Shopping with SpeedyBikeGirls

The SpeedyBikeGirls took advantage of the good weather on Good Friday for a group excursion down to WA. We rode down through Sumas, got stuck in the Easter long weekend border traffic, and then hit the relatively open and winding roads from the border down to Sedro Wooley. These roads wend gently through valleys, and along rivers and railroads, skirting farms and pastures, with the forest never far away.

The ladies lunched in Burlington, in a Mexican restaurant (a first for some!), and were reminded again about American portions. Feeling rather full, we acquiesed to one person's very strong desire to stop at the outlet mall and buy a Coach purse - though we did give her a time limit! Since we were there anyway, I managed to buy two gorgeous suit jackets for my slowly growing professional wardrobe for a good price, all in about 10 minutes.

Heading up, we took the Bow River Road (well, after a short detour over the bridge to Whidby and back) and Chuckanut Drive - one person was so excited by Chuckanut that she exclaimed "Can we go back and do it two more times!" But, alas, it was getting late and we decided to go home, four of us enjoying a nice speedy jaunt up I5 while the others followed at a more leisurely pace.

I ended up being in the lead for a great deal of the trip, mostly because I can read maps (and had one) (and it might have something to do with having been a teacher). It's a wee bit challenging knowing how fast to take things and making sure to keep checking mirrors to make sure everyone is still back there. Not to mention the challenges of going through traffic shepherding 7 other bikes. We did get separated a few times, but did always manage to find each other again. But as much as I like not having people in front of me, it's much less stressful to follow.

Map


Meeting at the Skytrain station - unfortunately we didn't get pics of the Asian tourbus full of tourists taking pictures of us!


Waiting at the border


Waiting at the border

Photo by Wenniki

The helmet table


In front of the restaurant


SpeedyShoppingGirls

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River Road Again

I'm so loving riding. Of course, sometimes it takes me a lot longer to get home, especially when I decide to circumnavigate Richmond (municipality where I work - it neighbours Vancouver) on my way home. I can't help it - River Road keeps calling me - it's so tranquil and soul calming. Last night I hade to run an errand out that way, and I came home west along it as the sun was setting, turning the water pink and making everything sparkle. And then getting back to the "civilized" end and smelling the sawdust from the sawmill. Mmmmm. I have to go back out that way tomorrow - looking forward to it!

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Pocket Biking

Apparently, riding a really small bike around can be a lot of fun. I wouldn't really know, since I'm not quite flexible enough to actually ride one properly. But the other girls seemed to have fun putting around the parking lot. Hot Rod even races hers at the track!

But just meeting Hot Rod and hanging out with the girls in the BCIT parking lot drinking hot apple cider made one of the best Friday nights I've had in a while. I haven't laughed so hard in a really, really long time.

Photos by photogirl:

Here's Tackle on her new pocket bike


And Hot Rod (her pocket bike was not co-operating)
yes, she does indeed have a red fun fur helmet.


Me demonstrating my braking technique


And photogirl, glad she's flexible from all those yoga classes.
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Tackle was chased in the parking lot by this friendly pupster


The SPBGs


And looking not so crazy, without helmets (but with helmet hair)

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