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February 25, 2005
We go International!
I neat website for cyclists found us, and we are now featured on the ir site. Check this out : See us on Touring101!
It is great to see so many others cycling across North America - maybe we shall meet up with some of them later. There are some great stories on this site - love the one from the Vancouver couple making their first bike tour around our Gulf Islands. I cycled down the Island Highway this week, and in glorious sunshine, took the ferry over to Denman Island, and completed a circuit of this Island before cycling home. Absolutely great in the sunshine, but very cold in the shade of the trees - and yes, I kept to my shorts! If this is winter, who needs to fly away to Mexico!!
Posted by Dave at 04:37 PM | Comments ()
February 17, 2005
More on seats
After much research, it seems us poor men have a much more difficult time when it comes to choosing a saddle - our anatomy is somewhat different!
It all comes down to heat dispersion - and failure to disperse the heat can lead, amongst other things, to postrate trouble! So fellas - if you are emabarking on a long ride, check out that old saddle, talk to an experienced dealer (I used Experience Cycling and get one designed for hours in the saddle day after day, and specifically for men! I have just changed to a Terry, rather narrow, but with a big open central slot. Bit difficult to get accustomed to it (I don't have much flesh covering my bones!) but some initial saddle-soreness is preferable to lingering medical problems later!
I wonder how long it will take me to be able to do two successive 100km plus days in a row without having to stand in the saddle on the way home?!
Posted by Dave at 10:25 PM | Comments ()
February 16, 2005
Butt Prints!!!
Thanks for the info for checking to see if you have the right bike seat for your bummy shape!
I would have never thought to do that. For all the rest of you who have no idea what I am talking about, read the comment from my last entry.
We are still gearing up for a major fundraising binge. We have more than what shows on our site but have to mail it in. I will do so soon.
I had lunch with a friend of mine who has throat cancer. Yes he was a smoker but not anymore. Hell of way to make a lifestyle change.
It was so good to see him and catch up on old news. His sense of humor during this time of treatment is an inspiration to me. I will think of him a lot along the way. He is doing fine and very optimistic.
Thanks for lunch, Mike. When I get back it will be my turn to buy.
Today is also my favorite oldest son's birthday. Happy birthday, honey. I could not feel more proud as I have three of the finest sons on this planet and they fill me up. Thank's again for all that you do, Corri.
Till next time .... keep smiling and keep busy, Maxine
Posted by Dave at 03:56 PM | Comments ()
February 10, 2005
What about my seat?
Dave just went out and bought a new seat for his bike and now I think I must be in the market for one also.
I am not wanting just any seat. Only the best will do for my butt.
So any ideas out there or comments on what to look for in a ladies long distance bike seat?
So far I like the one I have but have been told it may not be good enough for that length of time.
Personally, I think my butt will become calloused and numb and it won't matter what seat I have because I won't feel a thing.
Will I be happy to see a couch when I get home?
With the fact there is a grandchild on the way in late August I think we will be home sooner than we had first anticipated. I can't wait to be a granny and have a little grandsomething on the back of my bike. :)
Keep those suggestions coming. Maxine
Posted by Dave at 03:46 PM | Comments ()
100 km day
Yesterday dawned bright and sunny, albeit cold, so undaunted I set off to try for 100kms (that's 63 miles for our US friends) It was only about 5 degrees above freezing, but at least the temperature had a "plus" sign in front of it instead of a "minus" sign! The snowplows had cleared most of the hard shoulders, so apart from a few shady areas, the way was snow-free.
I stuck to my plan of wearing shorts, but must admit to 5 layers of clothes above the belt! I'm impressed, but it probably will not impress my son Steve in Saskatchewan who cycles through the winter - in temperatures down to 40 below! The sun was quite warm, and apart from cold toes, everything was going fine. I guess we shouldn't complain - my daughter Jo is in England, and apparently there it rains every day, so she not only cycles in the rain, but runs and swims in it as well!
I completed about 75 kms before the sun went behind the clouds, and then it got real cold which was quite an incentive to pedal home as fast as I could! Average speed on the saddle was 20 kph (16 mph) and with a lunch stop, and several other short breaks to get the circulation back into my sore rear end, the whole journey took 6 hours. I guess once we get going, 100 kms plus per day should be achievable!?
Posted by Dave at 09:17 AM | Comments ()
February 06, 2005
Snow Tires?
Short entry today too much cold white stuff on the road! Hope we don't see any of this on our Trek!!
Posted by Dave at 04:31 PM | Comments ()
February 04, 2005
Will there be snow?
I see it is raining....again!!!! No doubt there is a lot of snow in Newfoundland. I do hope it's all melted by the time we get there. I am not fond of the cold. The rain I can deal with.
It is so fun to see the replies coming in. Thanks Ned for your advice. I like the way you think. I think training too much would just be crazy.
A few people have told us about the hot shower "club". Thanks for all your encouragement and comments.
Well, back to the real world of work.
Later.....Maxine
Posted by Dave at 08:46 AM | Comments ()
February 02, 2005
Just Wow!!!
It is unbelievable. Here we are with our website up and running and already I have donations. I am supposed to set a goal so I am thinking of what is realistic and do I really need to be realistic?Should I just reach for the stars?
I can't thank my favorite oldest son enough for all his hard work on setting this up and his good friend for helping helping sort it out. I know nothing about computer language. My son used to tell me "garbage in, garbage out". That means if you screw up then the computer screws up!!! I did that a lot until I decided to leave it to the experts.
Enough of that, now back to goal setting. The sun was shining and as I was looking out the window at work I thought what a great day for a ride.
Dave managed to do 60 K today. I am so jealous!
Until next time....Maxine
Posted by Dave at 07:15 PM | Comments ()
February 01, 2005
Training (for the weather?)
Although we have a wonderful mental picture of cycling everyday in glorious sunshine, the reality is that "sometimes" it may rain! So, I guess with only three months to go, we had soon better start some training - even if the weather is unkind!
The weather seemed to be OK, so I set off south along the Island Highway and although a bit cold, I decided to put on a brave face and wear my shorts. The weather changed within 10 minutes, and I was soon pedaling in a downpour! Well, I figured this is probably pretty close to what we can expect across Newfoundland in early May, so I had better just get used to it.
A couple of hours later, a bit saddle sore, and with soaking wet feet, I arrived home - only to discover that all the fine grit spread over the roads during the last snowstorm gets caught up in the spray created by the bike tires, and was all over both me and my bike! Hosing oneself down in the garden in February is not a pleasant way to finish a bike ride! Ah well - if the campsites on our route have only cold showers available, I will be ready for them!
Posted by Dave at 05:35 PM | Comments ()