Doctor Visit

Monday - Jan 29 - Biking 10 km

Rode to visit my doctor at Carlingwood. Cold at close to -20. He was complaining about having to take the bus because his car was not working. Then he chided himself as he realized that I usually bike to his office.

Long Weekend

Saturday - Jan 27 - Skiing, 9 km, Biking 12 km

Rob and I went out to Timm road for a bit in the morning. The snow is getting really old as we have not had any serious snowfall in a couple weeks now. There is still rocks sticking out in places. Nevertheless, we had fun. In the evening I rode my bike to Hull to see a cool band play. The ride home at 02:00 was cold and slippery as the roads were covered in a light snowfall.

Sunday - Jan 28 - Biking 14 km

Rode downtown in the morning to Nate's Diner for breakfast with Sharon. Nice sunny day but fairly cold.

Weeks Total: Biking 102 km, Skiing 24
Year to Date: Biking 390 km, Hiking 10 km, Skiing 48 km

Cold Skiing

Thursday - Jan 26 - Skiing 7 km

Rob and I went for a chilly ski after supper. We left from Asticou center and did a bit of a loop up the bike path, onto the parkway, back the mountain bike trail onto the bike path again. Cold outside at about -20, but still managed to work up a sweat.

Temperature Falling

Wednesday - Jan 24 - Biking 37 km

Got on my bike to ride to work to a beautiful day. Temperature when I left was about -10. About half way to work I began to feel really cold, so I stopped and added another layer of clothing. I got to work and checked the temperature which had fallen to -14. No wonder. The ride home after work was even colder. Rode along Richmond road with another cyclist for a bit, each taking a turn at drafting which helped speed the fridgid travels.

Snowy riding

Tuesday - Jan 23 - Biking 38 km

Rode to work on a somewhat cold (-10) but clear morning. Coming home was much warmer with a light but steady snowfall which made the roads fairly slick, especially in the last 5 km or so. At least it justifies the knobby tires.

More Skiing

Monday - Jan 22 - Skiing 8 km, Biking 1 km

Went skiing with Emily up the Gatineau Parkway after supper. Lots of other people were out. Snow conditions were as perfect as a machine groomed trail can get. After, I rode my bike to the grocery store to fetch the weeks groceries.

Weekend of Skiing

Friday - Jan 19 - Skiing 5 km

Went skiing with Emily out to the Greenbelt by Walkley road. Unfortunately the trails are closed due to construction except for the loop around the old dump. This is annoying as this area is one of my favorites to ski.

Sunday - Jan 21 - Skiing 8 km

Rob and I skied the Mer Bleue loop. Tried skiing across the bog but there is not enough snow to cover the plants. Beautiful day for it though.

Weeks Total: Biking 38 km, Skiing 24
Year to Date: Biking 288 km, Hiking 10 km, Skiing 24 km

Slushy roads

Thursday - Jan 18 - Biking 38 km

Rode to work. Roads a little messy. Cold in the morning at about -13. My brand new bike computer mount cracked thanks to the cold... good job Cateye. Will have to fix it with duct tape Warmer on the way home.

Snow at Last

Monday - Jan 15 - Skiing 4 km

It finally snowed! Rob, Amber and I went for a quick ski up the Gatineau Parkway.

Tuesday - Jan 16 - Skiing 7 km

Went skiing alone through the Greenbelt near Bell High School. Lots of snow but there is no base so hit a few hidden rocks. It was also very dark as it was a clear night with no moon. Luckily I know the trails in this area very well. Had to break trail on some parts as I was the first through.

Bikin and Truckin

Friday - Jan 12 - Biking 3 km

Rode with Emily to meet Rob and Amber for Viatnamese supper. Karina and Jason also were there. Rob and I went for a couple pints at the Wood on Wellington. We were not too impressed with this pub.

Saturday - Jan 13 - Biking 27 km

Rode out to Bells Corners to pick up a rental truck for some wood fetching and furniture moving. I rented from Discount so went to the location that I normally do. There was a truck rental place there but it was not called Discount. There was a sign in the door that said "New Name, Same Great Service". I think to myself, Ok, they have changed their name. After waiting in line, I get to the counter and the agent cannot find my reservation. Then I figure out that Discount has actually moved to the other side of Bells Corners. I bike off there and pick up the truck with no further issues. Drive out to the new lumber place in Ottawa, KJP Hardwoods just off Merivale road. This is fun as much of the wood is sold by the pound. The guy who runs the place, Bernie Behne, is really nice, and since I am the only one there I get one on one service. I spend a bunch of money on a big pile of wood and several sheets of plywood, but figure since I have the truck I might as well stock up.



Then drive home and move one of our old couches to Dipna's art studio. I also buy some 12 kg of grain for beer brewing from Defalco's next door. Then we pick up Emily's chair and cart that home. I drive the truck back and realize that I have left the grain in the back. I barely manage to stuff it all in my paniers. Then I biked home with the heavy load on the back.

Sunday - Jan 14 - Biking 2 km

Rode to the India Food Center to pick up samosas for lunch while brewing beer made from the grain purchased yesterday.

Weeks total: Biking 124
Year to date: Biking 250 Hiking 10

Work and Wood

Wednesday - Jan 10 - Biking 47 km

Rode to work today on a cool -11 morning. Rode to the Ottawa Woodworkers meeting after work in cooler temperatures. Then rode home. Toes were a little cold today.

Icy Bike Paths and Snowy Roads

Tuesday - Jan 9 - Biking 37 km

A long windy bike to work. Took the bike path because it was clear of snow. A little bit of ice was encountered as the temperature was slightly below freezing. It snowed a bit during the day so I took the road on the way home. Had a tailwind on the way home.

Chair Shopping

Monday - Jan 8 - Biking 11 km

After supper, Emily and I rode out to Woodroofe to check out a recliner that someone was selling. It looked good, so we are coming back with a rented truck on the weekend. Stopped by the library on the way home. Light rain and a brisk West wind the entire ride.

Weekend fun.

Saturday - Jan 6 - Biking 8 km

Rode down to Pub Italia for Karina's birthday dinner.

Sunday - Jan 7 - Hiking 10 km

Since there is no snow and the temperatures are above zero Rob and I decided to hike one of the ski trails we would normally be doing. Karina and Dipna joined us. The trail was muddy in parts but the ground underneath was still frozen so all was passable. We found a caterpillar out enjoying the spring air. I think that many forest creatures are going to have a hard time when spring arrives for real.

Weeks total: Biking 126, Hiking 10
Year to date: Biking 126, Hiking 10

A Late Night

Thursday - Jan 4 - Biking 37 km

Rode to work in the morning with the temperature hovering around the freezing point. Worked late trying to resolve some issues in the lab and rode home around 22:00 in 8 degree temperatures. It is a nice ride that late at night as there is little traffic. Corkstown road was peaceful. Going through Britannia yielded hoards of teenagers at all the cool fast food hang out spots as I guess they are still on holiday and out enjoying the warm weather.

Spring Riding in January

Wednesday - Jan 3 - Biking 36 km

Woke up to a warm (-1) sunny day and rode to work. On the way home it was 4 degrees! Decided to try taking the bike path home because most of the snow seemed to have melted given the warm weather over the past few days. The path was still snowy. Decided to turn around after the first 50m and took Carling instead. Stopped by MEC to pick up a new rear light as my current one is having some problems. The new one has two standard flashing LEDs and a single 1/2 watt pulse LED flash which is extremely bright. It looks just like an emergency vehicle flasher. One of these days the cops are going to crack down on red flashing lights on bicycles (which are illegal). However, everyone uses them, and they are definately safer than steady lights. Until then I will continue with my civil disobedience in the name of my safety while riding at night.

New Years Hangover and Back to Work

Ok, I am going to try something different (blog wise). No idea how long this will last, but giving it a shot anyway. Once again, I am going to attempt a bike ride to the East coast. I am doing this just to prove to myself that I am not getting old. So far my right knee and my right thumb are not working to their full capacity, even though I am only 31 years old.

Anyway, I am planning to ride out sometime in September. This should give me a long time to train for this and build up the strength in my knee. I think I can live with the thumb issue, and since it was only injured about a month ago, it hopefully will heal up by then. I will try to keep a record of my training here.

Monday - Jan 1 - Biking 6 km

Got up with a crazy hangover thanks to red-bull and vodka shots during the New Year celebration (very bad combination). Got on my bike and rode to Ilona's for a yummy brunch. Then rode home and tried unsuccessfully to sleep for the rest of the afternoon.

Tuesday - Jan 2 - Biking 47 km

Rode to work into a brutal head wind. It took me over an hour to get there. Fortunately it was a nice warm day hovering around -3 all day. Left work into yet another head wind, however much calmer, and rode to Genji restaurant to meet my brother Dan and his partner Shelley for supper just before they boarded a bus for a 48 hour ride back home to Drunkcity Saskatchewan. Then rode home from the restaurant, finally getting a slight tail wind.