Monday, June 18, 2007

The Lord Giveth and The Lord Taketh Away


My day started rather poorly. I didn't want to get out of bed - hit snooze once and started to think about working at home so I could get an extra hour of sleep. Managed to get my lazy butt dressed and out the door. On the way to the C-train I realized I didn't have any shades - bummer. I just wasn't feeling in the groove as I got on the train and rode it south to the end of the line. Getting my bike ready to roll was a series of fumbles and gaffs. About 5mins into the ride I realized I had left my new water bottle on top of my bike locker and I was soooo thirsty! Riding into work I found out just how much dust and debris was thrown up by passing cars since I had no eye protection and got loads of grit into my poor little eyes.

My luck started to change as I realized I was making good time on the uphills and should end up with a nice average speed. I got used to squinting and managed to avoid getting anything into my eyes for the second half of the ride. By the time I arrived at work I was grinning from ear to ear and happy I had pedaled instead of working at home or driving in. My average speed was 27kph - not too shabby for a porky bike.

At work I found a water bottle I had misplaced that I liked a lot and acknowledged that the one I had lost wasn't that great - it was very stiff so no squeezing, you had to suck water out. Funnily enough the bottle I found had "Bike to Work Week" printed on it - appropriate I guess. Then Deanna gave me a new jersey from a small US bike shop she had visited while at karate camp last week - sweet more bike clothes!

On my way out of Okotoks some kids yelled.."...awesome bike dude!..."...=-) It threatened to rain all the way home, but I didn't care I was in the groove at this point. Climbing fast and bombing the downhills. I could see black clouds and lightning right where my bike locker was, but I figured it was better to ride and get wet - than drive and stay dry. The last bit of my commute involves some pain in the ass highway crossings. They went painlessly today - nice. I had my bike put away and was on the C-train before it rained. My average speed on the ride home was 29.2kph - cool as there was no tailwind!

I cranked my ipod and enjoyed the walk home. Behind me the sky was pitch black and in front in was blue with bright sunshine - interesting contrast. Even though the day started out crappy getting on my bike helped turn things around - like it always does.

Note to self: have faith in the bike - it shall be your salvation!

5 comments:

Jerome said...

Wow, that's a pretty darn good clip you were doing. Was that on a bent? Bikes do seem to make everything better don't they? Cheers.

Vik said...

Hey Jerome,

Ya that was on my Challenge Taifun. It can be pretty fast even though it weights something like 33lbs. As long as I attack the hills I can get a good avg speed with it.

Today with a bit of a head wind and some tired-ish legs I only managed 24.4kph on the way in.

Jerome said...

Cool man. I'm still kicking around the idea of a bent. I think I'll need to find a used one in decent shape for it to happen anytime soon. I've often thought of building a python lowracer(http://www.python-lowracer.de/), but with the home reno I'm doing right now, my time is taken. Ride on!

Vik said...

There are loads of cheap barely used bents for sale at www.bentrideronline.com

I bought my Taifun from there with only 50 miles on it.

I'm "Larry in Leduc" said...

Vik,
Great report today! I am always amazed that on the days I struggle to ride seem to be the best ones to riden in the end! Have a great evening Too!
Larry in Leduc