Connaught Hill

I didn't go snowshoeing on Sunday as it was going to be too warm (6 C) and the snow would be very sticky!  What a shame, as otherwise, it was a beautiful day!  As I got a new camera yesterday and I hate sitting around the house all day, I decided to take a walk to Connaught Hill. It's been a while since I have been there.

New Camera - Canon G12!

I took the plunge yesterday and bought a new camera.  I'm not sure if I had posted here about it or not, but after last Summer's bicycle tour, my Canon G5, which is almost 9 years old, started to act wonky.  It could be because of moisture, but I think that the age is beginning to catch up with it too.  It's been faithful to me for 8 years.  I had paid $450 for it used off of my Brother, so I think that I got my money's worth out of it.

Recycle by sleigh

Sleigh locked to empty bike rack

Today was a great day to try out shopping with my new 'used' sleigh that was recently given to me.  It has been snowing lots and it's still snowing outside.  The roads haven't been cleared yet, so bicycling to the store would be challenging.  Though I did see one daring cyclist out there.

Shopping helper

I have just been given a sleigh to help me with shopping when riding the bike is not feasible.. ie tons of fresh snow.  It's a sleigh!  I'll feel like a true Northern Canadian using it.  I wonder if I can attach it to my bike?  Eh?

Snowshoe in Esker's Park - Jan. 22

After being stuck indoors for a week during bone-chilling cold weather, it was refreshing to go for a snowshoe at Esker's Park.  There was eleven of us that went.

Back on the bike!

Leaving Floyd in hallway to dry up

After not riding for a few days last week due to the brutal cold weather, I'm back in the saddle!  I don't think that there's any shame in carpooling for few days when it's -35 windchill outside. I had all the right gear, but I only rode for 2 days.  I almost had an interview with CBC Daybreak about Deep Winter Chill bike riding, but it's hard to do that during work as I'm not near my phone. They do know about me, so I might hear from them in the future.

Pacific Coast Summer Adventure

I've decided to ride from Astoria Oregon to San Francisco this Summer. I'm giving myself 18 days to get to San Francisco, which I think is a lot of time.  I definitely want to have at least one break day in there somewhere, or more, so I can enjoy the coast. I chose to go to San Francisco as it would be less painful for me and my bike to fly home in 6 hours versus travelling for several days on a bus and a train.  I also want to spend a few days in San Francisco to look around.

This is definite plans as long as I can find someone to ride with.  I've already had some interest.  Crossing fingers that I can find riders.  I think that 18 days means it won't be rushed if that's what fellow riders want. I like that you don't have to reserve for a campsite in both states as that means I can bike as far as I feel every day.

**Febuary 2012 update- I have found a rider to ride with.  But, I will still invite anyone else who may be interested in doing this trip to leave a message below and I will get back to you.  The actual mileage is about 1329 kms and we will have 17 days to make it to San Francisco.

Art Knapps to UNBC snowshoe adventure

It was another great snowshoe, despite that it was a chilly -17 C (0 F) day with a bit of wind.  We were scheduled to snowshoe to the Cliff.   The trail was icy and we wouldn't have needed snowshoes, just crampons. Some of the people though, had rented snowshoes for the day.  Rather then have them waste the money for renting them when not needed, we chose to snowshoe on a different route that involved bushwacking so that there would be actual snow to snowshoe on.

Serious Windchill riding

It is much colder here now.  But despite fresh snow, the roads are good, so I rode to work today.  It was -35 with windchill, but I see tomorrow will be colder!

It's really much easier riding to work then to wait for bus or walking, I keep warm if I stay moving.  I've got all my heavy duty stuff out to keep warm.  I want to wear my contacts tomorrow so I can wear safety glasses as my eyes were pouring out tears this morning as I was riding into the frigid North Wind..

Anyone else out there riding in similar elements?  Rantwick?

Planning for Summer Adventure

2011 1400 Km  Bicycle Tour trip

I'm trying to decide what adventure that I want to do this Summer.  I have thought about doing the Pacific Coast and was going to do it last year but I instead joined friend for a ride to Vancouver (which I am glad I did).

A Night Snowshoeing Adventure

First Night snowshoe

I did my first snowshoe of the season on Sunday evening.  The snowshoe trips actually started in December, but this is the first chance for me to go out on one.  As it was dark and rainy I really didn't expect anyone to show up at the parking lot where we meet at before trips.  Boy, was I ever wrong!  There were 6 people waiting, and eight of us snowshoed all together.

Snowshoeing has returned!

Yeh!  Despite the lack of a real Winter, snowshoeing has returned for the season.  And for me, it starts off with a very different snowshoeing trip.  More to follow....

Quick Release Seat Lock

Today I received an awesome bike item in the mail.  It's a Quick-Release Seat Lock by Grove Tools.  The company is based out of Iowa. They proclaim on their website: "Don't lose your seat to an Ass!" It costs about $20 plus postage which I think is a fair price for such an innovative product.

Why did I buy it?  To protect my Brooks Saddle.

December happenings

Christmas splurge at MEC

December was a month of adventure.  I made a trip down to Vancouver and area to visit with family.  It was rainy, but I had a good trip.