I wasn't disturbing the peace, I was disturbing the war. -Ammon Hennacy, activist (1893-1970)
Up at 6:30 am when my alarm went off. Lady Dar thought that Duke had set it off, not realizing I wanted to make sure I was out of bed in plenty of time to ready myself and my bike for the coming ride to Cawston, with Wild Bill, from the wilds of Naramatia, to arrive here at 8:30 am for blast off-off. There is a pizza-pick-up-party at the winery today and The Sisterhood, (Lady Dar, Countess Chloë Alexis of Sendero, Judy Blue and Hill Runner Spamela), will caravan in a number of vehicles so that Bronco Bill can drive back home in time to watch most of this afternoon's CFL football game. His son plays for the Argos.
Iron Mountain Man arrived right on time and as soon as he unloaded his bike and I brought mine around to the front of the house, we waved goodbye to Lady Dar and set off for Fairview Road to connect with Green Mountain Road, just across 97. Day was sunny and bright but the head wind, out of the NW at 7 kph, according to PenAir, (I dispute this velocity as the head wind we faced while on GMR was, at the very least, three times this.), was biting and I regretted not wearing full riding gloves. Nevertheless, the steady climb warmed us but not so much that we were toasty comfy. Wild Bill is a very strong rider so I was watching him disappear, around countless bends in the road, all the way to the turn-off to Apex.
Not that I minded as the scenery is but a little short of breathtaking, the leaves beginning to change, splashing blotches of yellow amidst the hanging carpet of pines, the creek, to our right, cheerfully bubbling and burbling, a single cigare volante of a cloud hiding most of its bulk behind one of the early mountains. In and out of shade and shadow and brief patches of sun, I arrived at the turn-off after an hour and a half with an AVG of 15 kph. The climb was easy but the ferocious head wind was maddening. I was glad Iron Road Bill was well ahead as I was shouting nasty imprecations at the gods as I struggled against Aeolus' blasts.
Once there, the going became considerably easier, as the rest of the route, on GMR, is, in the main, downhill, some stretches so steep that I reached speeds of 58.8 kph. However, the wind chill, under these conditions, was nothing to sneeze at and had I not had a decent vest underneath my long-sleeved top I'm sure I would have turned into an iceberg by the time we reached 3A. Fast as a Speeding Bullet Bill was waiting, just past the cattle-guard near the intersection of GMR and 3A so I whizzed by him to continue towards Olalla. Didn't take long, of course, before he was back in front and by the time we reached Olalla the change in temperature was quite noticeable, the air now very comfortable, in spite of the still strong head wind. Close to the outskirts of Keremeos I was feeling very comfortable, the chill gone from my bones and my legs feeling almost gazelle-like!
Once we made the left hand turn onto Upper Bench Road we were in high, high heaven as the wind was now at our backs and we sailed along, congratulating ourselves for having finally won the wind lottery! In fact, we were almost an hour ahead of schedule, (We were to meet The Sisterhood at noon.), when we rolled past Orofino, at 11:00 am, so we decided to continue on until it became Barcello Road, for another 5 km or 6 km, a few small hills short of the Crowsnest, before retracing our steps back to the winery. Once there I had clocked 64 km so continued on, into the might head wind, for another .5 km so that I could end with a 65 km outing. Even managed to have, for me, a decent AVG of 21.1 kph. [Nothing for Bronco Bill who is training to achieve 30 kph for his next competitive ride!] Nevertheless a grand ride.
Virginia and John were setting up for the party so we chatted with them and waited, in a sunny spot by the pizza oven, as the wind was still cool. The MarriageMobile arrived right on time and as soon as The Sisterhood piled out we made introductions and then headed for the Tasting Room. Those who had never been here before tasted while Lady Dar and I only did a few samples, the better to decide which full glass we would have with our pizza. Wonderful array of cheeses, crackers, olives and roasted almonds so we nibbled and sipped, visiting with one and all. The Naramatians bade farewell close to 1:00 pm and shortly thereafter Clan Sutherland arrived with all three children, their spices and four grandchildren in tow so it was terrific to be able to chat with some of those we'd not seen in some time. Two bottles later, a Scout Syrah and a Red Bridge Red, we were ready to roll. Managed to offload Chloë to the Spirit Ridgers as she will stay in luxury, sheer luxury with them for the night. Nicolina will drive her back to Penticton tomorrow. We were invited to stay ourselves but Judy Blue was not at all amused about hitch-hiking back to Penticton! What a simply wonderful outing, ride and wine-tasting and visiting with wonderful, wonderful friends and family. We all have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! Cheers!!! Map and Stats for ride:
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2063334969#.WdlamDberqQ.email
Hi Patrick Sorry we missed you in Van. We were in NY for a couple of weeks and then went to Harrison for a couple of nights. Have a Happy Thanksgiving to you all. Let us know when you’re next in Van. Elaine & Ted Hello Bayswater B&B!
Trust you are both well. Yes, sorry we missed you but thought that you might have been away. This Sunday we are heading back into Vancouver to volunteer at the Vancouver Writers Festival, October 17-22nd. Will stay with Flamin' and Sarge. At any rate, wondering if you might be free, this coming Sunday evening, or the following Sunday, for a meal and/or bridge. [I'm sure we can host at Sutherlands.] Only two nights that Lady Dar is free. Let us know what you think and we'll plan accordingly. Until we chat, take care of yourselves. Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Up at 6:30 am when my alarm went off. Lady Dar thought that Duke had set it off, not realizing I wanted to make sure I was out of bed in plenty of time to ready myself and my bike for the coming ride to Cawston, with Wild Bill, from the wilds of Naramatia, to arrive here at 8:30 am for blast off-off. There is a pizza-pick-up-party at the winery today and The Sisterhood, (Lady Dar, Countess Chloë Alexis of Sendero, Judy Blue and Hill Runner Spamela), will caravan in a number of vehicles so that Bronco Bill can drive back home in time to watch most of this afternoon's CFL football game. His son plays for the Argos.
Iron Mountain Man arrived right on time and as soon as he unloaded his bike and I brought mine around to the front of the house, we waved goodbye to Lady Dar and set off for Fairview Road to connect with Green Mountain Road, just across 97. Day was sunny and bright but the head wind, out of the NW at 7 kph, according to PenAir, (I dispute this velocity as the head wind we faced while on GMR was, at the very least, three times this.), was biting and I regretted not wearing full riding gloves. Nevertheless, the steady climb warmed us but not so much that we were toasty comfy. Wild Bill is a very strong rider so I was watching him disappear, around countless bends in the road, all the way to the turn-off to Apex.
Not that I minded as the scenery is but a little short of breathtaking, the leaves beginning to change, splashing blotches of yellow amidst the hanging carpet of pines, the creek, to our right, cheerfully bubbling and burbling, a single cigare volante of a cloud hiding most of its bulk behind one of the early mountains. In and out of shade and shadow and brief patches of sun, I arrived at the turn-off after an hour and a half with an AVG of 15 kph. The climb was easy but the ferocious head wind was maddening. I was glad Iron Road Bill was well ahead as I was shouting nasty imprecations at the gods as I struggled against Aeolus' blasts.
Once there, the going became considerably easier, as the rest of the route, on GMR, is, in the main, downhill, some stretches so steep that I reached speeds of 58.8 kph. However, the wind chill, under these conditions, was nothing to sneeze at and had I not had a decent vest underneath my long-sleeved top I'm sure I would have turned into an iceberg by the time we reached 3A. Fast as a Speeding Bullet Bill was waiting, just past the cattle-guard near the intersection of GMR and 3A so I whizzed by him to continue towards Olalla. Didn't take long, of course, before he was back in front and by the time we reached Olalla the change in temperature was quite noticeable, the air now very comfortable, in spite of the still strong head wind. Close to the outskirts of Keremeos I was feeling very comfortable, the chill gone from my bones and my legs feeling almost gazelle-like!
Once we made the left hand turn onto Upper Bench Road we were in high, high heaven as the wind was now at our backs and we sailed along, congratulating ourselves for having finally won the wind lottery! In fact, we were almost an hour ahead of schedule, (We were to meet The Sisterhood at noon.), when we rolled past Orofino, at 11:00 am, so we decided to continue on until it became Barcello Road, for another 5 km or 6 km, a few small hills short of the Crowsnest, before retracing our steps back to the winery. Once there I had clocked 64 km so continued on, into the might head wind, for another .5 km so that I could end with a 65 km outing. Even managed to have, for me, a decent AVG of 21.1 kph. [Nothing for Bronco Bill who is training to achieve 30 kph for his next competitive ride!] Nevertheless a grand ride.
Virginia and John were setting up for the party so we chatted with them and waited, in a sunny spot by the pizza oven, as the wind was still cool. The MarriageMobile arrived right on time and as soon as The Sisterhood piled out we made introductions and then headed for the Tasting Room. Those who had never been here before tasted while Lady Dar and I only did a few samples, the better to decide which full glass we would have with our pizza. Wonderful array of cheeses, crackers, olives and roasted almonds so we nibbled and sipped, visiting with one and all. The Naramatians bade farewell close to 1:00 pm and shortly thereafter Clan Sutherland arrived with all three children, their spices and four grandchildren in tow so it was terrific to be able to chat with some of those we'd not seen in some time. Two bottles later, a Scout Syrah and a Red Bridge Red, we were ready to roll. Managed to offload Chloë to the Spirit Ridgers as she will stay in luxury, sheer luxury with them for the night. Nicolina will drive her back to Penticton tomorrow. We were invited to stay ourselves but Judy Blue was not at all amused about hitch-hiking back to Penticton! What a simply wonderful outing, ride and wine-tasting and visiting with wonderful, wonderful friends and family. We all have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! Cheers!!! Map and Stats for ride:
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2063334969#.WdlamDberqQ.email
Hi Patrick Sorry we missed you in Van. We were in NY for a couple of weeks and then went to Harrison for a couple of nights. Have a Happy Thanksgiving to you all. Let us know when you’re next in Van. Elaine & Ted Hello Bayswater B&B!
Trust you are both well. Yes, sorry we missed you but thought that you might have been away. This Sunday we are heading back into Vancouver to volunteer at the Vancouver Writers Festival, October 17-22nd. Will stay with Flamin' and Sarge. At any rate, wondering if you might be free, this coming Sunday evening, or the following Sunday, for a meal and/or bridge. [I'm sure we can host at Sutherlands.] Only two nights that Lady Dar is free. Let us know what you think and we'll plan accordingly. Until we chat, take care of yourselves. Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio!
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