Day 6 - Vanouver to Chilliwack

Allo les mecs,

136 km. Vancouver (downtown, North Van and back) to Chilliwack.
Overcast, then sunny, then a mix. Cold? Hot? Both. Windy (cool), mainly to my advantage.

Today feels like the start of my trip. I feel things are in place (bike, body, planning), and I leave Vancouver. I always felt bad and weird answering people's question “Where are you biking?”. Most people start in Vancouver, so this is just Day 1 for most. So, now, I feel I can actually start my journey and put some kms under my belt. In a week or so, then people can (including me) think that I am heading somewhere. Plus, I do feel comfortable with the way the bike and body are feeling. They are still in the back of my mind, and not at the forefront anymore.

The american in the dorm last night was snoring quite loud. That was annoying. I actually got up and went to the washroom to purposely wake up people so he would stop snoring for a moment. It also gave me time to fish out my earplugs.

When I woke up this morning, it was light. I look at my watch – 7:15. I thought I could sleep for another 30 minutes. I wake up, look at the watch – 9:15. Shit, I missed breakfast (8 to 9:15). Plus, I wanted to be there at 8 am to get going early. So, I get up, get my stuff ready, and leave. Downstairs, I ask if breakfast was still on. He informed me that it starts in one hour. It was only 7 am, and I was still on Ottawa time. Good, I get to start my day early afterall.

The ride to Capilano – mostly uphill (including the bridge). Fun ride on the Lion's Gate Bridge. The suspension bridge itself – expensive, and honestly, not that worth it. I recommend Grouse Mountain instead (further up the road). The ride back to Vancouver – fast (downhill), but strenuous on the bridge due to that strong cross-wind.

Gastown for the steam clock – worth a few minutes there. Best to people watch, actually. It's also intersting to go from Hasting Avenue (fairly poor) to Gastown (two streets below) where there's a big change in class.

I also visited B.C. place (B.C. Lions Football Club) and more importantly, GM Place (aka “The Garage”), where the Canucks play. Expo '86 big ball is nearby, so I took a few pictures.

Then, I climbed out of Vancouver (using Hasting Street). I got to see where Hasting West and East meets – the epicentre of the homelessness, drug users and extremely low (if any) income folks. I felt a bit bad biking through. But, at the same time, I was glad to be out of there.

I stopped in Burnaby for lunch (peanut butter sandwiches) and bought a pineapple mocha drink. Well, I ordered a pineapple smoothie, but since the teenager didn't really understand English, I dont know exactly what I got (it was pineapple, but I dont know what else was in there). I was able to tap into internet and upload the latest entry, and read the comments. Thank you all for the support and comments. It really means a lot. Plus, I guess my mommie also didn't like the cus' words used by a few people. I chuckled a bit. I just dont want to be red-flagged or something.

Outside of Burnaby, something caught my eye – an indoor (dome) cycling track. I had to go in. It's a 200 metre track. It seems like it's mainly used as a Volleyball centre. Too bad.

The ride itself was nice. The wind was mainly in my advantage (side and behind). I didn't know if I was too hot or too cold. I had to put on my coat at times, with my mitts, and then take them off. Repeat often.

Reached Mission before 4 pm, so I kept going. Had supper in Abbotsford, and decided keep going to find a camp site near Chilliwack, shower and do some laundry. Entering Chilliwack, something else caugth my eye, and I saw it as a sign. Old Yale Brewery, from Chilliwack. I headed down to the nearest liquor store and bought myself two of their beers. Those bottles are big-ass bottles, 650 ml. So, I have some drinking to do. Verdict – the Sergeant's IPA is alright, very malty, tasty, but not one that I say you have to have. No preservatives, you can definitely notice that. The Pale Ale, also no preservative, is actually quite good. It's definitely a keeper.

It seems like lots of people enjoyed the bungee jump. I am wondering what I will be able to do to please you guys and keep you interested. You know, the touristy thing is mainly done for a while, and the focus shifts more to the biking as I head towards the Rockies. So, sorry, I might disappoint you guys. But, I still stick to my mission statement – explore different parts of the country, have enjoyable gastronomic adventures along the way, and do it by bike.

I also thought of something too. Regan said something nice to me a few weeks ago. She stated girls quite often enjoy a guy who has an adventurous side. But, I forgot to ask her if the guy attempts some adventurous stuff (like bungee jumping that you guys enjoyed), but screams like a 6 year old girl, does that still make him “adventurous”? Just a thought.

To go on a little thought that Special K brought up – I actually get to think a lot on the bike, and I do think of probably every single one of you during the day. It's odd. I get to re-read the comments you guys write, and think of them a bit more, as well as imagine a reply to it. But, I dont have time to reply immediately. I will have to see you in person and chat (maybe even over a beer). Mmmm.

Ka, everytime Apoptigma comes on, you know you sneak in my thoughts. Han, at least I am
consistant with my jokes, right? Badalex, bonne chance pour les entrevues.

Paige, ma belle p'tite, tu me manques aussi. Riley et Rachel, j'ai aussi hate a vous revoir. J'ai aussi hate de recevoir des nouvelles des petits diables (mes neveux). Ca va etre du fun aussi de revoir mon pere bientot, et ma mere plus tard. Le reste de la famille en chemin, on se revois bientot.

J'ai remaque qu'a Burma, il y a eu un cyclone. Julie B, j'espere que t'es correct. Je ne suis pas certain ou tu es mainteant (Cambodge ou non). Besides that, I hope you're having a blast. You're a firecracker. A+. J'ai pense a toi un peu apres mon jump, suite a notre conversation avant que tu pars pour N.Z. Donne moi des nouvelles que tu es correct. Merci.

Oh, those cupcakes. Mmmmm. I thought I'd enjoy the caramel one better, but I was wrong. It was delicious, but not as much as the coconut one. The latter was actually quite light (fluffy), except for the excellent icing. I am usuallly not an icing guy, but this was awesome. The whole thing gets my tops marks.

Cookies – all very good. I especially enjoyed the coconut and chocolate one. I wish I would of gotten two of those. The others (usual assortments), were all good – even with the beer tonight.

Another one of those Victoria Cream Chocolates were also eaten today. Raspberry cream covered with dark chocolate. My favourite so far.

(said with a very French accent: “Me, I'm gonna go home and have two beers, and go to bed”). That one's for you Dave.

So, another mountain range is starting tomorrow. I will not have access to Internet past Hope (where I plan to send this post). I will be in touch in a few days. I'm excited about the hills.

(said with a very French accent: “Me, I'm gonna go home and have two beers, and go to bed”). That one's for you Dave.

On the road again, (Good Ol' Kenny Rogers)

p2