I was stuck down-Island for one day last week and I was kind of upset that I wouldn’t be home to get some much-needed work done, and I was missing my Thursday night ride.
I had five hours to kill between appointments, and instead of sitting around pouting, I decided to make the best of it.
It was a perfect time to hide out at the coffee shop and catch up on e-mails, or with Christmas around the corner, I could get some shopping done, or I could just relax, catch a movie and grab a nice lunch.
Yeah right. E-mails can wait, I hate shopping, and I can’t sit still long enough to enjoy a movie, so … just before leaving home that morning I snuck my bike into the truck.
On the whole drive down it was raining hard, and considering I’d forgotten my jacket, I was slowly talking myself back into Starbucks and e-mails.
My first appointment ended and with five hours of boredom ahead of me, I decided that I should brave the elements and go ride some fun trails. Since I had come this far, what harm was there in driving another 40 minutes to hit some trails that have been on my to-do list for ages?
As I approached Maple Mountain near Duncan, I realized there was a bit of blue sky. I rode for almost three hours, climbed up twice and found the best trails out there for the ride back down. The conditions were perfect, the views amazing, and the trails flowed beautifully. About the time my legs were screaming for a rest, I rolled out of the last trail and back to the parking lot. Perfect timing and not one rain drop the entire ride.
I loaded up my bike and gear and as I was driving away toward my final appointment, the skies opened up with a vengeance. Luck was on my side that day.
Now I wonder if I subconsciously planned the five hour gap between appointments. Hmmm, maybe I’m smarter than I look.
I’m James Durand and I’m Goin’ Ridin’…