Wednesday, May 19, 2010

What’s a Gear Again?

Hola Bloggies:

Is it just me or is tri fever spreading around the blogosphere? Lately it seems absolutely everyone is participating in one triathlon or another!

I don’t know about the rest of you but I have a funny feeling I’ll never do a tri. Besides the fact that I’m not a fantastic swimmer I’m a terrible bike rider. No really. I grew up in Toronto – which is pretty flat. Consequently, I have no idea how to use the gears on a bike. Which means that if I encounter even the slightest of hills I struggle like woah!

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Of course there was that one time I decided to throw caution to the wind and head out on a bike excursion. It all took place a couple of years ago. At the time I lived on Vancouver Island and decided with the boy (now the Fiancé) to board a small ferry to one of the Gulf Islands between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia. Specifically, we hit up Mayne Island because we had heard it was the flattest of the bunch.

Sounds idyllic doesn’t it? It is!!!

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On the ferry to the Island I couldn’t help but feel very proud of myself. This was relatively early on in my journey towards wellness so spending the day riding around an island was still out of my comfort zone. Still I wasn’t scared – I felt alive!!!

And then I got to the Island. Remember how people said it was flat? LIARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE WHOLE LOT OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the hill that greets you when you get off the ferry (photo taken on the return trip so imagine yourself trying to go the other way). Seriously!??! I thought it was a cruel joke! lol

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But you know what? I walked the bike up the hill and promised myself that no matter what, I was going to have a great time. And I did!

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The Island turned out to be nothing short of gorgeous! It was full of hidden little corners just waiting to be explored. A Japanese memorial garden, a lighthouse, a village, gorgeous vacation homes . . . it was the kind of thing you see in movies!

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Sure it was hard. Sure it took us all day to cycle the Island. And sure I wove a little here and there while struggling on my bike (I’m not road worthy yet – only small Island worthy). But in the end I’m glad I stepped out of my comfort zone! I tried something new and made memories to last me long after I left the beautiful West Coast!

Do you cycle? Are you completely rubbish on the gears like me? Any advice to help me figure out how to cycle more efficiently?

6 comments:

Unknown said...

no advice, but what a beautiful spot!!! :)

Marianne (frenchfriestoflaxseeds) said...

I really need to get out to some of the other islands besides Saltspring. So much more to see!

I bike, but not now that I've moved home because we live on a giant hill. Victoria was much better for biking - I would bike to work in the summer, or out on the Goose for fun :)

Marathon Maritza said...

Gorgeous pics, I'm glad you still had fun out there!!!

I will NEVER do a tri. I have no interest. My idea of 'swimming' is laying on a pool floatie with an umbrella drink and I would want a pink Huffy bike with streamers on it to beach cruise. Yeah, no tri for me.

healthy ashley said...

Your photos are gorgeous!!

Don't count a tri out just because of swimming. Remember I only learned how to swim a few months prior to the half iron and I was just fine. All it takes is a little practice and some arm strength! Tri's are tons of fun.. keep the body guessing!

MirandaJayne said...

Hello, my name is Miranda and I am a tri bandwagoner this summer. I am competing in a try-a-tri (375meter swim, 10k bike and 2.5k run) in Aug.
I have always loved to bike, though, I am far from a professional. I only like to think I know what I am doing when it comes to using my gears.
Beautiful pictures. Makes me want to travel to BC just to bike around and see the sights.

A Toronto girl out West said...

Jessica,

Have you been?


Marianne,

Meanwhile I have to finally go to Salt Spring! lol :o)


Maritza,

Aahahhaah - as always you crack me up!!!!

I have to confess, recently, when I thought of cycling I considered putting a little baskept in the front suitable for a puppy. Not so hardcore of me! :oP


Ashley,

Maybe one day! There's a fairly popular one right by where I live!


Miranda,

Thanks for stopping by! I'll have to totes visit your blog and check in on your training! :o)