FL Rally and Club Ride - 9. Arriving Home

9. Arriving Home

Always a Struggle to Get Into Riding Pants

Massena, NY is near the Canadian Border, it’s way east of Toronto but there is a border crossing near the town. The only thing is the bridge crossing the St. Lawrence Seaway here is all steel grating. Not a happy feeling for a motorcycle rider. The bike wobbles a lot, especially when the speed limit on the bridge is low. Low because it is the border area, everything traffic related is supposed to be at a snail’s pace. 

Only one booth was manned by a border guard and he was kind of obnoxious, instead of a friendly nod to me, he asked why I wanted to visit Canada, where I would stay while in Canada, did I bring any alcohol, any weapons, did I have tobacco in excess? What do I have packed in and on my bike, etc? The idea is to stay cool during this ‘interview’; just answer what he asks and then do whatever he deems I must do. Still, I have a special ‘pre-approved’ Nexus card and had been checked out by filling out forms, giving my fingerprints, etc. and still sometimes you meet an eager young officer who needs to feel all powerful. Carol was behind me, her ‘interview’ was much shorter and ultimately there was no issue or trouble at all, this border guard just wanted to feel in charge I guess.

Packing Up For the Return to Canada

Carol wrote the word ‘officious’ in her trip notes to describe him, a good word, too.

I saw later that this crossing is not set up for Nexus card carrying holders. Maybe that had something to do with our ‘interviews’. I also believe, since the bridge is not really motorcycle friendly, not a lot of riders will cross this border crossing. And, like so many others, even a border guard can be prejudiced against ‘bikers’.

We arrived at J&R’s but nobody was at their house. We had previously arranged the pickup of our tent via phone and knew where to find our stuff, so… we strapped it on and went to town to have lunch…leaving our thank you bottle of wine at their door.

We just about got our jackets off with the bikes parked within sight of the restaurant when Jean found us in town. They saw us riding by the restaurant they were in so chased us to Timmy’s. We had lunch together but then scooted home, taking mostly the 401 going west.     

We are ‘home’ sweet home….  

Next trip will be??? No plans so far.