November 1: A couple of months back, I wrote about considering an end to motorcycling. It seemed to me that I had accomplished pretty much everything I wanted to do on a bike while avoiding major injury. Perhaps the time had come to quietly hang up my helmet while I could still say that. I left the door open and, in my usual obsessive perfectionist mode, began analyzing those feelings.
After much thought – OK, not that much thought – I decided that I really want to return to Europe next year. Further obsessive thinking and consideration of where to go reminded me of two things: Firstly, major parts of the 2015 trip were intended as “research” into parts of Europe that should be explored further on a motorcycle. The Dolomites and Pyrenees fell into this basket. Secondly, when I dug into some of the routes I might follow next year, I found many that had to be ridden on a bike. There is no question that motorcycling is a passion for me and doing some of these roads in a car would be to deny that passion and “settle” for second-best. So a bike it is…
But which bike ? If money were no object, I would buy a BMW 800 GT. My brother-in-law Joe has one and it is about perfect for this kind of touring. The 800F that I rode in 2015 is similar and also an excellent choice, but neither is cheap and, absent a lottery win, I don’t really have the money for a newer bike. Instead, I’ve decided to fettle my 2000 Honda VFR with 105,800 km on the clock. That might sound a bit optimistic, however, the bike is very well maintained, the motor has been re-built, the electrics sorted, and the other bits are in very good shape. Besides, I think I can spend a ton of money on her and still be well below the price of a newer bike, or a rental in Europe.
With that decision made, I dropped by Pro 6 Cycle this afternoon. As we were discussing what work to do, there was a commotion as Police, then Fire and an ambulance converged on the intersection of Jutland and Kipling in front of the shop. There had obviously been an accident; I could see a car with the front end smashed in sitting in the middle of the road. What I could not immediately see was the BMW 1200 touring bike that had been hit.
One of the mechanics was out on lunch and saw the accident. The car, westbound and turning left across traffic, “didn’t see” the bike travelling north and broadsided him, sending the bike and rider cart-wheeling into on-coming traffic. Afterwards, the rider was apparently alert and responsive although suffering an obviously broken right leg.
So I end this motorcycling season with mixed feelings. I’m content – happy even – to commit to at least one more season of riding. Europe awaits, and that will be a wonderful adventure on a motorcycle that feels like an old friend. Yet seeing this accident first-hand is a sobering reminder that, in spite of what I believe, it can happen to me. Passion and enthusiasm need to be balanced with care and attention. And perhaps a certain amount of luck.