A summer of spinning (probably quite slowly).: 7 and 8 July

Salt Spring to Lantzville 70km

Lantzville to Vancouver 46km

Originally I was planning to cycle the Sidney / Saanich Peninsula through Victoria to Sooke. However I have previously been to these spots, it is a days ride each way and the ride into downtown Vancouver from Horseshoe Bay promised to be much nicer than that from Tsawwassen. Therefore I really wanted to take the ferry from Nanaimo not Sidney so I called up Penny to see if she would have me back for another night!! Happily she said yes.

Heather biked to the ferry with me, and Bob and I made it down the 16% grade hill in one piece!! Back in Crofton I headed up the island through Chemainus, this time stopping to look at the famous murals as I did not have a ferry to catch. I spent another wonderful evening with Penny, skyping our friend Tina in Ottawa, hanging out on the beach at the end of her road and having Dairy Queen. A few days ago it had been so wet and miserable we had not even made it to the beach. Penny suggested I spend the summer just touring the island and BC, Tina suggested I go down into the States, it's all very tempting, really I can go anywhere but the next stop is definitely Vancouver although I am sad to be leaving the island.

Thanks to my island friends; Laura and family, Pascale, Penny and Heather for helping make it such a memorable time. You were all so kind and generous. And to Nikki and Cheryl I am sorry I did not make it to Sooke.

The ride into Vancouver was everything I hoped it would be. It was a gloriously sunny day and Marine Drive is a scenic (and hilly) alternative to the highway. Bob got his first glimpse of the Lions Gate Bridge and Stanley Park before we headed over and through these city landmarks. I managed to stay pretty much on bike paths all the way to Jen and Jay's place. Jen is one of my oldest Canadian friends having been my first roommate in Ottawa and I love visiting her.