Year Two Day One - Mountain Bike

Dear all, 

What can I say, "I love to blog' and two weeks away was enough: I am back on my quest to seek out unusual things and will do so for at least one more year. Why not; blogging is fun and it gives me a good excuse to whisk Darren away on daily excursions, cook ludicrously fabulous dinners and do unusual things as often as possible. 

Today, whilst on a weekend break up to Owen Sound, we popped into Jolley's Alternative Wheels (http://www.alternativewheels.com ) with the sole objective of coming home with a second hand bike. 

As you can see, we found great success in the store and I picked up a second hand Mountain Bike (Darren is a massive fan and is keen to get out on the magnificent trails that surround Collingwood). Darren is extremely knowledgeable about bikes which is very handy as I am not; I rode a bike for years in Japan and London but I anything that stretches past changing gear is way beyond me. 

I had yet to ever be on the trails and as we set off, I was overwhelmed at how extensive the trail system was and how well they are maintained. 

http://www.ontariotrailsmap.com/ontariotrails.html?cat=5&icon=cycling.png#

As you can see from the photos, they go on for MILES. And virtually no one in sight. It was blissful. We are having a mini heat wave ( sadly to disappear tomorrow.. ) so it was perfect for a long bike ride and we had a wonderful afternoon making it up to Craigleith. We stopped for a quick break at the park on the lake at Craigleith where I [foolishly?] dipped my toe in the water. Yep, I won't be going in swimming for a week or two. 

I also tried to master the art of 'taking photo's whilst in charge of a bicycle'; very difficult I might add and I wouldn't recommend it if your camera is of any significant value. Darren managed to intervene before I lost my beloved Blackberry to the forest. 

Darren is quite an accomplished cyclist so was keen to make good headway; I had managed to become accustomed to the gears and was hot on his tail. 

I am so pleased with my bike; it will hopefully become my primary form of transport during the summer months ( good to cut down on gas; holy moly it's getting pricey) and excited to be able to go on extended  cycling trips with Darren. 

It's an exciting start to year two!

**Note to all

Any tips or suggestions for unusual tasks are greatly appreciated.