Monday, June 8th: Cycling to Work

9:05 a.m.
Leave the house. West Van not so hilly as everyone says.

9:10 a.m.
Hmmm, not sure where I get on the bridge, better follow this guy.
Good lord, his calves are like grapefruits! No, watermelons!
I have all the muscle definition of Pinocchio, and this guys about to burst his leg-skin asunder, Hulk-style.

9:15 a.m.
Argh. Lion's Gate is steep.

9:25 a.m.
Diesel fumes are horrible. Just got passed by a dwarf on a mountain bike. Almost at the top....

9:27 a.m.
Wheeeeeee!

9:33 a.m.
Cycled through the West Side to English Bay. Great weather out, not too many cyclists. Almost run over by a front-end-loader. Over the Burrard Street Bridge next.

9:38 a.m
Wheeeeeee again! Oh hang on a moment, traffic ahead.
Eternal light doesn't change. Still not changing.
Still not changing.
Still not changing.
Does this button even work?

9:45 a.m.
Finally! Over to Cypress.
Urgh, hills.

9:53 a.m.
Around 30th. Oh hey, cute girl!
Wait, no. Remember, married.
Also, out-of-shape, sweaty and ginger.
Hmmm...
Note to self: appreciate wife more.

9:55 a.m.
Crap. Missed turn because of cute girl. Left here?

9:58 a.m.
Hills hills hills. Another note to self: check to see if Alps actually located in central Vancouver.

10:06 a.m.
On the flat now. More eternally unresponsive lights.
Riding slowed by buffeting from what feels like 100km/h headwind. Weirdly, leaves completely still when stopped. Probably El Nino.

10:12 a.m.
Uh-oh. Eyes getting itchy. Pollen being rammed into them at speed.
Better not rub them....

10:13 a.m.
Arrgh! Rubbed eyes!

10:17 a.m.
Last of the side streets. Seems mostly downhill.

10:20 a.m.
Last stretch down Cambie. Top gear, lets see what we can do!

10:22 a.m.
Victory! Overtook myopic octegenarian in Geo Metro.

10:23 a.m.
Octegenarian in the lead again...

10:25 a.m.
Arrived! Hot, itchy-eyed but victorious!
I'll stash my bike in the back and get some water.

10:27 a.m.
Um. Ouch.
Man region not very happy.