My husband and I leave tomorrow for a bike trip along British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island. Rain or shine, we will be out pedaling and seeing the sights. The ride is organized by our local bike club and 15 people will be cycling the route. Needless to say we are quite excited for this adventure.
It’s definitely a neat part of the world. Have you ever been? Here’s a map of some of the places we will be going.
Although at this time of year “the Sunshine Coast” might get more rain than sunshine, we have plenty of rain gear to wear along the way. We’re prepared for wet conditions as long as there’s not a deluge of Noah’s Ark proportions.
I figure if the landscape is green, mossy, and overcast, it’ll likely be good reading weather at the end of each day. I’m bringing along a 2010 novel that my book club picked to discuss in May titled “Annabel” by Kathleen Winter.
She’s a Canadian author, and the novel is about an intersex child who’s raised as a male but whose shadow-self — he thinks of as Annabel — is never entirely extinguished. “Annabel” was shortlisted for both the Giller Prize and the Orange Prize for Fiction. So I think it’ll be quite good.
Perhaps it will have similar themes to Jeffrey Eugenides’s 2002 Pulitzer prize-winning novel “Middlesex,” which I still need to read, especially since I enjoyed his 2011 novel “The Marriage Plot.”
Anyways, I’ll chat more once I get back. Until then, happy reading and happy adventures!
Wow, what an adventure! How many miles will you ride?
Maybe it’s about 45 miles a day, but there’s quite a bit of exploring to do. Thanks Kathy. Beautiful out here!
I really enjoyed Annabel. It does have shades of Middlesex in it but it’s entirely its own thing.
My friend lives in Vancouver and goes on a Foodie bike tour each year. They stop at all these stands for small bites of this and that. Fresh berry pies, cheese plates, smoothies, etc. Bike tours sounds like a lot of fun.
Thanks Ti for letting me know about Annabel. I can tell it’s going to be a good book. Enjoying the bike tour so far!
Depending on when you are riding, you are in for some warm weather by the end of next week (going to be in the mid to upper twenties Celsius by next Saturday); have fun!
Actually I live in the region (about an hours drive east of YVR (Vancouver International) and while I have gone to the Sunshine Coast, I haven’t been the western side of Vancouver Island. Hope you have a good time!
Thanks Melissa! So far it’s very interesting; pretty water ways. Looking forward to the warmer weather too!
I wish I was in good enough shape to go on a bike ride. Maybe this will be motivation to get off my butt and get into shape. lol Hope you have a good time!
Thanks Hillary. Yeah give biking a try. Pretty fun doing this trip!
Now that’s something I’ve always wanted to do…go on a long bike ride! Enjoy!
Thanks Deb. This bike trip is a lot of fun and so far we have missed the rain, wahoo!!!
I haven’t read Eugenides’ book either; he is one of those authors whose work I’m convinced I will enjoy, so I dutifully collect it, but somehow I haven’t gotten around to reading anything yet. It happens, right? Heheh
Yeah it does. I’m curious as to what Eugenides will write next. I will be after it whatever it is!
That sounds like an incredible trip!
Thanks Melissa, it was a enjoyable trip and ride!