November 11 Rides

[Popoki_Nui]

The day started out sunny and mild, so I rode downtown to the Remembrance Day ceremonies to pay my respects. Then met up with a friend and rode out thru town and into the rolling countryside north of Victoria. Pretty fair tailwind, which we would have to battle back into town, so we did only 18km outbound and the same inbound. Halfway back to Victoria, heavy black clouds rolled in and cold, driving rain blasted us all the way. Some felt like ice pellets. What a contrast from the morning. Only 39km (23mi) total, but better than sitting on the sofa!

[ACG]

Rode Tour de Foothills, 66 miles or more. Not a lot of signage, route slip was set up on so that you could fix it to your bike very well. My friend and I doubled back a couple of times. It took us 4 1/2 hours or riding time, by the time we got to the park, they were closing shop. hmmm. But I love riding my bike and that is what I did. There was a great climb near Mt. Baldy mountain road.

[aicabsolut]

Not a bad day for me, 50s-60s while I was out. I tried the Curtis trail for a hills warmup, but I went a little slow, because there were tons and tons of wet leaves. Those leaves were also hiding a million tree roots and other bumps (not fun while going up a short but steep incline, because it's hard to keep pedaling while getting bounced around on the saddle. And on that note, I'd like to say that the chamois in my Nike knickers suck, because I'm still sore from all those bumps.

I thought Curtis runs into W&OD, but it just dumped me out on this busy road at the end. So I went back and hit the other trail it connects to that I often ride and is fairly flat. Total maybe 18 miles plus a few in traffic getting there and back. (had to hurry for family stuff).

On this fairly busy road on the way home, I got some road rage towards this one SUV. I can generally make most if not all of the lights if I keep a fairly slow pace (which is odd, because going the other way getting started in the morning I have to race along, and that's uphill). This is a 4 lane undivided road, with 2 lanes that turn into parking lanes. Busy shopping area, lots of car doors to watch. So I ride just inside the right main lane. Well one SUV had to race past me, VERY close with his mirror (these lanes aren't narrow BTW), just so that he could stop at the light, have me pass him AGAIN because it would be green by the time I got there. Thank goodness I got away from this car, or I'd probably have given the mirror a smack the next time .. see if he'd get the hint to scootch over a little. Not like the parked cars could move. This is a road that a LOT of cyclists take all the time, though I won't ride it in rush hour like a lot of people. It wasn't even 10am yet.

That's my rant for today.

[Fredwina]

Rode Tour de Foothills, 66 miles or more. Not a lot of signage, route slip was set up on so that you could fix it to your bike very well. My friend and I doubled back a couple of times. It took us 4 1/2 hours or riding time, by the time we got to the park, they were closing shop. hmmm. But I love riding my bike and that is what I did. There was a great climb near Mt. Baldy mountain road.

Glad you did Tour De Foothills. I'l foward your recommendations for larger signs on. I also thought we could have done a better job with the Arrows on the street (I think they only used one coat of paint) And 4.5 hours to do a metric with that much climbing isn't too shabby, espically with the 8% grades on Baldy Road.