cycling scenes

I just had an entire day to myself.

And you know what? 

I had no idea what to do with it.

Maybe I just had too many choices...but I ended up settling with a 50km bike ride.

(Laundry could wait. And still is.)

Tired of the same route, I decided to be adventurous 

(pfft! as much as I dare to be....)

and take a new road.

AND...

I decided to not let my bike pace dictate today.

I wanted  to enjoy the sights.....and  remind myself  why it is  I like it here.

(note: pictures are of not-so-great cell phone camera quality.)

Road stretched out before me.

And although it may look monotonous,

I took part in a Dragonfly Dodge AND 

a Porcupine Pedestrian crossing!

(Kicking myself for not being quicker on the camera draw for a capture of the porcupine. 

Those things can Speed Waddle!)

And remember this post?

{Party!}

Well at the risk of making my area look like "Party Central"....

I found the same truck- moved several miles another direction. 

This time it even sported a flashing light on its top, 

blinking even during the daylight hours.

I captured old Squashed buildings:

And a barn that was for sale:

I also cycled past ditches full of the result of the never-ending rain we have been receiving.

(Sorry southern friends. I WISH I could funnel it down to you!)

It was 51.6 km of a beautiful route which I could have continued on,

if I hadn't heard the call of a cold cider calling my name from home.

(Ahhh...human nature can be so fickle.)

Now...

I believe it's the Laundry calling.

~Weekend Mountain Bike~

(early morning drive to the mountains)

I spent Sunday in the mountains, biking.

4 of us  drove out to Canmore, Alberta- 

hopped on our old (but working) bikes, 

and pedaled to Banff, Alberta.

It was a beautiful bike, easy trail, and amazing scenery.

The newly made trail runs between the Trans Canada Highway

and the CP Railway. 

When we arrived in Banff we stopped at the Coyotes Deli and Grill  (downtown) for lunch.

The food was wonderful and definitely not your "standard" fare. 

Bagels with Salmon, Shrimp and Goat Cheese Wraps, Smoked Chicken Quesidillas....it was nice  to eat something other than the usual burgers and fries!

The restaurant was across from this place....I just had to take a picture of this car:

The 40km round-trip consisted of views which I was in great need of.

The mountains were majestic, hovering clouds were beautiful, and a rainbow hung over a peak as we pedaled back to Canmore.

Days like that make me love this country 

even more than I already do.

***

I so appreciate times I get to escape away from the chaos of the everyday schedule ...

(and realize that I need to do this a bit more often!)

My Escape

This is the road I get to bike and run on.

Mornings are amazing.

My favorite time of day.

When I`m on here I want to bike or run for as long as the road goes on.

I really never want to go home.

Today I felt like running...or rather- biking away.

But I didn`t.

Not today.

Sweet 70's ride....

So a wonderful neighbor lent me this bike for a couple months.....

A Peugeot Race Bike, (made in France).


Check out the metal fenders.....

 Lights- front and back-  that actually come on with the energy you generate while pedaling!

An attached tire pump:

Metal rack for carry-ons....

And a leather seat....leather!

They sure don't make them like they used to:)

~~~