IIDD, Nov 4th

Comedy has to be based on truth. You take the truth and you put a little curlicue at the end. -Sid Caesar, actor and writer (b. 1922) 

Hi Raymundo!

Trust that you are okay! How is your knee? Really sorry that you were not able to continue on as we had a wonderful time with Big Al. We arrived at pool, (Bike route on 45th leads right across Boundary to pool area on edge of Central Park.), a few minutes before 10:00am, (your estimate was right on, although we probably would have been even earlier if not for concern over ice), a I did a bit of circling until our guide arrived. Took us on some of trails in Central Park and then we rode along bike path beside Sky Train, one we use to cycle to New West, then, near edge of MetroTown, cut across Kingsway, to find Sussex, (Quite a hill, let me tell you! Not sure if I'd like to ride up it as it is longer and steeper than UBC's Forshore Hill, steeper than Cariboo, as well, I think.), and then right into park around Deer Lake. Path was covered with leaves but fairly good traction and we did a bit of up and down before route leveled off.

Circuit around Deer Lake is gorgeous, much on attractive, raised boardwalk with metal mesh in middle so didn't really have to worry about ice, although exposed wood planking on each side looked fairly slippery. We took a short detour to ride around Shadbolt Centre and then finished circumnavigating lake, passing an attractive Arthur Erickson designed home, (now owned by Burnaby), on the south shore. More boardwalk and then a bit of dipsy-doodling to cross #1 via Kennsington Overpass and then, lo and behold, we discovered the lost link of The Central Valley Greenway! Big AL had never ridden it before so we set out for uncharted territory. Overall, a terrific surface, somewhat like stretches along Kent. Still some road construction at various intervening intersections but probably a most attractive and viable alternative to approach New West. Not far east of Boundary, path runs underneath Sky Train and we were soon crossing Broadway, a few blocks east of Commercial. Took route to Clarke Drive and then to 7th, past VCC and then back onto path on Great Northern Way to come out on Main, just down from Science World.

Left Whirlygig there, thanking him for leading the way, across the frozen wastes, into the wilds of Burnaby! (Really, really enjoyed getting to know more about Central Park and then Deer Lake, of course.) After we bid him adieu, Big Al and I proceeded on to Stanley Park. (I had suggested that he might take Sky Train home if he wanted to ride around SP.), as we had earlier decided we would.

Just before Plaza of Nations I indicated to Big Al that we would bear right and I went ahead of him. But a few seconds later I heard a very, very loud clang and turned back to see Big Molly being handed his canister-like metal water bottle. I assumed that he had collided with a pedestrian at that intersection, used by casino patrons, by and large. Next I heard someone else ask: "Are you alright?" I circled back to find a rueful Big Al inspecting the forks of his bike. As we pulled away I asked what had happened and was he injured or not. Rather embarrassed, he admitted that he had been looking at an oncoming sveltoid jogger in a bikini top and skin tight spandex and ran smack dab into one of the stanchions there. Impact certainly brought him back to reality and it is a considerable wonderment that he didn't sustain any serious damage, either to his steed or his cajones!

From then on, (until I waved goodbye, back at Science World), I pointed out each and every lamp pole, fire hydrant and hostile stanchion, cautioning him, as well, to avert his eyes when any curvaceous female jogger/in-line skater or cleavage exposed walker appeared on the path ahead! Fortunately, further catastrophic collisions were avoided and we enjoyed the Seawall, the calm ocean and the stunning, cut-out freighters set delightfully against the curve of the horizon, ("It's only a paper moon/hanging over a cardboard sea", running through my head), making our way back to Denman, past the grumpy flagwomen at the construction site that blocks the sidewalk there. As we dipsy-doodled through the barricades, Big Molly mentioned that The Cactus Club has taken over the English Bay Parks Board concession:

"Commissioners voted 6-1 in favour of the move, which will see Cactus Restaurants Ltd. pay $240,000 in annual rent—plus four percent of revenue over $4 million—to the Vancouver park board, according to a staff report.

Philip Josephs, manager of revenue services for the park board, told commissioners the board will retain ownership of the building, while the private corporation will own the fixtures and furniture, and pay the estimated $5-million cost of building a new two-level eatery. The establishment will also feature a concession with cheaper takeout items."

Needed Girorgio once back on the Seawall as we were beleaguered and beset by wedge after wedge, gaggle after gaggle, skein after skein of truculent, (seemingly deaf and dumb), guano excreting Canada Geese. Pathway was quite a bit more slippery, certainly more dangerous than ice rimed tarmac which brought you down! Having run the Goose Gauntlet without incident, (unless one counts our besmirched and befouled tires), we luxuriated in the glorious sunshine, the wind at our backs, and endured the agony of thawing extremities. Luckily, Big Molly still had certain, valuable extremities to thaw!!!

Left him in the care of Sky Train personnel and made my way for home, via 1st and then Lamey's Mill Road. Had decided I'd clock 10K more than Tuesday's ride so headed for Kits Point and Kits Pool. Debated whether I should keep going to UBC, weather was simply so beautiful, when I reached Cornwall, but decided I needed to be back in time to discharge the chores set out for me by none other than The Sisterhood. Back at Heartbreak Terrace Parkade with 81.33 on odometer, 2:30pm on chronometer, so a pretty good outing, in spite of spate of accidentos!

Off to The Penelopiad, with Flamin'/Sarge, at the Stanley, this evening. Will pop by Festival House
before making our way to Granville as it is the VIWF Volunteer Appreciation Party tonight. Might as well slurp down a few free drinks before having to shell out heavy coin for anaemic malt at Intermission!

Again hope you are not suffering from anything more serious than a scrape or two. Let me know if you are interested in a ride on Sunday. Weather looks like it might co-operate, especially if we go out at 7:30am, in the pitch dark, with time change! Cheers, Il Conduttore!