We spent the Easter weekend in Vancouver fostering cavities and spending the line of credit; wholesome fun. Tobin's highlight was riding the skytrain in from Richmond* and then the public transit all over downtown, it was pretty fun. Kevin and Jen tolerated our usual 'here-are-the-kids-see-you-later!' shenanigans enabling AMG and I to get out for some fun:
John convinced us to join him and 300 others on the Pacific Populaire, a 100km bike ride around Vancouver and out to Richmond (the hinterland) and back. It was super fun and Ann-Marie and I both learned some things.
a) I learned that if you're going to ride 100km it's best not to get your heart rate up to 200bpm on the first climb and then spend the next 45 minutes with it above 190 - unless of course you want to stagger through the last 40km, wretching like a dog that's been eating plastic bags**. I'm not sure when I'll learn how to pace myself, but that's the third time I've used this ill conceived strategy.
b) Ann-Marie learned that one must be careful when judging the speed and distance to the large delivery truck one is following if one doesn't want to crash into it, sending one to the pavement. She had a pretty nasty crash but luckily came out intact. Some pretty serious bruising to her ribs and a big raspberry on her hip but no broken bones. In standard fashion she waved off any assistance (I'm okay I'm okay!!! Leave me alone!!***) and finished the ride in fine style well ahead of me.
The start
* If you're ever parking in Richmond, avoid the Yaohan Center at Aberdeen mall. The parkade is the Asian version of the Death Star. I felt like Luke Skywalker dodging Darth Vader's TIE fighters.
** Yes, Bear has developed an affinity for plastic bags. How could he not? They're so delicious.
*** At this point I was well ahead with my heart beating 3.3 times per second so I didn't actually witness this, but it's how I imagine it all played out.
