Falco Frank
Veteran
- Location
- Oup Norf'
I'm still writing up a Motorcycling adventure in British Columbia but since I've got to a rest day where I couldnt resist a little spin out, I hope I might be able to provide some light relief.
WCW D12 Whistler - Pedal Power (Aug 27 Thurs) 0 Miles
The black noise had stopped with the fans being turned off sometime during the night and despite laying in for quite a while, it could not make up for the loss of quality sleep time. After showering, we grabbed coffee's on the way to reception to see if there had been a resolution.
Dogs sigining-in chalkboard!
None was forthcoming, the only option appearing to be our move to another part of the hotel and they could not let us know where, until later in the afternoon. More alarm bells sounded for me when breakfast turned out to be at an alcove outlet where members of the public could also walk in from street level and eat, I'd never known this style of breakfast in all my years and it continued into the meal itself, a full cooked breakfast, that turned out to be full cooked in used oil and I could not even stomach half of it. We left silently and looked admiringly at guests eating their first meal of the day at Blenz and decided to do the same the next morning. Time to halt the downhill slide the day was trying to attempt and that was done by seeing families enjoying themselves at the Blackcomb area. I had vastly underestimated the scale of the resort in the darkness of the previous evening however, the Blackcomb was now a constantly moving mass of mountain bikers! A skiing facility in winter but now, during summer and autumn, Whistler mountain bike park came into play carrying adrenaline junkies to a height of over 3,500 feet for as much fun as pumped arms and legs can manage. It looked superb, families, clad in suitable armour, whooping in delight and at base camp, trying to decide which trail to attempt next. I was so pleased to see this, I'd been to downhill races in the U.K. many years ago but never dreamed that any facility existed of this magnitude, nicely done Canada!
We allowed ourselves some retail therapy next, having bought very little and with a better feel now for what we might be able to squeeze onto the bikes. I bought a gyroball camera mount for my action-cam in the hope of obtaining a little more video variation and some Canadian memento's for my long-suffering better-half, back in the U.K.
Insulation for the Arctic Conditions?!?
After a quick sandwich on the run, I ushered Norrie back to the hotel as seeing so many pedal bikes had inspired me, not to attempt any downhill action but certainly to enjoy a little of the trails and views the area had to offer. My initial plan was to hire a tandem, as our hotel had three brand new examples outside when we left, sadly the only size left now was much too large for us so, we decided to borrow some city-style bikes instead.
So, where should two bikers on unfamiliar pedal bikes ride to? Lost Lake, of course. Suitably attired, (crash helmets and trousers tucked into socks) it was a pleasure to ride on such cycle friendly roads and paths.
We soon got away from the main roads and dropped down onto a cinder path that led us on some undulating forest trails, around the edge of the lake. Norrie, ever the speed demon, zapped ahead at every opportunity but, my wily ways soon reeled him back in again, good fun.
The view over the lake was well worth the effort, the sun catching the ripples in the water and a cooling breeze were both equally welcomed. Viewing areas and information platforms were carefully placed to have minimal impact on the surroundings while further around the lake, toddlers were splashing at the water's edge from a small beach area. Some brave souls had even struck out swimming for the sunbathing float in the middle of the lake, to my surprise I did find out later this used to be a popular spot for nude sunbathing...
We returned via a different path that kept us off-road for a little longer but brought us back via a subway to an unfamiliar part of the resort, not to be perturbed, we soon identified some nearby shops and even managed a short-cut back to the hotel. Poor Norrie nearly drank the water dispenser dry, while I badly needed a coffee fix, what a pair we must have seemed.
For some additional hilarity, we were next told our change of room was now ready so, we swiftly packed up and unpacked on the top floor, at the opposite end of the hotel with a wonderful view of the Garibaldi range of mountains from our balcony. A prize every time.
Best use made of the new shower, we changed and hurried out to eat as the exertions of the day had left us quite ravenous. We discounted a couple of venues after looking at their menu's but, I remembered seeing one interesting looking place the day before and the queue of customers waiting to be seated, confirmed its suitability. Full to capacity 'The Old Spaghetti Factory' had its own bar area so we were more than happy to down a few drinks while waiting for our table. The turn-of-the-century decor is one of the centre points of the chain and it certainly felt grand as we were ushered into the huge dining area. In a reminiscence of Italy, we had lashings of garlic with most things and damned the consequences! The food was very good and with a few more drinks, time passed so quickly that I certainly wished that for one night, it might stand still.
No such luck of course. I do remember it took a little while for us to wander back to the hotel but at least, we knew the way well by now. I think I even left the coffee machine a tip that night as I was so impressed with its selfless service, a nightcap latte was just what I needed. Our need for a good nights sleep was much greater however and thankfully, that is just what happened as the silence was far from deafening. I didn't even have time to fully recap the day's events to myself before the magical carrier of sleep floated me away to dreamland.
Cheers - Frank
WCW D12 Whistler - Pedal Power (Aug 27 Thurs) 0 Miles
The black noise had stopped with the fans being turned off sometime during the night and despite laying in for quite a while, it could not make up for the loss of quality sleep time. After showering, we grabbed coffee's on the way to reception to see if there had been a resolution.
Dogs sigining-in chalkboard!
None was forthcoming, the only option appearing to be our move to another part of the hotel and they could not let us know where, until later in the afternoon. More alarm bells sounded for me when breakfast turned out to be at an alcove outlet where members of the public could also walk in from street level and eat, I'd never known this style of breakfast in all my years and it continued into the meal itself, a full cooked breakfast, that turned out to be full cooked in used oil and I could not even stomach half of it. We left silently and looked admiringly at guests eating their first meal of the day at Blenz and decided to do the same the next morning. Time to halt the downhill slide the day was trying to attempt and that was done by seeing families enjoying themselves at the Blackcomb area. I had vastly underestimated the scale of the resort in the darkness of the previous evening however, the Blackcomb was now a constantly moving mass of mountain bikers! A skiing facility in winter but now, during summer and autumn, Whistler mountain bike park came into play carrying adrenaline junkies to a height of over 3,500 feet for as much fun as pumped arms and legs can manage. It looked superb, families, clad in suitable armour, whooping in delight and at base camp, trying to decide which trail to attempt next. I was so pleased to see this, I'd been to downhill races in the U.K. many years ago but never dreamed that any facility existed of this magnitude, nicely done Canada!
We allowed ourselves some retail therapy next, having bought very little and with a better feel now for what we might be able to squeeze onto the bikes. I bought a gyroball camera mount for my action-cam in the hope of obtaining a little more video variation and some Canadian memento's for my long-suffering better-half, back in the U.K.
Insulation for the Arctic Conditions?!?
After a quick sandwich on the run, I ushered Norrie back to the hotel as seeing so many pedal bikes had inspired me, not to attempt any downhill action but certainly to enjoy a little of the trails and views the area had to offer. My initial plan was to hire a tandem, as our hotel had three brand new examples outside when we left, sadly the only size left now was much too large for us so, we decided to borrow some city-style bikes instead.
So, where should two bikers on unfamiliar pedal bikes ride to? Lost Lake, of course. Suitably attired, (crash helmets and trousers tucked into socks) it was a pleasure to ride on such cycle friendly roads and paths.
We soon got away from the main roads and dropped down onto a cinder path that led us on some undulating forest trails, around the edge of the lake. Norrie, ever the speed demon, zapped ahead at every opportunity but, my wily ways soon reeled him back in again, good fun.
The view over the lake was well worth the effort, the sun catching the ripples in the water and a cooling breeze were both equally welcomed. Viewing areas and information platforms were carefully placed to have minimal impact on the surroundings while further around the lake, toddlers were splashing at the water's edge from a small beach area. Some brave souls had even struck out swimming for the sunbathing float in the middle of the lake, to my surprise I did find out later this used to be a popular spot for nude sunbathing...
We returned via a different path that kept us off-road for a little longer but brought us back via a subway to an unfamiliar part of the resort, not to be perturbed, we soon identified some nearby shops and even managed a short-cut back to the hotel. Poor Norrie nearly drank the water dispenser dry, while I badly needed a coffee fix, what a pair we must have seemed.
For some additional hilarity, we were next told our change of room was now ready so, we swiftly packed up and unpacked on the top floor, at the opposite end of the hotel with a wonderful view of the Garibaldi range of mountains from our balcony. A prize every time.
Best use made of the new shower, we changed and hurried out to eat as the exertions of the day had left us quite ravenous. We discounted a couple of venues after looking at their menu's but, I remembered seeing one interesting looking place the day before and the queue of customers waiting to be seated, confirmed its suitability. Full to capacity 'The Old Spaghetti Factory' had its own bar area so we were more than happy to down a few drinks while waiting for our table. The turn-of-the-century decor is one of the centre points of the chain and it certainly felt grand as we were ushered into the huge dining area. In a reminiscence of Italy, we had lashings of garlic with most things and damned the consequences! The food was very good and with a few more drinks, time passed so quickly that I certainly wished that for one night, it might stand still.
No such luck of course. I do remember it took a little while for us to wander back to the hotel but at least, we knew the way well by now. I think I even left the coffee machine a tip that night as I was so impressed with its selfless service, a nightcap latte was just what I needed. Our need for a good nights sleep was much greater however and thankfully, that is just what happened as the silence was far from deafening. I didn't even have time to fully recap the day's events to myself before the magical carrier of sleep floated me away to dreamland.
Cheers - Frank
