Zac Kurylyk completed his annual sighting lap on his Yamaha WR motorcycle last weekend, testing both road conditions and his recovery from a severe crash. The ride marked his first major outing after seven months off two wheels. He expressed deep gratitude for surviving and regaining his riding ability.
Last weekend, Kurylyk embarked on his pre-season sighting lap along favorite backroads in northeast New Brunswick, Canada. With his family occupied and good weather, he chose routes like Old Saint John Road and River Road to assess winter damage from snowplows, sand, potholes, and gravel. The slow pace allowed him to note spring changes, such as budding shrubs and raging rivers, while rebuilding his riding instincts after six months away. These forgotten paved and unpaved tracks, remnants of old military, mining, and logging infrastructure, demand caution due to narrowing lanes and potential oncoming traffic. Kurylyk encountered freshly graded gravel and a close call with a pothole that shook the handlebars, but the WR handled it well. He refueled at The Gun Dealer in Macadam, a store stocked with camo gear, fishing lures, and firearms, before heading to Route 101 via Harvey. The ride held emotional weight at the junction of Route 101 and South Oromocto Lake Road, site of his 2025 season-ending collision with a car that left him severely injured and questioning his future on a bike. Nearly seven months later, no traces of the crash remained, leaving him reflective. He savored sensory details like sap smells, spring breezes, and farm odors, even stretching the WR's tank to 37 kilometers on fumes. Though physio rehab continues, Kurylyk called the day 'worth it,' affirming progress despite an uncertain season ahead.