I made it a point this summer to be as free as I can and one way to achieve freedom was to ride the crap out of my bike… and that I did.
This week marks the unofficial “end” of my cycling season for 2014 because I’m leaving for Asia next Saturday, until mid-November, where, to my dismay, I will have to use my legs for the entirety of the time (instead of my two wheels). I’m sure I’ll be back on the saddle for the remainder of the year for short and hard rides, commutes and chasing the sun whenever I can but I don’t foresee time for anymore “epic” rides. The sun rises too late, sets too early and since I’ll be crunching at work and the holidays will be upon us when I get back, I’ll have no time to ride long distances during the week. Time to start being a responsible adult again.
Time spent on a bicycle is priceless.
Ever since I got back from my seven week escape in Europe, all I’ve been doing is having the time of my life, out dancing with my friends, drinking lots of coffee, eating lots of cake and of course, riding my bike. I rode 4500 kilometers this past summer with tons of long, epic and fun rides— just the way I like it. Every week, as I progressed on my bike and learned more about my body and proper nutrition (for endurance cycling), I fell in love with the sport even more.
Can I say this summer was perfection?

Dark rain clouds were hovering over West & North Vancouver where we were riding but the sun was shining gracefully on downtown Vancouver and beyond. Yesterday’s ride was my last time up at the Cypress Mountain lookout in West Vancouver this year. Fall is here, snow will cover the mountains soon and although climbing this mountain is always heavenly [painful], the freezing descents still cannot be justified… unless someone will volunteer to drive me and my bike down!

Recent adventures in and around Vancouver // Notice the cloudy skies? Fortunately, the sun did occasionally grace us with its presence. It’s amazing how you can be at one end of your city where the autumn storm clouds are threatening the peace … then you ride your bike 50 kilometers to the other end of the city, while enjoying all the benefits of good health, fitness, freedom and FUN, where it feels like summer all over again. That is pure bliss…
I feel quite sad about leaving my bikes at home while I go seek adventures on the other side of the world but I know I will live in the moment and have the time of my life while I’m there.
Goodbye for now, my dear…