OK, I guess I have been neglecting this forum for just a little too long!
Here is my update on the activities of the Ottawa Riders Association of Triumph.
By the way, is it me or does Mother Nature have something against us? It is freeking raining all the time in Eastern Ontario!
CALABOGIE RIDE REPORT:
Thanks to a slight moment of cooperation by Mother Nature, the Ottawa R.A.T. Pack was finally able to get out on its annual Calabogie Ride this past July 5th. Ten riders left the Ottawa Good Time Centre at 10:30 a.m. sharp. That in itself is cause for celebration as it is the first time we actually leave on time for one of our rides! Our enthusiasm was somewhat dampened as we encountered a wide load truck towing a house just as we came across the Highway 416 overpass on Hunt Club Road. About ten kilometres later, we were relieved to see the truck with police escort veer off into a residential area leaving us a clear road ahead.
Our route to Calabogie took us through the towns of Carleton Place, Pakenham, and around White Lake. We arrived in Calabogie a little after 12:30 p.m. and settled in at Murphy’s Landing for lunch on the terrace.
After a hearty lunch, we refuelled the bikes and being the proud owners of British motorcycles that we are, we went and crashed an Italian Party! It was the Ducati Club of Canada track day at the Calabogie Motorsport Park and in rolled the Ottawa R.A.T. Pack. The folks from the Ducati Club were actually very welcoming and courteous and I believe there was genuine mutual respect and enthusiasm for the two brands. The Triumphs gathered a number of inquisitive looks that can only be attributed to admiration and I do believe we were reciprocal in our admiration of their bikes and their courage to take them out on the track.
Pumped by what we saw at the Calabogie Motorsport Park, we roared down twisty Highway 511 to Perth for a quick pit stop prior to the last stretch back to Ottawa and the Ottawa Good Time Centre.
Taking into account the feedback I received from the participants, this was our best ride so far and Colin has posted the pictures from the ride in the Gallery section of the Ottawa R.A.T. web site:
http://zoneballistic.com/triumph/index2.html
Our next Official Ride is set for September 6th so mark your calendar. Details of the ride will be available sometime in August.
We may plan one or two “unofficial" rides before the end of the summer and like the September 6th Official Ride, more details will follow in August. I know that a Sunday Brunch followed by a short ride appears to be an interesting option to a number of the members and we are attempting to make accommodating plans.
I'm also hoping we will manage a Montreal RAT and Ottawa RAT gathering in Hawkesbury in early September. Anybody on this forum from Montreal? Hint, hint!
WEDNESDAY NIGHT GATHERINGS
For those who may be wondering, yes we do still meet at the Clock Tower Pub on Bank Street every two weeks and tomorrow evening was to be the next meeting date. However, rain is once more playing havoc with our plans and therefore it is postponed until next week, Wednesday July 30th.
Here are the dates of our future gatherings:
July 30
August 6
August 20
Sept. 3
Sept. 17
Again, the meeting place for these Wednesday night gatherings is the Clock Tower Pub located at 575 Bank St. immediately south of the Queensway. This location was chosen last year for its central location and has remained our meeting ground again this year. Ottawa R.A.T. members typically arrive anytime between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. and depart around 8ish. If somebody has another central location in mind, we are always open to suggestions but please remember that members come from the four corners of the city. Note that the chosen gathering location does not need to be a pub and could just as well be a Second Cup or Bridgehead Coffee Shop. There are a few along Bank Street also.
OTTAWA RAT BADGES
The Ottawa Riders Association Triumph Badges are more than half sold and I only have 20 left. I know some of you have asked me to keep some aside but it remains first come first serve. No need to worry however as I do expect to have some left during our next official ride in September.
I hope your are enjoying the summer and taking every opportunity you have to get out on your motorcycle, rain or shine!
I look forward to seeing you at our next events!
Ottawa675
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