If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are gone, either write things
worth reading or do things worth writing. -Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Had intended to go for a reasonably early ride but as it turned out, didn't actually clamber out of bed until 9:00 am! Then by the time I'd done a few kitchen chores and answered a number of pressing messages, having to do with coming visits from friends, it was almost 11:30 am when I glanced at the clock. Wasn't too, too annoyed at myself as the day was quite cloudy, almost overcast, and as a result it wasn't nearly as warm as last few days. At any rate, I lubed and suited up and was on the road by about 12:15 pm, planning to do the Upper Bench/OK Falls/Oliver/Fairview Mountain circuit. However, once I'd ridden almost as far as McLean Creek Road the wind seemed to have shifted and I was now bucking a fairly strong head wind instead of being scooted along by it. The thought of having to fight it all the way to Oliver was not overly appealing so instead I rode through OK Falls and out to Blue Mountain. Once there I looped back past Liquidity, (Thought of Donna Maria and Herardo as they had brought a wonderful bottle of their Viognier for dinner the previous evening.), and roared down Oliver Ranch Road for a bit to turn off not long later to complete the circuit past Stag's Hollow and then back into OK Falls.
Once there I opted to climb back up Peach Cliff as I knew the wind would be at my back to help me with ascent. Glad that I did as not far from Meyer Family Vineyards I spied a number of Bighorn Sheep, from the Vaseaux Lake herd, I assumed, grazing in a fenced field at the base of the spectacular rock face. As I approached I noticed one jump, effortlessly, over the fence to start nibbling on the grass growing next to the shoulder. Once I drew level I counted seven adults and a lamb so quite enjoyed seeing these marvelous creatures up close. One of the large males eyed my skeptically from behind a small tree but the others paid me not the slightest attention until I rang my bell just to see what their reaction might be. Not a twitch but the youngster did look at me rather quizzically.
Chuckling to myself I continued on and in spite of having to fight the strong breeze once back down along Skaha I finished off the ride with a short dipsy-doodle, past our place and into town, in order to give me 71 km. Very disappointing AVG but I blamed the result on the all the cider, bubbly, wine, both red and white, and malt we'd consumed the night before! Stats for ride:
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/826176012#.VZvbO09IIP4.email
Hello Smoky Vancouver!
Great to hear from you, Flash! (Before I go any further, need not tell you that the province seems to be on fire! On return from Manitoba, (We were at Falcon Lake to celebrate Clara and Dusty's 70th wedding anniversary. Wonderful time indeed.), we hit smoke right on the Saskatchewan/Manitoba border, near Virden, and had to endure it all the way to Calgary. Cora Lee's chest was starting to act up and my eyes were starting to itch as well by the time we stopped at our friend's place for night there.) At any rate, delighted to have you and Your Sisterhood at The Burns Street Stopping Place, (Latest name for new place. Still lots of negotiation ahead, believe me!), on the 25th, for lunch, java or the night, or more, so you decide what you'd like to do. Let me know what you think and we'll plan accordingly.
Thanks for the good wishes on GranFondo. Have been fairly pleased with my training runs since being back from Winnipeg. Yesterday, after helping The Sisterhood set up for our Garage Sale, (9-noon), I lubed and suited up to head out around 9:30 am, having decided to repeat the Peach Orchard Punisher, the first real test of one's mettle after the climb to Upper Bench Road. Gorgeous morning and since I was heading into the ferocious head wind all the way to Summerland it wasn't overly hot. Once at the bottom of Peach Orchard I geared right down and found the climb not too, too bad, certainly slightly less demanding than on my earlier ride there this past week. Once I'd crested the hill I knew I had nothing but an easy ride all the way back to Penticton. Passed two female riders taking a break under the Highway 97 overpass, near the lip of the hill, and told them that resting in the shade was not allowed. They smiled and said I was welcome to join them but since I couldn't risk The Dreaded Burning Ground I waved my thanks and cycled on.
Exhilarating swoosh all the way down Hilborn Street and then Happy Valley Road to return to 97 not that far down the highway from 8th Generation. Literally zipped backed o Penticton as the wind cannoned me along. (In fact, I think the ride into the wind was far more taxing than the climb up Peach Orchard Road!). Once back on Eckhardt I took a quick spin past our place to see how Garage Sale was going. Gave a shout to Sisterhood, both reading, so I assumed business was slow, and then made for Vancouver Ave as I wanted to do the Upper Bench segment before calling it a day. Once again, this climb is becoming relatively easy so am pleased about that. Another swooshorama home and I was back shortly before noon. Stats for ride:
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/824683110#.VZrG_W-aapk.email
Once back helped Chloë and Cora Lee load car with all the stuff that didn't sell and they drove to the local Value Village Thrift Store and I tidied up house a bit as we were having people over for dinner that evening. Chloë left around 4:00 pm as she wanted to be home reasonably early as she had a busy week ahead. Our friends, Dawn and Gerry Martin, were driving back from Salmo where they had attended Dawn's high-school reunion and we had invited Lynne and Peter, close friends from Naramata, as well. Had a grand evening, most of which we spent on our patio, although stayed inside until sun went down a bit as it is baking!
So yes, we are settling in although plenty to do. Still unpacking but seem to be making progress on that front. Will fill you in on more details when we can walk you through the place. I guess I need not tell you about on-going house renovation/changes! Nevertheless, really, really happy about decision to move. Must away as am planning to do the OK Falls/Oliver/Fairview Mountain circuit shortly to try to beat the worst of the heat of the day, although it isn't as warm today as yesterday. Quite cloudy, in fact, something that one comes to appreciate as you might imagine.
GranFondo clock is ticking!
Mme Coriandre sends fond regards to one and all. She is ensconced in "The Rumpus Room" catching up on back episodes of The Young and the Restless, exhausted after the busy weekend and gathering strength for next round of visitors, (Yda and Arni, friends from Vancouver, and Bogart, their pooch, back from visiting friends in Castlegar), who will stay tonight. Driving in to Vancouver on July 14th for Folk Fest so perhaps we can connect over that week, although I know it will be a busy time, for obvious reasons. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Pics: Start of yesterday's ride; Chloë just before heading back to Vancouver; Dawn and Gerry; Cora Lee and Lynne; Peter and Cora Lee.
Great to hear from you, Steel Magnolia! Before I go any further, need not tell you from what you have seen/heard that the province seems to be on fire! On return from Manitoba, (We were at Falcon Lake to celebrate Clara and Dusty's 70th wedding anniversary. Wonderful time indeed.), we hit smoke right on the Saskatchewan/Manitoba border, near Virden, and had to endure it all the way to Calgary. Cora Lee's chest was starting to act up and my eyes were starting to itch as well by the time we stopped at our friend's place for night there. While I cannot predict how these wildfires will affect highway travel between Penticton and Vancouver, I assume they will not be the main issue about car travel.
As I mentioned, when you first raised issue of visit, I'm happy to collect you. However, if I do that you must decide if you wish to stay overnight in Vancouver as opposed to driving to Penticton that afternoon/evening. We can arrange to stay with friends so don't worry about that. As you say, flying up would give you more time here and then perhaps we could drive back if that might be of interest. Basically, you need to think about how boys will travel at this late point in trip, with so many miles under their belts already. Again, we are happy to accommodate you in whatever plans you'd like to make. That being said, personally I think flying up to Penticton and then driving back to Vancouver is probably a good idea given timing etc. Whatever you decide is jsut fine as we are simply delighted to have you and the lads stay at The Burns Street Stopping Place, (Latest name for new place. Still lots of negotiation ahead, believe me!), so let us know what you think and we'll plan accordingly.
Have been fairly pleased with my training runs for GranFondo, (July 12th), since being back from Winnipeg. Yesterday, after helping The Sisterhood set up for our Garage Sale, (9-noon), I lubed and suited up to head out around 9:30 am, having decided to repeat the Peach Orchard Punisher, the first real test of one's mettle after the climb to Upper Bench Road. Gorgeous morning and since I was heading into the ferocious head wind all the way to Summerland it wasn't overly hot. Once at the bottom of Peach Orchard I geared right down and found the climb not too, too bad, certainly slightly less demanding than on my earlier ride there this past week. Once I'd crested the hill I knew I had nothing but an easy ride all the way back to Penticton. Passed two female riders taking a break under the Highway 97 overpass, near the lip of the hill, and told them that resting in the shade was not allowed. They smiled and said I was welcome to join them but since I couldn't risk The Dreaded Burning Ground I waved my thanks and cycled on.
Exhilarating swoosh all the way down Hilborn Street and then Happy Valley Road to return to 97 not that far down the highway from 8th Generation. Literally zipped backed o Penticton as the wind cannoned me along. (In fact, I think the ride into the wind was far more taxing than the climb up Peach Orchard Road!). Once back on Eckhardt I took a quick spin past our place to see how Garage Sale was going. Gave a shout to Sisterhood, both reading, so I assumed business was slow, and then made for Vancouver Ave as I wanted to do the Upper Bench segment before calling it a day. Once again, this climb is becoming relatively easy so am pleased about that. Another swooshorama home and I was back shortly before noon. Stats for ride:
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/824683110#.VZrG_W-aapk.email
Once back helped Chloë and Cora Lee load car with all the stuff that didn't sell and they drove to the local Value Village Thrift Store and I tidied up house a bit as we were having people over for dinner that evening. Chloë left around 4:00 pm as she wanted to be home reasonably early as she had a busy week ahead. Our friends, Dawn and Gerry Martin, were driving back from Salmo where they had attended Dawn's high-school reunion and we had invited Lynne and Peter, close friends from Naramata, as well. Had a grand evening, most of which we spent on our patio, although stayed inside until sun went down a bit as it is baking!
So yes, we are settling in although plenty to do. Still unpacking but seem to be making progress on that front. Will fill you in on more details when we can walk you through the place. I guess I need not tell you about house changes! Nevertheless, really, really happy about decision to move. Must away as am planning to do the OK Falls/Oliver/Fairview Mountain circuit shortly to try to beat the worst of the heat of the day, although it isn't as warm today as yesterday. Quite cloudy, in fact, something that one comes to appreciate as you might imagine. GranFondo clock is ticking!
Mme Coriandre sends fond regards to one and all. She is ensconced in "The Rumpus Room" catching up on back episodes of The Young and the Restless, exhausted after the busy weekend and gathering strength for next round of visitors, (Yda and Arni, friends from Vancouver, and Bogart, their pooch, back from visiting friends in Castlegar), who will stay tonight. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Pics: Start of yesterday's ride; Chloë just before heading back to Vancouver; Dawn and Gerry; Cora Lee and Lynne; Peter and Cora Lee.
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