April 26th

6pm: Out on my bike ride tonight, 35kms or so in the end, I stopped in about the same spot as the photo on this blog from January 6th. Somewhat warmer tonight, I mean like 40 degree centigrade warmer!! A very pleasant ride but one tempered by the knowledge that the storm clouds are gathering & we are in for a spell of weather more like January 6th!!

April 18th

11.30am: I got roped into being the linesman for the Canmore Girls U-13 game, not what I really wanted with my sore leg - but interesting nonetheless as they were playing the top side in the province. All the while Tabby & Charlie were out practising on their bikes - normally right behind me as i ran backwards looking for off sides. Tabby's new bike cost $5 from the bike swap yesterday, took her about 5 minutes to master it & she is off. Unfortunately Charlie has inherited her bright pink predecessor - he doesn't seem to mind, he will  though when the pictures turn up at his wedding in a couple of decades time!!!

March 27th

4pm: So today I hooked up the chariot to the bike & went for a ride with Charlie, accompanied by Lisa & Ava. Here we have stopped for a break, about 10km into what was probably only a 20km ride. Nice to get out on the bike again, although I was feeling very sore from one of my crazy Silvertip climbs the day before. Silvertip is a very steep hill climb, about 15 minutes of non-stop uphill pedalling as you literally cycle up a mountain. The kids kind of enjoyed the ride today, although when it got windy Charlie was letting us know in no uncertain terms he didn't appreciate it. Seemed to be a lot happier when we stopped at the play park on the way home & he had a mad 20 minute dash around.

March 21st

6pm: Clear paths, finally the warm weather has melted pretty much all the snow downtown & the bike trails are negotiable. I had taken the kids skiing all day, but the season is drawing to a pretty snowless close & biking begins in earnest. This is a lovely view of the mountains, no matter where you look in Canmore you are rewarded with stunning landscapes.

February 14th

3pm: First bike ride of the year today thanks to the ongoing good weather, the roads were clear of snow & ice & I completed a 20km loop in decent time. Back in time to catch up on the Olympics & a thrilling first gold medal on Canadian soil for one of our athletes - Alex Bilodeau in the Freestyle skiing. Now in my life I have seen a lot of great sporting moments, great football matches, unbelievable cricketing thrillers, boxing, summer Olympics even snooker when Alex Hurricane Higgins was at his peak, and this was right up there with them for drama & emotion. Here's hoping that one of our local Canmore athletes can go one notch higher in the next few days.......I have this funny feeling that they just might.