McGowan Falls

The last glacial period some 10,000 years ago (I'm guessing) has flattened Southern Ontario and most of the riding you find around here is just that - flat. But, the scenery is still beautiful - rolling farmland, copses of trees in fall color, quaint farm towns, and interesting geological formations are all yours to discover here in Ontario. Even if what's rolling beneath your tires isn't interesting the scenery is pleasant.

Yesterday, I took a ride up north. I've been wanting to do the .Grey County Waterfall Tour since I read about it last year in the paper. The closest waterfall, McGowan - is about three hours away from my house. I haven't managed to get a full day to get up there and do all of the waterfalls. Yesterday, I managed to get to the first one.

The directions are clear and stated this first one was in a Conservation Area. Ontario has some really nice Conservations Areas that are just pockets of nature set aside for low impact use like hiking and birding. When I looked at the map and found this one was located in the heart of Durham, I had my doubts. I found my way to the falls and yes they are pretty - it's just not a conservation area that I'd had imagined. Just ignore the neighborhood across the street and you'll get the idea.

The falls are pretty and nice to photograph. I'll come back this way again when I have more time and try and visit the other waterfalls on the tour.

Many Things

Friends
My riding buddy Trevor has gotten back into motorcycling with a 30-year old Suzuki GS425E that he's done some cafe' racer touches to. It's a nice little bike that keeps up quite well. I'll have to post some pictures soon.

My friend Sharon has reported a mishap on her latest trip to South Carolina in Fredericksburg, Maryland. I don't know all of the details but I wish her the best and the strength she needs to get through this. I'm totally bummed - I was living vicariously through Sharon as she was out on the roads enjoying another motorcycle adventure while I'm stuck at home pounding out code in a brown cube.

Motorcycle Gear

I picked up a really nice paddock stand for the rear of my bike. The Versys has an undermounted exhaust making the traditional motorcycle lifts useless. The only safe way to lift the Versys is through these paddock or wheel stands. My dealer said they had a nice one available for $100 dollars and with the spools the cost was about $134.00. The spools are the knobs that the stand locks into - to lift the bike. I'm very pleased with this stand - it has four large rubber wheels and thick tubes. Lifting the bike is not as daunting as it seems - line up the forks on the stand with the spools. Use your body to lean the bike upright and press in the right side fork. Then use your foot to press down and up she goes. The bike is very stable on the stand and I can actually move the bike around the garage on the stand. Motorcycle Stands - a good investment for maintenance and storage.

The weather is getting cold out - I'm ordering heated gear this year. I enjoy riding as late into the season as I can but I'm not going to freeze this year. I'll post a review when the gear arrives.

Happy Moto-ing.

Guitar Pro 5

I've added a link and banner to Guitar Pro 5 at the bottom of this page. I've used it to practice new songs. Sometimes when I look at a sheet of music - I don't know the feel or how it's supposed to go. Yes, I can find the recording and get the gist of it - but sometimes I still need a little bit of help. Guitar Pro 5 allows you to program in the music and hear it played back. You can add accompaniment - Guitar Pro 5 has quite a few instruments you can choose from. Currently, I'm learning how to play 'When I'm 64' by the Beatles in finger style. This has to be the most difficult song I've learned so far. The triplet-feel eight notes creating a swing affect was hard to master and the complex finger arrangements for the left hand are tough. Using Guitar Pro 5 I've been able to slow the music down so I can play it carefully and extremely slowly to master each pattern and note. I find this a useful tool in learning to play guitar and new songs.