Barbershop Blues: Friday, February, 28th!

The things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first they love the produce of the second. -John Steinbeck, novelist, Nobel laureate (1902-1968) 

Ship burial of a Rus chieftain as described by the Arab traveler Ahmad ibn Fadlan who visited Kievan Rus' in the 10th century.

Palmer:

MEANING:
noun: 1. A pilgrim.
2. An itinerant monk.
3. One who conceals a card or another object in a magic trick or in cheating in a game.
 
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin palma (palm tree, palm of the hand). The name of the palm tree derives from the resemblance of the shape of its frond to the palm of a hand. In Medieval Europe, a pilgrim brought back a palm branch as a token of his pilgrimage. Earliest documented use: 1300. Also see palmy & palmary.

P, this one should find some use at the card table...And Steinbeck is right on the money so to speak -- quite au currant. 

Hi Double Dealing Card Shark!

I always wondered why The Nicotine Fiend was so adamant about being right about his bids. I now see that he was obviously palming cards and used his vociferous objections to cover up any hint of cheating! He should be thankful he isn't playing in the Wild West or he'd be in Boot Hill rather than Nanaimo!
 

Perhaps you should forward Steinbeck's observation to The Millionaires!

Regarding the "herding of the Peloton cats" what do you suggest? Perhaps we, (Robo Man, you and I), should aim to be on the so-called "Kent Corridor" sometime between 11:00 am and noon and hope that we can connect with the wishy-washy Burnaboids. What think you, kind Sir?  Cheers, Palmary Patrizzio!

Mark, Later is okay by me. Let us know what later looks like -- when and where. G     Ok, I have some things to do early as well . Why don’t you call me when you’re done and we can figure out when and where to meet and then connect with Pat and maybe others? Patrice, can you give me your cell phone number again? unfortunately my phone decided to stay in Mexico so I lost recent contact info for some people Cheers, Al

Hello Forgetful One et al!

Regarding the "herding of the Peloton cats" I suggest that we, (Robo Man, Giggenvitch and I), should aim to be on the so-called "Kent Corridor" sometime between 11:00 am and noon, (or later?), and hope that we can connect with you wishy-washy, namby-pamby, unwilling/unable to commit Burnaboids. What think you, O Ambivalent Ones? 
 

I can be reached at the following Emergency Number: 604-657-9998. Please note that it is, under normal riding circumstances, a one-way system. This means that if I have to touch The Burning Ground to answer, the misguided caller will have to answer to me and the Head of the Combined Mathematical/Statistical Section of the Peloton, none other than Cudgel Banks who will make you an offer you cannot refuse! Caller Beware! Cheers, Il Conduttore, The Godfather IV!

Excuse me? Doth His Luditeness actually posesseth a portable digital communication device (other than those permanently affixed to his palm)? Bown-away-in- Burnaby

Pat & Ray, I am ready to go whenever you two wanna start and head for stink island. We will tag the others when and if we can. W

Please remind we where on the Kent Corridor we might best meet, and where you propose to first cross the mighty Fraser 8^) cheers, Mark

Hi Lads!

I assume we would rendezvous at the Cambie SkyTrain Bridge in order to cross the Mighty Fraser and then head out to Iona. Into the mix, for me, is the fact that I need to have a haircut and would like to Samsonize either before or after ride, depending on timing. My barber is at 41st and Arbutus. If we are going to meet at CSTB around noon, I 'll have my haircut beforehand. How does this sound, in terms of timing? Cheers, The Grizzled One!
 

Works for me says herded cat known as W.

That sounds good to me, As my legs have atrophied over the last while I will drive to the CSTB so as not to overdo it for noon, Mark if you want a lift let me know. Cheers.

Al. I'm in the same shape - I'll sky train to Royal oak then meet you at your place - does 11:30 work? 8^) cheers, Mark

Hi Herded Hip Cat, Absent-Minded Chauffeur et al!

Please synchronize watches, NOW! We will meet at the Cambie SkyTrain Bridge, north end, between 12:15-12:20 pm, today, February 28th. Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Michele Darrow-Sutherland Worst flu ever !! Sutherland household in quarantine!! Thanks to friends Patrick and Corinne for dropping supplies off !!

Hi Zumba Woman! Onward! Fight!!

Not sure if I suffered from frostbite or not but three last fingers on my right hand are still tingling on the tips. Whole episode brought back "painful" memories of Winnipeg when I played hockey, (Grades 7-9), on the outdoor rinks that were the norm then, as I'm sure you recall. Every season I'd lose one or two layers of skin on both sets of toes, a result of the sub-zero temperatures we had to endure over the course of the playing season.

Must away as Coriandre is hounding me, (She has taken to calling me Mountain Man!), to have a haircut and I need to do this before I meet up with some of my riding mates for a another outing. Fondestos and  Cheers, Patrizzio!

Are you on the island? Hi again, Maggie! Granville Island not Vancouver Island! Cheers, Patrizzio!


I thought you mentioned Camosun. Do they have a campus in Vancouver?
 
Hi, once more, Maggie! Camosun is a street in Dunbar.As far as I know Camosun doesn't have a campus here in Vancouver. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Hurricane!

Great to hear from you! Cora Lee sends along best wishes. I was wondering if you'd remember your moniker! Would be great to connect at the end of April. I'll let you know what our schedule looks like, closer to dates in question, and perhaps we can hit K-TOWN!

Are you still playing squash? I've started cycling and really enjoy it. Hoping to meet up with some of my riding mates for a another outing later this morning, probably out to Iona. Fondestos and  Cheers, Il Conduttore! 

Hey Pat,

I sure do hope that you've been out for a ride today (while I slave away at UBC, sad face).  Hard to believe that the forecast has snow in it!  Anyway, unless there is an actual storm tomorrow, I'm game for a ride (with extra mittens).  I need the exercise come hell or high water or snow!!  I'm going to a fundraising thing at the local elementary school tonight, Cora Lee's Big Banquet tomorrow and an Oscars party on Sunday.  Phew, what a social life I lead.

So, 9am in front of the Tennis club just beside Brock House? And, in preparation for the possibility of crappy weather, you'd best brush up on Rule 9, below.

 Rule #9
If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.

Fair-weather riding is a luxury reserved for Sunday afternoons and wide boulevards. Those who ride in foul weather – be it cold, wet, or inordinately hot – are members of a special club of riders who, on the morning of a big ride, pull back the curtain to check the weather and, upon seeing rain falling from the skies, allow a wry smile to spread across their face. This is a rider who loves the work.

For the cycling obsessed, these are the rules: all 93 of them: http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/             Ciao.

 
Hi Indentured Slave Sara Jane! Yes, I did manage a grand ride today, divided into two parts! Into the mix, for me, was the fact that Coriandre has been hounding, nay harassing, me, (She has taken to calling me Mountain Man!), to have a haircut and I needed to do this before I joined the Peloton at the Cambie SkyTrain Bridge, just off Kent, as you probably know. My barber is at 41st and Arbutus so I cycled up there to have Dino do his magic. Kept stats for this part of ride: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/452897291#.UxEnEcoLh48.email

separate as having to touch The Burning Ground means that I cannot log ride as an "official" statistic. Rule #1 according to Patrizziominati!

After being shorn I called Giggenheimer to let him know that I'd meet him and rest of lads along Airport or Grauer Road as I needed to cross the Mighty Fraser, not on CSTB, but rather on Arthur Laing, given that I'd had to wait for two other codgers at Economy Barbershop! Mostly all downhill so I whizzed along and Lady Luck was with me as I was able to cross Marine when a flagman had stopped traffic to let a huge flatbed back out of construction site, new complex where Safeway used to be. However, lucky streak soon evaporated as once over bridge I was unable to follow usual bike path as construction zone there had encroached on that passage. Thinking quickly I realized I could stay on road leading to YVR and then take the overpass on Templeton to connect that way.

Had just turned onto Grauer when I saw the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse coming towards me. However, there is quite a bit of construction along this road so one has to stop, depending on truck/regular vehicular traffic, etc. Of course, I anticipated this, so I was able to circle back, avoiding a potential catastrophe! Ride out to Iona was really hard work as he head wind was fierce as blazes. I visited with Big Al The Enforcer for first little bit, catching up on his life as we've not seen each other since just before New Year's.
 

Just before the new Canada Post facility, we caught up to rest of group and then Robo Man, Whirlygig and I took turns drafting behind one another. Marcus Aurelius, other friend, hadn't been on his bike since before Christmas so he was content to lollygag with Big Al. We circled in parking lot at Iona until they arrived and then we headed back. Much more pleasant, as you can imagine, with such a strong wind behind us, boosting us along. I visited with Marcus as I'd not actually seen in since before Christmas.

Once back over CSTB we said goodbye to the Burnaboids, (both Big Al and Marcus live there), and we took Heather/Willow to 37th. I waved goodbye to the boys there and made my own way out to UBC. Wasn't looking forward to ride on Marine and it replicated heading out to Iona. Nevertheless I persevered and even did a few dipsy doodles down Main Mall, (Did you see me as I passed Koerner?), to give me the extra distance I wanted.

I had decided that since it was such a wonderful day I might as well shoot for 60+ km and then I could surreptitiously add in 'barber bit" to pad my overall distance!


Anyway, once I was down along Spanish Banks wind was, more or less, behing me and I hurtled along, enjoying the sunshine and then having Point Grey almost completely to myself. Delighted with outing. Warmest ride since I was in France! Official stats for ride: 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/452897282#.UxEndMHR2jQ.email

Home to have a quick shower and after I'd changed I gave my Trek a pretty thorough cleaning. Oiled chain so that it can "soak" overnight and then I'll wipe off excess before I leave to meet you. 

In this regard, we might wish to change route from Iona as construction will still be going on tomorrow, according to flagperson. We can avoid it but we could also head out along Kent and then across Queenborough and back along River Road. You decide, based on your time. Nevertheless, will see you near Brock House, at 9:15 am, tomorrow morning. Tennis anyone?
 

Buona Fortuna with fundraising tonight. Chloë is hosting her annual Oscars party on Sunday, at her place on Wall Street, so that should be fun. Her friends are very, very competative and everyone fills out a ballot, putting $5 in pool. Think $75 or $80 has been won over the years so nothing to sneeze at. With all our social activity, perhaps we should ride to Squamish and back!

See you tomorrow morning. I'll be the codger that looks like a homeless person! Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Ok. 9:15. I decided that snow in Vancouver is better named 'white rain'. Let's hope it stays liquid tomorrow (or non-existent, preferrably). Sara
Hi Liquid White-Out Woman!

Accu forecast is for Mostly Sunny, Partly Sunny, Partly Cloudy so why worry, be happy?/! Besides, I thought that you rode so speedily that you "danced" between rain drops/snow flakes. For my part, I dipsy-doodle between particles of precipitation. Fondestos and Cheers, Trizzo!

Hi Von Giggenheimer et al! Thank you all for the wonderful reunion ride! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Patrick, I must apologize for not responding to previous emails. I have had a difficult time over the past 2 years. I ended up asking Doug for a divorce when it became evident his relationship with Julia was never going to be healthy and improve. I am now single, Julia and I are back in our own. I bought back my home and now have a $500,000 mortgage. We both suffered so much pain and we are recovering. I feel like I am starting from scratch. We are much happier and Julia is an amazing 19 year old. She has a part time job and is going to school. I am currently in Kamloops for work and come home next Friday. I have not lived the life I thought I would, but continue to learn about life and people.
much love to you and Corinne. e 

Part Six: From care to where? A community to cheer them on

vancouversun.com

 

Rainblossom Blues: Thursday, February 27th

Every man has his secret sorrows, which the world knows not; and oftentimes we call a man cold when he is only sad. -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

 Located at Spanish Banks, this art installation, called the “Rainblossom Project,” was put up by an anonymous group to celebrate the rain the city receives. 

Hi Maggie!

Glad to hear you are back, avoiding -30º temperatures! Hope all went as well as could be expected on home front. Cheers, Patrizzio!

All's well at home. You may have suffered frostbite, Pat. You should be careful. Not sure if you can get phlebitis in hands. I suffered cracks in fingertips and both thumbs from the extreme cold, still very sore. Back now but after 3 weeks of no aerobic workouts, realize that the old adage is true, use it or lose it. I was pretty tired and sore this morning after an hour of Zumba and then another hour of Pickleball player development. My hand eye coordination needs work for sure. Stubborn as I am, I will presevere and hopefully return to my old fit self very soon. 

Hi Tom!

I just wanted to add my thanks to those already expressed by George for everything you did surrounding the celebration of Cas' life. 

Not quite sure what the Casper Invitational entails but I'd like to be involved/help in some way, should that be appropriate. Again, thank you for your tribute. Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Pat, Thanks for the response.  I will diarize accordingly and keep you in the loop for December’s “Christmas Casper Invitational”.  Tom

Dear Allyson:

Just a brief note to express my heartfelt condolences to you and your family over the untimely death of Casper. I didn't really have the opportunity, at VRC, to tell you in what high regard I always held him. He was a wonderful, wonderful man but you and your children know that. I trust that the memories of your time together will sustain you, to the extent that they can, in this very, very difficult period. Please know that all of us who knew this giant of a man grieve with you and for you. Once again, sincere sympathy, Patrick Dunn.

Thank you, Patrick. I do very much remember you, and I am sorry we didn't have more time to chat at VRC. Allyson

Hello Brothers Martini! Thanks, Giuseppe, for providing your long-lost brother's email address! Good to see you at VRC last Sunday, even under such sad circumstances.
 

With respect to hooking up, Monsieur Suave Provocateur, we will be in Naramata over the weekend of March 28th-30th but I don't think, at this time, we'll have a moment to make it to Kelowna. We are involved with a friend's birthday and most of wine tasting will be around Naramata. However, towards the end of July we are driving to Winnipeg to celebrate Corinne's parent's 69th wedding anniversary, so if you might be around then, or in early September, (return to Vancouver), perhaps we can get together. Would be grand to catch up. Let me know and we'll plan accordingly. All the best to you both. Cheers, Il Conduttore!

patrick! so magnanimous of you to drop in with your unexpected , albeit-- most
welcome, salutation !shame that your whirlwind tour doesnt bring you to K-TOWN, but i shall look forward to future announcements.

hello to your lovely bride, corinne! take care until then, my friend, mitchy (''hurricane'') martin
Hi Jack and Gail!

I quite enjoyed the Sochi slide show. Thanks for that. Hope all goes well in Florida. When are you back on Orcas? Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Hi Spain Bound Lucky People!

Glad to hear that you will soon be heading into warmer climes. Fair bit of flu around here. Fondestos to you and Christine from Cora. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Mr Truly Unsympathetic!

Had I know how uncaring you would turn out to be I'd have raised our bed another foot! I regularly wear my bike helmet to bed but it is to prevent blows to my cranium from Cora Lee's elbows!!! Trust you weekend in Rock was a delight. How was Outlaws? We'll be back from Manitoba in early September so hope weather will allow for some rides together, as well as meals, of course.
 

Quite the pictures of rubbish strewn beaches! Monumental task, it goes without saying. Somewhat similar to flotsam and jetsam still finding its way to our coastline as a result of 2011 earthquake/tsunami in Japan. Are community groups organizing much of clean-up? Fondestos to you and Gayle from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Anyone up for a ride tomorrow? Forecast looks promising. 

Hello i Pelotoni!

I'm game for a ride. How about meeting somewhere on Kent to give Burnaboids an opportunity to show that they can still remember what a bicycle looks like!

Just back from a fab jaunt out to UBC. Left around 1:00 pm and it was such a gorgeous day that I hardly noticed I was riding. Quite a few dipsy doodles after I did the Musqueam Shuffle, up to Imperial, dodging all the Mercedes and Lexii and BMW's trying to run me over, in such a hurry to collect their offspring at St George's. Barely escaped but managed to lob a few Molotov Cocktails at the most aggressive SUV's and was able to reach Camosun under cover of all the thick black smoke coming from a Rolls. All that burnished walnut and real leather doesn't take long to produce a pretty good blaze!
 

Next up and around Westbrook Village and then two side trips through UBC, (Main Mall and West Mall), to give me the distance I wanted for 70+ km. Heading back along Spanish Banks the mountains, English Bay, with its numerous freighters, and the city's buildings were simply stunning. Have to pinch myself each time I see this remarkable city/seascape. Didn't even have to do anything extra at Kits Point as I had all the distance I needed once at the bottom of Foreshore Hill. Only disappointment is the rather low AVG. Can't blame it on head wind, although it was reasonably strong at times. Too, too much Panama Red the night before, methinks matey! Stats for today's ride: 
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/452521646#.Uw_y1zoUvlA.email

Let me know about time, place and destination and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Il Conduttore! 

I'm in if it's dry. Ray

Hi Patrice, et al

I have some stuff to do in the early to mid morning but if the planets align could possibly meet on the kent corridor. I will have a better idea about 10:00 and will give you a call in the morning before then to discuss . How about you Marcus are you available to rendezvous before?
 

Depends a bit on timing - later would be better as I have an optometrist appt at 10:15...8^) cheers, Mark

Hello, I see I missed this request for info! I hope you enjoying the snow in the sunshine. Todd

 Todd

 Todd Gnissios

 

Sunny Cycling Blues: Wednesday, February 26th

He who opens a school door, closes a prison. -Victor Hugo, poet, novelist, and dramatist (1802-1885) 

Our house is like sick bay today. Michele is home with the flu so we should delay bridge at my place until another week. Wayne

Hi Sarge!

Sorry to hear about Flamin'! Perhaps we'll just not play tonight. I had arranged for Clarisse and Dusty but I don't want to expose them, in case you, yourself, come down with something as well. I hope not but better safe than sorry. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio!  10-4. Wayne

Hi Tina and Trevor!

Sincere condolences on the death of Lloyd. I must say that I forgot to ask Trev how he was doing. Did you manage to see him, over the course of your stay, Trev? For my part, I was at a memorial service, this past Sunday, for a friend, Casper deJong, I knew from VRC. He and his lovely wife, Allyson, had moved to Mexico, Ajijic, on the shores of Lake Chapala, a few years ago. The church service was a truly wonderful celebration of a simply wonderful family man's life. Extremely emotional and I cannot even begin to imagine the strength required of Allyson and their four adult children, Jason, Danielle, Kimberley and Veronica to speak so movingly and lovingly. Reception was at VRC afterwards.

Once again, heartfelt sympathy from Corinne. Fondestos, Patrizzio!

Hi Patricio,

Apologies for my slow response to your Feb 17 post-valentine greetings.  I’ve been in hibernation mode, serious case of late winter doldrums, also brought on by watching a lot of the Sochi Olympics, which I thoroughly enjoyed.  Much to the chagrin of my closed-minded and heavily biased wife, I thought the Russians did a great job of hosting the event.  Long live the emperor Putin.

[Patrick James Dunn

Still shooting pool. Jimmy Dee?

Jimmy Dee

I am occasionally...]

I was also recovering from an  Island jaunt, having driven the snowy passes coming and going for a visit to my brother Bill in Union Bay.  He’s recovering from a hip operation and it was my turn to be his companion/minder. Poor Bill lives alone, so on top of not being able to get around much he’s pretty lonely.  I spent 4 days with him, cooking, cleaning and doing a few other chores.  I also had a good visit with our good friend John  Wigle (you know the family from Dryden) and his budding author wife Jo-Anne, aka J.P.McLean.  Sister Mary and bro-in-law Peter came up from Victoria and we had a nice family party at other sister Jane and Larry’s place on Denman Island.  Featured hors d’oeuvres was a huge mess of freshly picked oysters, served both raw with lemon and Tabasco, and breaded and fried.  You’ll enjoy meeting my sisters at the great 70^th gala.  You can also meet Wigle and talk about your Dryden connection.

 I made a good start on pruning the vineyard last week, but alas have been forced back in by what will hopefully be winter’s last blast.  I’ve hit bottom on reading, as Bill lent me his collection of Lee Child who features the tough guy Jack Reacher in his adventures as an ex US Military Police drifter and Robin Hood hero.  Also to let you know the depravity I’ve arrived at, I was given by my brothers a device called Roku, which facilitates being able to sign up for Netflix.  Lynne and I have been vegging out on the full five seasons of Breaking Bad, which is the fascinating tale of Walter White, Albuquerque chemistry teacher diagnosed with cancer who, to provide for his family became a methamphetamine manufacturer.  

It’s fascinating watching his descent into darkness.   On a higher plane, I drove up last night to UBCO in Kelowna to attend a lecture by an old engineering friend from Vancouver on his groundbreaking work on the coefficient of restitution of bouncing rocks, used in design of barriers for protection of highways and railroads from rockfall hazards.  Not exactly spellbinding but a good opportunity to catch up with some old and new colleagues.

Our cultural event this week is a live old-time radio show in Penticton, being produced by a local Naramatian Craig Henderson, see the link following:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wa7SZVYjBI

 Best wishes to you and Corinne, Peter

Dear Hibernation Fellow and Unjustly Accused, (Have recently finished An Officer and a Spy so am very, very au courant with L'affaire Dreyfus and all that it entails!) Closed-Minded/Heavily Biased Lurkin'!

Quite obvious that cabin fever has addled Jugo Dom Padros' mind even more than it was already addled, given his deleterious remarks regarding the wife everyone in the Free World dreams about! Down with the Unsmiling Emperor Putin! A man who cannot laugh is not to be trusted! However, I think the facilities and organization, (never mind the astronomical cost!), were most impressive, [Evidence?], and I take my fur lined riding helmet off to Russia!

That being said, I am most taken with your intrepid crossing of the snowy passes of late. No mean feat. Looking forward, with much anticipation, to meeting your sisters and Dryden connezionne at boithday bash. For our part, we have been watching House of Cards, (Kevin Spacy is truly wonderful!), on Netflix. Want to take in Breaking Bad as I've heard nothing but good things from others as well. In somewhat the same vein, have you ever seen Justified? Saw a few episodes a few years ago when we were house sitting in Simi Valley, year we drove to Guayabitos. based on a novel/character written by Elmore Leonard. Gave first three seasons, one each, to Cora Lee, Chloë and myself as stocking stuffers this year but I presume it is on Netflix as well. Give it a look.  

Recent snow hampered my riding with almost limb, if not life threatening consequences this past weekend. Was coming down fairly heavily on Saturday but wasn't sticking so I thought, what the hell! Had never ridden in a snowstorm before so thought it could be fun. However, couldn't believe how cold my hands became. Thought that I'd be fine as I had my new, fancy, smancy gloves from Cora Lee and believed I'd be impervious to cold and wet. Quite a significantly wrong assumption as I made for my first Prospect Point Hill Loop. Situation deteriorated rather rapidly from there on and I spent the rest of the ride trying, unsuccessfully, to reanimate the circulation in my hands. Rest of my body was fine but my hands were absolutely and unequivocally turning into unfeeling blocks of increasingly painful ice, as you can well imagine. 

Still, stubborn beast that am, I had decided upon 51 km or bust so did just that to my own detriment. Pulled into Ice Station Zebra with no feeling in my hands and only gained ingress to The Hearbreak Hotel because another tenant took pity on my frozen self. I must admit, Dear Reader, that my hands were so cold that I was unable to remove the keys from my coat pocket in order to let myself in. Chap in question opened the door and I managed to fumble/stumble my way into the complex. I couldn't, literally couldn't, lock my bike up and so left it to go and try to warm up. 

Cora Lee was on the phone when I staggered inside and was able to undo my helmet clasp, a manoeuvre I was incapable of performing, so unresponsive and clumsy were my digits. Once inside, I started to thaw out but it took a good length of time before I could manage to undress myself and run a shower. Quite an experience and I have much, much, much more sympathy for those climbers on Everest or Antarctic explorers, incapacitated by the cold. Vive Shackleton! If not him, then his malt!!!

Nevertheless, Stupido Extraordianario that I am, I forced myself to ride  51.36 km over 2:45'21, AVG 18.6 km/h in spite of the fact that it was, without exception, the most uncomfortable ride of my entire life! My finger tips were still tingling two days later!!! I am now known, in some circles, as Ice-Blockhead Patrizzio, not that I deserve it, of course!

Yet the story takes a turn for the better. Fair bit of fog about yesterday morning and reasonably crisp so I waited until just before noon to set out, in order to let any residual snow/ice melt from the roads/Seawall. By the time I was heading towards Stanley Park it had turned into a simply gorgeous day. English Bay was spectacular, probably 14 freighters at anchor, back-dropped by the North Shore Mountains. The Lions were stunning, majestically white, shining regally above the green of the surrounding slopes.

Since I'd not been out since my ill-fated freeze-dry ride of last Saturday, I wanted to try to log at least 70 km and set about making the necessary Prospect Hill Loops. Once I'd found my lap rhythm I added in two sets of parking lot dipsy-doodles to ring the overall count up to 71 km after the fourth loop and I was then away to the races, so to speak, as I made for home. 

Bit of excitement on last circumcyle of SP as I approached the roundabout, just past the underpass for the Stanley Park Causeway. I had heard sirens blaring a minute or so before but assumed they came from emergency vehicles on West Georgia. At any rate, a police cruiser, lights flashing, siren whoop-whooping, came hurtling towards roundabout as I entered it and I neatly hopped up onto slightly raised centre section to allow vehicle to continue on its course. Lost sight of it as it sped around corner near Rowing Club and assumed it might have been making for the Aquarium as I saw nor heard any further evidence of it after that, as I pedaled on.

However, shortly after passing the statue of Harry Gerome one approaches Brockton Point Lighthouse and I immediately noticed a VFD ladder truck, two ambulances and the aforementioned police cruiser. Activity centered on a red car, (couldn't tell make or model), which had obviously jumped the low curb to descend the slight, grassy embankment there, to come to rest against the metal fencing which runs the length of most of the tip of the Point. Be curious to know the circumstances of this accident. Seems most likely that the driver may well have been in "Drive" rather than "Reverse" and so ended up heading towards the drink! Anyway, I didn't stop to add to the large number of curious onlookers, the thought of touching the Burning Ground trumping my need to find out the cause of this bizarre situation Left the emergency personnel to their jobs and "attacked" the Prospect Point Hill for the last time before making for home. Stats for ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/451628265#.Uw1s-Rjvq3E.email

Once back I rinsed off my Trek. Fair bit of "muck" as road surfaces were often wet.  Wiped the chain and cleaned the gears as best I could without actually using any de-greaser. Re-oiled things and then put bike back in our storage area. Wanted to let oil "soak" in overnight and planned to wipe off excess next day.

After this was done, I took an "errand" ride, (1.89 km over 0:08'47, AVG 13.0 km/h), to Cheap Thrills for a few staples and then back home for a quick shower. I had signed up to attend an information session for The Ride to Conquer Cancer to take place on June 14th/15th, to Seattle. A friend, Sara, is doing her second ride this year and I thought I might see about trying it as well. Meeting was at Ceili's Modern Irish Pub on 7th and Burrard, but a short walk away.
 

In fact, I really didn't need to attend as by the time I was there I had already found out most of what I wanted/needed to know from the Ride website. Basically, every rider commits to raising $2,500. Given this amount and time left before ride, I've decided I won't sign up for this year. One of the complicating factors is the fact that David and Pat Coffaro, winery owners from near Healdsburg, will be visiting in June and I don't want to be away when they are in town. 

More importantly, I don't want my fund raising to become something that will turn the event into a worrisome affair if I cannot meet or feel I cannot meet my target over the next three months. According to Jessica, the young woman running the session, this is really not an issue but I know I'll be more comfortable if I have the next year to work on my subscription base. Funnily enough, the ride itself is really not much of an issue, in terms of distance, at least as far as I'm concerned. A number of the people attending saw the UBC Foreshore Hill and Prospect Point Hill, suggested training routes for individuals in this area, as quite daunting. Didn't want to to seem boastful so didn't mention I'd just come from doing the latter four times. Nevertheless, a wonderful opportunity to put my riding to a very significant and worthwhile cause.
 

We were to play bridge this evening, hosted by Sarge, but Flamin' came down with a nasty bug so we had to cancel. Didn't want Clarisse and Dusty to catch anything. Coriandre was at VPL Board Meeting, of course!

Don't denigrate Jack Reacher. I am a fan. Plot hurtles along and I like the fact that he would approve of my cycling gear, the sight of which sends The Sisterhood into fits of apoplexy! Your radio show should be wonderful. Did you see Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion? One of our favourites. Time for next episode of House of Cards! If we can't play bridge, we can watch everything come tumbling down! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Time for next episode of House of Cards! If we can't play bridge, we can watch everything come tumbling down! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Finally back in AZ, now just a little over a month left of our stay. It was -30 when I left Tues a.m., brrr! Don't miss the cold! The time will speed by! Lots happening here.