traveled: 166.0 km
Cumulative distance: 4608.7 km
Temperature range: 19 - 25
Maximum speed: 88 kph
The weather is decidedly grim for first thing in the morning. It is raining lightly and I think we are going to have to saddle up prepared to ride in rain. As we are loading the bike, Nan remarks on the strong wind and we notice the clouds are going by incredibly fast.
There isn't a whole lot to report that is different than that which you already know about the bike taking a trip without us. However, I have been turning it over in my mind, thinking how I could have probably defeated the perpetrators had I used the tools we were carrying with us. I have two locks, a heavy cable and all motorcycles have steering locks, which allow the owner to lock the steering pointing left. This, at least, requires a thief to lift the front wheel or go around in a tight circle. None of these would defeat a determined thief but any one of these things likely would defeat a crime of circumstance. In the 16 years that I have been motorcycling, every one of which included at least one tour, I never once really thought that my motorcycle was at risk. I never thought about the bike being parked outside the door at a motel or even in the parking lot in a larger hotel. There has been the odd occasion where I did lock the steering and padlock the front disc brake, including in Quebec City on this trip but my worry has always been that somebody would just mess with the bike, not actually take the whole thing. Lesson learned. Even for this old dog.
With the bike cover stolen, Andelska sat in the rain last night and I think the improvised switch got a little wet. When I went down to the bike, I noticed that there was a faint glow from the display screen and I could see faint images from the display. The bike, being only five months old, would not have "burn-in" on the TFT (instrument panel), if it will ever have it but it still made me suspicious. Then, as I am putting away the locks (!) from last night, Nan was out to carry some of the gear and she noticed that the indicator lights flashed briefly. Not sure if that went all last night or if it was just as we were gearing up to go but my conclusion was that there is a small electical leak in the provisional starter switch. Still, it did occur to me that it might be caused by moisture in the switch. I tried to start the bike with the switch off and fortunately, it would not fire. The battery has a display and it showed the battery as strong but still my heart sank when the bike did not start with the new switch in the "on" position on the first attempt, something hat has never happened before. It did start on the second attempt. Then once the bike was running, the "oil warning" light was on. This was a revalation to me because I had the bike serviced in advance of the trip, which was only 4500 km ago. Far too soon for the oil to be down. Just one more thing to worry about.
Our ride today was happily brief. We were away from our stop about 11:30, taking our leisurely time getting organized, as the owner told us would be o.k. She gave us some guidance about what route to take but after "follow the road to the stop sign and turn right" I waas pretty much totally dependent on Google Maps. It was only 118 km to our destination; our main worry was arriving too early because the room would not be ready if we showed up too soon. The internet was down in the morning all over the area where the inn was located so we weren't really able to do much organizing for the trip, so it was just a matter of setting the destination and hoping the sooner or later, through cell service, we would get route guidance.
We stopped in Bridgewater for coffee, a snack and so that I could use the phone to sort out some issues, like calling the police to report the license plate was long gone. I had called the RCMP detachment where Officer Pierre is stationed so that it would be easier to attach the loss to our file of "stolen motorcycle" however, I was connected to the central dispatch call centre. The analyst was able to help me, gave me an "incident file number" so that if we get pulled over for riding without a plate, I will be able to demonstrate that we have gone through an ordeal and the police office about to arrest me should take pity on us.
We arrived at the BnB with my grade six girlfriend Leanne as owner - I told her about our "relationship" and we had a chuckle; Nan threatened her - around 3:00 pm. I'm worried about the oil light being on plus, I want to get a cover for the bike so I waved hello to Leanne and said goodbye to Nan and immediately took off for the Honda dealership. It was a long way away and I check the remaing fuel and I realize that I am going to have to get gas; as it is, I'll have seven minutes over and above riding time to get gas and get to the dealer and solve me low oil situation, if that is what it is, and get a cover that fits the bike before the dealer closes at 5:00 pm. That just isn't enough time, especially if I hit one traffic snag. At 4:00 p.m. on a Friday afternoon. So I go get gas and text Nan that I am turning around.
We settle into the BnB and we have a glass of wine with Leanne and her BF. Leanne is making us dinner this night but first, we are going to a "neighbourhood social". Leanne talked about this before we arrived and said we would be doing it. Apparently, it is a weekly thing. It is just down the street at a friend's place where he has a small warehouse FILLED with stuff of all description. There are lots of people there, maybe 40 or 50. We have a discussion about whether the owner is a hoarder but a lot of it is really cool looking OLD stuff. It is very eclectic. Old telescopes, boat engines, art, model ships, ship steering wheels, a 1960 MG, a really old motorcycle of some description. I'm determined to go back tomorrow when it is light and have a closer look. Larry, the owner, says just come by and go in if he is not around. It is weird in a fascinating way. As well, it there is a really beautiful sunset from this dock where he keeps his sail boat.
Comments
Dealing with the bike. 😕