Motorcade Hell

I'm afraid to say it's been quite a while since I've done a post. Shame on me.
So much for writing on a regular basis...

Here's a little something that happened a month or so ago. Sometime between the 20 or so storms that have ravaged our mild and generally weather calm town. I've heard recently that all these powerful storms could be attributed to El Nino and not necessarily on global warming. So, knock it off El Nino, you little bastard.

One morning on my way to school I found myself getting more and more frustrated at the traffic. Actually, this happens every day so I better be more specific. This particular day I was heading westbound on Broadway towards Commercial Drive. The traffic was its usual volume and moving along ok. The light turned green. Nobody moved.
I waited and then tried to see what was going on. Ambulance? Accident?

Nope. But suddenly there was a cop in the intersection. Aha! Now we're getting somewhere. (Or not, as the case seemed to be)
The motorcycle cop was off his bike and stopping all traffic. A couple of motorcycle cops went screaming through the intersection. Then a cop car. Then another. Then a big black SUV.
Intrigued now, I craned my neck to see what was up. Foreign dignitary? Crime lord? Mid-level politician with delusions of grandeur?
Another couple of cars went through at high speed. Then a couple more cop cars and motorcycle cops. Finally, all seemed calm and the last cop hopped on his bike and tore off after the rest.
Hmm, what was that about? I wondered.

I continued on my way, down Broadway to Fraser St where I made my left turn. Southbound on Fraser Street, passing the fire hydrant that still lay on its side from the time it was hit by a car and turned into a fountain. Farther along Fraser I had all but forgotten the earlier incident when the light turned green at 33rd and the traffic stopped. What the hell...?

A pause, and then the motorcycle cop screamed to a stop and hopped off his bike. "Again?" I thought. What, is this part of a conspiracy to make me late for class?
The whole drill repeated itself. Biker cops go through, cop cars go through, black SUV, yada yada yada...

I continued on my way again and luckily made it to school without being intercepted by the roving gang of motorcaders anymore times.
I figured that it could have only been a training exercise because their path made no sense. Also, with upcoming international events and stuff, I'm sure they're trying to make sure they can operate these things flawlessly.

I came to this conclusion because about a week earlier I was working at the Marpole Branch and I happened to catch a biker cop stopping at the intersection right outside the branch. This time there were a couple of police cars and police on motorbikes but then there was a long stream of motorbikers behind them.
As it was Granville street and one of the major routes to the airport, I assumed it was for real. And when the bikers started coming up the street on their Harley-Davidsons it appeared more real. There was an endless stream of big ugly guys on loud bikes. Something with the Hells Angels perhaps?
But then I spotted an older couple on a touring bike. And some other guys who looked normal riding some regular motorbikes. It was a real mixed bag. This wasn't any crime related thing, maybe it was some charity ride or something.
Anyway, after about five minutes (!) the motorcade went by and they did all the little traffic control drills and continued on their way. So I figured it must be a practice thing.

Haven't seen any around town since but that doesn't mean they're not out there, plotting to keep me from my destination on time.