Last Saturday, May 7, started out as a 4am-10am torrential downpour here in my region, North Surrey. I'd basically written off the day as an inside domestic duty day, a horrific waste of a weekend IMO, . 10:15 a dramatic weather change, sunshine, and 30 minutes later, dry roads. I'd planned a ride on the Commando to see if ultra final tuning of idle jet could make things even nicer than it has run in 20 years. So off I went east to twisty roads I knew would be not busy, yes, its running better, and yes, roads mostly empty east of Fort Langley.
    I sort of remembered a BMW test ride going on at,,,,,a,,,,,,,brewery. extreme rural Locality Brewing. I went in through the back entrance into a big gathering of competent big ADV bikes and cruisers to find a BMW test ride consisting of only the BMW R1800 super cruiser in it's 1/2 dozen variants, 20 of them, and a big Kenworth with BMW on the side. Big group wanting to ride the machines, others looking at the very odd cruiser entry from Berlin. Smoked Texas BBQ beef available, and authentic German roadside food heaven in attendance. Instantly recognized familiar faces from Sunday morning Fort Langley coffee gathering, sipping beer, I thought a great idea. A BMW Ontario employee asked me to park my bike in the center circle gathering where vintage classics were complimenting custom modified R1800's with a chance at "prices". Heck yeah.
   The gathering of true classic machines was really rather small, consisting of a well patina aged but lovely '48 Indian Scout, a complete and nice from 40', not so nice from 5' , '76 Honda 400-4 SS, a '91 ? BMW K100RS, and my Norton. Mix of regular craft beer patrons taking early mothers day family gatherings, patio tables and seemingly quite enjoying watching the unique for them activity,  the brewmaster's 6 yr old kid brapping around through the crowd on his 2 stroke KX80 motocross bike. Live music, couple guys playing instrumental Lynerd Skynerd, and Eric Clapton,  bloody good on guitar, THE BMW employee running things says he's going to have to alter the judging classifications with the 4 bikes of classic status, gonna talk to his boss. I go thumbs up, as I enjoy Bratwurst and pan seared sauerkraut on an open fried pita with German hot mustards, really good, just like Oktoberfest, Munich.
  2 hours later after a free private tour of the brewery, after I told them I grow beer hops i my back yard, and free beer,,,,,,,, I'm told that the 3 vintage bikes left get a $100 gift card at the BMW dealer in Langley. That should be good for litre of BMW synthetic oil, or a 10 minute computer diagnostic for my '08 Junkers JU 88.
   One must jump at activities quickly, on short notice. Weekends must not be wasted!!! Get a calculator,,,,52 weekends per year, multiply the conservative estimate you feel you'll be hanging out amongst society. It should bring a sense of urgency!!!!!

The finest kind of good ride experience by chance. I really appreciate days where I just head off and happen on events that just turn out right.
Frank