MARCH IS HERE!

It is the 8th of March, 2026. As of the time I am writing this, we have exactly 11 days and 20 hours until the first day of Spring, not that I am counting or anything... Spring is so close to being officially here!

If you live in the Edmonton, AB, Canada region, you will be experiencing the 90-110kms/hr wind gusts today (that's about 55-70mi/hr for our American friends) after our beautiful almost Spring day yesterday. Many regions around the Province experienced temperatures in the teens, and it was incredible to watch the rivers of snow-melt run down the streets and into the drains.

However, another thing this big melt has brought us is revealing all of the sand and gravel on the roads that have been layered up over the last few months with the "bipolar" winter we have had this year. I thought last years winter was bipolar, so maybe we have moved into full blown schizophrenia for this winter? Either way, it's been a harsh winter and months of layered sand and gravel has now blanketed the roads throughout the area.

I, like everyone else who rides, am sitting at a point of desperation to get back onto my bike and begin another season of Life on Two Wheels. I know that there are those that think they have an invincibility to sand and gravel, but all it takes is one quick swerve to avoid a hazzard, one tire to catch the sand, or one hard brake application, and your day is going to get very bad very quickly. If you already ride and are reading this, please, don't risk becoming the first statistic of the year. Rushing the season to begin is rushing your risk of not coming back from that ride, or never riding again. If you don't ride yet and are going to be learning this year, please don't rush it until the roads are safe to navigate your learning experience.

I am continuing to prep my bikes for the Spring. Mini Me, after buying it a few weeks ago, has been given a full servicing and tune-up, and only needs a good bath when the weather fully turns to Spring. It is now running like it was brand new again, which is great for a bike that is 18 years old. I began the servicing on Little Pup yesterday and discovered that the battery had died officially. Thankfully, my local Canadian Tire had the exact size and model that I needed, and it is now on the trickle charger to make sure the battery is good to go before I finish the servicing on it. After that, and once we hit our next warm stretch, I will be doing the Spring Servicing on my bike, do a quick tune-up on our youngests scooter, and will help other friends in the motorcycle community completing their Spring Services.

I also fully appreciate and understand that yes, this is Alberta, and Spring is never "officially here", but it IS COMING! I am keeping my fingers crossed that we are done with the bad storms for the year, but we never know living in this part of the country. Remember, always keep your bikes protected from the elements. Whether it is with a tarp or cover, or in a garage, protect your investment! Don't be one of these people:

Thanks for reading this post and I know we are all collectively crossing our fingers that Spring will arrive soon. Take care, and stay safe!