“What is that Dad?”

Sea-to-Sky Highway - just past Horseshoe Bay.

Test runs are important for checking to see if I have the equipment, supplies and ‘know how’ for the official bike trip launch.

This weekend I made my first test run from Squamish, British Columbia to Victoria (tented overnight in Tsawwassen). The first day was 100 km of riding (plus the Massey Tunnel Bike Shuttle) and day 2 was 39 km (plus a 1.5 hour ferry).

I can attest to the fact that my body is feeling it - aches here and there, but nothing that I won’t recover from in a day or two. I’m so grateful that I’ve put in the time and the effort to get my body ready for this - and to learn how to fuel ‘the machine’. Both days, I still had gas in the tank to keep going if I needed to. (Before this weekend, my longest ride was 80 km and I’ve never ridden a fully loaded bike. Check mark to both now.)

Here are some learnings from the weekend ride:

• The Arbutus Greenway - This is a great paved bike/ pedestrian trail that runs from False Creek to the Fraser River. An enjoyable way to get through Vancouver!

• Lochside Regional Trail - This is an AMAZING way to get to Victoria from the ferry! It was a smooth ride through forests, fields and beautiful neighborhoods - there was so much to see (even some pigs to feed). Biking would be an ideal way to get to, and spend a weekend in Victoria - especially if you could park the car at the Tsawwassen ferry terminal and take e-bikes onto the ferry.

• My ‘ole body needs to toughen up a bit when it comes to the foamy mattress. A few years ago, I swore I’d never sleep in a tent again…and yet…here I am. I’m sure I’ll get there - especially after some hilly days, I won’t care where I sleep.

• Chatting with people is something I think I’m going to enjoy. The random little conversations I have with people are energizing. One fellow (like so many I’ve talked to) commented on how impossible the trip sounded…this made me curious about what seemingly impossible things people don’t do because they think they can’t do it.. (I’m going to have fun asking people about that on the ride!)

• I still have some prep and practice to do to make sure I am fully ready, AND I’m in a great place with a month to go.

Test runs are scary. Pushing myself out the door and doing stuff I’ve never done before means there are going to be challenges and I’m going to feel uncomfortable. The night before I left for the ride, I attached all my panniers to the bike and went for a spin through the hood and up a hill just to make sure I could handle the load. As I rode past a father and son, the little boy said to his dad…”What is that dad?” I smiled and chuckled to myself, and asked myself, “What is this?” The answer…”This is a woman standing (or in my case - riding) in her strength, courage and capability.