The (Lovely) West Coast Trail

Updated - West Coast Trail Picture Gallery Here  is now up ;-)

I just returned from 4 intense days on the West Coast Trail. My first time ever on the WCT and my senses are still feeling quite overwhelmed (in a great way) by the whole experience. I planned for myself a pretty ambitious schedule as I went out and back over 3 full days and 2 half days of hike/jogging the trail. Body is grumbling a bit - very sore and tired, but mind is saying thankyou thankyou thankyou. It was fantastic!

The Logan Creek bridge and the ladders after

 

Post trip story - riding to the Axel Merckx Granfondo

My bike tour to the Axel Merckx Granfondo was a very fun week, dare I say the funnest week I've ever had on a bike? Ok I've been really lucky to have done some great multi day bike racing events. On the road the Tour de France Feminin (last time run along side the mens tour)....that was very cool, the excellent womens Giro d'Italia left me a few pounds heavier (yikes!) with 2 weeks of never ending spreads of local delights. Best mountain bike stage race: first Cape Epic I did - which ran point to point Knysna to Stellenboch - was simply an amazing experience for all 8 days. Trans Alp Challenge? - all four I did were very memorable. However those were races, there was a pressure to try and win, and I was not exactly on holiday getting to go my own pace...and that makes a big difference for me in the whole fun factor equation.

Knee Knacker

The course map....ouch!

This past Saturday I joined in the fun at the annual Knee Knacker race and got to witness first hand what it is all about. This was the 25th running of this famous (and very hard!) 50 km trail running event. I signed up as one of the Volunteer photographers. Its a small field drawn by lottery, with great energy and great heart. I throughly enjoyed getting to watch, help out and meet some of the runners and volunteers who are a part of this special long running "North Shore" community event.
Photos here 

Tour to AMGF Pictures

How nice of them to put this sign out for me!

Short story coming....but for now here are a few pictures from my recent bike tour and from the Axel Merckx Granfondo.
PICTURES HERE 

Riding (to) the Axel Merckx Granfondo

The trip itinerary

I am off tomorrow for Penticton where I'll ride again in the Axel Merckx Granfondo - an event which I've ridden every year since it started in 2011. I'm looking forward once again to a great event, lots of sunshine and catching up with many old friends on the weekend.

It's always fun to add new elements to some old familiar trips and so this year I came up with the (good or bad will be decided next week) idea to ride to the fondo.

The past few days I've been busy mapping out my route, making logistical plans and weighing out all the items in my gear list to keep my load as light as I can.

I've always loved bikes as long as I can remember, and as a kid I always wanted to bike tour. My first bike tour was when I was 12 and my sister was 10. As a birthday gift she promised to ride to Banff with me from our home in Calgary. With Mom as our dutiful sag wagon, we pedaled down the Highway to Banff - or to be exact the Lake Minnewanka campground. After a long day in the (vinyl...ugh!) saddle we eventually made it there on our department store 5 and 10 speeds. I remember well that my sister and I were fast asleep in the tent while it was still daylight. My Mother not so lucky, kept up til late by the party next door to us. The next morning my sisters 'butt' was too sore to ride home, so I rode back to Calgary solo, making it home super fast due to a wicked tailwind. That was a very memorable birthday gift and first bike trip for sure!

I got side tracked by racing for many years, found lots of other good things to occupy my spare time and I have finally got it together to do bike tour #2.

So for this years Axel Merckx Granfono I'm on the "Svein Tuft training program" (though no trailer or dog involved). Anyone who has followed Svein's career will understand what I mean ;-)

P.S. Pretty awesome to see Svein beaming from the Tour de France podium yesterday!!!