July 12th (Morning) and July 9th (Afternoon)

July 13th (Morning)

Well, the winds were howling something awful last night, so I was sure hoping that they’d subside by the morning but no dice! I rode up the driveway and not only were the winds still howling, but over the hills behind ACS as well as heading out towards Savona were some very dark and ominous clouds! I could see rain pouring in the valley around the airport, and for a split second the thought crossed my mind to bail and get Corrie to drive me, but then I figured maybe the certain storm would just hold off until I got to work?

I did something to my camera settings, so these pictures are as big as they'll get, sorry! Check out the rain coming down in the valley though.

Cool clouds! At least there is some evidence of lighter weather behind them...

Well, other than the wind gusts, the section through Juniper was not too bad. I was able to keep some decent speeds. Of course, being a Monday, I also had more energy to fight the winds for sure. There was a small tree across the path about 1/3 of the way through Juniper. I will probably drag it off the trail on the way home this afternoon, but this morning I had to ride to beat this storm so I just climbed over it and kept going. It looks small enough, so I think I should be able to wrestle it off the path later.

The hills on the Pipeline section at Rose Hill were good. I made all of them again! I took the little bypass route at the end again instead of carrying my bike down the cliff at the end of the trail and it was good. The winds were strong enough to hold Frolek’s gate open for me, so I didn’t even have to get off to open the gate! Riding through Frolek’s land was a bit tougher than usual, pushing the winds like they were. A couple of sections had me wondering how much warning I would have if a tree started falling, and would I be able to stop or get out of the way? But, they all stood tall and strong while I rode through! The bike, however, was awesome. Gearing was smooth and tight, and the brakes were very nice, with only about 1/4 of a lever pull ‘till contact, and then solid contact after that (very little ‘squish’ factor!). The extra bit of tire pressure felt really good on the hardpack and pavement, and yet I didn’t notice any less traction on the loose and rocky or sandy sections. Overall, I give myself an A+ for weekend maintenance!

Going down into Peterson’s Creek had a few heart jumping sections when the wind actually blew me around a bit. On this side of the canyon, the trail tends to be wider than the other side, so it was OK, but I was still not comfortable with the unwilling sideways movement! Luckily at least the wind was blowing West to East, meaning for the most part of the trail I was being blow towards the hill, rather than the cliffs! Anyways, going back up was an OK effort. I walked more than usual in the middle section simply because I was daydreaming and before I knew it I was past my usual riding section... Oops! I did ride a good, long stretch into the sandy section though, so that was good!

And then the winds hit... Springhill was pretty tough in sections because of the wind gusts, but overall doable. The dirt path running alongside the Merritt highway 5 was actually tough going down! And then Hugh Allan, just past Pacific Way, was nasty. The wind was pushing hard and fast (the flag at Rona, which is normally my “wind meter” was straight out, pointing right at me!) and the rain finally started here. Although the temperature I think was around 15° or so at this point, the rain combined with the wind made this stretch very cold! My hands at the top were frozen! It was rather difficult to be able to grip the bars with frozen fingers that were wet and slippery to boot... Funny, as I turned and rode up Kryczka, the wind either stopped or it was just behind me because suddenly I was warm and it was a very nice little stretch up to work.

July 9th (Afternoon)

The hottest day yet, 37°... Ugghhh! I was sweating going downhill... Again, I was going to head to the North trail to go down into Peterson’s Creek, but missed the light by 10 seconds again so I went my normal route. Going down into Peterson’s Creek was pretty good, but I did have to dismount on the first switchback. Going up was a good effort, 3 stops and a good portion riding again in the middle like the last couple of days. I ended up walking a bit more today than the last two days because I lost control at the fork section where I have started going left. Strange, I’ve never had issues with that part before?

After Peterson’s Creek, I really seemed to be able to find another “proverbial gear” and had some really good speeds going. Partly because I figured it was my last ride ‘till the weekend, so why not push it? As such, my average speed overall in the end was 2km/h faster than my usual rides. I did miss the final two hills at the pipeline section of Rose Hill, though. :( I then took the pipeline section again through to Juniper and again was able to push it really hard and fast through the singletrack, making for a very fun ride!

I really need to spend some time working on the bike this weekend, though! Brakes are very squishy and the lever pull is far too much. The front shifting isn’t as clean as it should be, and the back has hopped around on me a couple of times recently. Also, the rear wheel axle needs a bit of tightening and I think I’m going to flip my stem back the way it was when I bought it, as having it down doesn’t seem to do much for me really. And, finally, I need to put a bit more air in these tires. I’m surprised I haven’t managed a pinch flat or two yet with some of the rocks I’ve hit where I’ve felt the rim!

July 9th (Morning) and July 8th (Afternoon)

July 9th (Morning)

Well, already 19° this morning and rising (it’s going to be a hot one this afternoon)! No breeze, no clouds, just lots of sun. It was another gorgeous day to be sure. I definitely felt a bit tired, but that only makes sense as I just had two days of good rides. Seems after a day or two of good riding, I get hit with a “down” day, so this was no surprise. I did make all the hills at Rose Hill again. I took the first hill down at 42 km/h! Pretty fast considering the bumps and ditches I’m bouncing over at that speed... But so much fun! I even let it rip faster than normal over the 2nd hill too.

 

My bears are abundant, and now in Juniper (or near it anyways). Yesterday alone there were 3 or 4 new “deposits” on that trail alone... Still didn’t see them this morning though, so maybe they’re moving on to greener pastures? Corrie says there were a bunch of forestry guys in a bustle at the park the other day, even had a bucket up in a tree, so not sure what that was about. Maybe a cub stuck in the tree or something?

 

Anyways, the way down into Peterson’s Creek was good. It is so nice in the mornings, as the hill provides ample shade the entire ride down. It’s cool, and with the extra speed I can get a nice breeze going too. Going up is another storey! The sun is beating down on the west bank of the canyon, and I’m moving at a snail’s pace at best, so it’s warm to say the least. I had 4 stops going up, as my first one was at the beginning again as I fought through the gulley’s after the first two switchbacks and lost... :( I did ride a good portion in the middle, though, even a nice long stretch into the sandy section so that was good to see!

 

Coming out of the Peterson’s Creek park, I saw a border collie standing watching his owner (a retired man, maybe in his 60’s?). He was so intent on his owner, very focused. He glanced at me once or twice as I rode towards him, but quickly looked back at his owner that was getting water and some balls out of his car. When the owner saw me, he called the dog who sprinted over and sat in front of him. I told the owner that it was neat to see such a well behaved dog, to which he replied “I thought you were saying I was well behaved!” and laughed. Well, they do say that a good dog is generally due to a good owner, so I guess it goes both ways?

 

The stretches up Springhill and Hugh Allan were tough this morning. I felt pretty tired, and by the time I was pushing up to the crest of the Hugh Allan hill I was hurting. Once again, I was having a hefty argument with my mind (which wanted to stop) the whole way! Yeah, I’m worried that one of these days these arguments are going to become verbal and people will look at me very strangely was I ride up a hill arguing with myself...

 

July 8th (Afternoon)

Wow, 35° today! I debated about taking the trail down into Peterson’s Creek on the north side of the highway, but when I got to the light at the end of Springhill, it just turned red so I decided against waiting for the light and went my normal route. Going down wasn’t horrible, although I dismounted for the first tough switchback. I rode the section from there to the next switchback, and went through the switchback, with my foot out. Going up was pretty good, even with the heat. I made it in 3 stops, and again rode the middle section where I normally walk meaning that now I walk a very small portion of the entire hill. I noticed at my 3rd stop near the top as I was catching my breath in the shade that even the tubes on my bike were hot to the touch! Well, the black parts were hot, the white parts were warm. But, still, it just shows you how crazy hot that sun is.

 

Frolek’s land was good, uneventful, but I felt good and rode it at a decent pace. The Rose Hill pipeline section was fun, I made the 2nd to last hill (in middle gear up front, and 2nd at the back) and then I took the bypass again around the last hill. Through to Juniper, I decided to take the main trail home. Not sure why, I guess I just figured the extra 5 minutes in this heat wasn’t worth the bit of fun the pipeline stretch would give me... :)

 

July 8th (Morning) and July 7th (Afternoon)

July 8th (Morning)

Well, I didn’t feel great this morning but I managed a really good time somehow. Better than my averages lately for sure, by about 3-5 minutes. As I was getting ready to leave the house, I felt really hungry (I never feel hungry in the mornings) so I grabbed a banana, maybe it’s a miracle fruit!

Anyways, as I was about just past 1/2 way across the Juniper main trail, there was a rather large and rather fresh pile of bear scat again! I can’t believe that I’m seeing this much evidence, recent evidence too, of bears and yet I haven’t seen an actual bear yet? I would bet that this bear (or these bears, maybe there are more than one) have sat and watched me bike by time and time again, but I’m so focused on the trail ahead of me I don’t even notice. I did, however, see a coyote (other than deer, I’ve not seen any sort of wildlife yet this spring or summer). He stood at the top of a little hill just off the side of the trail until I stopped to take a picture. I guess that made him nervous, so he took off and I couldn’t get a decent picture.

I know you can't see him, but if you look closely you might have a chance... right at the top of the hill, smack in between the two dead pine trees is my coyote as he turned to run away. If nothing else, here's a cool shot of the scenery I get to ride by every day!

I hit some really good speeds coming through the Rose Hill pipeline section of trails. It was a blast, I think I even let out a few “whoops” in enjoyment! I made all the hills, and then as I was coming around the last bend to where I have to hike the bike on my shoulder down from the trail to the road, I decided to try the bypass trail. It was a fun little downhill trail, and even with the bit of climbing back up on the road to the gate, I’m sure I was the same time as getting off, hiking the bike down and then getting to the gate the way I normally do it. So I will definitely do that again.

Frolek’s land and going down into Peterson’s Creek were both good stretches. My brakes are really spongy, albeit still grabby though, so I really need to work on them this weekend. Going up the other side of the creek I, once again, had to bail just past the first two switchbacks as I veered wildly from side to side and started heading into the bushes... The rest of the ride up was OK. I rode a bit more in the middle again, although not as much as yesterdays ride. I did meet another biker as he was riding down. I watched him ride the two nasty switchbacks and the section between successfully and it made me jealous... :(

July 7th (Afternoon)

Another good ride, but holy cow it’s getting hot! 32° today, and that’s not even close to what this area is capable of this time of year! I felt good physically, but lethargic for sure. I dismounted at the two switchbacks going down into Peterson’s Creek, but rode the section between them at least. Going up I made it deep into the sandy switchback, and then stopped under my Saskatoon bush for shade... But that 1 degree difference really did nothing for me today!

My normal ride up Peterson’s Creek usually goes like this. First, I ride just about 1/2 way up on some decently steep trails to the sandy switchback. At this point, I can hardly breathe, and my legs are burning, so I have no reserves left for when I start spinning in the sand and I dismount and catch my breath. I then walk out of the sandy area (about 20 feet or so) and then ride again. Now the trail here is pretty steep and long. As I come around a corner, it gets a bit loose and rocky, and I typically push it right up to the steepest part where my will, energy and traction seem to all give out at the same time. I then typically walk up the steep section, and then continue walking for another 100 feet or so ‘till I get back on and ride. At that point, I ride up to a very steep (albeit short) section that is very loose and silty. At this point, I don’t usually push this hill and walk most of it. At the top of this hill, I get back on and ride the final stretch to the top, about 2 minutes or so of grinding in the granny gear at speeds just a tad faster than hiking... But I make it!

Well, yesterday I got into the loose and rocky section and stopped at the steep part and walked it. However, once I walked over the steep part, I couldn’t see why I always continued walking. So, instead of walking the next 100 feet, I rode it (as well as  steep section I wasn’t sure if I could or not) and continued right up the steepest section, the loose and silty hill. It was really cool! I would say I’m easily now at 1/8 walking or less. So, even with 3 stops still, with such minimal walking portions I know it’s getting better.

The rest of the ride went well. I missed the 2nd to last hill at Rose Hill (veered off into the bushes for some dumb reason, otherwise I know I could’ve made it). I rode the bypass trail around the final hill, and then took the pipeline trail through to Juniper. Good ride, but so incredibly hot!

July 7th (Morning) and July 6th (Afternoon)

July 7th (Morning)

Getting warmer! 16°, no breeze, and nothing but sun! Beautiful morning to be sure, but man I was sweating pretty good. I had a really good ride today, blasting through the pipeline section at Rose Hill faster than I have yet I’m sure. I made all the hills again. I’m still pretty slow on the corners going through Frolek’s land and would like to improve that. I did remember to oil my chain/derailleur pulleys this morning, so at least it was a nice quiet ride again. As I was leaving Frolek’s and entering Peterson’s Creek park, I noticed a deer standing a few hundred yards away staring at me. Kind of neat, in the still of the morning, and the two of us just staring at each other. I didn’t see her even move the entire time. I would’ve tried taking a picture, but she was too far off for my cell phone camera to probably even be able to pick her up in a picture.

3 stops going up Peterson’s Creek again. I rode a bit more today than I have been doing the last little while. About midway up, I jumped on and rode up into the sandy section ‘till I spun out and then walked again. So that was cool to get a bit more riding on this crazy hill again.

And, of course, the Springhill and Hugh Allan hills were the same as they always are! I did concentrate on spinning again more than grinding and once again my knee felt OK at the end. Also, my seat was still nice and high from yesterday as I finally did mark it! I find it still hard to remember to pull on the pedals with each stroke. I have had my SPD’s for a while now, but still have to consciously remind myself to pull, push, pull, push... When I do, the faster cadence is achieved and I find myself spinning up the hills easier. When I don’t, the grinding begins again...

July 6th (Afternoon)

Uff da! A hot 29° this afternoon. The sun was beating down hard, with no breeze, so it was a warm one for sure. Coming down into Peterson’s Creek was a decent effort. I got off on both switchbacks that I usually do, but at least I rode the section between them still. Going up was good, I made it deep into the sandy switchback, and then stopped and hung out in the shade of the Saskatoon bush again. Not much for shade, but I do feel about a degree or two cooler there. Brian was just cresting the top when I stopped there, but I never did catch up to him after that. The rest of the ride up was good, 3 stops again so that is becoming easier with every effort. At the top, I phoned Corrie as she was ready to ride out to meet me. I figured if she left then, we’d meet around Rose Hill somewhere.

Frolek’s land was the same as ever, and the pipeline section at Rose Hill was good and fast. I didn’t make the 2nd to last hill as I tried granny gear today and it was too low, and my momentum wasn’t enough, and I ended up having to pedal hard from near the bottom and didn’t get very far. I think I’ll stick with the bigger gear here and stand and crank here as that is how I’ve been successful with this hill before. Granny gear, however, on the last hill was good. I made a great distance up, right into the steepest section until my front tire started popping up on me and the rear tire started spinning...

I did meet Corrie just near the bottom of the first downhill past the Rose Hill road. She was a very welcome sight biking up towards me, the best looking biker I’ve seen on these trails by far! But, she forgot to grab some water, so she was pretty thirsty and drank my camel back dry... Hah! We rode together down the main trail and then took the singletrack north and out to the lookout area where we’ve hiked a few times. We stopped there to gather in the scenery for a bit, then continued on home. I was pretty impressed, as she handles the bike really well for not riding at all. I think if she were to bike a lot, she’d be giving me a run for my money pretty soon on some of the technical sections... :) Apparently she saw both Phil and Brian as they came the other way about 5 minutes ahead of me. We got home, and she walked straight into the pool, clothes and all! Of course, I joined her after quickly throwing on my swimsuit... Hey, I have to wear these shorts again tomorrow!

Best riding partner ever! :) We stood at the lookout point here and soaked in the great view!

June 6th (Morning) and June 5th (Afternoon)

WARNING: I am switching the format of how I post! I am warning you now, as I know I have so many avid readers that this will screw up..

Anyways, as the blog posts are from earliest to latest, I’m going to change so I each post will also follow this timeline, meaning the most recent ride (usually the morning ride) will be written about first, and then the previous ride (normally the afternoon ride). I’m just sayin’...

June 6th (Morning)

This morning’s ride was pretty good, although in the end my total time was pretty slow compared to other days. Strangely enough, my riding time was comparable! Anyways, I was trying to concentrate on spinning this morning, which I think might have helped as I didn’t get the same knee pain going up Hugh Allan. Then again, I also stopped going up Hugh Allan and raised my seat a bit. I think it works it’s way down over the course of a couple of rides? Anyways, whatever did it, my knee felt much better this morning.

Some more fresh bear scat! This time all over... Once on the Juniper trail, another one going up the west side of Peterson’s creek, and yet another one heading out of Peterson’s Creek onto Summit. Crazy! Maybe a Mama and her cubs and they’ve split up? Are they old enough by now for that? What do I know about bears anyways...

The good news I discovered yesterday was that someone has cleaned up the fallen tree at the 2nd valley (going west) of the pipeline section at Rose Hill! Awesome! I was able to let the bike fly down each hill this morning, and made every climb. So that is very nice. I’m not sure who did it, but I need to thank them for sure.

The weather was another great and sunny morning. The ride down into Peterson’s Creek was good, fast and fun again. Going up, I did manage to make the first section through the first two switchbacks and up past the railing. I’ve been struggling there quite a bit lately with the gulley’s, but this morning managed to power through the dumb gulley’s whenever I managed to find myself falling into them. I still had 3 stops going up, and most of it walking. I attempted to ride a portion of the middle, but again lost it in a gulley!

A cool shot from the top of the East side of Peterson's Creek, looking over downtown and north to Westside and Rayleigh. Great views up here!

The final stretch up Springhill and Hugh Allan were pretty good. As I said before, I tried to concentrate on spinning today rather than grinding out a harder gear and my knee felt better. I also noticed that I felt better on the Hugh Allan climb? I think this also has something to do with my seat height too. As I tend to lower it every afternoon for the trail going down into Peterson’s Creek, I am constantly fighting with getting it to the correct height again. Today, I will mark where it is with a marker and see how long that lasts...

June 5th (Morning)

Well, I guess I need to start carrying chain oil in my back pack. I cleaned and oiled the bike last night, but with the wet weeds slapping at me all morning, the chain was void of any oil whatsoever and the joyous “squeak squeak” followed me wherever I went... Yay...

Today was a bit of an eventful ride, actually. First, coming down into Peterson’s Creek, I came across two golden retrievers making their way up the trail. No owner in sight at first! And these two dogs couldn’t have cared less that I was even there. It was right at the first troublesome switchback, so I dismounted anyways and walked the stretch down to the next switchback. The owner did eventually appear, but his dogs were a good 50 feet ahead of him! At least they’re well mannered. So going down was OK, and as I started, I noticed someone hiking up the other side. As I climbed up the other side, I kept noticing him hiking a ways ahead of me. At the sandy switchback, I stopped for a breather and some Saskatoon berries, as well as to just enjoy some shade. The berries weren’t good... Seriously, like I said before, I do not like fresh off-the-bush Saskatoons. I tried to give them a chance again, but no go... Anyways, as I was standing in the shade of the Saskatoon bush, I kept hearing voices. Hmmm... I thought I was too young for this? So I kept riding, and every minute or so I could swear that I could hear someone! I kept looking up, down, ahead and behind but couldn’t see anyone. That’s when I saw the hiker that was hiking ahead of me. At the top of the trail, he was standing right at the edge, up on the railing that is at the top, singing! Yes, singing! Down into the creek valley. I’m not sure what he was singing, I couldn’t quite make it out. Not because he was a bad singer, but just because of the traffic noise on the highway, my squeaking bike and, of course, my huffing and puffing (which is pretty loud up this trail). The entire climb up the trail, he sang away. As I came up behind him, he pulled out a cigarette and lit up just as I passed him. Rather odd pastime, climb to the top of Peterson’s Creek just to sing and smoke? Well, whatever floats your boat I guess! Oh, 3 stops again and good distances on each effort!

Frolek’s land was uneventful other than the usual birds and chipmunks scampering out of the way. And man, those chipmunks are sassy! Every time one of them runs off the trail, they always stop a few feet into the bushes to just turn and around and swear me out. Well, if I could understand chipmunk, I’m sure they’re swearing at me. Whatever they’re saying, it sure isn’t a nice “How do you do?” by any means... :) At the pipeline section at Rose Hill I got a very nice surprise. The tree that was across the trail since last Monday was cleaned up! Not sure who did it, but I’m pretty sure it was a cyclist as all the branches had been cleaned off the trail as well, leaving a nice, clear path through the valley again allowing me to let go of the brakes and make it up the other side! I was in the middle ring up front and 2nd in the back, and it was a grunt and a half to make it but make it I did! Hah! It was nice to clear that hill again, something I haven’t done in probably a month? Well, just so I could keep going without stopping, I decided to head off and around on the bypass trail around the last hill. I haven’t tried this trail in a few weeks, and it was VERY overgrown. To the point where I couldn’t even see the trail under my tires and was simply riding over fallen and sagging weeds. It was fun to ride that trail again in the end. The second half, where it turns and climbs up and over the hill, is a fun stretch. The first half, pushing through weeds and over rocks and gulley’s, not so much. But, it is a nice little change and staying on the bike is always a bonus.

I took the pipeline stretch into Juniper. Fast, fun and a bit crazy with the weeds! Now the weeds are so bad that they actually noticeably slow me down... It’s rather annoying! Where I used to be able to blast down and basically coast with momentum up the next hill my speed is killed by these grabby little demons. The good news? All the mud from this morning’s ride was cleaned off the bike by the time I hit the pavement! Hah! Kind of funny, actually...

July 1st (Afternoon) and July 5th (Morning)

July 1st (Afternoon)

The ride home today was rather brutal. I felt very tired the entire way home. Strange, after feeling so good for the last couple of rides! Maybe I pushed it too hard on the “good days” and paid for it? I wonder if I need to start learning to reign it in slightly on a good day to keep reserves for the bad ones?

Anyways, going down into Peterson’s Creek was a bit hairy. Fast for the most part, and it started off really well. But at the first troublesome switchback I just about lost it. I skidded through the corner and started sliding over the edge, so I had to let the brakes completely off to regain control. However, as it is so steep right there, those short few seconds without brakes meant I picked up a lot of speed in a hurry and on the roughest section of this trail. I did manage to regain control again and was still vertical, so that was a bonus! Going up the other side was pretty good. I find that even when I’m tired, 4 out of 5 rides I’ll still be able to put in a good effort going up. I made it into the sandy switchback before stopping, and still made it to the top in 3 stops. I think the final two stops that I make are doable if I have the legs and lungs to make them, so I’ll keep inching away at the distance efforts.

Frolek’s land was uneventful, as was the pipeline section at Rose Hill. I debated about taking the bypass around the final hill, but decided against it in the end. So, I still missed the final two hills. I ended up taking the main trail into Juniper. Partly because I was tired, but mainly because I didn’t feel like getting beat up by the over-zealous weeds on the pipe line section!

Tomorrow we are taking off to Vancouver, so no riding ‘till Monday!

July 5th (Morning)

Well, it poured pretty hard yesterday all day, and then over night as well. As I left the house, Juniper was in a cloud, but as I rode out on the trails, the cloud gave way to blue skies and a hot sun for the rest of the ride. It was only 13°, but with the sun it felt much warmer. I found a new pair of Cannondale biking shorts this weekend while in Vancouver and they were pretty comfy! The chamois is pretty thick and plush compared to my worn out old shorts, but I didn’t even notice the seat this morning so that was a good thing! The shorts are also a bit longer and the lining with the chamois is not attached to the baggy shorts meaning they are much more comfortable and I don’t have to worry about flashing anyone behind me with plumber’s crack! :)

With all the wet weeds from the rain, the brakes howled loud enough to wake up the entire town I’m sure. They stopped once they dried off, but would howl again as soon as they got wet. I suppose that helps in scaring any bears away ahead of me! I missed the same hill at the pipeline section at Rose Hill again. Lost traction, and control, veering off into the bushes! Oops... Heading across Frolek’s was pretty good. That bear I believe is about 1/2 way across Frolek’s land now and heading east as far as I can tell. There was some very fresh scat there this morning (probably about an hour before I went through or less). If you go by the fresh “scale” of where he has left his deposits, then he came from the West entrance to Peterson’s Creek park last Monday and is now 1/2 way across Frolek’s land. I still haven’t seen him yet, which is good! Maybe he’ll head up and over the mountain now, going south. I’d prefer if he didn’t meander through into Juniper...

Going down into Peterson’s Creek was fun again, of course! That trail is a blast down. Not very technical, meaning you can let the speeds get going pretty good and still control it easily enough when required. Heading up was tough with the gulley’s getting worse every day it seems. I met Rob again as he was hiking down, and he informed me that the new purple flowers that suddenly sprung up all over in the Park were called "Mariposa Lilies". I guess they are rather rare, and really only last about a week. Which is true, as they're disappearing now about as fast as they suddenly appeared.

Wild Mariposa Lilies suddenly sprung up all over Peterson's Creek Park

The rest of the ride was good up Springhill and Hugh Allan. I made the second half of Springhill in 3rd again. However, at the end of Hugh Allan, my left knee was really acting up and in a lot of pain. It is acting up here at this spot every morning, so maybe I will have to start trying to spin faster rather than grind out the gears when I can. Right now, that usually means a lower speed, but I think if I can concentrate on keeping my cadence high I should be able to keep the same speeds but in a gear that is hopefully slightly better for my knee.

June 30th (Afternoon) and July 1st (Morning)

June 30th (Afternoon)

Call me crazy, but both the ride into work this morning and home this afternoon I felt like pushing it and going much faster in most spots than I normally do. I’m not sure what that’s all about, maybe just because of my week off or maybe I’m just enjoying this more. Anyways, it was a fun ride to be sure. One thing I couldn’t figure out, though, is why the wind has it out for me so bad. I mean, yesterday afternoon it was pushing against me as I rode down Hugh Allan (wind was blowing west). Then, this morning it again was pushing against me as I rode up Hugh Allan (now it was blowing east). But then this afternoon, I turn to go down Hugh Allan and, yup! It’s pushing against me again (blowing west again)! What gives?

 

Anyways, the good thing is that it did eventually calm down and the Springhill section was good and fast and then I really didn’t notice the wind after that. Heading down into Peterson’s creek was pretty good. I went faster than normal, even a bit out of control on a few spots where I thought I was going to bite it, but luckily I didn’t! It was fun, though. I made the entire way down without getting off the bike. I did have my foot out at the two nasty switchbacks and the section between them, however. About 1/4 of the way down, I saw some horse manure... Say WHAT?!? Ok, I’m all for sharing the trail. I mean, if I see someone on a horse, I will gladly stop, dismount and move over. But, seriously, if I meet up with a horse on this section of the trail going down into Peterson’s creek, I’m sorry, but there is nowhere for me to go! Seriously, there’s hardly room for two bikers to pass each other, let alone a 1000lb animal with prey mentality and spooking tendencies! Yikes... I do hope I don’t ever meet up with that nut... :) Anyways, heading back up the other side was really good. I made good distance on all four riding stretches (still 3 usual stops, although an extra stop at the beginning where I lost a bit of control and tried riding up the cliff on my right hand side...). No distance record breaking efforts, but good efforts nonetheless. Through Frolek’s land is where I felt that I was pushing it harder than I normally do, making the corners a bit faster and cresting the hills in a gear or two higher.

 

I still missed the final two hills at the Rose Hill pipeline section, and then continued along the pipeline section through to Juniper. That section I really noticed extra speed, as my legs were burning not from muscles but from the slapping, grabbing, scraping weeds! Which now contain yellow, purple, light purple, dark purple and white flowers! I still despise them regardless of how many colours they try to throw at me... In fact, I just about went over the bars when a weed got stuck in my pedal and just about stopped me dead before it ripped out of the ground at the last second... Seriously! These things are of the devil...

 

July 1st (Morning)

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

 

We took a vote at ACS and decided we wanted the Canada Day holiday on Friday rather than Thursday so we could have a long weekend. Makes much more sense to me I think! So this morning’s ride, the parts where I rode on the streets, were much quieter than usual.

 

It was a bit chilly this morning, actually. Only about 11°! What’s with that? Cloudy, but no wind. I made all the hills at the Rose Hill pipeline section again! Coming down into Peterson’s Creek, I passed some fresh bear scat again about half the way down. I didn’t know the bears would come up that high? So, I stopped right away at the sandy switchback and just scanned the valley below, seeing if the bear was still hanging around. Of course, from then on I was pretty skittish at every corner! Hah! I decided to finally try the trail heading up out of Peterson’s Creek on the north side of the highway for once, just so I would know for sure which trail I preferred. At first, it was so much more fun! Winding around along the creek valley bottom, crossing over a bridge, skipping right through the creek at one point. It was pretty neat, and I started thinking, yep! I’ll do this trail often! But then the climb started up along the north side of the highway. At first, no big deal. It was a longer climb than normal, but a rideable one at least. And then the last section came, and it was pretty steep with a VERY deep gulley right down the middle. Deep enough that if I slid into it, I was guaranteed to bend a rim or worse! So, I ended up walking it. Probably did as much walking on this section as my regular route, only I had to ride more ups!

 

The final section up Springhill and then Hugh Allan was actually really good. I felt strong and faster, even making it up the entire 2nd half of Springhill in 3rd where I have always been in 2nd before. And I didn’t feel like I was grinding it out in 3rd either. In fact, had I not actually seen that I was in third, I probably wouldn’t have noticed as I felt like I was spinning normally. Cool!