No drought about it ....
I'm riding in the rain
Just riding in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready to ride
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I ride down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just ridin',
Ridin' in the rain
I've read about people complaining of and canceling rides because of rain. When I headed up to Alaska from Toronto this past June, just north of Regina Saskatchewan we got rained on and heavily at times, everyday en-route to Alaska. At times riding the last 300 miles in the Yukon the rain had filled crater sized potholes and during the heavier downpours it became very difficult to decipher between potholes and shallow standing water. (the big potholes have surf) But the rain at the top of the world really did actually add to the adventure. Sure, it's a lot of extra work getting in and out of rain gear ... over and over (My buddy on his BMW had that modern high-tech motorcycle apparel that you can wear in the rain ... He didn't get the repetitive work out I got )
On the return trip after we split up at Watson Lake Yukon, I enjoyed the first day on my own riding down the Cassiar-Stuart Highway ... The first 200 miles south out of the Yukon were totally desolate. Just man and his motorcycle ... Total solitude. Not one oncoming vehicle to be encountered, and nothing but empty road, forest and blue sky with a few clouds in the rearview mirror ... Wasn't until I stopped at Dease Lake to camp for the night did I see another living soul ... It had been an absolutely marvelous afternoon ride. The last 200 miles of the Cassiar (with a side trip into Hyder Alaska) and the following 400 miles to Jasper, my old friend the rain returned frequently if not erratically and sometimes with a vengeance.
Just before entering Jasper National Park, there is a beautiful roadside pullout beside a small emerald green lake. I decided I needed a short power nap. It was raining ... not all that much, but a good steady drizzle. The pullout beside the lake is well manicured with picnic tables and a good-sized parking lot. I rode in, parked the bike and trailer close to a table. Now at about the same time I parked, a tour bus arrived with an invasion force of European sightseeing tourists. I think I may have given them their money's worth ... I dismounted, full head to toe rain gear, gloves, rubber rain boots and full face helmet. I removed nothing ... didn't even open the face shield. Walked directly to the picnic table, lowered the sun visor inside the shield and stretched out on top of the table, in the rain and had a 5 min. (possibly 8 min.) power nap. As I drifted off I'm sure I heard the clicking of cameras. ... Got up and walked directly back to the motorcycle to resume my riding in the rain. I had this strange feeling I was being watched by a bunch of Europeans ... Why it was almost unsettling. Don't they ride and nap in the rain in Europe? ...:s
I'm riding in the rain
Just riding in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready to ride
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I ride down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just ridin',
Ridin' in the rain
I've read about people complaining of and canceling rides because of rain. When I headed up to Alaska from Toronto this past June, just north of Regina Saskatchewan we got rained on and heavily at times, everyday en-route to Alaska. At times riding the last 300 miles in the Yukon the rain had filled crater sized potholes and during the heavier downpours it became very difficult to decipher between potholes and shallow standing water. (the big potholes have surf) But the rain at the top of the world really did actually add to the adventure. Sure, it's a lot of extra work getting in and out of rain gear ... over and over (My buddy on his BMW had that modern high-tech motorcycle apparel that you can wear in the rain ... He didn't get the repetitive work out I got )
On the return trip after we split up at Watson Lake Yukon, I enjoyed the first day on my own riding down the Cassiar-Stuart Highway ... The first 200 miles south out of the Yukon were totally desolate. Just man and his motorcycle ... Total solitude. Not one oncoming vehicle to be encountered, and nothing but empty road, forest and blue sky with a few clouds in the rearview mirror ... Wasn't until I stopped at Dease Lake to camp for the night did I see another living soul ... It had been an absolutely marvelous afternoon ride. The last 200 miles of the Cassiar (with a side trip into Hyder Alaska) and the following 400 miles to Jasper, my old friend the rain returned frequently if not erratically and sometimes with a vengeance.
Just before entering Jasper National Park, there is a beautiful roadside pullout beside a small emerald green lake. I decided I needed a short power nap. It was raining ... not all that much, but a good steady drizzle. The pullout beside the lake is well manicured with picnic tables and a good-sized parking lot. I rode in, parked the bike and trailer close to a table. Now at about the same time I parked, a tour bus arrived with an invasion force of European sightseeing tourists. I think I may have given them their money's worth ... I dismounted, full head to toe rain gear, gloves, rubber rain boots and full face helmet. I removed nothing ... didn't even open the face shield. Walked directly to the picnic table, lowered the sun visor inside the shield and stretched out on top of the table, in the rain and had a 5 min. (possibly 8 min.) power nap. As I drifted off I'm sure I heard the clicking of cameras. ... Got up and walked directly back to the motorcycle to resume my riding in the rain. I had this strange feeling I was being watched by a bunch of Europeans ... Why it was almost unsettling. Don't they ride and nap in the rain in Europe? ...:s
