I'm NOT calling this Lisa's Motorcycle Diaries

OK.

I've had over a week to recover from my holiday, and I got up extra-early this morning, so I have no more excuses to postpone a blog entry.

I love my motorcycle.

My first long-distance trip went very well. As I was zooming along, I kept catching myself thinking,

"I'm doing this! I'm really doing this!" and then,

"Why am I doing this?!"

My end conclusion was always the same: because I can.

My body won't be pliable and compliant forever. I can't guarantee that five years down the road I will have my sight, or all my limbs, or even breath left in me. If I want to ride a motorcycle, I better do it now.

We drove 3400 km.

The first night we drove to Calgary. The gusting winds were increadibly strong. I clung to the bike for dear life. I'm glad I had to go through that at the beginning, as it got me over any nervousness about the wind right away. It took way longer to get there than I expected, and I got chilled once the sun started to go down, but I did enjoy how much easier it is to maneuver through stupid Calgary traffic on a bike.

Day two we headed for Kamloops - an overly ambitious goal. We stopped in Banff for a really nice lunch on a roof-top patio. The mountain air was cool. Why didn't I take my jacket liner? Why did I only bring tank tops? Well, my first highway ride was in 35 degree heat, so I didn't realize how cold it would feel at more normal temperatures. Oh well.

It is hard to describe how much more connected you feel to the world around you on a motorbike compared to a car. Everything looks closer, more real. You can smell the wildflowers, trees, water, cows (and, unfortunately, the odd roadkill).

As we got closer to Golden, BC, I finally got to experience some 'twisties'. Yay! This section of the Trans Canada Highway always made me tense driving in a car, but on the bike it felt mellow.

The only injury I sustained on the whole trip was on this leg. Don't worry, it was not bike related. As we stretched our legs at a rest stop overlooking the new section of bridge near Golden, I was walking backwards to fit more into a photo, tripped over a curb, and hit my head on the pavement. Yup.

I remember feeling glad that I wasn't wearing my $600 helmet. Priorities, you know.

I was dangerously tired as we pulled up to our motel. I had learned that 7 hours in the saddle was past my limit.

Another motel patron saw Matt's Ducati and came over to chat with us. Ducati lovers are a special breed of motorcycle enthusiasts. I wouldn't be surprised if they have secret handshakes and other hidden rituals.

Stay tuned for day 3 and my first rain gear experience!