CFR 2016 Home Safe Thread

[yamafitter]

Unfortunately other commitments forced me home on Saturday but I had a nice safe ride down Hwy 41 to Hwy 28 to Peterborough and then down the 35/115 all the way to Bowmanville. Arrived at my Casa four hours after departing Pembroke.

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

That's it? Just a ride home with no drama? No dead critters, trips to the ER, lost keys, or mechanical failures? I guess you can only fit in so much excitement in one weekend. I will see you in Red Lodge in a couple weeks. I hope the trip is a little less exciting.

 

[FJRPittsburgh]

Billy,. You're home safe and that's all that matters. Sorry I was unable to join all of you. Hope it was fun.

 

[bigjohnsd]

Enjoyed your narrative Billy, see you in a few weeks, hopefully you'll leave all that drama in Kanada

 

[BugR]

As to be expected I'm back first. Nice to meet everyone, sorry about the weather but hoped you enjoyed the rides

Chris

 

[Bungie]

Line and I rolled in around 2pm with Abercrombie in tow. It was a little nippy, but at least it was windy.

Stopped for coffee and gas in Mattawa. Then just a few miles before arriving home, we stopped for a quick bite. A splash of gas, a pitstop at Walmart for some long gauchies for Kev (even though the temps rose to 70F) and I escorted him back to 17W on his way to the Soo Mich.

It was great seeing everyone again!

 

[fjrob1300]

Lori and I took the roads less traveled to get home. So many twisty roads I had no idea were there. I'll be doing more riding up there in the future. It took us 5 hours to get home. Windy and cool but no rain. One stop at Tim Hortons in Bancroft. Good to see you all. Until we meet again....

Rob

 

[VMaxChuck]

Greg and I arrived back in the West Michigan area (Grand Rapids) around 6:00PM......almost exactly 12 hours and 650 miles later. And my rear tire made it!!

Wouldn't have chanced it on a rainy day though!

We had a great time and an AWESOME ride on Friday, thanks to Bill and Chris. And it was great meeting so many nice folks there in Pembroke.

Looking forward to the next one...in 3 years?

 

[wnyfjr]

Laura and I are home safe and sound. We left with Mike/Wineguy, Mel and Tim on our FJRs and Tim's wife Leana rolling sweep in the Toyota. A short stop in Bancroft for fuel/bathroom and we decided to try Kinmount for a lunch stop. Arriving in Kinmount, the options seemed sparse, but one of the locals at the French-fry hut we happened to stop in front of recommended a place about 15 minutes up the road, so we rolled for it. They were too booked, so they pointed us a little further down the road to the Pattie House BBQ in Coboconk. Awesome lunch, highly recommend it if you find yourself hungry in that neck of the woods.

After the lunch stop we planned a route to try to avoid most of the Toronto traffic. Things got a bit fubarred after Tim & Mel got a bit too far ahead of Mike and I, with Leana still trailing us. They were out of sight and I had no idea which way they had gone. I had Tim's address in my GPS, as I had to drop Laura there to pick up her car, so I told Mike I was just going to follow it and see where we ended up. Mike stayed with us all the way to Tim's, but we lost Leana along the way somewhere. I'm sure she knows the way home though, so we weren't too worried. I made one slip-up following GPS-Babe, and ended up taking Mike with us through Toronto on the 401 (I think that's what it was). Right past Rogers Center(?) where the Blue Jays had a game today. Traffic never actually stopped, but it did get real casual about moving forward!

Made it to Tim & Leana's around 6:20pm, and Laura took her car from there. I stopped to fill up just before getting back on the QEW and then headed down the road. After a while, I glanced down and looked at my tank...which I shouldn't have seen because my tank bag is supposed to be there. I had moved it to the seat behind me at the pump without getting off the bike and then forgot to put it back on the tank! I reached arounf behind me and thankfully it was still sitting on the pillion seat. I pulled off and put it where it belonged, and the rest of the ride home was uneventful. Pulled in the driveway around 8:30 or so. Laura arrived about twenty minutes after that.

Had a great weekend, and rode some fantastic roads. Weather, not so fantastic, but it didn't dull the fun that much. Even Laura enjoyed it despite the damp and cold! Hung out with a great bunch of folks, so what more could we ask?

 

[wheatonFJR]

Any photos?

 

[Wine Guy]

Like Mike (wnyfjr) said.

As much as we got a bit tied up in traffic around Toronto, it was an interesting comparison to come from beautiful lakes, trees and open spaces into the hustle and bustle of society, traffic, tall iconic buildings like the Rogers Center and the CN Tower all within a very short period of time. Certainly makes me appreciate where I live surrounded by orchards and vineyards and country roads in the heart of the Niagara Peninsula!

It was a GREAT few days of riding, eating, story telling and meeting new folks. I was especially in awe of Eric and his Dad Chuck. I really enjoyed talking with them and seeing the incredible Father / Son dynamics between them!

Once I get a few work things off my plate, I'll post up some pics. Until next time.....Cheers!

 

[Top_Speed1]

Rick and I ventured down through Rte 511 to the Thousand Islands, hitting several light rain pockets along the way. It was (barely) 50F leaving Pembroke, very gusty. Our intentions were to have lunch at "The Dock of the Bay" in Alexandria Bay. Mother natures said otherwise I guess as it was light rain, foggy and sitting out on the deck enjoying lunch had to be nixed.

So we parted once crossing back into the US, Rick heading to Burlington VT, me going along Lake Ontario back to the Finger Lakes. Man, the wind gusts were relentless around the lake!. Actually, I was kind of amused for awhile as it kept me quite alert.

Got home safely at 2:55pm, Rick and myself were the first to leave Pembroke, more so to get in the scenic lunch stop that we had on the way up... and that didn't happen on the way back. Oh well, next time, A-Bay ROCKS!

Good time with all was had!, and the higher Canadian prices weren't too bad considering the conversion. My room/beer purchases were (2) 12paks that cost me $42+tax Can., and we went over to Quebec Prov to get this "deal", and pretty much what I was told prior. No complaints other than it's friggen KOLD up there! hehe.

Thanks to Billy for organizing, and Chris for leading us outsiders in your hometown turf!

 

[Madmudder]

https://s1362.photobucket.com/user/madmudderr/CFR%202016/story

Thanks for putting this together Bill, & thanks to Chris for the tour on Saturday. The Ferry crossing seems to be a trend for me this year first at SEOR & Now at CFR, does NERDS have a potential?

It was great meeting new people and catching up with old friends. We enjoyed the fun packed weekend, thanks to all those who attended.

https://s1362.photobucket.com/user/madmudderr/slideshow/CFR%202016

 

[huron52]

Got home today about 4:30 No rain today but still very cool!

 

[GDSFJR03]

So Christine & I left yesterday and got almost 50 kl outside of town before the tire plug let go on the rear wheel , sigh...

We loved Pembroke so much we returned for another night, sourced out a tire in Petawawa had it installed and back on the road this morning.

Turned out to be a beautiful run home except for the last hour on the 407.

After you guys left it almost looked like it was going to snow !

Will practice my tire plugging in the garage this week for next time.

Thanks to Bill & Chris for the routes and organizing.

Thanks to Tom, Rob, Steve and the ladies for the help on Saturday.

And Dave for stopping the second time...

The beer glasses made it home in one piece.

We both enjoyed the company, and looking forward to the next one.

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

I enjoyed Bungie's hospitality when I rode with him and Line as far as Sudbury on Sunday and spent the night on the USA Canadian border. I got home this evening safe and sound after a long drive from Sault Ste Marie MI. I took a little time off on the way through Duluth and stopped by Aerostitch to pick up a heated jacket.

 

[VMaxChuck]

I enjoyed Bungie's hospitality when I rode with him and Line as far as Sudbury on Sunday and spent the night on the USA Canadian border. I got home this evening safe and sound after a long drive from Sault Ste Marie MI. I took a little time off on the way through Duluth and stopped by Aerostitch to pick up a heated jacket.

Good call on the heated jacket liner Kevin....and nice riding with ya!

 

[Bungie]

I was in the same boat on Sunday. I only had a long sleeve tshirt on under my jacket. The first time in years I decided to leave the heated liner at home. I was missing it! I can't tell you how many times I've put it on in the middle of summer after sundown. Not plugged in, just on. Saves packing space too because theirs no need to pack a sweat shirt/sweater with it.

Great riding with you Kevin.

Sorry about the police escort from Petawawa to past Deep River though.

 

[Wine Guy]

A few pics from the beautiful Cottage Country of Northern Ontario........

Shiny FJR waiting for Mike (wnyfjr) in Buffalo to start our ride along the south shore of Lake Ontario to pick up KJ (Top_Speed) north of Geneva NY and and Rick (Pura Vida) at the border crossing into Canada for our ride into Pembroke

Paying our money to cross the Thousand Island bridge into Canada

The Thousand Island bridge

Rolling view as we crossed the bridge

Tough to capture the amazing scenery as we were crossing

KJ & Rick in front as we cross the bridge - Mike behind me

Rick is excited that they let him back into Canada after the "incident" last year. Ha!

Lunch at Dock on the Bay in the Thousand Islands - we were the only ones brave enough to eat outside with the low temps

Nothing better than dining on the water....

Rest stop and photo op - Mike (wnyfjr), Rick (Pura Vida) and KJ (Top_Speed)

Beautiful views no matter which direction you were looking...

Had a chance to visit a childhood friend of mine at their incredible cottage on Lake Clear

KJ, Rick and my friend Shelagh inside the cottage

Dave (owner) explaining how the boat ramp works

Mike and Rick relaxing on the dock - life doesn't get any better than this!

Beautiful view of Lake Clear from the dock

Mike, Rick & KJ - its a tough life, isn't it?

Group shot - Rick, Mike, Dave (owner) me, Shelagh (owner) and KJ up front. What a great end to a great day of riding!

The FJR always attracted the ladies!

Back at home base (Comfort Inn - Pembroke) to tell stories

The FJR put to bed for the night - all ready for riding the tomorrow

A brief break for a stretch and some pics

Beautiful views everywhere you looked

On the way home, discovered this gem in Coboconk Ontario. AMAZING BBQ!

Nobody went hungry! Food was fantastic! Our crew going home - Laura, Mike, Mel, Tim and Liana

And the BIG finish! Tim with "The Coby" - a bacon beef burger with 2 grilled cheese sandwiches as the bun. It doesn't get any better than that!

Another great rally with awesome people - Thanks to Billy for getting this started, KJ, Chris and Tim for leading me around and everyone else for your stories and company. See you all soon!