Hello again friends! It's day two of our journey (when I'm writing this) and we're happily back in the US. We've logged (officially) 87 miles, but with various exploratory adventures on our first day in Vancouver and various... accidental adventures (okay, okay...misreading the map and getting friggin' lost!!), we probably have close to 110 miles under our belts already!
Backtracking a bit: Vancouver was awesome! We stayed with Devon and Karen, a fantastic pair of blues dancers. They were amazingly hospitable (fed us, gave us a comfy futon to sleep on, that sort of thing) and were a heck of a lot to hang out with! We even went to see a musical in an outdoor theatre! Legally Blonde, the musical. And you know what? I think even Zac enjoyed it ;-)
Our pre-trip day in Vancouver consisted mostly of getting to know these things called "hills." Thus the title of today's entry. I knew the hills would be a shock. I knew nothing in the flat Midwest that is Chicago would prepare us. But...Owww. Hills HURT. It doesn't help that we were bike-less and on lazy vacation for the week and a half leading up to the trip. Doesn't exactly lend itself to being prepared! But it was great to ride the city, hills notwithstanding. Their lakefront trail blows Chicago's out of the water! Not only is the mountain backdrop way more picturesque than our endless lake horizon, but there are two separate paved paths - one for bikers, and one for pedestrians. Brilliant!
Our first day on the trail went pretty darn well. There were some weird twists and turns on the map that got us lost a few times and my legs were horribly sore from the wicked Vancouver hills...but there were way more upsides than downsides! Our tasty picnic lunch - cheese, sausage, crackers and cranberries - and my favorite visitor who embodies the phrase "speak softly and carry a big stick!"
There was the giant suspension bridge that gave us a beautiful vantage point (though I confess I forgot to take a picture...). It was a long, steep climb, so I did have to give up and walk most of it. can't wait to see if the Golden Gate Bridge feels easier in a few weeks!
And the feeling of flopping down in the cool grass in the shade of a giant tree on a hot day...that's pretty heavenly.
We stayed with a warm showers host in White Rock that night. Warm showers is a hosting program specifically for people on bike tours. The host is only obligated to offer us a warm shower and a lawn to pitch our tent in, but sometimes they offer so much more! Patrick, our White Rock host, took us to the best fish'n'chips in town, took us on a tour down the promenade, showed us where the real Italian gelato could be found, and walked and talked with us all evening. It was absolutely wonderful...And after a long day biking in the hot sun and a full evening of good food, better conversation and seaside air, we passed out as soon as we hit the ground!
The White Rock for which the town was named...and our shadows!
Today was a little...rougher. Zac warned me that the second day would be harder. Well...he was right. For all my legs hurt yesterday, that was nothing compared to how they felt today. It was basically the feeling of doing three pushups too many...and that was on flatlands or gentle inclines. On proper hills? That was more the feeling of doing three pushups too many...while a gorilla is sitting on your back! Needless to say, today's overwhelming feeling was one of discomfort and pain.
But that's not to say today was all bad. We had some beautiful countryside to bike along. It reminded me a lot of upstate New York...which I suppose makes sense - Washington and upstate are both major apple producers...
One of our accidental adventures took us to a roadside stand selling the most delicious raspberries, so we ate incredibly well at lunch...
And did I mention this was our view?
And our first (little) mountain took us through a rather majestic old-growth forest. Because of the hills (and therefore the gorilla on my back) I didn't think to get a picture...but even if I had, I don't think it would have done it justice.
Can't wait to see what adventures (accidental and intentional) tomorrow holds!
So I *was* planning on renting bikes when G and I go to Vancouver at the end of summer, but this post makes me a little scared! Glad you guys are still alive (and eating well!)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful report. Very anxious to read future posts. I hope the legs feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteKat, you totally should! Rent 'em, ride around Stanley park, love it! Just avoid biking in and out of the downtown area. The hills into the "loop" area are the mean one's!
ReplyDeleteOh we definitely still will, no worries! My friend from the Vancouver area told us to do the sea wall and I think it sounds awesome! :D
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