Bike Love

Some great action shots over Lions Gate bridge of the Gran Fondo event from Van to Whistler

I admit, it is a massive wrench to be leaving my trusty road bike back in the UK. Not only have I completed some great charity rides on it, but it has been my main hobby for the past couple of years. The freeness that it allows you is unparralled. I love being able to get home from work, get on the bike, and pedal out into the fresh countryside and explore the coastal landscape that I currently cruise around.

Fortunately there is avid bike scene in Vancouver too, so all is very much not lost. If it's not the trendy kids on Commercial Drive on their fixies, then it is the lycra-clad keeno's that are biking around the city early on Sunday mornings that are the heartbeat of bicycle riding here. What's more, Van is very cycle friendly, as there are a good amount of cycle lanes downtown, and the seawall that you can always use at leisure.

What has grasped my attention though is the Gran Fondo event that takes place, starting out from Vancouver, with the finish line all the way up in Whistler! I love the idea of a nice punishing ride, and with the 2012 edition taking place on September 8th this year, I have a perfect goal to start training for.

The route is 122km from start to end, and takes in all the stunning scenery along the 'Sea to Sky' highway. This self-dubbed 'big ride' event takes in some steep climbs and fast descents - sure to be a huge challenge, but one that I am more than up for! I will have to find a nice new bike to undertake this one!

Happy New Year

Wish I had been in Van to celebrate moving in to 2012!!

Out with the old, in with the NEW! New Years is often considered to be quite a disappointment in most peoples circumstances. I for one had no real plans, but ended up spending it with good friends, house-party style, in Norwich, England. It is funny as a lot of the people who made it I went to school with, yet rarely do we get the chance to see eachother throughout the year, as everyone is always so busy, myself included!

2011 was a great year for me. Not only did I spend four amazing months volunteering and travelling in India, there I met my beautiful Vancouverite girlfriend, who I then came over to visit last Autumn, which has now led to my subsequent 2012 plans to move over in just under three weeks! So excited!

Anyway, needless to say, a great deal of New Years was spent actually telling my friends about my plans as many of them were oblivious to what I had been getting up to. I have already been dishing out invites to everyone saying they must come over and visit once I have settled, and when they can! A lad was saying how that he had been looking into doing the same thing - ski bum up at Whistler, his ultimate goal.