Adventure versus Vacation

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines adventure as:

• an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks b: the encountering of risks adventure>
• an exciting or remarkable experience adventure in exotic dining>
• an enterprise involving financial risk

Vacation is defined as:

• a respite or a time of respite from something,
• a: a scheduled period during which activity (as of a court or school) is suspended b: a period of exemption from work granted to an employee
• a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation “had a restful vacation at the beach”

Now riding a motorcycle to Alaska and back to ride a steam train may not exactly be a vacation it certainly was an adventure. We did not reach our original goal of Denali Park in Alaska due to various factors but we certainly did have an adventure. Actually Mark is still on his.

You see we were just coming through the Fraser Canyon and had passed through China Tunnel just south of Boston Bar. Having taken a short rest period, nee pee break, we took off again. I looked back in my mirrors and noticed Mark had pulled over – we both quite often forgot to plug in our electric vests – but did not take off again. I did a u-turn to see what was up.  When I rode up I saw what I thought was a snake on the ground by Mark’s bike. But what it actually was, was the chain drive for his motorcycle.

The chain had separated at the master link. When this happened it also broke part of the rear chain sprocket. This was one of those repairs that could be bodged but is better fixed by a professional with new parts.

This is one of those times where having BCAA coverage paid off. BCAA dispatched a towing company that showed up with a truck and trailer and all the proper strapping. Ten minutes later Mark was on his way to Chilliwack to get the bike repaired and I was on my way to catch a ferry.

I spoke to Mark this afternoon. The repair was completed this morning and he was on the ferry heading home to Nanaimo. It was expensive, over $500 with parts labour and to replace the worn rear brake pads, but it could have been a lot worse. Many times when a chain breaks it also comes forward, jams up around the front sprocket and can break the engine case. So instead of $500 it could have been many thousands.

The good thing about all this is that we would take off again tomorrow and due a trip again. Even with the shitty weather (13 days of rain – sometimes biblical downpours), multiple day delays and both being sick we enjoyed – or possibly endured – an adventure that we will be glad to tell the grandkids someday.

Have a look at the photoshare as I have added some more photos to it. http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854267794-1338778639-67525/

 Cheers

Ibby