Queensborough Bridge Blues and Back: Sunday, February 16th!

A word in earnest is as good as a speech. -Charles Dickens, novelist (1812-1870) 

P, Great ride Friday, thanks. Hope you are not out in this crap... We will talk about rides and bridge this week. Wanted to be sure you knew about this Casper service. W

To All,  Casper's memorial service will be held on Sunday Feb 23 at 2:30 pm at 
Canadian Memorial United Church, 1806 West 15th Ave (15th and Burrard)
 

This will be followed by a reception and celebration of Casper’s life at the Vancouver Racquets Club (squash club), 4867 Ontario Street, starting at approx. 4:30 PM. At that time, those who wish to share a few fond memories of Casper are most encouraged to do so. In your review of those who have been copied on this, if there is someone we have missed please be so kind as to forward on this email to them. Regards, Tom


Didn't really think that I would be able to ride on Sunday so took advantage of probable rain to sleep in until Cora Lee woke me up, letting me know that Rosita was making buttermilk pancakes for breakfast. Fueled up on about five delicious, fresh blueberry topped mouth-watering, six inch golden, syrup drenched cakes! 

As I was enjoying my breakfast, blue sky and sunshine appeared through the window so I decided I try for a short ride in spite of unpromising forecast. Suited up and left at about 9:45 am, making for UBC as I thought Seawall would be too, too busy. Once out along Spanish Banks clouds over North Shore looked pretty white and fluffy so I wondered if I might have a chance for a longer ride. With this in mind, I decided I'd continue along Marine and make for Kent. If weather held, I'd push on to Boundary and then scope out Glenlyon Business Park.  

Did just that and along the way noticed that the two or three block, lightly forested area between Kinross and Boundary is being developed for more housing units, part of the River District complex I suppose. Once riding through industrial park, near Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park, sky looked a bit foreboding to the south, dark, brooding, ominous looking clouds. Nevertheless, in for a penny, in for a pound, so I took N Fraser Way to Marine Way and then made for the Queensborough Bridge. Halfway across and a bit of a light shower but nothing to worry about,a t least at this stage. Intermittent rain, spitting half-hardheartedly, as I followed Boyd and then Westminister Hwy to River Road. I had been bucking a head wind, more or less, ever since I left home but now, heading west, I had it behind me and whizzed along.  

By the time I had reached the Cambie SkyTrain Bridge I knew wanted to make for Iona but dreaded, literally dreaded the return run as I was sure it would be a fierce battle. Nevertheless, I wanted to log a 100+km ride and this was easiest way to reach my goal. Foreshadowing what I knew awaited, when on Grauer I passed long stretches of blue construction fencing toppled over into the construction site it was supposed to restrict access to. Another even more telling sign of what awaited was the fact that my AVG reached 21.7 km/h before I reached Iona Beach Park, in spite of fact that I took a slight dipsy-doodle to McDonald Beach  to get a slight foretaste of wind I would soon be facing.

Had 73 km on the clock when I turned around in parking lot and then it was showtime. During this part of the ride I didn't know the actual force of the head/cross wind but it was something else, let me tell you. I rode much of the way back to River Rock Casino standing up in order to make any headway at all and took another dipsy-doodle to McDoanld Beach just for the brief respite it would give me! [When back home I took a look at AccuWeather and determined that between 1-3:00 pm the wind had been steady from the ESE/SE at 32-38 km/h and gusting between 43-45 km/h.] Anyway, I soldiered on and was very, very pleased to climb the CSTB as structure itself shielded me from the withering blasts and I knew the worst was over.  

Ride up Cambie was almost a piece of cake, with wind behind me now and timing all the lights I was soon whizzing downhill towards Olympic Village and home. Must say that I was pleased as punch with outing, in spite of  all the vicissitudes of wind and slight rain. As much as anything else, it is a great template for a regular 100 km with the possibility of an add-on to push distance higher. Stats for ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/446531852#

What a special treat to receive a Valentine's card from a secret admirer. I haven't had that compliment in a long, long time. We are currently in Hawaii and will be coming home on March 3. Then we will be very busy packing as we are to be out of our home by April 1. We may be in Vancouver for some of April if our new place isn't done. Aloha, Dawn  

Hola Patricio,

Hope you are having a great weekend. We have been catching up on stuff and attending early soccer games and driving kids to ski at Grouse mountain. Last night we went to the diamond ball at the firemans pub/hall for a charity function for the South Burnaby neighbourhood house which is a community organization that we have worked with. It was a lot of fun with a silent auction, entertainment with a (bad)Rod Stewart impersonator and a great prime rib dinner. the crowd included all the major politicians from Burnaby and supporters from Industry and construction.

Just writing a list of to do’s for the week coming and going to try and get them crossed off as quickly as possible. I have been thinking a lot about what direction I want to go in terms of work and life as I have had different places wanting me to do things for them. One of them was Optimil and although I have enjoyed working for them in limited amounts they asked if I could come work for them in producing some very hi tech industrial turbines for some place in Australia. The fabrication and welding would be to the absolute highest standards and heavily scrutinized and tested. After careful consideration I decided to tell them that I don’t really want to be in the trenches and would be happy to help them through consultation and or some kind of supervisory role but not the everyday welding and fabrication on a production line.
 

I spent a lot of time the last year working with my old friend Andrew from film who is a brilliant electronics technician. designer, hydraulics expert. he has asked me if I wanted to work with him and specialize in the set up and running of his computerized hydraulic flight simulators for movie sets. He has cornered the market in that area and is highly regarded and sought after throughout the industry. He also has a wife two young kids and doesn’t want to be a slave to film as well, given his specialty he can call the shots and we don’t have to be in the trenches of film either and could possibly have some kind of life. 

Have to get back to my list but wanted to send some more pics from Mexico as well. Shots from the top of the hotel freeman in the the old town centro district of Mazatlan, views from the catamaran trip to the islands about a mile offshore, a couple getting some wedding shots in the old town, the beach in front of the hotel at sunset ( same island we sailed to), funny bathing suit manequins, in front of our Hotel before heading to the Freeman. Talk to you soon, Cheers, Al

Thank you for the Valemtines Card.  Cimcky was sitting at the computer when we opened it and he found it quite interesting.  We had a lovely nightof the 14th here with neighbours.  What a storm happening this afternoon!  Looking forward to our next visit, Gregg and Francesca

Pat, You certainly outdid us on Valentine's Day. It was a no-fun zone around here - just carried on with our normal routine with a nice home-made pizza. I see that there is a 2 week Spring Break coming up mid-March, so I'm hoping to pick up my riding a bit over that period and maybe even before that if the weather continues to be so mild. Ray

Thank you so much for the ecard - what a lovely surprise on a Sunday morning and so good of you to remember! We are going back to same restaurant for lunch where I had to ask mike to shut up as I was hungry and he kept yakking instead of ordering food! All the best Love to you all Penny and madcap xx 

2011 Santa Julia Viognier 

Reg Price $13.90     W.O.W Price $11.90 

The Santa Julia value-based line of sustainably-farmed wines from the famed Familia Zuccardi in Argentina are stand out values from a region that is abundant with great wines. The Viognier features nicely perfumed aromatics, plenty of juicy white peach flavours with a touch of honeycomb followed by a clean citrus finish. Excellent with lobster, scallops and crabcakes.

2011 Provenquiere Cabernet Sauvignon 

Reg Price $15.90     W.O.W Price 

 $13.90

"Offering up an expressive nose of fresh blackberry, some cedar and a hint of menthol,  the palate delivers on expectations, with a plush mouthfeel and some chewy tannins.  Good ripeness to the wine, especially considering the price and that this part of France is not really known for it's Cabernets." - Tasted by Andrew Melville, Marquis Wine Cellars