Where ever I may roam

I’m so glad I’ve now moved all my things into storage and I’m done with the old place. I had been stressing out over the move and consequently I wasn’t really productive with it. I managed to find a storage place that was decently located and didn’t charge the earth for a 10′ x 10′ locker on Tuesday. I also found a 17′ truck on Wednesday, one of the few left. As it was the end of the month a lot of people were trying to move, so trucks and storage were in short supply. Thankfully I got what I needed despite leaving it until the last minute.

Packing was an experience in being scattered and exhausted. There were some things that I didn’t want to pack because I was still going to use them, the kitchen being a prime example. I’m really grateful for Selena coming around several nights during the week to help me pack and generally kick my butt. Moving day went like clockwork thanks to her efforts.

Moving day went fairly well. Being a Saturday, lifting and brunch happened beforehand. I had the truck back at my place by 1pm, only having picked it up at 12:30. I went to move the bike out of the way and discovered that the front tire was dead flat. Hooray. I put the bike up on the center stand to take the load off the front tire and left it. By the time Aki, Reiko and Scott arrived to help with the move I had most of the boxes on the truck, leaving the big furniture to get on there. As we were leaving to go to the storage place I heard something fall down as I closed the front door. I tried to re-open the door to get something else and discovered that it wouldn’t move. After a bit of panicked shoving I found that the umbrella that was behind the door had wedged itself across the door frame. One large shove dislodged the umbrella and a chunk of plaster from the frame. I grabbed the thing I needed and left, leaving the umbrella and chunks of plaster to be dealt with at another time. We got to the storage place at 3:30 and I had the truck returned by 5pm. The four of us made a great team, getting everything off the truck, up the lift and into the storage locker. I really appreciated the help. The person who had the truck before me overfilled the tank when returning it, so I got away with not having to put fuel in it. Win. Saturday evening and night was a mixture of relief, having moved, and exhaustion, from the effort involved.

Sunday was a day of big breakfasts, farmers markets and relaxation, with lots of laughter.

Cleaning on Monday took roughly 4 hours, which was longer than I expected. I did leave the place cleaner than what I found it. When I moved in the house was covered in plaster dust as it was newly renovated. It took several months to get rid of the dust from the floors and other surfaces. The top of the cabinets in the kitchen still have a thick layer of dust on them. Out of sight, out of mind. I didn’t do anything about the door frame either. None of it was noticed upon inspection and I got all of my deposit back. I also replaced the tube in the front tire of the bike on Monday. I’m getting better at it, the first time was 1 hour and 40 minutes, this time I was down to 30 minutes.

I still have plenty of things to do before I leave for Orcas Island on Monday. I need to patch the heavy duty tube and put it back in the front tire. I need to pack the bike and make sure everything is going to fit. I should organize clothes and food for the trip, and finally I need to take anything that’s left to storage. I do have a few days in order to accomplish those tasks, so I’ll take my time doing them.

I’ve been a lot more relaxed since I’ve been done with the old place. I’m starting to get into the travel and adventure mode, and unwinding. Now I’m getting excited for the trip.

Here I am staring down the short end of 20 days left until the trip. In reality only have 11 days left before I take off a day of hiking in Chuckanut and then 5 days of Toor Camp.

The KLR, good to go

The bike has been booked on an earlier flight than the one I’m on, giving me the whole of the 13th free. When I arrive in Montreal on the 14th, I should be able to pick up the bike quickly as it would have arrived and been processed the afternoon before. I’ve sorted out the Dangerous Goods shipping information and it’s ready to go. I’ve done a lot of work to the bike, including:

• Upgraded front suspension.
• Upgraded rear suspension.
• Upgraded the sub-frame.
• New front tire.
• Installed a top box.
• Added a few RAM mounts for cameras and phone.
• Put together a tool kit and various spares.
• General service and inspection.

The next time the bike will get a lot of attention is in Ottawa or Toronto, where it will be due for a service and probably new tires.

I swapped out the stock KLR front suspensions springs with a set from Progressive Suspension. The new springs (and oil) resulted in a lot less sag at the front, especially under breaking, and improved handling. After much hassle with finding spring compressors, the rear suspension spring was swapped for a 6.6kg/mm one from Top Gun Motorcycles. This transformed the KLR from being a comfy couch that you sink into, to a stiff and rigid chair that offers support. The ride height has increased to the point where I’m back on tip-toes, instead of flat feet. A ride out to Harrison Hot Springs and back was used as a shake down test. The bike felt great the whole time and I got to see what 250km in an afternoon felt like.

I’m still yet to do a full pack of the bike to assess if everything is going to fit. While optimistic, I have some doubts about some of the gear. There may be a tank bag being purchased in the near future.

I’ve packed up a fair amount of things in my place and filled a bunch of boxes. There’s still a bit more to pack, which will need to be done by this time next week. I’m set to move everything into storage on the 30th, after which I’ll be staying with Aki and Reiko until the 5th. A 10′ x 10′ storage unit has been booked for 4 months (with 25% off!) and all that’s left to do in that area is book a truck.

Last week I was feeling the pressure of trying to get back in order to participate in the Loose Screw Dual Sport ride on the 12th of August in Kamloops. The list of things that I wanted to see and do on the way just kept on increasing. In the end I decided that I wouldn’t be able to make the ride. This meant that the schedule I previously set went out the window and I was a lot more relaxed about the trip. I’m hoping that I’ll take it easier and explore more in my travels across the country.

Something else that will help me slow down is that I’ve managed to set up some contracting work with my soon to be ex employer. It’s nothing too demanding, 10 hours a week or less. This should enable me to spend more time in a place, as I’ll need to make the time to work and I’ll require power and possibly internet access in order to do so. The money will also allow me to take longer on the trip. I only have 3 days left in the role, which I have mixed feelings about. On one hand I’m excited for the adventure, on the other it’s a shame that I won’t get to see some of the projects completed. I find that the people on the team are very capable, great to work with, and some of the upcoming projects excite me.

About a month ago I brought a Canon video camera, which I’ve been getting familiar with. I’m planning on recording some footage along the trip. I’ve also been researching techniques for filming decent video, with Steve Stockman’s ‘How to shoot video that doesn’t suck’ getting the points across in a concise and humours way. Now to think of a story and add intrigue.

Tick tock, tick tock. Tempus Fugit.