The Man-Van

Executive members of the "Ride For Dad" committee were out to support The Prostate Cancer Centre and their "Man-Van", which was stationed at the Suncor building for the day. In case you are unfamiliar with the "Man-Van", it's a mobile p.s.a. ( Prostate Specific Antigen) testing centre set up in the back of an r.v.. Basically, a blood testing lab with a small office area that rolls around the city offering free tests to screen for indicators of potential risk of prostate cancer. The next date for the Man-Van will be on June 13, at the Telus Centre from 10:00 'til 2:00, so I encourage any guys over the age of 40 to stop in, say hello, and get the test. One small blood sample in 10 minutes and you're off, with results mailed to you or a phone call suggesting further tests are needed.

Getting set up inside the Suncor Building.

Blue Circle is a Gold Level Sponsor of The Ride For Dad

Volunteers are one of the most important part of any awareness campaign

Some of the Executive memebers road their bikes down, to help bring awareness to the ride.

The banner

The 4 story atrium of The Suncor Building with the famous Canadian bush plane, "The Norseman"

If you don't like the way I drive, stay off the sidewalk!! haha! It was raining all day but I brought B.B. and parked her under the awning.

The Man-Van

Brookfield Office Properties not only allowed us to set up in their atrium but also did a fantastic window display, and bought us all lunch! Thanks for your support Brookfield!

No job is complete without the paperwork!

Some sweetness to ease the pain !

The easy part of the testing process is done

Pops...on 17th.

Popped into Pops, just west of 37th St on 17th Ave S.W, and had their 50¢ tacos, with plenty of guac and salsa on the side. Pretty tasty way to get introduced to the great atmosphere and fine people working on our behalf to make us feel welcome and comfortable!

 Eastyn, Pop's G.M. is the driving force behind the great service and friendly atmosphere.

Check out the 50¢ tacos served up by this bonita senorita!

The usual suspects!

Mel's Going Euro!

How Euro is Mel's new scooter, the Aprilla Scarabeo? Click on the official link and you get two choices for language...Italian and Spanish. "Chi vuole andare per uno moteretta?"

Even that red says Italia!

East Village

Wandered in Calgary's East Village today and checked out some cool art. I first went by the District Energy Station, which is a heat generating facility capable of providing heat for up to 10 million square feet of new and existing residential and commercial buildings, including the development of the East Village.
The facility incorporates high efficiency boilers fueled by natural gas. Customers are connected to the facility through an underground, closed loop pressurized thermal distribution system. This station is the heat exchange interface between the district energy piping system and the customers’ heating systems.
Across the street is the old King Eddie (The King Edward Hotel), home of the blues in Calgary until it was closed quite a few years ago. Now, The National Music Centre will be incorporating the old building into their new building which will span both sides of the street and put an exclamation mark on development in the area. Perhaps the "guerilla weaver" who did the handwoven tinsel heart on the front door screens, helped inspire the efforts of those responsible for saving the old boy and keeping the blues tradition alive.
There was some amazing mosaics by the L.R.T. and some commissioned aerosol art on the old Billingsgate building. Lots more to check out, so next lunch time walk will focus on other objects of interest.

Enmax District Energy Station

Closed but not forgotton.

Murals on the ramp walls of the LRT

Look closer and you can see that this is a mosaic, made from small tiles

Another detailed piece

Tagged, with permission

A Different Kind Of Riding!

Hit the trails on the mountain bike with my buddy, Doug. It's still a bit snowy and wet out there in the Rockies and with the forecast calling for 25mm of rain, we took the trail around Lake Minnewanka, mostly becuase it has a lot of hard packed portions with some skree, and good drainage off the side. It was pretty good going for the most part but that loose skree makes for some tricky technical riding and some potential for things like flat tires.
Yup...hit a couple of sharp rocks on a fast descent and squeezed my tire a bit too much and pinched the inner tube. Good thing I always carry a repair kit, tools, and a spare tube as well. No problem with the replacement, except for being perched on the side of the mountain, on single track, with possible riders coming along and trying to pass.
Turned out to be a perfect riding day though, with over cast skies to keep it cool and no rain until we were back in the truck and heading home.It's pretty hard not to have a great day in the mountains!!

A bit dark and overcast but a great day none the less.

My riding buddy, Doug, with his helmet mounted POV camera

The trail head up into the back country campground warns of Grizzly activity, with no bikes allowed and hikers only in groups of 4 or more.

My i-Phone panorama feature gives a 180 degree perspective of the entire lake

The "Road King" works on being the "Rock King"!! haha!

Looks like rain but we only got wet from sweat!

Raining hard on the drive home.

Wind Warning!

Heading down south today to say hi to the good folks at Lethbridge Harley and Buell and stopped in Nanton for a breather. The ride started out all sunshine and good weather but as I got further south the wind had picked up and was howling at what felt like hurricane force. Just to make it a little more challenging, the gusts were hitting me from the southeast so there was a head wind and a cross wind at the same time. As you can see from the windsock in the photo at the Bomber Command Museum Of Canada, it was straight out!
Was happy to share the ride back with Jerry, from First Choice Appraisals (an very experienced independent appraiser), who was also down in Lethbridge and heading to Calgary as well. We even stopped off at Rumors in Nanton, one of Blue Circle's 10 best burgers on our Burger Ride Map. Took a break from the wind and had some great eats, with Tammy behind the bar. Sorry to have missed Diane but we'll be back again!

The windsock says it all!

T-33 "Silver Star"

The old Lancaster is undergoing some work

Another "pit stop" to snap a few photos. A very nice, older gentleman stopped to ask me if everything was all right and if I needed help! Yes, there is still kindness in strangers!

The open road! 

Had a great visit with Sandie Petersen, Sales Manager at Lethbridge Harley Davidson Buell. I was also talking to some riders outside and one thing they all said was how great the Lethbridge H-D people were and how great the service was in the shop! 

"Motorcycle Parking Only" stalls! Gotta love it!

Turple Bothers

If you're talking bikes and talking history, then you'll likely be saying Turple, as in Turple Brothers Motorsports in Red Deer.Started by Glenn Turple, and his brother Rex, in 1949, the shop has been going ever since and is a testament to what great service by great people will do for you and your business. Glenn, affectionately known as the "Gold Wing King", has over a million kilometers of riding and still averages about 25,000 km a year, even at the age of 84!! With the stewardship of Turple Brothers Motorsports resting safely in the hands of son Gordon, daughter Brenda Neufeld, and partner Terry Morris Sr, we fully expect another successful 64 years and look forward to building a good relationship with people who share our passion for amazing customer service and, of course, for motorcycles!

A phenomenal 46,000 sq. ft. of machines and accessories!

Glenn Turple's daughter, Brenda, carries on the fine tradition of top notch sales and service!

Kane's Demo Day

Down at Kane's Harley Davidson with Jen Neilson and the Kane's crew, enjoying some reactions of riders as they come back to the shop. Some are riders that have never been on a Harley, some are old hands looking to try something different than what they ride now. Whatever the case, it's great to get out and ride!

Warming up the ride.

Pilot bikes on the tail end.

The Candy Store

Vagabond

Vagabond, Calgary's newest destination for those who like to wander. On the corner of 12 Ave and Olympic Way in Calgary. Vintage decor definitely allows you to kick back, relax, and quaff a cold pint brewed on site by Brewmaster Bret.
See ya there!

Kitchen construction

Another RTC prized piece

Colleen works on the old granary lights used over the bar

Proprietors Lee, Chris and their little cherub

Aerosol Art