I can't say it was the easiest thing I've ever done, or the hardest, but I can say it taught me a lot about myself. I am currently writing a short book about my trip, experiences on the road, and the incredible people I met a long the way. When it's all finished (assuming I do finish it), it will be titled 'The Great North: On Two Wheels', and I will likely be hand making these books in the style of a 'Zine', or commissioning someone rad to do them for me.
Anyways, my bike got it pretty good on the way back from Toronto. My sissy bar snapped just outside of Calgary, causing myself, my packs, and my seat to collapse onto my rear wheel at 120 km/hr. I managed to keep the shiny side up, and I walked away from the accident in one piece. It was scary, and I don't ever want to experience it again, though it will likely happen at some point.
I dabbled with the idea of getting the bike fixed in Calgary, but with barely any funds left, just a 1,000km roughly from home, I wasn't able to afford to fix the bike. Since I have returned from my trip, it's been a slow process of getting set back up on my feet, and I am just finally able to start slowly working on getting the bike together again. It needs new rear rubber, plugs, seals, the rear rim needs to be re-built (an $850 cost I endured right before leaving on the trip), and many other small repairs. I also wouldn't mind putting a springer front end on it, getting an old/new seat, making a gnarly sissy bar, and changing a lot of shit up on it, possibly some super cool bars, and a groovy paint job if I can afford it, or the gear to do it myself.
It will be a bit before I see this baby running again, never mind the personal modifications I would like to do to it, as I bought the bike in the condition it's still in, aside from the wear I've put into it. Although I do have one glimmer of hope to get the bike back on the road soon (read next post), and to do what I've always wanted to do to it, but for now, it's being parked in my bedroom right where my comfy bed once was. It's just me, my bike, and the couch for the next bit...
Welcome home <3
Cory - The Great North ---- Currently listening to: Monster Truck - The Lion
