MEET YOUR HOST......or.....

WHERE I GOT MY LOVE OF MOTORCYCLING

by Julie V. Watson

People have asked me where my love of motorcycle touring came from, especially as we have had to give it up to a large degree due to my husband's health problems. I think the answer lies with my heritage and with fate.  My early memories include one of being in a sidecar watching water rise higher and higher up the sides, and being splashed by water  from the tires. Looking up at my father I could see he was enjoying himself and so was my mother behind him.  Obviously their smiles and laughter convinced my toddler brain that this was fun - so I laughed too.  Traitors Ford near Brails (above right) was a great family favourite for picnics.

You see, I spent my early years in post WWII England. My Dad had courted my Mom on a motorcycle.   Mom recalled this photo of my father (above centre) was taken “up Lovers Lane. We went through Bloxom and down this road - probably courting."  Early family albums are full of pictures of them exploring the English countryside, ports and such. My Mom in front of a French destroyer in Southampton, England in the early days of WWII. Other photos taken that day included the Empress of Britain, with a note below that said "sunk by enemy bombers", the Empresses of Australia and Sundealand Flying Boat.

Our little family often picniced in the country. A favourite spot was beside a river which required one to ford, or drive through it, to get there.  At that time in England fords through shallow rivers or brooks were commonplace.  That picnic spot was where my memory came from. 

I didn't have many years riding in that sidecar.  Life intervened. In postwar England my parents had a busy bakery in Oxfordshire. My memories switch to traveling in a bread van.  Every so often they would take out the racks for holding bread and convert that bread van into a camper of sorts.

I have memories of sitting on a sun warmed stone wall overlooking a loch in Scotland.  The land, which fell away toward the glistening blue water below, was covered by purple heather.  The sight, scent and sounds of buzzing bees, and my parents preparing tea on their naptha gas stove have stayed with me all of my life.

After emigrating to Canada my parents purchased a 1943 Buick.  Over the years we explored the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, and much of Ontario in that big old car, racking up the adventures and memories. We slept in the car where ever Dad found to pull it in, beaches, fields, woods, parks - as long as it was safe it didn't matter.

It was those nomadic expeditions that fostered my love of being on the road and doing it in a way that keeps us close to the elements and nature.

I had the good fortune to marry a guy with a spirit of adventure - and motorcycling.  After a few years away from riding while we focused on raising our family we got back at it.  A move to Prince Edward Island from Ontario and a stint with real horses later we became empty nesters and returned to our love for motorcycles.

We were fortunate enough to enjoy some great touring on the bike before hanging up our helmets for health reasons.  Recently we sold our house, purchased a Class B RV and plan to head on down the road.  A new bike is hopefully in our future but it won't be a full dresser, BMW tour bike.  We won't be traveling two-up for long distances, but figure we can enjoy short day trips out from the campgrounds.  In some regions, such as British Columbia, there are opportunities to rent bikes for day trips, as we happily found recently.

We're happy to know that our love of motorcycling has been shared with others in the family.  My mother-in-law took to biking in her late 70s, his sister enjoyed some great rides, and a nephew is a true enthusiast.  As for Jack, he is always ready to share stories of special rides, even being caught in snow storms, crossing rivers on a plank "bridge" and meeting and greeting great folks from many countries.

We haven't decided on the bike in our future.  Knee surgery in May! And more medical tests.  But I have to tell you, the fun side of us was cranked up at the Vancouver Bike Show in January, where we got a close look are Urals with a side car.  Affordability is a big factor and they just look like fun!  As well, the type of Ural owners we've met seem a fun lot who don't take themselves too seriously. 

We don't know what the future holds.  But we do know we'll tackle it head on and maintain our love of biking as best we can. We came to the realization years ago that change is part of life.  One has to adapt to what fate throws at you and find enjoyment how and where you can.  That my friends is what it is all about, and why we started this web site.  To help fellow enthusiasts focus on small pleasures, on great experiences, on enjoying life however and where ever they can.