Quite a day we had Tuesday.  From my perspective, we met and exceeded expectations, for everyone.  We probably hit 35C, which felt like a hair dryer blowing in our faces at times.  It’s hard to stay ahead of the fluid loss, but we did pretty well.

Princesses Joyce and Charlie knocked it out of the park today.  Joyce (the dark horse) on her 800 pound hybrid bike.   They were the first up the Wall.  What?  I think Joyce surprised herself.  She might just be a budding cyclist after all. There we were Continue reading →

Well, it was a hot one folks.  Thirty five degree celsius and dead calm.  No breeze to speak of. Hooboy.

These Princesses weren’t about to become wilting flowers though.  They tackled the skills session with enthusiasm and only one crash.

Princess Charlotte was doubtful about the whole skills session business, but found it helpful in getting to  know her new ride.  Princesses Sandy, Michele and Joyce all had been through the drills before and I think, were pleased with their progress since their first encounter of a skilled-kind.

After the skills we took a quick Continue reading →

As the new Princesses arrived, so did the stories.  The ones that stand out in my mind tonight are these.

“It’s all about the journey” said Joyce and Charlotte who managed to stop just past Lake Louise to take a jaunt around Emerald Lake even though they had a full day ahead of them.  Who ever stops to go for a hike on an 8 or 9 journey?  I guess we know.  Love it.

“We had a journey too that included a stop” said Sandy and Michele.  They pulled into Lake Louise town for a Continue reading →

The week is over.  The Princesses arrived, rode and conquered.  Today was another marker.

Princess Phyllis started and ended the week having cycled a little more than she ever has in a single week and commemorated it with and ice cream cup at Tickleberry’s.  Bliss…  Look out Penticton Gran Fondo! This Princess will be ready.

Princess Barb made an executive decision to honour her inner Princess and did what felt right.  McLean Creek backwards.  110kms today for her.

Princess Lori also honoured her inner Princess and chose no to go with Princess Barb.

Princess Continue reading →

AAhh, a day off.  Or maybe it was an ‘easy day’.  Either way – we made our way along the Okanagan lake towards Naramata.  I fully expected that we had a group of 6 interested in descending into the town of Naramata – but evidently, cooler heads prevailed.  One Princess did the descent followed by the ascent and 5 of us did what we could to keep on spinnin’ out legs out.

This day is usually an opportunity for Princesses to put their feet up a bit and prepare themselves for one last long ride to Continue reading →

If you remember the phrase, “Scotty, beam me up”, then you’ll appreciate the photo attached.  This Princess (image has been modified to protect the identity of the hill-climbing-adverse rider), is requesting an air transport up the next hill.  At some point in the day, I believe I heard her say “Gosh, golly, gee Colleen, not another hill!”.

Today was epic for the Princesses in terms of elevation gain in one ride.  We neared 1300m in 82km.  For those of you unfamiliar, Scott Lake Hill (not related to the ‘Scotty’ comment above) midway between Calgary and Canmore Continue reading →

What a day.  The ladies were ready to roll and we were on our way at 8:29.  No flies on these Princesses, that’s for sure.

A big day on the agenda with a scoot down the east side of Lake Skaha including a short diversion onto McLean Creek road.  As we advanced – a fellow in a vehicle stopped to let us know that there was a bull on the road up ahead and that we should be aware.  Well, this wasn’t going to deter us – so we carried on thinking (ok,  hoping) that Continue reading →

This is how the brochure reads:  The first day on the road will be a spectacular one.  Amazing vistas of the Okanagan Valley from the hills of Summerland.  The sky is vast and often clear, the winds light and the company always great.

This is how a Princess Virgin describes: “Oh yes, the ride STARTED and ENDED flat but everything in between seemed to be a hill.  I wasn’t sure if we were ever going to stop climbing. Nice views though.”  Followed by “I think we should have our team meetings to talk about what Continue reading →

The Princesses have all arrived and are rarin’ to go.

Princesses Lori and Barb flew in to Penticton – opting to forego the 8hour drive from Calgary.  Yes, indeed a smarty-pants move.  The trade-off however is that both Princesses were then required to re-assemble their bikes after the flight.  Being true Princess Pedal veterans, they declined any assistance – but after a period – I thought I should check on their progress.  Here is a photo of Lori’s handiwork.  Can you spot the anomalie?

For the record, that’s Princess Lori doubled over with laughter.   Continue reading →

I think we’re ready.  We’ve shopped, marinated, baked, cooked, blended and prepped as much as we can ahead of time.  This afternoon – 5 Princesses will arrive.

This week is the ‘veterans’ camp.  Super Sue, two of the Piranha Princesses, Princess Wendy and the virgin-Princess Phyllis.  All but one rider has been to camp before, so have requested some longer rides.  I have a few extensions to rides they have done before and one that’ll be new to them all.  We’ll log some spectacular kms, do some recovery yoga, eat some good food Continue reading →