I don't care what the calendar says - spring is here when
(1) I can ride my bike without my gloves,
(2) I refuse to let a torrential downpour little bit of rain keep me from riding, and
(3) I pack my basket for the first picnic/pleasure ride of the season.
Nos. 1 and 2 often catch me - I end up with numb fingers, sitting at my desk with wet legs, my raingear and gloves at home by the door. But No. 3, I can rely on.
My cycling habits becomes much more utilitarian in the winter. I ride to and from work, to and from the grocery store - places I need to go, and usually not any farther. It's not until Victoria's dry season rolls around that I consider riding for fun alone.
This year, that first fair-weather ride took me up the Lochside Trail into Saanich as far as Michell's farm. Believe it or not, I hadn't ventured that direction before, my earlier rides taking me only as far as Mount Doug Park. It was great! I wish the trail involved fewer shared roadways, but I love that it exists, and seeing the giant pigs and chickens and horses along the way soothed my country-girl heart.
But it made me realize that I haven't been taking very many rides out of the city. Now that I know I can still comfortably ride more than three kilometres at a time - 40-kilometre round trip, thank you very much - I'm looking for more destinations. What are your favourite rides around the region?
Other signs of spring
The Saanich Cycling Festival takes place this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Parking Lot #10 at the University of Victoria. In addition to family-fun activities - including a treasure hunt for the kids - there will be two mass bike rides:
• The Shelbourne Big Family Bike Ride for adults and kids 7 and up - A 4.9-kilometre ride from Camosun College (Lansdowne Campus) to Shelbourne Street via McRae Avenue, along Shelbourne to McKenzie Avenue and to UVic. Roads will be closed along the route.
• The Kids Bike Ride for kids under 7 - A 2-kilometre ride through UVic's streets and trails, led by the Saanich Police Bike Squad.
Bike to Work Week had its kickoff last week. This year's event is slated for May 27 to June 2, and I'm told there will plenty of events, prizes and goodies for those wheeling around during it. Team registration is now open. For more information, check out biketowork.ca/victoria.
