Kennedy Zoo Loop - 42 km

Last week I totally wimped out. It was cold and rainy and I just couldn't bring myself to go out. I figure I'm allowed one wimp out, that was it... no more. On Sunday I threw a fundraising kick-off party which was good fun. I made some thematic treats.

Cookies! Cupcakes!

This week we gathered at Kennedy subway station and there were a lot of us.

Gathering at Kennedy

We started off fairly well staggered but I think that most of the motorists out on Eglinton weren't very happy to see us. I've often thought that motorists don't know what to do with a cyclist (give space, signal your turn...). Then again, there are a number of cyclists who do our cause no favours by ignoring traffic rules. Most of us behaved ourselves and we got on fairly well. I tried to take picture of the pack of us slower folk moving along Eglinton but I don't know if you can see very well.

Look, cyclists in the distance

It's amazing how last week was so cold and this week was so warm. I took my jacket but decided to leave it in the car. I didn't need it at all. I was smart in that I remembered to apply sunscreen. I'm glad I did. I'm certainly more freckled but at least I'm not sunburnt. The route itself was fairly unspectacular and urban. The bit around the Rouge Valley had pretty potential but spring really hasn't progressed very far and everything is still quite brown. I was amazed by how much garbage and litter was hanging around, the Rouge could have done with some community clean up efforts.

First Training Ride - 34 km

Finally a nice spring day! It was a beautiful day for the first training ride. I made it to Finch in good time and was able to tinker with Bryn a bit before setting out. I took her to Cycle Therapy (a fine bike shop) for a pre-ride tune-up. All is well with her but I did have them trim the bar ends so that my hands are now more in line with my shoulders. It was a small change but seems to have made a big difference to my comfort on the bike.

The ride was great, I didn't get lost, made it up most of the hills and am generally encouraged that I'm not in terrible shape. Although my time of just over two hours is nothing to be particularly proud of. My only complaint would be the enormous potholes. This winter was not kind to the roads.

Now I'm going to have some lunch, shower and perhaps take a nap before I dash off to Kingston and Ottawa to visit friends and their new baby.

Some photos...

Getting ready to go Posing at lovely Finch subway station...what scenery!