Welcome to my new blog. This blog was inspired by the recent purchase of a BMW F650 motorcycle.
A couple of months ago, I chanced upon an interesting TV series called 'Long Way Round,' a humorous and entertaining account of two Brits, Ewan MacGregor and Charlie Boorman, who travel around the world on BMW motorcycles. My employer, Dow Chemical, simultaneously announced that they would be shutting the plant down in the next couple of years, forcing me into early retirement. This wonderful news inspired dreams of my own extended travels: maybe I could take a scooter around the world. In the spring, I began riding a vintage 1973 Vespa around Pelee Island. I investigated the new bigger, faster Vespas at the London dealership and was astounded to find that a 250cc model would cost me more than $8000! On a whim, I dropped into the nearby BMW dealership and sat on a Dakar motorcycle. It didn't cost much more than the scooter and travels much faster and carries more cargo. It felt so right! No longer would I look like a circus bear driving a tiny scooter!
A few weeks later, I located a good used BMW F650 and bought it. I've named her Rosie (after Rocinante, Don Quixote's horse).
November in Ontario's not exactly the best time to be riding, but I've already put 500 kilometres on it and I'm having a riot. I just bundle up with several layers. Yesterday, I took the bike off-road, down some deeply rutted paths with foot-deep puddles. The tires aren't designed for mud and I slid all over the place and dropped the bike twice. I came home soaked, the bike covered in mud. I hope to keep riding until the salt hits the road.
My goal is to someday drive this baby around the world, birding, photographing, and meeting people. Of course, I'll post it all on the new blog!
Temperature all week has been well above 50 F. Today it got up to 63 degrees (18C)! Not bad for the end of November. I know Global Warming is evil, but if you're gonna get it, Canada is the place to be! Weather's supposed to cool off to freezing tomorrow. 
