That time I went to Canada Part 4: A good ride

8 July 2007

While in Canada I wanted to make sure to go mountain biking at Canada Olymic Park. My aunt Kathleen, ski instructor by winter and mountain bike camp counselor by summer at COP, didn't believe that I had ever ridden a bike, much less on dirt so we went on a test run in a local dog park. Besides being a great place to let your dog run off it's lead, it was a great place for some quick off-roading. Kathleen showed me how to use my weight going up and down the hills and when to use which brakes--things that I already sorta knew but never really paid much attention to. For example, when riding down a hill, if braking, don't ride the rear brake because you will skid and lose control. Instead, go light on both breaks and lean over your back wheel. Unless you want to go fast, then it's weight forward, no brakes.

Either way, we were riding along this pretty high ridge and the path was pretty narrow, and when we first went out on to this path my immediate thought was "Wow that would suck to fall off. You wouldn't stop."


So we are riding along, la di da, and all of the sudden I jerk the wheel a bit to the right over a tree root and as a reflex, correct it by turning to the left.

There was nowhere to go on the left. Over the edge I go.

Yaaaaaaa-hoo-hoo-hoo-hooey!!!

I kind of sideways go-go-gadget ejector seated the bike, somehow found my way to my ass after rolling and somersaulting down the hill and slide down probably ten or so meters. Finally there was a small bush that I was able to grab on to stop myself from sliding the rest of the way down the cliff.

When I finished, both sliding and cursing, I made sure to yell up to Kathleen because she probably thought she had killed me and wouldn't have been able to see me through all the brush and trees.

After collecting myself, I had to climb all the way back up splintered ass and all. I couldn't just walk it either, I had to grab on to bushes and tree roots and climb my way, hanging on for dear life. When I finally got to my bike I had to lift it over my head to get it up to the ledge we were riding. With the bike frame high as I could reach and a not so strong footing, I almost fell backwards down the hill again. Luckily, Kathleen was able to grab the bike and I was able to get back up to the ledge. Deciding that I was good to go, we rode back (standing up) so I could ice my ass.

All in all a good ride.
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That time I went to Canada Part 2: Stampedin'

6 July 2007

Did I mention that this week is the week of the Calgary Stampede. It's basically like a Canadian Carnival but instead of masks and religion, there are cowboy hats and chuck wagon races. The whole town shuts down for ten days of drinking and cattle driving, minus the cattle driving. News anchors even wear their western attire on air as they deliver updates on the rodeo and chuck wagon races. Every day there are many live bands, parties and a huge rodeo. More importantly, if you can find yourself in a corporate function, you will find all of the free beer and brisket you could ever want.

(side note: Did you know that Canadian beer has a higher percent alcohol than its American Counterparts?)


Last night, I went to the Stampede's sneak-a-peak night. I fit right in with my black boots, hat, new Wrangler shirt and big belt buckle. The first party of the night was a Conoco Philips party. Stuffed with beef and beans and not quite in a talkative mood, I stood by the bar to make sure everyone, myself included, got enough to drink.

The next party was hosted by Dale's company. It was in a historical town set in the 1800's. It had a steam locomotive that went around the park and a lake with lots of sails boats. Again, open bar, delicious brisket, and live music. The first band was a fiddle band. There were probably 20 fiddlers on stage playing as quick as lightning.

Then came a guy named George Canyon. He was on that Nashville American Idol show and something of a big deal in Canada. After one song I could see why. He had the entire tent two-steppin' and hollerin' for the rest of the night.

I must have looked pretty believable in my cowboy gear because a man I was talking to asked if I was from Conoco which is based in Houston. I kind of nodded and we had a good talk about the oil business and Connie and his kids as well as the bachelor life; the life he apparently wished he was living. As soon as my drink was empty, I excused myself to go get another. He handed me a business card and asked me for mine. I told him that I had forgot to grab more before leaving the hotel, but gave him a number and told him to call me the next time he was in Houston on business. Maybe we could catch an Astro's game and grab a few cold ones... Read more!