Well wasn't that fun!!! The Malahat, Shawnigan Lake, Goldstream and home with all my friends! Imaginary that is!!! And boy did we talk and sing and laugh! Oh, and curse a bit too!
I went for coffee at Disco (good coffee by the way) and met John D there. No one else! John was very kind to buy coffee but I was on my own for the ride.
Well, when a ride is planned, it is planned! My Mama used to always say, "You cannot experience joy without knowing pain." I think I am in for some joy! That was one wet, cold ride! Just a few minutes over four hours of solid riding, alone. I was surprised (well, maybe not) to see not another single cyclist on the road, anywhere, until the last 5 K or so when I went blasting past some crazy tri folks tucked in the aero position, without fenders. I was smelling home and just flying along the Goose. I had to holler at them to make way!
Back to the Hat. When I left it was not raining. When I got to Goldstream it was pouring! It stopped half way up. Seems it can't rain when the fog is so thick cars disappear 20 meters in front of you. Down the other side and more rain! I cycled all the way into Shawnigan Lake Village looking for that cute little coffee shop for a respite. No luck there. It was closed! Oh well, I knew there was another just after Goldstream Heights on the way back to the Malahat.
It has been a while since I have ridden this route. I had forgotten the climbing required just to get from the lake to the start of the climb. It is a long ways, especially on your own, in the rain! I made it to the top of Goldstream. The thought of going down to Goldstream Ridge and then all the way back up again was just too much to bear. I had already been out for three hours. After a short rest at the top, I turned around and went back down to Shawnigan Lake Road, looking forward to a nice Espresso.
Argh! That little coffee shop that used to be just around the corner is no more! Oh well, down the Hat, in the rain, trying to avoid rocks on the edge and cars on the left. I did remember how long the climb from Goldstream Park to the first set of lights is. Long!
About 7 or 8 k to go, the rain stops! I am not sure if I deserve a bucket of gloating points or a smack across the head for this crazyness but it was a great ride. I can say that now! I must say, it is really good to have one of these kind of rides every once in a while, on your own, crappy weather, long distance, lots of hills. Just to do it and know you can. Makes our long Sunday rides in the sun with a pack of other riders ripping along seem almost easy. Not quite easy, but almost!
I hope everyone had a nice lie in this morning! For me, any ride is a good ride!
Holiday Monday Goldstream
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Holiday Monday Goldstream
Barton Bourassa
Re: Holiday Monday Goldstream
Great post and full gloating points to you!
Re: Holiday Monday Goldstream
Well done Barton - that said, I still think you're just a little crazy!!!
After I left you at Disco, I rode over to Fairfield to see whether anyone might show up for a more traditional TS Holiday Monday ride. When nobody did, I set out on my own at 7:30 and rode the usual Sunday route (minus the observatory, natch). Aside from the rain and a flat tire, it was a pretty nice morning. I totally rocked the Interurban sprint.
J.
After I left you at Disco, I rode over to Fairfield to see whether anyone might show up for a more traditional TS Holiday Monday ride. When nobody did, I set out on my own at 7:30 and rode the usual Sunday route (minus the observatory, natch). Aside from the rain and a flat tire, it was a pretty nice morning. I totally rocked the Interurban sprint.
J.
"Talk - Action = Zero" - Joe Keithley