I had a friend from my cycling group back home in Montreal (I am now in Vancouver) who is in town for business and wanted to go for a bike ride. All week it looked like it would be pouring today but it turned out, at the last minute, to be sunny and about 10C, unseen weather in a long time for us PNWers! (on a weekend day at least)

He rented a road bike at the Reckless store (on Davie St.) and the bike and staff were okay and well intentioned (well the staff was), but not super. It took seemingly forever to get a slick tire on the front wheel (he decided not to ask for anything done to the rear wheel in case it would take even more time), the pedals were not working right (note to self: always bring my own pedals when renting) and the front tube's valve broke when the store guy inflated it. Well...

Anyway, we had a good 85 km ride, more than I've ridden in one shot since the Christmas break! I took him on the flat open roads (Iona Beach and Steveston, for those who know the area). I kept up with him for the first 40 km perhaps but after that I started having a much harder time. He might not have cycled outside all winter, he's much stronger. But that was fun anyway, and he was gentlemantly enough to lend me his wheel to draft from when I needed it, and slow down a bit, without me asking... (Other note to self: Remember to start eating more again during rides. This is not winter anymore, you're going out for longer and harder rides.)

Didn't see that much nature - unless you count Vancouver drivers as a special species - but two times a couple of eagles, perhaps the same. And the mountains were gorgeous. I'm so happy spring is returning at last!!!