Post Grey Cup Celebrations

I just thought I'd post these pictures and video from our outing at BC Place tonight to celebrate the Lion's Grey Cup win over the weekend.  Go Lions Go!  Let's do it again next year!

Brent Johnson

Travis Lulay - MVP

The Grey Cup.  Woohoo!

Cycling content will now commence shortly... I promise.  LOL!

BC Lions - 2011 Grey Cup Champions!

This past weekend, our very own BC Lions has captured this year's Grey Cup CFL Championship!
An unthinkable feat starting with an 0 and 5 record and going all the way to winning the Grey Cup.  It was also sweet in winning right here at home at our very own, newly renovated BC Place! Congratulations Lions!

And this is how we celebrate the Lions' win!  My friend Matt on a tallbike and me on a shortbike LOL!

I am also proud to say that the city was well behaved this time around and no riots were to be had as what we seem to have become famous for lately.  Good job Vancouver!

First Ski Day of the Season and a Test of my Ankle

Last March, a bad skiing injury ended my season and kept me off my bike for a few months.  Ligament damage was the diagnosis from a failed landing off a big jump on icy conditions.  The injury has limited my ankle strength and has affected my cycling for almost 8 months.  I am glad to say that on my first day of skiing this season, my ankle feels fully healed.  I had no lingering pains or signs of weaknesses.  I believe all the cycling through the summer helped with the rehabilitation.  Now I just have to play smart and not kill myself again this time around.  I don't want any more excuses that would get in the way of my cycling plans for next year.

Cycling Therapy

In the time of my born-again cycling life, one discovery that I have made about cycling stands out above others...  And that is using cycling as a form of therapy.  We all know the benefits that cycling can have over our level of fitness, physical strength and conditioning, and weight loss.  But for me, the effects on my mental health and state of mind and to a certain degree my spiritual being is where I find cycling to be most apparent.  This is probably the biggest reason why I am so hooked on cycling now and for the better part of nearly 2 years.  Cycling, simply put, makes me feel better.  And now more than ever, this will be put to a test.
Bad news seem to come in bunches.  Having been given some recent bad news of my uncle passing away a few days ago and an aunt being given days in her remaining life by her doctors, one can not help but fall into a sudden case of depression hitting like a tonne of bricks.  It is in tough times like these where I search for that haven, that refuge where I can get away from it all...  my escape...  my escape from the gloom, the unhappiness and sadness that looms over my family.

'Lest We Forget'
On the eve of Remembrance Day and in memory of my uncle who served in the war and has now passed, this seemed very appropriate.

Today the sun finally came out. The lone sunny day of a week filled with nothing but cold rain and dark clouds.  I finished my work early, hopped on my bike and rode.  I rode for miles and miles with a lot of things on my mind and a heavy heart.  Breathing cold air and experiencing all the brown, yellow, red and orange colours of the autumn leaves all around me.  Searching for that instance, that one instance when I can forget all the troubles of the world and be in that 'happy place'.  Unfortunately, this time it was difficult in coming.  Mourning a death in the family or someone close to you is a different kind of depression and I think only time can heal it.  But riding my bike did clear my mind of everything else, the added stress of daily struggles, the looming financial worries, and the seemingly petty thoughts of 'will I get this project done in time' or 'will I be able to pay my upcoming bills' etc.  Cycling is an aid but not a cure.  But it is certainly a great aid and a much better alternative to being a couch potato and drowning yourself in sorrow.  The feeling of freedom while riding my bike, even for that short moment, is a medication that can not be replaced.

Today's bike route as tracked by GPS.

ps. I am hesitating publishing this blog entry as it seems overly too personal for the public to see... but whatever.. here it is.


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Vancouver Bike Lanes - Reported by a 9 year old

Just thought I'd share this for today's blog.

Kid reporter - 9yr old Tia.  Good job!