Sunday 1 March 2015

Big Al's Rusty Saddle River Rock Blues: Sunday, March 1st!

For money you can have everything it is said. No, that is not true. You can buy food, but not appetite; medicine, but not health; soft beds, but not sleep; knowledge but not intelligence; glitter, but not comfort; fun, but not pleasure; acquaintances, but not friendship; servants, but not faithfulness; grey hair, but not honor; quiet days, but not peace. The shell of all things you can get for money. But not the kernel. That cannot be had for money. -Arne Garborg, writer (1851-1924)

 
P & C, thank you for the lovely time lastereve -- the wonderful appies and dinner, the copious amounts of beer, wine and malt. Another very fond memory of you two and the Islay Inn. When you get to it, let us know how the bubbly tastes, compared to the last one.

With reluctance I have postponed the gathering tonight as you will see. Hopefully we can find a time and place to convene before you leave for parts unknown. Fond regards to you both, W & J


Moe, with apologies to you - the only person available to attend tonight, we will postpone the gathering and discussion to another time and place.

By the by, I enjoyed Indian Summer. It was full of rich history of the era and the unbelievable cast of characters that played prominent roles in changing the face of India. Look forward to talking about it sometime. Best wishes, George


Hi George, There is no need for apology here. Hope fully we meet soon with a full house. Cheers too all Moe

Hi Marilyn and Big Al! Thanks for the great ride Big Al. Only sorry that we couldn't have spent more time on the road together but understand completely why you needed to stop when you did. Trust rest of your journey turned out as you wished. Trust we will chat before we head to the Okanagan this coming Thursday. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Calamity and Giggster! Thank you two for the wonderful everythings you provided lastereve! Sorry about forgetting the Lamarca Prosecco. It wasn't until I was putting away some of the overlefts that I realized we hadn't opened it. We plan to save it and we'll have it the next time, (First, before we are too, too juiced and forget again!), we are able to get  together. Grand evening all around so look forward to hearing about Mexico when you are back. Since we are off to the Okanagan this coming Thursday, we won't even have the chance to see you until then.

Big AL and I had chatted on Friday about riding on Sunday so when he phoned this morning, at 9:30 am we arranged to meet at CSTB at 11:30 am. (I gathered you were otherwise occupied but left message just in case!) Had a  banana and a bowl of zapped kartofellage before setting off at just after 1:00 am. Quite cloudy and wind was cool so I was glad that I had dressed appropriately. Smooth sailing along Spanish Banks and then on Marine, past campus. No big trucks but other traffic was steady. Nevertheless, made it to the foot of the CSTB at a few minutes past 11:30 pm. Big Al was waiting there although he had just arrived himself. 

We greeted one another as had not seen each other since well before we left for California. Had a chance to catch up on both our lives as we made our way towards Iona. Just as we passed five riders, opposite the on-going construction of new designer mall, not far from where Grauer Road meets Templeton, the last cyclist in the group lost her chain. Most of it was on the tarmac under her bike. What a drag! Not much more than a few seconds later Big Al's chain slipped off his front gear so I had to circle for a bit while he attended to his technical difficulties. Once he was operational, we continued on to Iona.

Unfortunately, Stanchion Man hasn't been able to log much saddle time in last three months, or so, and was feeling the effort in his knees, not far into the ride. Originally we had planned to return via Heather, after going to Iona, as his final cycling destination was just over the Burrard Bridge where he would collect his car.  It became painfully obvious once we were headed back, not far from new Canada Post facility, that this was not going to happen. He decided he'd take the Sky Train from River Rock so we waved goodbye there. Sorry not to have his company but understood why he needed to stop when he did.

Since I wanted to log a 100 km ride I made for River Road once I was at the CSTB. Had 50 km on the clock by then so I knew I'd have most of the distance I'd need if I rode all the way to Westminster Highway, with a few dipsy-doodles, thrown in along the way. Lovely day indeed and Mount Baker was simply majestic as I rode east along the Fraser. Wind was at my back, more or less, after I turned around so return leg was a bit easier, although still a cross-wind to deal with. When I reached the industrial complexes off Vulcan Way I did a few more strategic dipsy-doodles there to bring me closer to the 90 km I would need before tackling Cambie. Added the short jaunt past CSTB to just before River Rock Casino and once I was over the bridge I had clocked 91 km so knew I had my goal in the bag, so to speak. All I had to do was climb Cambie!

Don't really find the long grade too, too difficult and knowing all the lights I was able to catch them and was soon whistling towards 33rd. Turned east there and wound my way to Columbia to have great good luck with the rest of the main thoroughfares, (16th, 12th, Broadway, 2nd), I had to cross so No Dreaded Burning Ground on today's outing. Back at Spyglass Place, parallel to Cambie Bridge, near Olympic Village Sky Train Station, with 101 km on the trusty odometre so pleased as punch as this was the first longish ride since my unfortunate tumble in Palm Desert! I knew I'd have 103+ km by the time I was back at The Heartbreak Hotel!  Even better I was sure I'd be able to maintain the 20.3 kph AVG I'd achieved on the descent, even though I was going to be bucking a steady head wind on last leg. Stats for ride:


Home to enjoy a delicious java as I'd not had one earlier that morning. Quick shower and change and will now do a bit of kitchen prep for tonight's dinner. Clarisse is roasting a chicken and making a spinach salad. We will contribute garlic mashed kartofellage and Brussels's sprouts done with diced back-bacon. I peeled the spuds once Mme Coriandre returned from church! Chloë arrived around 6:30 pm and Dusty came over just before dinner was served as he was watching curling. Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Dear Byron/Anne Ireland were astonishigly powerful champions and England's chariot wheels came off in Dublin! Fields of Athenry...... Grand triumphal times for you both! All Best David 

Hi Winston and Co! Thought you might enjoy the shot of the sturdy barn door/gate for Destructo Dog Winstonian! Cheers to The Dog Whisperer, Love Dad!




 

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