Commuting in PDX

It is the end of week 3 of being back in school and I have thus far managed to stick to my quota of riding to school 3 times a week. I love the commute! However that being said it has only rained one morning and I live in Portland. Which means I have really lucked out. It isn't that bad as long as I am prepared to get wet.
The ride takes me about 40 minutes and is about 15km's so yes seems slow but that includes all the stops with lights. I am still trying to find the most direct route but so far this is pretty good. Really makes me appreciate Portland's bike lanes and path system.
(writing- Oct 22th)
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The commute stories continue:
Now into week 7 of school, having gotten into a minor basketball collision on my road bike two weeks ago and now the second flat in a week, my luck on a nice peaceful commute has gone. However I am still sticking it out! I have gotten some nice rain pants and new pedals on my bike so I still have some things to look forward to. I am getting frustrated with all the glass on the road but nothing I can really do on that end, may have to look into kevlar tire liners to prevent this from happening.

(Nov 18th)

How time goes by

I have been back in Calgary for 3 months now and have stayed pretty busy. I gave myself plenty of time to enjoy the summer but worked hard and did a good job on saving up for school. I head back to Portland on Tuesday with a 14 hour drive ahead of me and a week to get organized before school starts up.

I have a busy few weeks once I get back including of course school, Canadian thanksgiving festivities (celebrating with all the other Canadians from school) a concert on the 16th and then I head to San Francisco for a music festival on treasure island! I am really excited about this festival and I get to see MGMT, Passion Pit, Girl Talk and many more! Also I get to hang out with an old roomie from Edmonton! Can't go wrong with good music and good people around.

The last week here in Calgary will be busy with last minute errands and packing up, but I can't turn down the opportunity to go on a nice relaxing raft down the Bow today in this beautiful 30 degree weather.

Enjoy this indian summer!

The evening sky in Calgary during the Tour de Bowness

Check it!

Filmed in the wonderful PORTLAND OR.

It's been a long time

I know it has been a while since I last wrote here but things just get so busy. I have managed to accomplish a lot this past few months.

This list is in no particular order:

1. Finished my first year of Chiropractic college!

2. Went to Sasquatch music festival on May long! This probably needs more than one line- but oh well. It was such an awesome weekend!


3. Swam in an open water swim race (this has been something I have feared for a while- not knowing whats underneath me is scary)

4. A day before finals did a sprint triathlon! and didn't stress about studying for finals as I would have in the past.


5. Went to Hood River to check out the Mt Hood Classic -crit (Cy's team wasn't there but it was still a good time)


6. Hiked in Forest Park in Portland, one of the largest urban parks in the US.

7. Went to Sunshine Coast to visit family


8. Watched a Portland Timbers soccer (fotball) game!

(Natalie, Lindsay and I)

9. Went to Bagby hot springs

10. Met up with Kalya in Mazatlan Mexico! A well deserved break for the both of us from the busy life of school.


11. Went to the Oregon coast with Dani!

Bike lane on the go!

This would come in handy in Calgary! Your very own laser bike lane!

Back on the bike

My road bike, "B-Blue", has been in my room for over a month without being moved. She's been more like a clothing rack than a bike lately, so I am happy to say I finally took her out for a ride! I mean I didn't spend the money for a really expensive clothing rack!

Nothing to crazy today, just a trip down to Christine and Steph's for a birthday breakfast and then a few hills sets up Rocky Butte on the way home. It always feels so good to go out and ride and this city is great for that. The winds were a bit strong or I was just tired but it was still a good time. Also I love wearing all the spandex, just putting it on gets me excited to go out for a ride. I need to get some more cool jerseys but well see what Cyrus will be able to part with first ... (??It was just my birthday Cy??) I love the speed and smoothness riding B-Blue, especially comparing her to my commuter one-speed which I use all the time. In regards to the commuter, I have yet to name her but I feel as if I need to add some spark to her, I am thinking red bar tape. I will keep you posted on that maybe with before and after pictures, haha everyone likes before and after pics!

This weekend so far has started off right, going to get a little studying in and then see where the evening takes me.

Back in Portland

We are right into week 3 of our 2nd quarter and things are moving along quickly. The first week of classes were an experience that's for sure. We had four of our finals to finish off which were squeezed into our already busy schedule. In the end it wasn't all that bad and nice to get over with. Many of the other quarter students had two weeks of exams so I have nothing to complain about. Since then I have been busy trying to get into a routine of workouts and studying but I have yet to perfect this and seem to be all over the place.

Talking about working out I have started to go XC skiing again. The last time I was on skis really was probably grade 9 so it has been a while thats for sure. It is crazy to think my brothers are national level XC ski racers and I haven't been on skis since grade 9, Oh well. Over break I went once to Canmore and have gone a couple times by Mt Hood here in Oregon. The first day at Mt Hood we went around Trillium Lake, I fell a few times going down the first big hill and still have a few good bruises. I am blaming it on the boots being too big. The week after a group of us headed up to Teacup Nordic Center for a nice ski! It was such a beautiful day and we had a great day out on the snow!
Dani and Julia (Mt Hood in the back!!)

Dani and I

I am hoping to go up a couple times again this weekend, but this all depends on how I am feeling as I feel a cold coming on. (Cy has put the perma sick spell on me I am sure). I am taking all the oil of oregano, hot drinks and vitamin C that I can handle so hopefully I get past this.