It seems that Mother Nature has decided to make the start to
our great adventure a bit of a challenge. Cranky old bat.
A few days ago I developed a cold that, of course, went straight to my
chest. So I started coughing
and wheezing away like a defective bellows. Since I am going to be riding a bike for three months
this presented an obstacle. I find
that breathing when I am riding makes the ride go so much nicer. A lot less of the falling on the
ground from hypoxia and less bruises on my forehead from hitting it on the
handlebars from coughing. So, we
decided to delay our departure for a day.
This morning as we were finally getting the car packed and
ready I noticed that my front tire was completely flat. Normally this would be nothing
more than an inconvenience except that we had a ferry to catch in order to meet
friends in Tsawwassen for lunch.
Since we were already behind this did not help. I am not sure I can blame this on
Mother Nature, but I am going to anyway.
We got down to the ocean to dip our wheels in the Pacific to
find that there was a particularly low tide today. That meant squishing and sliding our way out to the water
over and into salty muck and slippery seaweed. This I can blame on Mother Nature! Another delay.
When I finally got riding I was really behind and had to
crank it to get to the ferry on time.
All those cyclists that I saw on the way to Schwartz Bay who greeted me
so politely were given scowl and what they probably thought was a bad seal
imitation in return.
However, we did catch the ferry and did make it across to
the other side. Our friends
indulged us in a wonderful brunch and great company that hid from us the deluge
that began outside. Darn
that Mother Nature anyway. I think
it must be her time of the month.
So, day one completed. A bit of a set-to with a deity, a series of confused
and offended commuter-cyclists, great brunch, a monsoon and here we are. In a hotel in Langley with full
tummies, comfortable beds and no idea how to get to Harrison Hot Springs
tomorrow but not really caring.
We are on our way!
