SPORTBIKE WEST 2000

VROOM PICTURES @ SBW

Logo sent to us by Bad Girl. Visit her site click below.

Wow. Trying to sum up 48 hours of sportbike mayhem is harder than I thought. I will do my best to include everything that I can remember, but there was SO much going on, it may be difficult. But here goes..hang on.

The Vroom Crew (and friends of the Crew) all left at different times this year, but our common goal was to reach Kelowna BC where Sportbike West (SBW) takes place. The actual event centers around Eight Mile Ranch, just outside of the city. A VERY SPECIAL thanks to Owen (Banana Bike Man) and all his volunteers who put the event on this year. Trying to organize an event with 500 sportbike riders is a monumental task. We all had an amazing time. THANK YOU!

So, as I said, we all left at different times and took different routes to SBW. Everyone made it in one piece (or 2 or 3). My group consisted of Tex, myself, Amber (Sloppy Joe..thanks to Bart for this one), Jon (Iceman), Nick, Chris (Gixersaurus),  and Mike (Lifeline). We left at 6am and except for the wipe out 3 minutes later, we made it to SBW without  incident. I want to extend a special thanks to Chris and Nick (and later Mo). You guys are real genuine and fun to ride with. If you ever need anything or want to go for a ride, let me know. And as for Amber, this girl is as tough as nails. Even a low side at the beginning of the trip wouldn't keep her away. Good one Amber (on the "sloppy Joe's" CBR 600).

The Vroom Crew had a support vehicle this year which was driven by Lori and Yvonne.  Lori did an awesome job on the logo on the back of the truck. A speacial thanks to them for carrying all the crap in the truck. Without you gals, the rest of the crew wouldn't have been able to go as fast as they did if they had to carry all that stuff. I think some of the Vroom Crew needs to learn how to pack!

It is great how the Vroom Crew is growing by leaps and bounds. In the past month, 3 of our passengers have turned into RIDERS (Linda, Nicola, and Lorri). Even "BIG MIKE" has decided to sell is shadow and come on over to the DARK side and purchase  a Sportbike Bike. He looked real good on Jons CBR 900. Its only a matter of time....

Misti (Supergirl), Deanna (Pieman), Andy (Kaw Boy), Rob (Ironman), Mike (Crash), Simon (Power Ranger), Scott, Katie, Jack (Gentleman Jack), Nicola (Scottie Hottie), Dean (Venom), Rene (Demolition Man) all made it as well. This year we put together shirts and stickers. It was great to mix with riders from all over. Other bike groups included Canadian Chaos and the 285 squadren.

The sheer number of bikes this year was so kewl. Everything from ZX 12s to RC 45s. There where custom paint jobs, R1s with NoS bottles...you name it and it was there. Unfortunately the Dyno shootout didn't go this year (the program crashed). We really wanted to see what Tex's ZX6R was putting out. Oh well.

The real fun is the actual ride on Saturday. It consists of 360 km of the best back roads in the interior. SBW designs it as a poker run. As Rene sais last year "SBW. Its not a rally, its a friggin race." These roads are incredible. There are switch backs, long straights..you name it and it was there. The weather was a little unsettled this year though, as we had a some downpours in places. I had particualr fun with a  ZX 9R for about 20 minutes. Funny thing was, his nickname was also Flash (from 285 squad). Also, Tex and I really ripped it up together. Thanks for being there Tex. It was a Blast.

At SBW, there are always the FAST BOYS, the guys that really rip it up and make you look like you are standing still.  I always get a kick out of watching them. Their skill is amazing. To put it in perspective, here is a story I got from two  guys on their ZX12s.
"We were flying along at about 200 and were passed like we were standing still by a group of riders. So I looked at my buddy and we took off after them. There were some switch backs and long striaght aways. We got the 12s up to 300 kph. And you know what, these guys were gone. Just gone. We didn't even see them. Damn they were fast!"

Now here we go with some local bragging rights. One of those fast guys was Victoria's own Oliver.I (and everyone else who knows this guy) knows he is fast. He is currently  racing on the indy circuit, shooting for the AMA we hope! If you don't know him, introduce yourself. He is as nice as they come! Also the boys from SG Power and Vic Honda were also up there.

Oh yes, my fast boy experience came when I was coming down the mountains into Oysoyos. The corners wind down the mountain and you can get some serious knee scrapping action here. So, I am  booking along when I notice 6 bikes pulling on me fast. All lined up behind me, I go into a corner faster than I have in my life time. I pushed the CBR over as hard as I could and quickly pulled to the side when coming out of it. Oliver, when  passing gave me  the thanks thumbs up and whizzed by. He later told me I was going at a good clip. Makes you feel good when you hear that. I notice that after my SBW experience, my riding skill increases just a little more.

On the ride itself, the Crew was in different groups and areas. While we all didn't ride togehter, we all had fun. Unfortunatly, there were a few crashes this year by some riders, but they will be back to ride again. The Crew made it back without incident though.

Now, a note on kindness. I debated if I was going to to mention this or not, but after long deliberation, I decided to. As a general rule, sportbike riders are a  kind and helpful group of people. I will drop most things to help out a fellow rider in need. WE share a common love for sportbikes, so why not help eachother out, right? I should point out something that has been a long time coming. Obviously some people don't get what we are about.

The Vroom Crew are a bunch of riders who share a common love for sportbikes. Through this love, some of us have become close friends. That was my whole point when I put this together. The Vroom Crew has grown far beyond its inital stages, and  I am happy for that. I have met some WONDERFUL people through this. WE don't think we are better than anyone. We have never berated people who don't ride with us. We know we are not the best riders out there. And we  certainly don't think we are Las Vegas Extreme. Having said that, I am about to put into words my utter disappointment of a fellow rider who lives here in Victoria. Some may not agree with me putting this here, but when someone attacks the Vroom Crew and more importantly, my friends, you better damn well believe that I am GOING TO SAY SOMETHING.

Just before the ride on saturday at SBW, we all met in a parking lot in town. I was milling about, talking to some great people before the ride started. Its kinda like the build up. You check out the bikes, talk to people and shoot the shit. That is when I happen to hear these words "...They have this website and they  think they are Las Vegas Extreme. They are a joke. They have this 240 club thing. Everyone  has done 240. If your bike is at 14 500 rpm, yer doing it...they call themselves Vroom." She continued for about another 30 seconds (and I am not sure how long she had been talking before that) until I had had enough and confronted her (in front of 3 other riders). It  kills me to know that this woman was telling some strangers about us, placing these thoughts into their heads and they hadn't even met any of us.I told her that she has never riden with us, doesn't know any of us and niether do the gentleman she was talking to. She kept saying "sorry" but they were hollow words.

We like to think that our group is open minded and welcoming of all  riders.  It is frustrating to hear that people can make such rash judgements and say such nasty things when they don't even know us at all.  All we ask is that people take the time to get to know us before making judgements.  We are a good group of people, a good bunch of riders and the spirit of Vroom is all about meeting and hanging out with new and exciting people.

So, the ride went well and we all had a hoot.The ride back was full of adventure (brrrr..is it cold up here or what?). Tex,  Supergirl and I had a sustained blast around 230kph on the Cocahalla for about 10 minutes. Great rush. By the way, the F4 tops out at 270. The ZX 9R...doesn't...(grin). Supergirl's Hurricane was pushed to its limits. And she sure kept up with all. Just be warned when this girl gets a bike that can handle her skill as a rider...whoa!

Jack of course had to drive with both feet over his windscreen for about 3 kms while heading into Vancouver. This guy is great  to watch. Yer the shit Jack!! As for the rest of the VROOM CREW...I am sorry if I missed out on some story or adventure, but please know my heart is in the right place. If you want me to add something, I will.

Well, the pictures will be up in a few days. Check them out. Take care all...I had a wonderful time and see ya next year

Carpe Diem
                    Flash