It was a beautiful day today, perfect for riding. I mapped out a route that ultimately both Victor and I decided was a little too ambitious so we decided to just ride off and see where fate would lead us. We headed west on the bike trail all the way to the Humber. Up to that point all was good. We had a little interference from a bike race just west of Ontario Place and there was also a charity walk going on, but we managed to get past all that.

We reached the Humber River bridge and Devinci had a front brake malfunction. No doubt about it, that brake would have to be replaced. With only the back brake to rely on, we decided it would be safer to head up the Humber River trail.

As I have said, hills are not my best friends just yet and boy did we run into a couple of doozies…..  they were purely on a ‘need to do basis or not’ and I chose not. Congrats to Victor, he rode up every one, I’m hoping that with a little more training I’ll be able to do the same thing. By the time we got home we had covered only 37km, not what we had planned, there is always next week…..

This was a great ride, and although hills are still my biggest challenge, there were several along this ride and I am happy to say that I rode all but one of them. I would have ridden that one too, except that I stopped at the bottom to take the sleeves off of my jacket, it was getting way too warm.

All I can say is that I had a great time and actually enjoyed the hill challenges. It really is getting easier the more I train.

Today I felt I had to make up for it so I took off about 8:00am. It wasn’t a pre-approved ride but I did manage to do 44km as opposed to the 39km that I should have done yesterday. I would have done more but, I had my first flat tire.  I was all prepared for it, at least I thought so. I had the extra tube in my emergency kit, and the tube repair kit, just no pump.

The superintendent of my building showed up at the same place (Cherry Beach) to walk his dog, and said he saw Victor leaving the building with Mr. D. I knew they were headed to the same place so I had a hotdog and coffee while I waited. In no time at all, there is Victor, on the horizon running with Mr. D by his side.

Long story short, after Victor had a hotdog and some fries, we changed the tube (the culprit was a tiny thorn) but I had no pump. After asking a few people for a pump, with no luck, we walked to the Distillery District, had a coffee and called our friend Oana to come rescue us. End note, I now have a CO2 pump in my emergency kit.

Little did I know last year when I was at the same place as part of the Road Safety crew that I would be one of the riders just about 12 months from then.

It was a beautiful morning, sunny, average temperature of 7.3C. We gathered just outside the Finch subway station. I’d estimate about 50 riders all eager to get going. A friend of mine from work Armand is training for a triathlon so he came along for the ride. After a few announcements and the obligatory stretches we were off.

The ride went very well, 31.88km, total time 1hr 54 minutes. Not bad for a newbie. The only problem was that one ‘hill from hell’. I tried my best to do it but about 1/2 way up I was feeling the strain on my knee so I hopped off and walked the rest of the way up. Armand made it up with no problem as did quite a few others…   note to self, more hill training required.  Next week I hope to get some pictures, I completely forgot this time out.

January 2, 2008 I started my training. It seemed a bit of a daunting task at that point but, it is paying off. Ten pounds lighter, smoke free and proud owner of a new bicycle, I celebrated on Good Friday (March 21, 2008) by going for my first with devinci.

It was a bright sunny day, not too cold (-1 to +1C) perfect for riding. We completed a total of 26.8km, not a difficult or long ride by most cyclists standards however it was just right for our first outdoor ride. I’m pleased to say that devinci responded well.

Victor came along and provided some great advice that will serve to improve my cycling skills. He also took the picture above and some videos. It was a great day and I’m looking forward to the next ride, if it ever stops snowing…