MCBC Motorcycle Ride 2009

Our second annual Mennonite Church BC Motorcycle Ride took place on the weekend of August 8th and 9th. This year there were 6 bikes with 7 riders (compared with 20 bikes and 23 riders last year). We went to Vancouver Island, making it a 2 day trip. Our connection on the Island was the United Mennonite Church at Black Creek (1/2 way between Courtenay and Campbell River). There are a couple of riders among the people at the Black Creek Church, but it only worked out for one couple to be involved. Gary and Gloria Cashman were wonderful hosts for the weekend. We stayed overnight at their home on Saturday.

Our place of meeting, and official start of the ride was on Saturday at noon at the Black Creek Church. Our destination was Gold River. This road is a beautiful ride with lots of nice twists and turns that only a motorcyclist can really enjoy. The weather was nice, but a bit iffy. We got rained on kind of in the middle of the ride both on the way out and on the way back. I don't think anyone complained too much. It was a lot of fun. The photo above is at the end of the road. Beyond the community of Gold River, the road continues down to the dock where a whole new opportunity awaits those who want to get out on the water.

When we got back to the Cashman home, Gloria had dinner ready for us! We had a great evening of connecting stories.

On Sunday we joined the Black Creek Church for their morning worship service. It was a neat show of support for a congregation that often feels it is quite removed from the majority out in the Lower Mainland. Not only were the bikers there, but 2 youth groups from the Lower Mainland were there, partnering to help them run their Vacation Bible School program. I was the preacher.

After worship we were all treated to a bbq at the church. Because most of the riders wanted to catch a ferry back to the mainland at a decent hour, we decided on a bit of a storter afternoon ride. We went up Mount Washington (the Island's ski resort). Upon arrival at the top, we realised that this was the end destination of a major motorcycle rally. I'm sure there were at least 100 bikes up there. It was fun to look around and watch them take off. Of course, there was a Starbucks, so that was our mountian top stop. Sunday was a warmer, sunnier day.

The ride down the mountain is the most beautiful part, with the views of expansive land and sea. We parted ways at the bottom of the mountain - I stayed with the Cashmans for another night because I wanted to do some stuff on the Island on Monday; the rest of them headed back to Nanaimo to meet the ferry.

Half way through the ride, some were already asking what the plans are for next year. The main idea was to do the Duffey Lake road. This is from Vancouver to Whistler, Pemberton, Lillooet, and down the Fraser Canyon. We'll see, once the day gets closer.