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Category: travel
cycling Vancouver
Ron and I loaded the bikes. Then cycled over the bridge to Stanley Park.
From there the busy but enjoyable False Creek trails to lunch at Granville Island.
Highly recommended.
my cycle touring gear
Success. For 3 days I’ve been cycle touring near Banff. Camping out of paniers rather than backpack.
I rode 130km Canmore to Calgary today. Five hours in the saddle (with a good tailwind).
I’m hoping to get to the Kettle Valley Rail Trail this summer. Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. And more.
Thanks Kelly and Lexi for hosting me in Canmore. 🙂
Elevation Place in Canmore
Kelly Mock gave me a tour. He’s got a yearly family membership. Fantastic.
Elevation Place opened in April of 2013 as Canmore’s new recreation facility. Construction of the facility began in 2012 to replace the Canmore Recreation Centre (the community’s old facility). The facility offers an 8-lane 25m lap pool, a world class climbing wall developed by Walltopia, two cardio rooms, a strength room, and a host of fitness programs. Elevation Place also houses the community’s library and a local art gallery.
CANMORE’S INDOOR PLAYGROUND
UE Roll Bluetooth speaker
So far I’m very pleased. Small form factor. Very durable. Good for travel. Good for my Coaching presentations.
I was inspired to buy a UE Roll when the speakers in my old laptop stopped functioning.
Wirecutter:
After listening to 30 of the most promising new Bluetooth speaker models on top of the 48 we originally tested last year, we think the UE Roll is the best choice for most listeners. It combines above-average sound quality with a waterproof, travel-friendly design that practically begs to be slipped into your suitcase or laptop bag. You can find speakers in the same price range that sound a little better, but in our opinion, you can’t find one that matches the Roll’s combination of sound quality, design, utility, and price.
The Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker
my new ride …
Actually that’s Henry’s new Giant Talon. Durable. Seems an excellent bike to me.
Here’s my newly upgraded ride.
Ghost Panamao X 3 Bicycle (Unisex) – CAD$725 (US$582)
I added a rack with 2 MEC WORLD TOUR 30L PANNIERS.
I got that rig tricked out for some summer bike trail touring. Tomorrow I’ll test out my bike / camping system in Canmore, Banff, K Country.
Finally, I put new wheels on my OLD cheap K2 mountain bike.
Truth be told, it would be cheaper to buy a new inexpensive mountain bike every time your old bike breaks down. 🙂
running the river in Edmonton
As a Calgarian, I’m pretty much genetically predisposed to dislike Edmonton, our rival city.
But the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton is gorgeous.
You jog along between the river and the Highlands Golf Club. I recall playing there in 1989.
Then it’s up and over the pedestrian High Level Bridge.
Edmonton does suck. But – I must admit – the North Saskatchewan River valley parks system is pretty awesome.
another Canadian Gymnastics Nationals
The morning after.
I did not attend the banquet. Instead we had nice Greek food at Yiannis Taverna on Whyte Avenue, Edmonton.
I’ve attended 25-30 Canadian Championships. A beginner compared with these two.
For Dave this was Nationals #46 in series. Hardy missed a few over those years.
Capital City Gymnastics and the city of Edmonton did a super job hosting in 2016.
travel broadens the mind
Economist argues that Alexander von Humboldt could be considered the greatest scientist of the 19th century.
He’s certainly correct on this point.
Hostels are better than Hotels
Recently I stayed at the Real Intercontinental, Guatemala City. The International Olympic Committee picked up the tab and all my meals. I was volunteering.
A 5 star hotel. Cost for the room was something like US$160 / night.
It’s very good. I had only the tiniest complaints.
From there I took a bus to Guatemala’s second city, Xela. Stayed at 2 different hostels in private rooms for about $12 / night.
Hostal Nim Sut hosted a big volunteer group while I was there. Good fun.
Here’s the view. 🙂
Casa El Colibri was my original booked hostel. But I couldn’t find it the night of my arrival. In the dark there was no way I could read this sign nor see the address.
The owners of both hostels were apologetic over numerous small faults they couldn’t seem to get fixed.
Still – overall I prefer hostels over sterile hotels.
Hostels are more fun. And it’s much easier to get travel advice in a hostel than hotel.
related – 5 Reasons Hostels are better than Hotels
Rick McCharles 