HWC Christmas 2013

Well, what can I say, except 2013 is coming to an end...

I haven't seen cool vistas, strange landscapes, potholes from hell, psychotic truck drivers, roadkill ghosts,  or crazy town images for a while now. 

Being stuck on top of this tree seems somehow fitting. ...

What an insult to finish an otherwise pointless year. 

I MUST get back on the road before it's too late!...

Like being moved down to a lower limb is gonna fix things!

  Exmas is for fools!

Mainline Trail LSCR North Van

OMG! Not only am I stuck in a bloody tree, but Bossman is out and about with Terry.

Trek aint got nothin on Shirley! Aaaarrrgghhhh!!!

It's like "A Christmas Carol" but without everything plus a bike!!

Highwaycat and I are currently experiencing some "Cabin Fever" symptoms. 

The 5 Celsius plus rain is a "Game over scenerio"

No, it's not the minus 30 of Alberta, but...Blah Blah Blah. I need not explain myself!!

Happy New Yeer all of Yewwsss!!(Archie Bunker)

HWC/Seaneroni 

May the pedals of progress turn slowly and effectively. Or just friggin turn for 2014!!!

HWC visits OgoPogo for a "Challenge"

Heading to Penticton for the first "Challenge Triathlon Penticton" 2013....

 

HWC enjoys the ride into Penticton

The drive through Manning Park On HWY 3 was beautiful as always. Cruised this route in the past several times by car, bike and bus.
The descent into Penticton evokes a sense of nostalgia.
HWC was happy to be apart of history, although, it should be noted that taking pictures while driving is dangerous at best.
Note my speedometer...










A fine place to call "Home Base"
A 1950's throwback Motel just off the strip. Built entirely of concrete blocks and sitting amidst a couple of car dealerships, this gem is quiet as hell and walking distance to Tim Hortons, Starbucks the Convention Center and OK Beach. It boasts a WI FI connection and a kitchenette with a lame micro fridge and homemade fixtures.
Saving about $600.00, me, sister Julie and HWC will find refuge here. At "EL Rancho Motel"
The staff were friendly but useless. The room never got a makeover

Picked up my race packet at Gyro Park. One of such items was my bib # as seen here.
It is worth noting that as a returning participant of Ironman Canada I find the town's atmosphere lacking in energy. The beach is almost empty and Lakeshore Drive is devoid of anxious cyclists and runners. The few days leading up to the race have traditionally been filled with frenzy and freight.  I guess that more than half of participants decided to follow the big "M Dot" to Whistler. I am feeling quiet depressed as I walk the strip.
The Walking Dead comes to mind.
HWC was fine with the bib #.

My sister, Julie came along for the spectacle. She is seen here wearing my Ironman 2006 hat as strange children do the Ogopogo Dance in the background. Sporting a "Livestrong" shirt (a gift from me last exmas I think). Later, she would find herself wondering if it was proper to wear such a logo following the Lance Armstrong scandal. Disgusted by her thought (Lance is the greatest amongst a level playing field-do yer homework) I told her that the foundation should not suffer. Stupid to boycott. Long Life Le Lance!! Anyway, it was a somber day as we strolled the strip. Highwaycat stayed at homebase to see if staff did their job. Man she was pissed!

Me and Julie at the "Peach". A well known meeting place at Okanagan Lake. HWC was snoozing.

 Getting transition bags ready before the race... HWC is OK with this location... or is she???

Running the "Channel" the day before the race. Idiotic to run/jog 45 min. the day prior to an Iron Dist. race....Sigh...Won't do that again.

Parking my bike late morning. I found it scary quiet in the corral. I returned to remove my fluids to pre-freeze them. Which were eventually stolen anyway.  Even though it was late morning, I found the lack of steeds to be unsettling. Once again, ...Walking Dead. sigh

Old man waiting for doom... Field of nothing...I miss the Ironman craziness!

Lovely calm on the lake. HWC  ponders a different scenario...

Race morning would be frott with HEADWINDS,WAVES and FORGOTTEN BOUYS!!

F***ing Nasty!!

Not a selfy fan. Don't even know how to spell it. Just exiting the "First Choice Haircutters" dealy with my pre-race hair cut. It didn't help one bit but felt nice and was happy to improve the town's economy by $15.00. Note: My shirt has a bike pictogram on it, ha ha. So friggin hilarious.

 

Julie is seen buying me stuff from the Challenge Expo Tent. Thx sis!

  Crappy race, but happy to have finished injury free. HWC is furious, and plans a full boycott.

Only in Penticton

Leaving Penticton. ... What a Peach!!

Recovery Camping

Nice to have the race behind me and heading into the wilderness for some r & r is sweet.

Heading to Lightning Lake Campground, Manning Park...

Huge camp sites. I have the smallest footprint by far.

People need shit I guess.

This is a bad combo

Thems good Eats... I guess

HWC enjoys the tranquility of wilderness...

Easy hike. Relaxing after a stressful week...

Wildcat!

Posers

Darkness falls...

PARTY PENTICTON !!

Well, here I am perched upon a vinyl shelf like some childish bobble-head clownish comedic figure. Turns out, however that I am on a journey to a new land, a land filled with peaches and rednecks. Not sure about cats, but I think this new land will suit me just fine... Since I have skills in shipbuilding and Hollywood monster poster art.

I feel the energy of a lake.

It's obvious to me that my length is key.

Perhaps my job is security. Everything looks fine to me. If you like crap.

Aaaahhhh, fresh air, Finally !! Was getting cage syndrome. What the bloody hell is going on behind me anyway?!... Idiots!!

What the hell is this?! For crying out loud,  I was going sleep over there...

Highwaycat had a good time in Penticton for the 1st ever " Challenge Family Triathlon,"

For me, the day was filled with confusion and doubt. I finished the race feeling OK, but with a Finishing time lower than expected.
A good day for sure, but questions need to be answered...A learning experience for all.
My sister Julie came along for the ride and helped me out. Was fun to see her and Highwaycat argue about motel science.
Motel Science has no answer.
Jiggitty!

THE LAKE

A relaxing day at the lake with Highwaycat...

Amazingly, after a 40 min drive (through traffic), this North Van Duo can find a secluded lake. Yes people, not far from the insanity of Vancouver is this jewel!

Sasamat Lk. or White Pine Beach is a great place to get the wetsuit wet. The photo doesn't show the niceness of the beach. Weekends are nuts. Full of teens and crazies, Zombies.

Wetsuit trial 101...

Highwaycat: "Ya know, you looked pretty slow and chaotic out there, was it stormy and wild? just say'n". Looks pretty calm. Calm enough to land a paper spacecraft or something.

Sean: "I was looking for shipwrecks, thanks for your support."

Highwaycat: "Yur feet are vein crazy and yur toenails are a mess"

Sean: Thanks. Yer fuzz aint so great neither! 

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

HWC Taper

A fine Sunday indeed.  Our first big "Taper" day. A time to relax. Read the paper. Do some chores. Drink Coffee. etc .... or is it?...

 What the living hell is going on?!! 

We've been home all morning and some strange smelly, furry beast is attacking my space. This new tire that we bought was supposed to help us on our journey to "Land of the HW Cats"

What do you mean, "Taper" Is that some sort of religious cult?

I will not stand/or sit beside this blatant disrespectful theatre of anti-catness.

Evil has no boundaries, I tell you 

We shall prevail onward to the Okanagan Ogopogo Cat Place, in Penticton Proper L Setii Five.

ALONG FOR THE RIDE

A good day to ride!

 Cloudy for the first time in 50 days. We got a flat 10 km out, but that didn't affect us one bit. We were on a mission as this was to be the last "Long Ride" before

  "Challenge Penticton!"

"OK, this is nice. "

"I've seen bears while touring through Glacier National Park Alberta. Those puppies are predictable as all hell. Idiots for sure. The beasts found in BC (especially near Squamish/Whistler) are very volatile at best of times. They are so odd. At one moment, yur under attack, the next moment they're throw'n you a frosty Kokanee! " Drunk'n Bruins! 

"Ya. I've had just about enough of this crap, we are turning around now! This childish ride along the "The Sea to Sky" Hwy and back is pointless. Shirley would never turn around. Never! Actually, there was one time..."

"Oh look at the pretty sign!... Where the hell is my napping quarters? I'm out in the elements for the whole ride for Christ sake! Cat neglect is what it is!" I'm calling the "Cat ownership act"

Anyway, after all the complaining finally came to an end, the day wrapped up with some soup and "Day after cold pizza!" For me. HWC of coarse had her usual post ride meal of Bison Burger with spinach, avocado and strawberries.

Turns out, after looking at my Heart Monitor, I can see that my effort was very low. I guess thats why the last 50 km was relatively easy. Regardless, this fat bastard cannot escape the physics behind weight and speed. I'am doomed for certain....

No problemo. It will be a lovely day in the beautiful Okanagan!!

Cheers!!

MISSION CATATONIC

HWC gets fitted on the Tarmac.

 There was a bit of a struggle and some uncomfortable moments were shared, but all in all, things worked out fine. Or did they?!

"There was supposed to be a cartoon text bubble to the left of my cranium with some sort of humorous text inside. Luckily, the low tech program kept crashing and therefore, no bubble surfaced.

It appears as though I am the first cat to be sent to Mars. They call it "Mission Catatonic" 

It shouldn't take too long to get there. Once we pass the "Squamish Music Festival Galaxy", it will be nothing short of a comet ride.

It irritates me that they have harnessed me to a Gel receptacle. At any given moment this puppy could blow and I would be forever covered in a slimy sticky mess. Could you imagine a sticky cat landing on Mars and having nothing to rub against or for that matter, not one gram of cat litter to utilize.

Hell awaits me, set me freeeeeeeeeeee!!!!"

MINING FOR A BRAIN

I usually don't have the time of day for common peasants. (Car People) Hwy Cat will cover for me though.

Papa got a new pair a shoes!

I was having some trouble with my old "Specialized" shoes. I was getting "Hot Foot" after 4 hours of riding, especially in hot weather. Pressure on the nerves of the foot near the toe can cause CRAZY PAIN.

Moving the pressure contact down the foot by sliding the cleat on the shoe can help. Not this time.

So, I got a pair of 'Bontragers' (Race DLX Road) at BSP downtown Vancouver in a 45 instead of 44. Hard to find road shoes that fit my SPD pedals. These are compatible with all configurations. At $150.00, I'm not complaining.  I love the box that they came in. No lid, Like a drawer in a cabinet. Not really cat friendly though. Sorry Fuzz and fuuzzz.

Will see how it goes...

Bin riding the "Sea to Sky Hwy" (#99) for a couple weeks in preparation for "Challenge Penticton"
http://www.challenge-penticton.com/

It's an awesome route that combines beautiful vistas, hills and uninterrupted riding.

Usually I have a relatively safe ride, but not always. I trust car drivers the least, and truck drivers the most for obvious reasons.

There is a strange phenomenon that occurs when I stop after hours of riding. It feels like I am in a spacecraft that has just dropped out of Warp Drive and is suddenly coexisting with real time surroundings. Including "Car People"

My first encounter with this life form is not always cordial. Feeling far superior to the Car Troglite, I struggle to maintain a friendly meeting. I go for the subtle approach; Attack with humour and sarcasm....
Anyway, an ok ride of 160 km. Perhaps a bit better next time. HWC is missing Shirley, but is bonding gradually with Tammy. (Tammy Tarmac)

HWC IS UNSHELVED

The workings of witch or warlock...
It is very apparent to me that something is afoot. Whether this thing requires my presence or not is unclear. What I do know however, is that I have been rather abruptly(and mysteriously)plucked from my coveted HWC Shelf and plopped down upon unfamiliar terrain. I find myself staring face to face with a hideous beast of unusual characteristics. Obviously something of Rigel 7 specs.
The markings are a dead giveaway. The stench is also out of this world, even for a cat. Phewww!
Do I try to communicate with the silent bio-tech creature or lay the talons into it's flesh before I, myself become prey?...
Send me a sign, evil prankster! This riddle grows tiresome...
... sigh...