Ok time to update

So Ive been too busy to write. Spring has sprung and Im a riding (and diapering). So here's a brief update.

I worked on a colleagues bike. Same bike as mine. I put a new gas tank on and rebuilt the front brake caliper. The bike runs like stink! Makes mine feel like a Vespa.

I got the panniers on Thursday (2 weeks ago) It took 3 hrs of prep to put them on. They are absolutely boss! They fit great, hold tons and look bomb proof. I loaded them up and hit the road. A mate of mine had a 40th planned for his missus. I decided to ride... In a damn hurricane!!!!! I have never been more stressed on a bike. The ride down should have had me turning tail, but dumb as nails boy continued. I made the 5 pm meet up just south of Montreal. Took 3.5 hrs. Some traffic, lots of wind. I split at 8 pm. By the time I hit the Champlain bridge it was a full gale. I managed 60k in the slow lane and I really thought the front wheel would wash out. That KLR sits high and the panniers act as a sail catching all that wind. I kept my eye on the right side guard rail. Nothing but a 4.5 ft high steel/cement barrier and a skinny tire patch keeping me from doing a stupid half pike into the slimy St Lawrence waters. Danny boy would have found my bloated but good looking corpse somewhere along the Bickerdike docks.. The ride back was shit. I hated it. I wished for my old Ninja 900 to suddenly morph below me. Big fat meaty tires and an aerodynamic slant that defies wind. Also the 100 plus ponies would have helped me slice my way to Ottawa. However in defense of the mighty KLR, it's raison d'etre was solely as a commuter and a cottage basher which it has dutifully fulfilled. The run to Montreal in those conditions was an ill advised sortie of my own doing. I take full responsibility. The ride back was also 3.5 hrs with 2 stops and a detour through Hawkesbury. Yeah, rain also fell (at the Ontario border) Bed never felt so good.

The bike has over 3000 kilometers on the clock. 1700 is mine. So far it's been reliable. I had to tighten down the steering head bolt 3 weeks ago as I noticed some slop. Guess the KLR motto stands true (Keep Loctite Ready)

As for the panniers.. Happy Trails Teton 9.5. Great price great build and totally waterproof. Very happy as they swallow up all my kit and then some. .

As for non motorized transport. a Kona Paddy Wagon single speed resides in the garage. What a hoot, however the 1 gear is tough in the wind and on the hills. There is no escaping it. It is what it is---

Pure Truth!

Me, my legs and wheels with no way to cheat. I want faster- I dig down and make faster. I want to climb that hill, more of the same! Sufferfest  with low maintenance. Ill get pics soon. 

Life is good!