Day Two - Here we go! - Victoria BC - Mt Walker Washington - 92km

Sunset on Mt Walker, WA

Finally we got underway today on our great cycling adventure.  We cycled into Victoria's pretty downtown harbour, past the historic Empress hotel as the rain gently began to fall near our arrival at the ferry terminal.  We were happy to be able to take the passanger ferry to Port Angeles which is only about an hour ride but world’s apart.

Dee outside the Empress Hotel, Victoria, BC

We disembarked to rain and gray skies covering the stunning Olympic Mountain range.  Our route would find us in their shadows for much of the day and we were happy to find the rain stopped and blue sky appeared shortly into the ride. 

This part of the US 101 highway could best be described as ‘forgettable’ for the first 30 miles.  A busy four lane highway with endless traffic.  No without an opportunity to explore.  Thankfully we were able to get some respite at one popular West Coast entities -   the drive thru espresso bar.  Small, cottage like establishments catering to peoples’ caffeine fix and we decided we would give it a try, preferring to actually stop in and enjoy one for a few minutes.  In addition to a welcome rest it seemed to start a break in the weather and some sun in our face.

The 'Mocha' Drive Espresso Bar, Gardiner, WA

In place of the rain was sunshine and a nasty headwind we battled for the next 30k.  We alternated pulls at the front but for the first time I was a beneficiary of Dee’s draft as her panniers create quite a cut in the wind.  I don’t think she found the Bob trailer as generous as draft.

We arrived in Quilcene @ 3pm and after a quick search – of one restaurant -  decided on lunch.  A quick stop at the grocery store to buy dinner (2 bananas, take out salad, and can of soup) we headed up the day’s major climb of Mt. Walker arriving at the Falls View summit campground around 4:30.

We quickly made camp then bombed up the Mt Walker viewpoint hike – 2 miles and a 2000ft elevation gain.  Dee blazed trail and we found ourselves at the summit in 45’ with a beautiful view of the sunset and a look back at the days travels.  The second summit view offered spectacular (thud!) views of Seattle and 14,400ft Mount Rainier.  After lingering for some pictures we zipped back down the hill with darkness and a cougar watch impending. 

Back to camp where dinner quickly but enjoyably consumed – thanks to Kimmy for the bearclaw for dessert – dishes washed, teeth brushed and into the tent!  Did I mention no showers, for that matter no water at all at this campground.  Minimal living at its best.

Sidebar- September 22 + 23

Wednesday September 22

After a morning bike ride to meet with our tenants in Saanich, we took to the streets to explore Victoria.  The first day of fall was a gorgeous one that reminds the rest of Canada why they might want to live on the West Coast; 25C, a fresh ocean breeze, and sunshine.

In keeping with the cycling theme we met a friend and physio colleague's of Dee for an early evening bike ride around Victoria's southern communities.  Barb Bialokoz is a fellow Dal grad as well as a cat 1 cyclist  who runs a vibrant physio practice from her house and gave Dee the lowdown on the physio scene in Victoria - along with the oppressive zoning restrictions -.  I rode with her partner Dave McLeod a fellow star cyclist in his own right.  The ride took us well into the dark followed by an enjoyable beer and some forgettable wine along with a impassioned discussion on the merits of the Tarn 3 tent from Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC).

Thursday, September 23 - More staging

We were pleased to hear that Kim, Ma, and Baby T were coming over to the island for a final visit.  They came bearing the legendary Red Barn Sandwichs which are only for those with a hearty appetite.  The way Tahlia has been mowing down the adult food I'm surprised she didn't get one for herself!

We spent a lovely evening with friends Scott and Lorrie (Mc)Cramb in Victoria.  They have moved to Victoria from Parksville and are enjoying the transition so far.  We were entertained by Tahlia and their two boys, Donovan and Quin while the adult had a few laughs themselves.

September 21 -Day One - Vancouver - Victoria 38km

Tough first day!  Rolled down the hill from our friend Lewis and Heather in Tssawassen and the long 6k to the ferry terminal.  After carefully negiotiating the bike and BOB trailer through the maze of tractor - trailers on deck one we grabbed a warm beverage for the 90 minute crossing through the beautiful Gulf Islands to Victoria.

A light rain, along with a riding escort by the name of Sue Edney greeted us on the other side.  Sue and husband Dave Morrison are dear friends from Bermuda who have made Victoria their second home.  We are staying with them this week while we visit our house, meet some perspective employees - Jobs? Yikes! - and get a feel for Canadian island living.

Today ride took us near our home in Saanich, the spectacular Butchart Gardens - which we've never yet visited - and to Dave and Sue's house at the top of Willis Point.  A hot tub awaited our exhausted legs...

The initial run on the bikes was positive.  Neither of us has been blessed with a lot of acceleration and the extra cargo will not help in that department at all. A day in Victoria awaited us complete with an exhausting swim at the Commonwealth Training Centre.  All that was left to do was enjoy the Sunset from Dave and Sue's deck.  Bike travel is tough!

Baby T Birthday Bash(es) Sept 18+19th

A weekend of celebrations for little Taliah's first birthday.  Plenty of food and drink as well as outstanding cake back to back.

Final preparations for the bike trip.  Check and re-check lists.  When the employees at Mountain Equipment Co-op (Outdoor Store) began to greet me by name it was a sign I was spending far too much time there.  Much time spent negioitation over the essentials.  Do we really need 3 pairs of socks?  Can I get by with just one pair gloves and two shirts?  Not argument over underwear however.  You know what your mother always said...

Our first day will be a light one.  Kim transporting us to the ferry terminal so we can make our way over to Victoria.  A couple of days to visit friends and test out the machines.  We aim to leave the island on Thursday via Port Angeles, Washington and let the good times and the great sunsets come...

On the verge

We find ourselves in Penticton, British Columbia in the final day of preparation before enbarking on Ironman Canada Sunday. The five hour drive from Vancouver yesterday the final trip in our nine month journey.

Ironman Canada is one of the 'original' Ironman now entering its 28th year. The course includes a 4km swim on Lake Okanagan - home of Ogopogo, the region's answer to the Loch Ness Monster; a 180km one loop bicycle course navigating the Southern Okanagan; and finally just for laughs a marathon run (42km) along Skaha Lake on a point to point route.

We've been able to isolate ourselves somewhat from the Ironman invasion that has descended on this sleepy town in the heart of B.C.'s wine country. A friend managed to help us secure a stunning lakefront house rental nestled between two wineries and across from a nude beach. Nothing to report to date but the sunsets are amazing in this former hotel.

Sign in was the typical triathlon gong show. Athletes racing to the line ups, frantically purchasing gear, and generally expressing their type A+ personalities. In this regard I think Dee and I are the atypical triathletes - No finishers t-shirts worn - although I was rightfully chastised for  inadvertently wearing my Boston Marathon jacket to the grocery store last night. Ellen and Don would be so disappointed...

Brian and Melissa have been keeping us on top of the lastest and greatest while looking fit and ready to tackle their first Ironman as well. We are all fairly relaxed and are enjoying each others company as we catch up on the past two months. While I am sure tomorrow will bring plenty of nerves and no doubt a sleepless night the night before the night is going just fine.

Days of Ice Cream, Cafe con leche, and sleeping in...

Well, well what has been happening in the last two months...

Right now we're taking some time to relax and rest after what has been a very long season. Our decision to race the 1/2 IM in April meant training began in earnest January 1 and this combined with the marathon BBA schedule, Grand Prix, and then CCC in Barbados created a taxing season.

The CCC in Barbados was extremely rewarding as both Dee and I looked at it as the last chance to ride in the Bermuda color in international competition. Dee won the Gold Medal (again!) in the Time Trial with a commanding performance. I managed to make the podium again with a bronze medal. We didn't fare as well in the road race with Dee falling ill from the dreaded flying fish disease while I put in about 55 miles before cramping up and calling it a day.

The island of Barbados is beautiful, one that we could definitely see ourselves visiting again. Distinctive terrain as you wandered both from North to South and East to West. Windy conditions and lower than expected humidity made the heat bearable.

The weekend in Boston for next post...