I started the day flush with dollars and ended it heavier in pounds of steel and camping gear. After french toast and fruit salad we went back to La Bicicletta so I could test drive a couple of bikes. I had got into my head with true bravado that I wanted the bike set up with Campag gearing. Two hills later - all unloaded except for the Griffin thighs - I decided I definitely wanted my original choice with the kinder Shimano gears. Minutes later I was kitted out with the usual extras that bike shops throw in for 'free' when you spend a lot of money with them. They even helped me name the last three American states - a task we have set ourselves to fill moments of cycling monotony! It may even keep Tim's mind off my incessant singing of Queen - I want to ride my bicycle - when the hills get too tough and it sure beats counting.
In a moment of indecision, Tim decided he would also give the bike a go. He set off, leaving me in the shop as his guarantee of return.....! Although he liked the bike, once we left the shop it soon transpired that he wasn't too happy with the colour - my irrational female way of picking things (which included me changing the comfy women's saddle my bike came with for a sexy sleek razor type men's one) has obviously rubbed off on him.
One bike sorted, we headed to MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) where we had fun (!) picking the lightest camping equipment possible - you really can get tents for little over the weight of a bag of sugar, and our stove is the size of a pack of cards. In true Canadian kindness one guy even tried to sort our rapidly heating debate (?) for what bike lock to get. Sadly we still haven't agreed on a solution ;-)
One bike down, camping gear sorted, we then hunted down some more Cannondale touring bikes for Tim to try. One was too big and one (on paper) he decided was too small. I'm not sure Vancouver will have enough bikes for Tim's high standards. Two days down - tomorrow is D(ecision)-day for Tim's bike so watch this space.
Back in the hotel, of course we had to try setting up the tent. I think however this was a ruse so that when the bike lock debate resumes there is somewhere for me to be banished ;-)
As we wondered home I kept noticing cool little details to our surroundings. Surrounding the trees there are leaves in the pavement....
.... and the top of vents are shaped like mountains...
2 comments:
Decisions Decisions - and i thought Tim was on holiday! Well the whole Campag/Shimano thing is a very interesting ........Oops your blog. Me just finished building, well almost, my bike for July tested it in Richmond Park on Sunday and it went like a dream! 10 speed Campag ultratorque compact groutset should get me up whatever the Alps throw at me. Chaged the sabble to a more "penis freindly" Specialised BG type and tested on the Herne Hill Velodrome on Tuesday night. I'm in heaven! feel like flying over and joining you two for a leg, but social/sport calender seems to be booked to 2009! Whatever you decide for Tim, just make sure its pink! TSNMx
campag/shimano?no contest what you need is a 3 speed sturmy-archer.
BARN RAISING!
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