EBIKES ARE GOOD FOR US!

Just today, with a 25.4 ride, I reached over 1000 kilometers on my trusty VoltBike Mariner - Raani - the Queen of Running. This is since April. Besides the simple pleasures of riding in some beautiful places, there has been some truly marvelous health benefits. I’ve now lost 22 pounds since April. But. . . something much more important has happened! I have type 2 diabetes and my blood sugar reading is usually in the 8’s and 9’s and sometimes higher. In the last month, my readings have been dropping – first to 7’s, then, 6’s, yesterday 5.9 and today 4.6 - I’m keeping in mind that I’m still taking oral medication – but I’m still very pleased. I see my heart and blood Specialist in early September. . . we’ll see what he has to say. EBIKES ARE GOOD FOR US! 

First ride since August 6

First ride since August 6 - to Tynehead Park again: 20.4K. I’m very happy to now be able to do this! Because of some fairly serious dental problems. . . I’ll spare you the details. However, I have been The King of Pain for most of the last 10 days. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel: the last of the extractions are done and partial dentures are in my near future. Those of you that know me well will remember that I’m very superstitious about the number 13: On January 13, 1981 I bought a membership at The Elm Tree Sports Club in Oliver, B.C. My membership number at the Club was C13. On February 13, 1981 (not even a Friday) I was hit in the eye while playing racquetball. I spent thirteen days flat on my back in the Hospital, with both eyes bandaged, and all my food was pureed. I was not allowed to get up and go to the washroom. I missed thirteen days of work. it is very extra ordinary that this very scary number has “got” me again. . . this is how many real teeth I have left! 

New longest ride

New longest ride today: 52K – Barnston Island again – around three times and to a couple of places near my home in Surrey, BC. Even made it onto some sand at the East end of the Island. Didn’t stay there long as there were a lot of mosquitos. . . but my Mariner liked the sand! Took some more photos, as it is just so pretty there. 52 kilometers was a long ride for me and I got quite tired at the end. . . but I did it! A fifty kilometer-plus ride! 

Underside of the Post Mann Bridge

Have you ever been to the underside of the Port Mann Bridge? I forgot to bring a can of spray paint! Nice ride today: 27.3K - hot at 28 degrees. . . but I am definitely not complaining. Hope you had a good ride today. 

27.3K Ride with Covid Shot Pain

Got my 2nd Covid booster shot yesterday: Moderna mRNA-1273. 4th shot overall. My shoulder is quite sore where I got the shot - first time this has happened. Still managed to do a 27.3K ride today! Rode down to Surrey Bend Regional Park and then over the Port Mann Bridge and back. Good exercise today! 

Colony Farm Park Ride

Went over to Colony Farm Park in Coquitlam today – 27K total. Nice ride for the most part – but getting there and back was considerably more “interesting” than I liked. Going there, I took a trail that started under the Port Mann bridge on the Coquitlam side. The first kilometer of trail was 2-or-3 feet wide, muddy and bumpy, and with blackberry vines on both sides. Then I rode around the park for a while and this was good – nice place – nice ride. Then I headed home - didn’t want to ride that 1K death trail again, so I went on the May Hill By-pass – big mistake. It’s like a Freeway! A lot of traffic – seemed like mostly big trucks – whizzing by much closer that I would wish! But I made it through. . . I’m back home and still alive! 

Two ride day!

Went across Surrey on the Greenway path this morning. Then went across the Port Mann bridge this afternoon. 29.1K total. The water level in the Fraser River is quite high. Parts of the Fraser Valley are on flood watch – including my lovely little Barnston Island. My Mariner is performing very well – so much so that I may have to give her a name. 

Longest Ride (so Far)

Went for my longest ride, so far, today: 35.15K. From my home to Barnston Island (again) - around twice and then back home. Sunny and warm – very nice ride. 

Pitt-Addington Marsh Ride

Went for a ride today (12K) at Pitt-Addington Marsh – near Pitt Meadows BC. Nice trail for the most part – just too short. Perhaps my most picturesque ride yet. 

Trail Pavilion Ride

Nice ride today at the Trail Pavilion in Pitt Meadows, BC – part of the Trans Canada Trail. Another short ride – about 15K – but very enjoyable. Impressive scenic vistas.  

Derby Reach Park Ride

Went riding at Derby Reach Regional Park today. Very nice ride – but short at 11.5K. A good part of the trail that goes to the old Fort Langley was closed because of flooding by the Fraser River. Took some photos to show the flooding. One thing though. . . there was quite a lot of Bear poo on the trail (I didn’t take photos of this) I’m okay with the poo without the Bear!