Bethany is smiling because it is warm and sunny and the severe winds that were blowing throughout the day, tapered off in time for the WWR. At 8 p.m. there were 8 women on the driveway at HQ, despite the fact that just one hour earlier, the wind was blowing NNW at 54km/h gusting to 66km/h.
Perhaps you also noticed that Bethany is riding her new bike, which was assembled with love and care in the comfort of her living room. Yes, ’tis the season for new bikes, and for counselling to quell the lust for new gear.
It’s also the season for minor adjustments, tune-ups and all the things that can go wrong on a bike ride. Julia had brake issues–Melissa got a flat tire 3kms from the clubhouse–but overall, an excellent evening to go for a spin.
Tuesday night…time to see the world from a different perspective–on your bike!
Meet at HQ at 8 p.m.
Here’s the gang who showed up at HQ to ride. Bethany looks happy on a borrowed Kona–just letting the bike out for some air until Delilah comes home to claim it. Joanne is snacking between events–she was part of the pre-ride — a cool new feature of the summer at bike club. I would tell you more about it except I wasn’t there. All I know is that this week’s pre-ride was Cindy’s idea, and she wound up with a flat tire.
I heard the flat was caused by something “fishy” on the road? Not a big deal–Cindy took advantage of the well-equipped shop at HQ and got to work.
That’s all I know–leave comments and fill us in on the fun!
Goodbye snow!
Ladies–don’t miss the chance to ride on the warmest night of the year (so far)!
Meet at HQ on Tuesday night at 8 p.m. for the Women’s Weekly Ride (WWR)
This young lad shamed me into attending bike club last night. Meet our friend Ian, and his very good-looking new Jamis bike.
Ian lives less than two kilometres from our place–usually an easy ride, but not in sub-zero temperatures with the wind gusting from the NW at 45km/h. Our young friend was cold and unhappy when he arrived, but so excited about cycling home with the wind at his back.
Needless to say, I was ashamed of myself for even thinking of staying home when I could be out fighting the wind with my clubmates.
I arrived at HQ just in time to hear Cheryl say: “if I see even one snowflake–I’m heading straight to the bar.” She looked miserable out there in the cold, but she was ready to ride.
We stood around waiting to see who else would show up and trying to plan a route that would keep us out of the wind. That’s when inspiration struck. We would ride to the homes of known slackers and shame them into coming on the ride with us. First stop, Melissa’s place.
Friends, this is what shame looks like. Melissa made the mistake of telling too many people that she was planning to attend bike club this week. So when we arrived on her doorstep, she was kinda sheepish, but she had a good excuse–a cousin dropped by unexpectedly and she had to entertain. We let her off with a promise to appear at the clubhouse.
Next stop–Chez Gagné. Cheryl tried to get her goat, but Lisa is shameless.
Onwards–to the house of Julia. We suspected that Jules was working the night shift–no shame in that–but since we were in the neighbourhood, we took the opportunity to ride on the very nice concrete walkways in her yard. The Duke spotted us and came to the door with a frightening voodoo doll–we fled the scene.
For about one-tenth of a second, we considered riding into the RM to spread some shame at Bethany’s house. She came out to bike club last week, as advertised, and we were glad to see her.
Lucky for Bethany, no one was keen to fight the wind and the dogs and the (possibly) flooded gravel roads to get to her place. So we just finished up early and took refuge in the clubhouse.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Athena Bike Club members will serve as race marshalls for the 2nd Annual Run/Walk To Remember in Altona on May 25th–talk to Joanne if you’re interested in this volunteer opportunity. The event is a fundraiser for the Curtis Klassen Memorial Fund–find them on Facebook or e-mail ckmemorialfund@hotmail.com if you want more info on this 10K Run and 5K Run/Walk.
- Plans for the Athena Spring Ride continue. We’re headed for an exclusive summer resort on the East side of Lake Winnipeg on June 7 & 8 … still working on finding childcare. Let us know if you are interested in riding the trails in June at this event!
See you at HQ at 8 p.m. tonight!
We should probably focus on the fact that temperatures are above zero…and perhaps we can be glad that we haven’t put away all the cold weather gear? While we’re waiting for summer, take a look at this charming little book from the sixties–see the interior pages at Poppy Gall Design Studio Blog
My Danish is a little rusty, but I’m pretty sure it says, “Get off the couch and meet at HQ Tuesday night at 8 p.m.” Get the expert translation from the blog Copenhagenize.
