Just when I think everything's going well, roadwork crops up

Last year was a huge learning experience with the scooter: I had to learn how to merge in and out of traffic on highways and freeways, stop suddenly, ride safely in the rain, and always expect the worst to happen from other drivers. But the one thing I never got used to was grooved pavement, the kind of road where it's torn up into little ribbons before being repaved. I first encountered it on Matheson around 1am coming back from Stratford; the next was on Lakeshore Boulevard during morning rush hour traffic, and it was so unsettling I pulled off and took the bike path to the next set of lights.

This year, I thought, "To heck with that. I can't avoid roadwork everywhere and just have to grit my teeth and trust that the bike won't slip sideways". I ran into it once on Dufferin Street going south of Wilson, but traffic was so heavy, going over it at 20kmh was no problem.

Fast forward to this afternoon, the first time I took two wheels on the 401. I'd gotten used to highways by taking my scooter on the Gardiner Expressway, QEW and 427, but the 401 is a totally different animal. It's about a million lanes wide, with the posted speed limit of 100kmh more of a suggestion for when traffic is really heavy. I've gone 140kmh in the fast lane before, and still fell behind the pace of traffic. So, I was a tad nervous about taking a motorcycle I'd just learned to comfortably shift on in afternoon traffic on a crazy busy, crazy highway.

Turns out I had hardly anything to worry about: traffic was moving well, didn't feel the road dust hit my face as much as I thought I would, and cars didn't start merging wildly until close to the Pickering/Scarborough border.

But then, like a tornado rising in fury over the horizon, I saw it — grooved pavement. Immediately, my back went cold and a big knot grew in my stomach. But...I was on the 401 and couldn't very well just pull over because I was a little nervous about riding on the stuff. There was no other option but to just hold on, keep my speed and look ahead instead of at the road.

I had no idea how long the grooved pavement would keep on for, so when I saw the exit for Vic Park, I swung off and took Ellesmere to the DVP. I know the bike won't slip out from under me, but better to just avoid it if possible.

And highway riding on a motorcycle? Guys, it's one of the greatest things ever. Really.