Ride on, Highway Cat !!: 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.