Much to our regret - and in spite of our pleas, Jim has moved to the Big City. However, even though he no longer rides with us on a regular basis, he does come 'home' for the occasional group ride.
Known amongst friends as "tits", Jim began the Ferry Riders group during the summer of 1996, and the small group has prospered. Jim has been riding motorcycles for over 20 years; he started riding off-road in Winnipeg during teenage summers and then bought his first on-road bike, a Honda XL 350 enduro. That bike was a lot of fun in Calgary, because it allowed for on-road travel to fantastic off-road exploring. Since that time, Jim has owned an '86 Yamaha Maxim X and a '98 Honda Shadow 1100. He currently is the proud owner of an '89 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail that has morphed into a Fat Boy, loving know as "the bumblebee".
Paul joined up with the Ferry Riders fairly early on. He's been a big supporter of the club and has helped forge links between us and the Border Riders MC, of which he is also a member. Paul is relatively new to motorcycling, but has put a huge number of k's on his bike in only a few short years. He's an avid biker who started big; his first bike is his current Suzuki Intruder 1500. But then Paul's a big guy. Known affectionately as Papa Jacque for his French Canadian roots, Paul is a great friend. Always eager to help out others in any way he can, we are proud to have Paul as a member of the club.
Yet another member lost to the Big City, we expect we'll see Mitch returning to the island for group rides next year. Right Mitch?
Mitch has been riding with us since 1999; he takes motorcycling seriously and is a skilled rider. He has had a few bikes, including a Yamaha Virago, HD evo Softail, Yamaha Road Star 1100, and is currently thrilled with his 2002 HD Softail Standard. Mitch is all black, his bike and his leathers. Just don't tell him he's from Calgary! Mitch is also really hany with a wrech - and knows his way around a Hog. You'll see Mitch coming, he's constantly customizing his treasured Harley Davidson.
Also known as Earwig, Jaime's no newbie when it comes to motorcycling. He's been riding since 1958 when he was on an NSU 250 in Argentina. In Canada he's had a Triumph, BSA, two Harleys and 5 Beemers! Jaime's dream bike is "whatever I'm getting next" but loves his current BMW. His favourite road trips are Lake Louise - Banff parkway, the North Cascades Highway (WA), California Route 1 (coast hwy.), Zion Park in Utah, the Alaska Hwy. from Skagway, and Alaska to Dawson City, Yukon (whew!). His best MC experience? Riding around the Jura mountains on the France/Switzerland border with a friend. Worst experience is when a friend crashed his bike and barely survived. Jaime's a member of the UK MC internet group Ixion.
I rode a motorbike for the first time in 1978 when the friend I was travelling with gave me the keys to his Honda 550k and told me to go for a spin. My friend made himself busy with his new boyfriend and I seized the moment and learned how to ride on the sidestreets of Seattle. We were back from Seattle for only two weeks and I went out and bought a new Yamaha XS750. I rode that bike daily for two years and then sold it and bought another car as I needed a vehicle to transport me and my gear to my sailboat (sailing being my big old addiction). In 1997 I decided to purchase another motorcycle for summer transport and found a great little Honda Rebel which I rode for four years until I found I needed more power. There are those who look down on Japanese motorcycles, but I have to say, my Honda Shadow 600VLX that I am currently riding is just as blast, whether it be on the open road or a country lane. I guess I'm just a junkie for the wind in my face whether on land or sea.
Salty has been an occasional rider with us over the years and makes his home on Pender Island. He has been a gracious host to the club on our visits to the island.
My first bike never got me on the road. I bought it in pieces when I was 16 and never did get it registered before I left town. But Calgary was my first biker city - I was 18, working for the railroad and had tons of money to try anything I liked. I owned three bikes in Calgary, totalled every one of them. As a matter of fact I've totalled every bike I've owned except the one I never got out of the garage. And the one I own now I've had for 15 years. It's amazing that I'm still walking after all the skidding I've done. The last bike got driven over by an old guy named Archie Bunker, if you can believe that. The bike went under the car and I went over. I inherited the XS1100 I have now from some very close friends, deceased now ... Jeff and Paige were a couple of Victoria icons. I love my bike and riding and the guys don't get enough time with any of 'em. Work keeps me really busy but biking is in my blood (or is it my blood all over my bike?). My friends call me Salty ... I'm not sweet but still taste real good.
(Gee, Salty, do you mind picking up the rear?)
Originally from Newfoundland, Bruce is new to the Ferryriders, but not to riding.
My brothers and I rode bikes as kids in Newfoundland. In the 80's I joined the navy and was posted to Victoria, at which time I drove my Suzuki 550 (3 cylinder 2 stroke) across Canada.
I got married and raised a family and didn't ride for a long time, but a few years back I caught the bug again. I'm now riding a Suzuki Volusia 800cc v-twin that does everything well - it's small enough to be great around town, and big enough for extended highway travel ...and I'm planning to do plenty of both!!