OK Falls and The Gale Force Blues: Saturday, December 28th!

Reason often makes mistakes, but conscience never does. -Josh Billings, columnist and humorist (1818-1885)

Had a fairly lazy morning listening to the fire crackling, sipping my java and sending messages. Lady Dar left around 11:00 am to run a few errands after which she was going to head over to Winnipeg Street to help Chloë give Rowan James a bath. The Little Hippo loves these ablutions and so it is an enjoyable time for everyone. Chopped a bit of kindling after she left and then I suited up, warmly, as with wind chill it was -5º C. I knew wind was going to be a significant factor as it was out of the SSE at 18 km/k, gusting to 28 km/h. No matter, I had decided I'd gird my loins and head for OK Falls. Before I left the house, at around 12:10 pm, I crossed my fingers, [No mean feat as I was wearing my Lobsters!], that direction wouldn't change so that I'd have it pushing me home!

A fork in the road! Why don’t they take it?

Photo: Sarah

Didn't really want to fight this headwind any more than I had to so didn't start ride with my route regulare but rather set off down Government from the get go. Given the strength of the blasts I was beginning to have second thoughts about going all the way to OK Falls so I incorporated a few dipsy-doodles into the ride, [One on the continuation of Government past Dawson, the other off South Main onto Dauphin with a loop around Roblin before taking Green Ave to Wilson Street for a quick abbreviated loop around Skaha Lake Park], before taking Eastside for the Polar Climes awaiting!

Bobolink aka rice bird Dolichonyx oryzivorus

Photo: Andrea Westmoreland / Wikimedia

More second thoughts as I had to stand up in the saddle, periodically, once riding next to Skaha where road is completely exposed to the icy gale. Didn't seem to bother the nine swans a-swimming just off the shore through the reeds that grow there. Quite a lovely sight with the magnificent snow-clad hills as a picture prefect backdrop. Taking these wonderful creatures as a good omen I pushed on and once at McClean Creek Road turned off onto Devon Drive to follow it, on the lakeside, to Camberly Cove, a street I'd not ridden on before just to see what was there and to give me a little extra distance. Still thought I might head back to run up the distance around Skaha Lake Park but decided I'd just ride the relatively flat part of McLean Creek Road first. 

Once there I found I was pretty much sheltered from the wind, [plus the fact that my face was so numb that I couldn't feel it anyway], so I decided, in for a penny, in for a pound, and I geared down and climbed al the way to the top. Once on the valley floor I found the going was not as difficult as it had been when along the lake so I kept going and before long I was whizzing past Peach Cliff and swooping into OK Falls itself. Having come this far I decided I'd continue on to complete the Stag's Hollow Loop and had almost 35 km on the clock by the time I'd reached the small cul-de-sac I use to turn around to start the return leg. 

With the wind now pushing me along the slight climb past Stag's Hollow to Wild Goose was almost effortless and racing down the small hill just past Sun Valley Way I was able to hit just over 53 km/h so I let out a whoop or two, causing the two deer I flew by to give me a rather alarmed look! Chuffed that I'd persevered and had the toughest part of the outing well behind me even the climb up the last hill, where the roads narrows significantly, didn't require much exertion at all. Was even rewarded, on the descent back towards McLean Creek Road by achieving my Max Speed of 54.5 km/h! 

Illustration: Leah Palmer Preiss

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Now racing along Eastside I soon encountered the same swans I'd seen earlier, plus two women who had parked their car to photograph the regal birds. What had been a struggle before was now a piece of cake and I truly enjoyed the rest of the ride, even the few dipsy-doodles I described around Skaha Lake Park and surrounding streets, [Always choosing ones that allowed me not to have to head into wind!], before I made my way up Dawson to Government and home. Only slight disappointment was the dismal AVG of 16.2 km/h but measured against the wind I had to battle and the hills encountered I didn't feel too, too badly, all things considered. Just happy not to have lost any fingers or toes. Cheers! Map and Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/4376945582#.Xgf0iqSVKHc.email

 

It is almost new Year and you need to work off some of that turkey, and probably a pile of other goodies too. So... there will be a hike on Monday 30 December. We will venture out the back of Summerland – not to long or too strenuous. Bringing cleats would be a good idea but not essential. Gather as usual at the Cherry Lane parking lot at 0840 and at IGA Summerland  at 0900. See you there. For those who do not turn up, have a very happy new year (and I guess, a new decade). Cheers Tony

Big hugs to everyone and here’s hoping that you had a wonderful Christmas and wishing all of you all the very best in 2020. I’m in Edmonton until the 8th but know that I’m with you in spirit on the hikes and skiing. Unfortunately I caught some kind of bug mainly in the head, ears and chest so I’ve been in bed since the 24th but am recovering and today was my first day out of bed so I’m slowly getting better every day. I’ll be good as new by the 8th.  I’ll be looking after the grandkids for a several days after new year’s as my son Dean and wife Chloe will take some fun snowboarding days in Banff. Meanwhile here’s all of my good friends the very best in the New Year and I’m hoping to see you all soon! 🎉😁 Hi Olga Polga! Terribly sorry to hear that you have been bed-ridden. Do hope you are well on the way to recovery now. Stay well dear friend. Hope to see you for both bridge and hiking in2020! Healthy New Year to you and Craig, and family, from Lady Darjeeling and I. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Cain fleeing before Jehovah’s Curse
Cain heading to the land of Nod. But he doesn’t look that sleepy?!

Art: Fernand-Anne Piestre Cormon, c. 1880