Sunday, 30 June 2013

Today's the day. Sort of.

All coast to coast bike tours must begin at the ocean, with the rear tire being ceremoniously dipped into the water. Logically, the ending involves the front end going for a dip in the other ocean.

We live 2 blocks from the ocean, but since we've packed up our place and subletted, we're spending the night at hotel Tommy and Miyo, which is a few km away from the ocean. So we've made today day one; a "mini-day" involving just the ocean business and a brief ride to their place this afternoon. 

So. Packing has been in full effect. We are ready to go.





Wednesday, 26 June 2013

Supplies!

Today was the last pre-trip shopping day. Or so we hope! It's all here; everything. Unless it is mounted to the bike, or unless it is the camera used to take the photo.



BEDROOM:
-MEC sleeping pad
-North Face Vector 22 2-person tent
-Escort sleeping bag
-1 large utility tarp (doubling as sleeping mat waterproofer)
-1 60L stuff sack (for tent and sleeping bag)

WARDROBE/LINEN CLOSET:
-1 long sleeve cycling jersey
-4 short sleeve/sleeveless cycling jerseys
-3 pairs bike shorts
-4 pairs bike socks
-2 sets cycling gloves
-rain jacket
-rain pants
-socks/underwear/shirts/shorts/etc... (2 sets)
-sunglasses
-clothes pins

KITCHEN:
-camp stove/fuel
-pots/pans
-sporknife
-travel mug
-paring knife
-cutting board
-assorted spice pack
-egg holder
-2 x 2L collapsable water bottles
-shamwow

ENTERTAINMENT CENTER & GAMES ROOM:
-cameras/memory cards
-Google Nexus 7 tablet
-iPhone
-chargers/adapters/cables etc...
-dice

BATHROOM:
-camp towel
-toothbrush
-camp soap
-OFF bug repellant
-sunscreen
-sanitary wipes
-deodorant
-vaseline
-first aid kit

HOME OFFICE:
-moleskine notepad
-pens/markers
-maps

TOOL SHED:
-spare tubes (2)
-multi-tool
-chain link breaker
-chain cleaner
-degreaser
-lube
-rag
-presta valve adapter
-wrench
-patch kit
-DIY camera mount
-bungee cords (3)
-duct tape
-rubber cement
-zip ties
-utility knife
-tire levers
-nylon rope (2 x 100')

SAFE:
-cash
-VISA card
-debit card
-passport




Tuesday, 25 June 2013

Maps, maps, maps

Elevation profiles, quaint regional bike trails, warrmshowers hosts, cheap campsites, tacky hotels, wide shouldered roads... and avoiding terrifying bridges. Route planning has dominated my evenings lately.



This goes entirely against how I do things. Previous trips of this nature had begun with little to no plan, merely a (flexible) destination and some desirable pitstops along the way. I think it is just the intense anticipation actually getting out and doing the trip, combined with the ability to preview every last stretch of terrain second-hand from the all-knowing camera of the Googlemobile.

No matter the amount of planning, things will happen beyond our control, be it animal attacks, floods, garbage weather, or intriguing side trips. Routes will change, and knowing me, we will get lost up to 4 times.

Anyhow, day one is basically set in stone now! We'll leave Canada Day at about 8am, from Kitsilano Beach, take the Ontario Street bike route to Richmond, risk life, limb, and cycle traversing the least awesome city to bike in. If we happen to make it to the Massey Tunnel alive, we will then catch this nifty shuttle bus that transports cyclists to the other side, i.e. Delta. This is only about 25km and should be a breeze. From there, we'll zip through some country roads for 4 more hours, cross a border, and wind up at our first host's place in the early evening.

If all goes according to plan.

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

I've got company!

What was always planned as a solo trip has suddenly become a tandem effort. Emi has decided she's coming along! 

First course of action? Bike/gear purchases! We went to MEC for a veritable shopping spree, acquiring a very small MEC Silhoutte, panniers, rack, lights, bells, and whistles...

Training now takes on a whole new meaning... Her first small attempt at a little bit of a climb today was in Stanley Park, 90m gained over 4 or 5km. The reward was this view:


We then proceded to indulge in soggy fries that took 20 minutes to prepare in the empty and horrid Prospect Point Cafe.

Wednesday, 5 June 2013

Last Day at Coast

And tonight ended my longest held kitchen job; for that matter, longest consecutive stay in a city. The nomad in me was held at bay longer than ever, which means it will soon be coming out in full force. 

Thanks to all the folks I was fortunate enough to work beside, learn from, and teach over the past couple of years. It made the decision to move on very difficult. Knowing the door is always open should I choose to return at the end of all of this helps, as does the excitement of the challenge at hand.

One last dinner feature: Seared halibut over beet puree, with wine-poached spot prawns, fried vermicelli, and pickled shimeji mushrooms.