Day 6 – Thursday, Nov 6, 2014 - Head Wind & 3 Flats – Chilliwack to Victoria – 125km

I woke at 2:30am and lied in bed until about 3:30. I do that infrequently, then just get up and get to work on whatever is keeping me up.

I’m feeling anxious.  I have driven in car from this area to Vancouver. Roads are straight and cars move fast. 

While I have a browsed casually for a bike route, I haven’t found one that feels right.

I spent the time searching maps, blogs, and apps. I was hopeful with an ap called “Ride With GPS”, but in the end – it didn’t work.

I guess I’ll just use google maps – bike route. ‘It’s probably fine’, I thought.

I retraced my 1.5km route to the “utopian/communal” Yellow Deli where I had the free Mate the night prior.  I last had my now lost glove at this place. It sits directly besides Starbucks and about 4 doors from Tim Hortons. 

I really wanted to just pop in and see if they found my glove.  I really wanted to go to Starbucks where I know I can rely on a pleasant atmosphere, good service, and good coffee & while not inexpensive, fair prices.

However, I thought I should not be so shallow, and support this alternative type business. Starbucks are pretty much the same EVERYWHERE. I’m travelling. Exploring. Seeking new experiences. ‘Be open Bryon’, I told myself.

The exterior is fun, vibrant and exciting. As I entered Yellow Deli – the light was dim and the music was kind of an Irish Celtic sort. Just like last night.  (I’m not sure when I am in the mood for this kind of music.?)

I said I would like some eggs.

The waiter confidently said “Sure, eggs it is.”

I was impressed, and was looking forward to my surprise.

I got two poached eggs and HALF a slice of Bread. I had to ask for coffee twice and waited way too long for the bill.  The bill finally came at $5.50.  I tracked him down after a few minutes and he realized he forgot to add the coffee.  $8.50.

I stupidly tipped him $2.  (Why do we “Still” tip for crappy service? I got to stop doing that. I like to reward for good service only.)

The problem with Yellow Deli, run by http://twelvetribes.com/, is communism sucks.  The idea is that there is no rich and no poor.  However, I feel that everyone resolves to the lowest common dominator.  There is no incentive to ‘raise above’.

Seriously, the young men and women who I met (approximately aged 25 to 42) had glimmers of enthusiasm … but in the end, collectively – I think they are all a bit retarded!

The Ride:

I finally got rolling just prior to 9am in a downpour of rain. I  was very excited to be leaving Yellow Deli. I was annoyed. (They even change their names, to a Hebrew name.)

The air was warm and the smell of the earth (along w manure) clearly indicated I was in a land of production. It felt GREAT to be rolling on my bike in this amazing landscape – affectionately know as The Lower Mainland. After about 30 min the sun came out and I was in heaven despite an already strong head wind.

I varied to being excited at how awesome Google Maps was … to thinking I will die on this road; to this road is a complete dead end into a gravel pit. Beautiful though.

I was a bit in the doldrums after only 40 ‘ish km at about 11:15am. Why am I so slow? I was scheming … I wonder is there a bus, what about a taxi?  I saw a Starbucks in Langley & thought perhaps some nice service and a bit of food will cheer me up.

It did.

I finally saw the sign. 13km to Ferry.

The head wind was fierce.  My front tire seemed like it was getting low in air.

I arrived 15min prior to the 3pm departure. As I pushed my bike on … my front tire was dead flat. I have lots of time to fix it.

Settling in the ‘Sea Fare’s Lounge’ (an extra $12 – gets you free snacks, drinks, more space and less noise!) I was exhausted. 

Departing the Ferry I was completely stoked for a windy ride into Victoria … only about 30km along a very pretty “mostly bike paths” route.

8km into this ride, and two rear flats, I was in Sidney.  While trying to fix the final flat for 4^th or 5^th time, I spoke to a guy in a truck.  He told me there were power outrageous, and that I should bus into Victoria. “You don’t want to be on that dark trail with this crazy wind.”  Thankfully the bus stop was two blocks away.

Supper with Robin! YES!