Researching the plentiful and deadly diseases we may encounter during our round the world trip, I went to the International Travel Clinic in Calgary.
The appointment took nearly two months to book and the paperwork said there would be a charge for the services, plus some fees for the vaccinations.
So it turns out we need seven vaccinations for the trip. Many of the vaccinations need several doses (three or four) over a period of a few weeks.
After spending an hour with the nurse, going over how nasty these diseases are, we got to the vaccination part. This is where the big surprise came in.
I expected the fees to be pretty reasonable. She started with a flu vaccine. $30. No problem.
Then Japanese ensephalitus (I'm not even trying to spell that correctly). $80. No problem.
Then they started getting a little bit crazy.
"Ok, this vaccine is $145 per dose and you need three doses", the nurse said.
Gulp!
"And this one is $110 per dose and you need four of them", she continued.
Gulp!
So I left the travel clinic with five injections and a bill for $500. Talk about a double pain!
All in the vaccinations will put me back about $1200. A far cry from the $150 or so I was expecting to pay for my needle visit.
urgh.
More to come...
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
I am not a biker
When Dylan came up with the idea to ride motorcycles around the world, I had never ridden one before (save for one frightful time on the back of his sportbike). I disliked bikes and I disliked most yahoos wearing what I call, safety T-shirts or safety hoodies. Worse, I hate it when I see a guy riding in race leathers with his girlfriend on the back in a t-shirt - or less. I still hate those things, but now I know there are many people who have the right attitude toward riding.
So now I'm starting to look back at the past two years of planning this RTW trip on a motorcycle. I've learned to ride a motorcycle, I've become a gear whore and am on my fourth motorcycle jacket (found the right one this time!) and I still am bothered.
I am still not a biker, and that makes me sad.
As I've gotten to know more and more people in the motorcycle community, I've grown to appreciate their cultures. I've seen three major types. Sportbike, Adventure and Cruiser. Each of these cultures has their unique characteristics, yet they are all part of a larger family of bikers.
What's amazed me is how incredibly awesome these people are and how much they care for the community and one another. Over the past two years I've met some of the most generous and giving people around. I mean people that would give you their last can of beans out camping sort of folks.
Yet I feel like I don't fit in. I don't understand why.
I suppose that from the beginning the motorcycle trip around the world was my goal, and not becoming a biker. There are some feelings I have that would show that I'm becoming one though. Last week, Dylan and I were sitting in his kitchen talking about motorcycles and an upcoming change to the trip. He said that his most recent bike called to him and that he didn't expect me to understand the connection he was building with his bike.
The thing is, I understood perfectly. I have been thinking about my bike constantly and enjoy just looking at it. Like a four year-old I make its engine sounds and pretend to ride it, even when it's nowhere in sight.
Maybe I'm a biker and don't even realize it.
Sorry for the ramble, I'm planning on doing a lot more writing and am finding this is a decent outlet for getting things down on the page.
more to come...
So now I'm starting to look back at the past two years of planning this RTW trip on a motorcycle. I've learned to ride a motorcycle, I've become a gear whore and am on my fourth motorcycle jacket (found the right one this time!) and I still am bothered.
I am still not a biker, and that makes me sad.
As I've gotten to know more and more people in the motorcycle community, I've grown to appreciate their cultures. I've seen three major types. Sportbike, Adventure and Cruiser. Each of these cultures has their unique characteristics, yet they are all part of a larger family of bikers.
What's amazed me is how incredibly awesome these people are and how much they care for the community and one another. Over the past two years I've met some of the most generous and giving people around. I mean people that would give you their last can of beans out camping sort of folks.
Yet I feel like I don't fit in. I don't understand why.
I suppose that from the beginning the motorcycle trip around the world was my goal, and not becoming a biker. There are some feelings I have that would show that I'm becoming one though. Last week, Dylan and I were sitting in his kitchen talking about motorcycles and an upcoming change to the trip. He said that his most recent bike called to him and that he didn't expect me to understand the connection he was building with his bike.
The thing is, I understood perfectly. I have been thinking about my bike constantly and enjoy just looking at it. Like a four year-old I make its engine sounds and pretend to ride it, even when it's nowhere in sight.
Maybe I'm a biker and don't even realize it.
Sorry for the ramble, I'm planning on doing a lot more writing and am finding this is a decent outlet for getting things down on the page.
more to come...
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Eyeball update number 18
Ok, I went in for my seven month follow-up last week and here's the news about my eyes...
I can see.
My dominant, right eye is now measuring in at a perfect 0.00 and my left eye at -0.25.
Night vision is still a little bit sketchy, but overall, things are looking good!
I also want to mention that there has been a lot going on in the past few months and a lot more to come, including switching to a brand new website before the end of the year. We have made some revisions to the route and will have more big news on the horizon.
More to come...
I can see.
My dominant, right eye is now measuring in at a perfect 0.00 and my left eye at -0.25.
Night vision is still a little bit sketchy, but overall, things are looking good!
I also want to mention that there has been a lot going on in the past few months and a lot more to come, including switching to a brand new website before the end of the year. We have made some revisions to the route and will have more big news on the horizon.
More to come...
Friday, September 21, 2007
V is for Visas and Vaccinations
First off, a huge apology for the extended hiatus. I assure you there has been plenty of work going on behind the scenes (including the development of an all-new heretohere.com) to prepare for the tour in May.
Right now Dylan and I are working on our Vaccinations and our Visas. If anyone knows a good travel agent in Canada that deals with Russian multi-entry business visas, please, please give me a shout. It is by far the most complicated of the half dozen or so visas we need and it's starting to stress me out.
In other news, winter has pretty much arrived here in Calgary so it looks like it's near the end of the riding season. My Aria helmet has proven to be less comfortable on long distances (greater than 100km) than I had hoped. There will be some minor modifications made to the cheekpad as the strap on one side keeps digging into my jaw and giving me a huge headache.
Dylan has spent most of the summer working on his back yard and I'm sure will be looking forward to a break from that to continue planning the tour.
More to come...
Right now Dylan and I are working on our Vaccinations and our Visas. If anyone knows a good travel agent in Canada that deals with Russian multi-entry business visas, please, please give me a shout. It is by far the most complicated of the half dozen or so visas we need and it's starting to stress me out.
In other news, winter has pretty much arrived here in Calgary so it looks like it's near the end of the riding season. My Aria helmet has proven to be less comfortable on long distances (greater than 100km) than I had hoped. There will be some minor modifications made to the cheekpad as the strap on one side keeps digging into my jaw and giving me a huge headache.
Dylan has spent most of the summer working on his back yard and I'm sure will be looking forward to a break from that to continue planning the tour.
More to come...
Friday, July 13, 2007
Dylan's bike progress
Meanwhile, as I've been gallivanting all over Canada, Dylan has been working on his bike. Fuse blocks, upgrades to the suspension, exhaust (as mentioned previously) are all coming together. Cruise control is on (see the little control panel on the left side of the handlebar) and I'm sure many more things. I don't know the full extent of the modifications to Dylan's bike, however, I do know that mine is next.
Time is going by very quickly and soon we will be into visas, paperwork, tickets and the like. Just 10 months to go before we roll out of Calgary and head around the world!
More to come...
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
A 2,100 km Weekend
I'm back from a brief hiatus on Ontario on business.
Just prior to Ontario, I rode about 2,100km in one weekend.
With my girlfriend in front in her VW Golf (we had to pick up her dog), we set out for Nelson, BC, via Post Falls, Idaho.
Why Post Falls? Well, I needed some new gear and with the loonie reaching more than 90 cents US, the time was right to head down for a quick visit on the way to Nelson.
The ride was pretty uneventful with only a few deer in the ditches to keep me on edge. We stopped only once for food and then kept heading down south to Idaho. Well, till we got to the border that is.
With two people going somewhere together in two separate vehicles, it makes for inquisitive border guards. My girlfriend had no problem, but I got the third degree. Of course it helps when you know the roads in the area.
The guard asked, "Where are you headed?" I responded that we were heading to Nelson.
Not a good answer to give. "Who's we?" was the first question. Fair enough. Then he said, "Nelson's the other way son." I mentioned that we were traveling in a more roundabout direction as my girlfriend was from Nelson and wanted to take a different route. He asked what route and I told him I didn't have any idea and that's why the car was in front.
After a few more questions and my girlfriend ahead and her border guard having a bit of a chuckle, I was asked to pull aside under the canopy. They asked my girlfriend to hang tight and wait for me, but she was free to go.
We waited for a couple of minutes. They were sweaty minutes. I had no reason to be sweaty, but the heat of riding in full gear and my nerves were getting to me a bit. After a couple of minutes, a different guard - the one who was asking my girlfriend questions - came out and said, "oh, you best not be leaving without this." He handed me my passport and we were on our way.
The most noticeable change I found (other than MPH v. km/h) was that there were very few vehicles on the road with daytime running lights. Oncoming vehicles were far more difficult to see. We continued on to Post Falls where we called it a day.
The next day we arrived in Nelson late after riding through a storm in Post Falls. The roads had a couple of inches of water on them and cars in the other lane were splashing me. Fortunately I was wearing my new gear for the trip. I picked up an Olympia AST jacket and Ranger 2 pant from Beaudry Motorsports in Post Falls. I ordered and paid for them the week before and they arrived in Post Falls the day before I went to pick them up. Close call on the order!
In Nelson I helped out my girlfriend's dad who had a brand new Ducati that he picked up in Calgary the day we had left for the mini-trip. He hadn't ridden in 30-plus years so we went to a parking lot where I went over some of the basic skills with him. He picked things up really quickly (I suppose it's just like riding a bike!) and we headed for a 100km ride - just like that.
The following day we rode a few hundred more kilometres, this time with my girlfriend on the back of my bike. The roads out in that area are outstanding. Tons of twists and bends and scenery that can take your breath away. Now I understand why this is Dylan's favourite place on Earth.
The speed limits range from about 60 km/h to 90 km/h, depending on the bends. The pavement is smooth as silk and they just beg to be ridden on. We were keeping to the limits and bikes would sometimes go flying past us as if we were standing still. This is an oasis for those who enjoy the twisties. We even rode past the well-known Toad Rock Motorcycle Campground that afternoon. I wish at this point that I had taken some pictures, but we were really far to busy enjoying the ride.
It was time to head home the next day and we did so in a comedy of errors. First we forgot to get fuel. Then my girlfriend forgot her purse. "Third time's the charm" I said over the intercom (I installed an Autocom system on my bike the previous day).
Third time was not the charm. When we'd stopped to get the purse, I went in the car and parked my bike. Coming back to it, I needed to put on all my gear again before setting off, so I sent my girlfriend on her way with the intention of being a couple of minutes behind and I'd be able to catch up to her.
Just outside Salmo, BC I was passing a car and got pulled over for speeding while I was completing my pass. The police in the area are friendly, but give no second chances. I had my first ticket in five years and had no excuses; I was speeding.
My girlfriend watched the entire thing as she had pulled over a few hundred metres down the road (in town) to wait for me. We set off and the rest of the journey was uneventful - perhaps because of the downer from getting the ticket.
Once I got home I looked at the odometer on the bike. Amazingly enough to me, my V-strom has more than 7,200 kilometres on it since I purchased it new last July. my comfort level on the bike is definitely high and I'm looking forward to going around the world - the trip is 10 months away!
More to come...
Just prior to Ontario, I rode about 2,100km in one weekend.
With my girlfriend in front in her VW Golf (we had to pick up her dog), we set out for Nelson, BC, via Post Falls, Idaho.
Why Post Falls? Well, I needed some new gear and with the loonie reaching more than 90 cents US, the time was right to head down for a quick visit on the way to Nelson.
The ride was pretty uneventful with only a few deer in the ditches to keep me on edge. We stopped only once for food and then kept heading down south to Idaho. Well, till we got to the border that is.
With two people going somewhere together in two separate vehicles, it makes for inquisitive border guards. My girlfriend had no problem, but I got the third degree. Of course it helps when you know the roads in the area.
The guard asked, "Where are you headed?" I responded that we were heading to Nelson.
Not a good answer to give. "Who's we?" was the first question. Fair enough. Then he said, "Nelson's the other way son." I mentioned that we were traveling in a more roundabout direction as my girlfriend was from Nelson and wanted to take a different route. He asked what route and I told him I didn't have any idea and that's why the car was in front.
After a few more questions and my girlfriend ahead and her border guard having a bit of a chuckle, I was asked to pull aside under the canopy. They asked my girlfriend to hang tight and wait for me, but she was free to go.
We waited for a couple of minutes. They were sweaty minutes. I had no reason to be sweaty, but the heat of riding in full gear and my nerves were getting to me a bit. After a couple of minutes, a different guard - the one who was asking my girlfriend questions - came out and said, "oh, you best not be leaving without this." He handed me my passport and we were on our way.
The most noticeable change I found (other than MPH v. km/h) was that there were very few vehicles on the road with daytime running lights. Oncoming vehicles were far more difficult to see. We continued on to Post Falls where we called it a day.
The next day we arrived in Nelson late after riding through a storm in Post Falls. The roads had a couple of inches of water on them and cars in the other lane were splashing me. Fortunately I was wearing my new gear for the trip. I picked up an Olympia AST jacket and Ranger 2 pant from Beaudry Motorsports in Post Falls. I ordered and paid for them the week before and they arrived in Post Falls the day before I went to pick them up. Close call on the order!
In Nelson I helped out my girlfriend's dad who had a brand new Ducati that he picked up in Calgary the day we had left for the mini-trip. He hadn't ridden in 30-plus years so we went to a parking lot where I went over some of the basic skills with him. He picked things up really quickly (I suppose it's just like riding a bike!) and we headed for a 100km ride - just like that.
The following day we rode a few hundred more kilometres, this time with my girlfriend on the back of my bike. The roads out in that area are outstanding. Tons of twists and bends and scenery that can take your breath away. Now I understand why this is Dylan's favourite place on Earth.
The speed limits range from about 60 km/h to 90 km/h, depending on the bends. The pavement is smooth as silk and they just beg to be ridden on. We were keeping to the limits and bikes would sometimes go flying past us as if we were standing still. This is an oasis for those who enjoy the twisties. We even rode past the well-known Toad Rock Motorcycle Campground that afternoon. I wish at this point that I had taken some pictures, but we were really far to busy enjoying the ride.
It was time to head home the next day and we did so in a comedy of errors. First we forgot to get fuel. Then my girlfriend forgot her purse. "Third time's the charm" I said over the intercom (I installed an Autocom system on my bike the previous day).
Third time was not the charm. When we'd stopped to get the purse, I went in the car and parked my bike. Coming back to it, I needed to put on all my gear again before setting off, so I sent my girlfriend on her way with the intention of being a couple of minutes behind and I'd be able to catch up to her.
Just outside Salmo, BC I was passing a car and got pulled over for speeding while I was completing my pass. The police in the area are friendly, but give no second chances. I had my first ticket in five years and had no excuses; I was speeding.
My girlfriend watched the entire thing as she had pulled over a few hundred metres down the road (in town) to wait for me. We set off and the rest of the journey was uneventful - perhaps because of the downer from getting the ticket.
Once I got home I looked at the odometer on the bike. Amazingly enough to me, my V-strom has more than 7,200 kilometres on it since I purchased it new last July. my comfort level on the bike is definitely high and I'm looking forward to going around the world - the trip is 10 months away!
More to come...
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Finally, exhaust!
The exhaust finally came in from Laser on the weekend. It looks pretty good and I look forward to seeing it on the bike.
In the meantime, I'm off for a few days or riding starting this week. I'll zip down from Calgary to Post Falls, Idaho and then up to Nelson for a couple of days. It should be a nice ride and I'll try to post up some pictures.
more to come...
In the meantime, I'm off for a few days or riding starting this week. I'll zip down from Calgary to Post Falls, Idaho and then up to Nelson for a couple of days. It should be a nice ride and I'll try to post up some pictures.
more to come...
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
The sky is falling!
Remember Chicken Little, who claimed the sky was always falling?
Last night it did.
After work I hopped on the bike to take a ride. Near Calgary is some of the most scenic, breathtaking environment in the world. So, I thought, I might as well get some riding done in a nice place.
From Calgary, my destination was southwest of town to a place called Elbow Falls. There are some nice twisty roads and it makes for a nice couple of hours. Boy was I wrong.
Just as I was leaving town I saw a storm system rolling in. I had checked the weather before I left and it did warn of the storm, but I was really itching to go for a ride and know that on our world trip, there will be many days riding in poor weather. I put on my waterproof pants and set off.
I entered the storm soon after leaving town. A few drops of rain here and there at first, and then, with a crack of lightning, the sky unleashed itself on me. The tractor-trailer units that frequent this road became a new challenge. A wall of water would engulf me and the bike when I rode past. Visibility was poor and I kept my helmet tilted forward so the rain would fly off my visor faster. It worked surprisingly well.
The rain was getting more and more intense and I thought about turning back. I pulled off to the side of the road at an intersection, locking my rear tire and skidding to a stop over the slick pavement. I remembered to keep the wheel locked, and the bike stayed steady throughout. It was a good reminder how pavement changes when it's wet.
Through the clouds and rain I could see much lighter clouds further southwest, approximately above Elbow Falls - I decided to push on.
Arriving at Elbow Falls, there was just a light sprinkle of rain. I spent a few minutes admiring nature's course and got back in the saddle to head home.
Just like when I left town, the rain suddenly turned on like an emergency sprinkler. The sky was dark and I felt remarkably calm.
It's an interesting feeling riding whilst a lake is being thrown at you doing 100 km/h. I was dressed for the occasion wearing waterproof boots, pants and jacket, although I forgot to do up one of the waterproof zippers and got half of my shirt wet. My gloves were a complete joke. They claimed to be waterproof but I could swear they were wetter inside than out.
Coming back into the city was like entering a war zone. Cars were pulled over everywhere, roads were flooded, traffic lights were out. Perhaps foolishly, I kept riding. To be perfectly honest, I was having a great time. My biggest concern was the light show all around me. It was so intense I thought I was at a nightclub lit with strobe lights.
You know when you're a kid and your parents teach you to count the seconds between when you see the lightning and hear the thunder? The less time it takes to hear the thunder, the closer the lighting? When I was a boy I'd count, "one one thousand, two one thousand..." and so on. Last night it was more like, *Lightning*, "o..." and the thunder would crash down. I couldn't even start to count.
On a couple of occasions I plowed through puddles about 8 inches deep. The water splashed up onto my boots and legs. Remarkably, they stayed dry. Cars were creating small tidal waves on the roads as they were completely flooding. Dirt and gravel were being washed all over the road as well and it became quite slick. I rode carefully.
The final puddle I rode though was in my own parkade. It would be an understatement to say that I was happy to make it home relatively dry, and completely safe. I got up to my condo and peeled off my gear. I clinched a fist with my glove on and water poured out of it like a tap. Don't buy Joe Rocket 'waterproof' gloves.
This was perhaps one of the most challenging riding experiences I've had so far. Fortunately, I got more soaked walking into the office this morning than I did last night.
Here is a photo of the road I came into town on. I turned off of it about three km before this exit.
More to come...
Last night it did.
After work I hopped on the bike to take a ride. Near Calgary is some of the most scenic, breathtaking environment in the world. So, I thought, I might as well get some riding done in a nice place.
From Calgary, my destination was southwest of town to a place called Elbow Falls. There are some nice twisty roads and it makes for a nice couple of hours. Boy was I wrong.
Just as I was leaving town I saw a storm system rolling in. I had checked the weather before I left and it did warn of the storm, but I was really itching to go for a ride and know that on our world trip, there will be many days riding in poor weather. I put on my waterproof pants and set off.
I entered the storm soon after leaving town. A few drops of rain here and there at first, and then, with a crack of lightning, the sky unleashed itself on me. The tractor-trailer units that frequent this road became a new challenge. A wall of water would engulf me and the bike when I rode past. Visibility was poor and I kept my helmet tilted forward so the rain would fly off my visor faster. It worked surprisingly well.
The rain was getting more and more intense and I thought about turning back. I pulled off to the side of the road at an intersection, locking my rear tire and skidding to a stop over the slick pavement. I remembered to keep the wheel locked, and the bike stayed steady throughout. It was a good reminder how pavement changes when it's wet.
Through the clouds and rain I could see much lighter clouds further southwest, approximately above Elbow Falls - I decided to push on.
Arriving at Elbow Falls, there was just a light sprinkle of rain. I spent a few minutes admiring nature's course and got back in the saddle to head home.
Just like when I left town, the rain suddenly turned on like an emergency sprinkler. The sky was dark and I felt remarkably calm.
It's an interesting feeling riding whilst a lake is being thrown at you doing 100 km/h. I was dressed for the occasion wearing waterproof boots, pants and jacket, although I forgot to do up one of the waterproof zippers and got half of my shirt wet. My gloves were a complete joke. They claimed to be waterproof but I could swear they were wetter inside than out.
Coming back into the city was like entering a war zone. Cars were pulled over everywhere, roads were flooded, traffic lights were out. Perhaps foolishly, I kept riding. To be perfectly honest, I was having a great time. My biggest concern was the light show all around me. It was so intense I thought I was at a nightclub lit with strobe lights.
You know when you're a kid and your parents teach you to count the seconds between when you see the lightning and hear the thunder? The less time it takes to hear the thunder, the closer the lighting? When I was a boy I'd count, "one one thousand, two one thousand..." and so on. Last night it was more like, *Lightning*, "o..." and the thunder would crash down. I couldn't even start to count.
On a couple of occasions I plowed through puddles about 8 inches deep. The water splashed up onto my boots and legs. Remarkably, they stayed dry. Cars were creating small tidal waves on the roads as they were completely flooding. Dirt and gravel were being washed all over the road as well and it became quite slick. I rode carefully.
The final puddle I rode though was in my own parkade. It would be an understatement to say that I was happy to make it home relatively dry, and completely safe. I got up to my condo and peeled off my gear. I clinched a fist with my glove on and water poured out of it like a tap. Don't buy Joe Rocket 'waterproof' gloves.
This was perhaps one of the most challenging riding experiences I've had so far. Fortunately, I got more soaked walking into the office this morning than I did last night.
Here is a photo of the road I came into town on. I turned off of it about three km before this exit.
More to come...
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