The long awaited 2021 LiveSplendidly! cycle tours in Comox, BC are officially underway.  There have been a multitude of adjustments over the past several months, with the entire world as well as in our own miniscule world.  I don’t have to say that COVID has made for a rather unpredictable bed-fellow.

The Comox Valley is as beautiful as I remember.  Perhaps a little busier than last year with business as usual in many ways.  We arrived with the sky blue and the sun shining.  The weather this week will bring some much needed rain after Continue reading →

So, Saturday August 7th was the long-anticipated date for the Badlands Gran Fondo 2021.  I think that it was officially but unofficially the 2020 event – postponed due to COVID.   A few fewer participants arrived, than were registered BUT the turnout was really good – and very COVID safe for those inquiring minds. Thanks so much to the BLGF group.  They were challenged with fewer-than-usual volunteers but managed to pull off another excellent event.  The whole set-up from breakfast to lunch and aid stations to post event showers (after massage or whatever) – for one’s Continue reading →

We were set to meet in Vernon, BC in June and we had several keen women needing a break from their COVID routines.  As we all know, COVID has had a way of interrupting most of our “PLAN A’s” and we have had to pivot to accommodate alternate plan(s) – yes, sometimes these have come in multiples.

Irrespective of the location – three Princesses – Erin, Sandy and M.C. were keen to break free and get some alone time in the great outdoors.  Plan B became 2 days in the Badlands (or Honeys’ in the Hoodoo’s) and 2 Continue reading →

Early this morning the rain was still falling but by our 9:40am departure time, we were golden.  Sun, blue skies, wet roads (so a few rooster tails off rear tires).  Undeterred, we were ready for another terrific day for riding.  On the advice of friends, we adjusted our expectations on the total distance and went instead for a brunch tour of Merville which is north east of the Town of Comox.  Perfect choice.  We meandered through the countryside again and found ourselves at the Merville General Store and Cafe for a terrific breakfast.  Made Continue reading →

With the weather still a little sketchy – we opted to postpone our launch today by half an hour and headed out around 9:30.  A nice tour of the agricultural area just north of Courtenay and Comox followed by a trip up the hill to Cumberland.  We encountered a few rain showers but nothing serious enough to head for cover.  The sun kept re-appearing so that we dried off and became quite comfortable again.

Cumberland is at a stage of development/re-development that Revelstoke may have been about 10-15 years ago.  It has become a great deal Continue reading →

With wind and heavy rain (up to 100mm) warnings all around the coast today, we must have been a little crazy to think that we could squeeze a hike into the week, but we did.  Sometimes the crazy ideas are the best ones.

After a short drive to Mount Washington and the Paradise Meadows Trailhead we took the risk and went anyway.  The clouds were low and the ‘mist’ was persistent but not enough to stop us and to be honest, the whole hike was quite pleasant.

The 17km hike was not without its challenges.  The footing Continue reading →

We rode.  We fell.  We fixed.  We ate and drank and we laundered.

The day started with terrific sunshine and warmth in the air.  We headed out for our ride with plenty of optimism and adventure in our hearts.  We had a fairly straight forward plan to head to Fanny Bay for lunch.  This would take us through a nice little park near the ocean and out along the Old Island Highway.  This happens to be a nicely paved road with only a bit of the usual crud at in the shoulders.  Continue reading →

In my mind (and you may or may not want to go there), there is no better way to explore an area and really see a place than from the seat of a bicycle.  Today was one of those days.

This is DAY 1 of 5 in the Comox Valley with 5 other riders including my trusty Comox guide and life-partner, Gord.  We set out at a very reasonable hour for a little Tour de Comox/Courtenay/Municipal District and it all came through for us nicely.  Nice riding temperature with a little sunshine and a light sprinkle through Continue reading →

Here are some random thoughts that ran (no pun intended) through my mind when I finally got around to watching Brittany Runs a Marathon the other day.  This is a cute, low budget film that documents a young lady’s transition from couch potato to marathon runner.

If you’re a runner – you’ll get it.  Actually – if you’re human you’ll get it.  Many of my random thoughts apply to life in general with whatever you’re involved with.  I’ve included some brackets for you to insert your activity, passion, sub-culture.  Maybe you’ll identify.

(Running) friends can Continue reading →