Day 1- Crescent Beach to Chilliwack

A glorious sunny summer day to start our long awaited ride. Up early to get the bikes on board and some last minute packing. Joan Swain arrive at 7 and we were off to Crescent Beach by 7:30. We were met by the usual hullabaloo of cars, bikes being unloaded, scurrying volunteers and a generally excited and happy group of people. There are over 100 riders on this first day and close to 50 for Day 2. After speeches and photos we lined up for the opening horn and were off on schedule at 9 am. Janet had made paper roses for the 65for65Roses team which people tied to their bikes and helmets so we were quite visible. The crescent Beach climb led to the rollers of White Rock and then into the open countryside past Highway 99. For some reason the ride took us up 208th to 0 Ave. which presented a nasty and rough climb. Once on 0 Ave we just headed East and soon enough we were on pancake straight flats. It's always interesting to ride on 0th ave and watch a parallel American road about 20 feet away separated by only a shallow grass ditch. Oh yes, and the odd obligatory border police armed to the teeth. I was riding with John Sullivan and Jay Gow initially with some of the fast boys but then dropped back at the first checkpoint to ride with Norm Shearing and Joan Swain. We formed a nice pace line with some others, and with Norm pulling for most of it we soon arrived at the lunch spot. After lunch another well developed pace line took us through the Chilliwack countryside to our final stop at Yarrow. Jan had driven through to Chilliwack and then cycled back on Vedder Road so when we met up I dropped back and accompanied by Nicky, Kim, Heather and Jan we rode somewhat sedately into Chilliwack arriving in the mid afternoon. An easy first day.

It was a patio day so we enjoyed sitting outside beside the lily pond at the Coast Rhombus Hotel for 'after ride beers'  as well as for dinner later. The only other small matter of note is that I changed out to my new tires so I will see how they feel today. My previous tires had been labeled as "training tires" by Theo my mechanic buddy, and that just won't do.  It's now just past 6 am, a glorious morning with not a cloud in the sky and we will see what the day brings.