Maximum Maxim-X: XJ Relay


Canadian Biker Magazine, March 2004 This article relates to all Yamaha XJ model owners, including those of us who ride a Maxim-X. Every XJ owner visiting this web site is encouraged to register as such through MicaPeak.com and to add their names to the MicaPeak.com XJ Owners' Mailing List. What's In The Bag, Man? XJ Global Relay Crosses Canada Most members of the XJ Owners Group - which includes owners of the old Yamaha XJ series of bikes, the in-line four-cylinder Secas and Maxims from the '80s - had met their international counterpartsonly through an online forum at micapeak.com. The months leading up to the new millennium changed all that as the internet-based motorcycle group decided to move from virtual connections to face-to-face meetings between riders around the globe. American Paul Eisenberg came up with the idea of sending a bag - a leather rucksack, actually - around the world, with hand-offs from one XJ rider to the next. Each rider would add small items for future riders; each rider would receive a Global Relay 2000 crest. So, starting Jan. 1, 2000, the bag made its way from Melbourne, Australia to New Zealand, then from California across the south to Florida then up the east coast of the US before spending a year in Europe. There, it made its way through Ireland to England then to Portugal, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Denmark and Finland. During the summer of '03, it returned to North America, wending its way through the Maritimes to Ontario, before dipping down to the US midwest. Up again to Winnipeg, across the prairies and into BC, and then down the US west coast to Washington and Oregon. All along the way, riders who had never met each other except perhaps on-line suddenly put faces to names, swapped stories and shared the excitement of being part of a global bike meet. And they all had something to contribute: here's some vodka from Poland, and a beer can from England, and keychains, and patches, and lots of pictures and ride reports. Oh, and a couple of penguins - no, they're stuffed. The journey is now finished and already there's talk about relay number two. All that's missing now is a good home for the bag - an appropriate museum, for example - and some fresh organizers. by Jim Robertson - Canadian Biker, March 2004

Canadian Biker Magazine, March 2004

This article relates to all Yamaha XJ model owners, including those of us who ride a Maxim-X. Every XJ owner visiting this web site is encouraged to register as such through MicaPeak.com and to add their names to the MicaPeak.com XJ Owners' Mailing List.

What's In The Bag, Man?
XJ Global Relay Crosses Canada

Most members of the XJ Owners Group - which includes owners of the old Yamaha XJ series of bikes, the in-line four-cylinder Secas and Maxims from the '80s - had met their international counterpartsonly through an online forum at micapeak.com. The months leading up to the new millennium changed all that as the internet-based motorcycle group decided to move from virtual connections to face-to-face meetings between riders around the globe.

American Paul Eisenberg came up with the idea of sending a bag - a leather rucksack, actually - around the world, with hand-offs from one XJ rider to the next. Each rider would add small items for future riders; each rider would receive a Global Relay 2000 crest.

So, starting Jan. 1, 2000, the bag made its way from Melbourne, Australia to New Zealand, then from California across the south to Florida then up the east coast of the US before spending a year in Europe. There, it made its way through Ireland to England then to Portugal, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Denmark and Finland.

During the summer of '03, it returned to North America, wending its way through the Maritimes to Ontario, before dipping down to the US midwest. Up again to Winnipeg, across the prairies and into BC, and then down the US west coast to Washington and Oregon.

All along the way, riders who had never met each other except perhaps on-line suddenly put faces to names, swapped stories and shared the excitement of being part of a global bike meet. And they all had something to contribute: here's some vodka from Poland, and a beer can from England, and keychains, and patches, and lots of pictures and ride reports. Oh, and a couple of penguins - no, they're stuffed.

The journey is now finished and already there's talk about relay number two. All that's missing now is a good home for the bag - an appropriate museum, for example - and some fresh organizers.

by Jim Robertson - Canadian Biker, March 2004