Friday 13 Febuary 2004

Friday the 13th is a day that motorcyclists from all over converge on a small southwestern Ontario town by the name of Port Dover. This gathering started in 1981 when Chris Simons and a few of his friends gathered on Friday the 13th and promised to get together every Friday the 13th no matter when it fell. Well as time passed and those friends told two friends, who told two friends and so on and on... a tradition was started. This is a gathering of motorcyclists which may seem strange when getting together every Friday the 13th includes those times when Friday the 13th falls in a winter month!! Cold and snow however do not stop some intrepid folks from donning their winter survival gear and heading down highway 6 to partake in the festivities.

This year Friday the 13th is in February (today) and so like many others I headed out to partake in the tradition. No I wasn't one of the brave souls who persevered through cold and blustery conditions and arrived on a motorcycle. Using some common sense buried deep in the back of my head I took a car and headed out. Two plus hours of riding is much too far a distance to travel in the middle of the winter, at least for me. Then there's the fact that I like my motorcycle and plan on keeping it for more than a few years. As most people know salt can quickly ruin your pride and joy, and while winter travel may not be my idea of a fun thing to do, many motorcyclists did partake of the festivities and arrive by motorcycle.

On my way to Port Dover I did see one motorcycle pulled over on the side of the road in a rather snowy area and despite the fact two cars were already stopped, I pulled over and went back to see if any further assistance was required. Apparently a car had cut off the intrepid rider who apparently was none the worse for the incident and was awaiting a flatbed to take his slightly bruised wheels home. An acquaintance from the Delphi Shadow Forum was apparently in one of the parked vehicles when I stopped to see if everything was ok and contacted me with some extra pictures and information. The intrepid rider is Joe and you can see he is none the worse for wear from the pictures below although his bike did sustain some damage. Best of luck in getting everything fixed Joe. What surprised me more was the fact that nobody else stopped to make sure the rider of the motorcycle was ok. Even a passing OPP vehicle failed to stop.

Cut Off		Some Damage
Help Arrives		Joe's Bike
Thanks to Brad Sanderson For Above Pictures

Snow Covered		Highway 6 South

Upon resuming my journey I happened to notice a bike roll by and was following him for a bit before he decided to slow down and use the shoulder for better traction than the snow covered road would probably afford him. At that point I passed him and decided that getting ahead could prove valuable and grab a picture of him as he went by. If you are the rider pictured below please drop me an e-mail and I'll put your name with the picture. By the way I do know the plate # of the bike so don't try and pull a fast one and claim to be someone who you are not. As I pulled back onto the road we were very close to Port Dover and I followed the rider into town, where I lost him as I got stuck behind some cars and he continued on his way. Finding a place to park the car is a little easier in the winter and I ended up on the street just behind the park a minute's walk from the main street where all the action was. Unlike a summer event very few vendors were set up selling their souvenirs. Deciding I need a Tim Horton's coffee I began my trip down main street when I hear someone call my name and here are two of my friends from Orillia and Gravenhurst Jerry & Dale. Into the pub and grab a coffee and catch up with my friends who apparently arrived about 30 minutes before myself.

Too Much Snow For Me		Better Traction??
Who Are You?		In Front Again

We decided to take a stroll up and down the main drag to see what was happening and check out any bikes that happened to be around. Made a quick stop for commemorative pin from On The Fringe Leathers and then off for lunch in the harbour. Once lunch was finished we made another stroll up the street and my buddies decided it's time to head home so we said our goodbyes and parted ways. Now I still hadn't stopped for that Tim Hortons coffee so that's where I headed to fill my thirst. Grabbing a large double double I made my last pass up the street to my car for the journey home. Along the way I happened to notice a couple bylaw enforcement officers checking to see if one guy selling shirts had the required permits. Hopefully he did or any profits he made could quickly be eaten by the fines! All in all a good day for a drive in the car, but cudos to those who made the journey by motorcycle.

Nice Custom		Alberta Plates
No Rub Here?		Ural??
Another Hack		Intruder 1400
Intruder 1400

More Pictures From Brad
Custom		Mini Bike
Looks Cold Eh?		Harley
Brad On An Obviously Nicer Day

Friday 13th

Type @ Ya'll Later
Night_Wolf

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