I have to be careful what I say I won’t do because it almost always results in my going right out and doing it shortly after. In some cases it results in bad things like eating poutine with sausage here when I’m usually one who eats mostly vegan food or drinking coffee after I gave it up for the nth time. But more often than not it result in good changes. Witness my saying first “I will never cycle in Toronto” followed by “I will never cycle on the road in Toronto”. Just Monday after the commute from hell - or rather the return trip/expedition from hell, I said that I would wait until the bike storage room was open because gosh darnit it was too hard to walk my bike up 3 flights of stairs. Yes, folks, cycling 30 km round trip with a huge hill on the way home is no problem, but carrying my bike up/down 3 flights of stairs? Absolute murder, couldn’t possibly do it - what are you, crazy?
So yesterday I rode the bus to work and found myself outside at lunchtime without a coat and thinking that I was a complete idiot for not cycling in when I had the chance. And this morning I almost did it again. I was all set to go but then saw that I had a 25 km headwind to face and started questioning whether I wanted to deal with that. But then fate intervened in the form of my procrastination and when I looked at the clock it was almost 7:10 and I hadn’t even had my shower or breakfast. As I have to walk out the door by 7:25 my decision was made. Take the bike.
Good choice, too. While it was a bit windy, and not as pretty outside since the clouds moved in, it was really a fantastic ride in. All joking aside, the drivers really are very courteous and give me lots of space. My mindset as I ride to work is totally different as a result. There is the watchfulness that is required when sharing the road with huge masses of metal that never goes away. However, I don’t find myself anticipating general assholery as well - the honks when I need to take the lane to get enough space to avoid getting doored or the yells and gunning of engines as people pass are not missed one bit.
Things are still covered with snow and I wasn’t up for another Shackleton-esque commute home so I took the same way in, stopping at Tim Hortons for a cup of coffee on the way home. As I rode home I noticed a number of signs for bike paths pointing off in to snowbanks. It promises to be really a good time here when summer comes.
Just before I got home, I decided that instead of ‘meandering’ up the hill from St. Roch to St. Jean, I was going to take it head-on. Interesting challenge though the hill beat me this time. I made it about 2/3 of the way up before I had to dismount and walk the rest of the way. I can see that becoming a very good gauge of my fitness over the coming weeks. There are definitely many more options here for serious hill training than there are in Toronto.
And now, since I forgot my computer’s power cord I might read a book or watch some French television (it’s practice, not vegging out after all!) and eat the dal I made for dinner. This time I had the added ingredient of some specially ordered contraband. Fresh green and red thai chillis. While they aren’t available normally here I was lucky enough to find someone who could order them for me. (Delicatesse Tonkinoise for those who are interested - and they make some delicious meals as well - the Pho Ga is highly recommended)
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