surfer girl goes global

My regular cycling route to and from work includes a stretch of road on Slocan between Grandview and 29th Avenue, also known as part of the Sunrise Bike Route through Vancouver.

Every morning I come ripping out of the park near 29th Avenue Station and fly down the kilometer or so (my estimation) stretch of downhill relishing every speed bump I jump over (ha jump is kind of stretching it). Every afternoon I pull up to the stop light on Grandview and look up with dread at the road before me, unlike my friend of the morning going home on the Sunrise stretch is an ordeal.

I curse and trudge my way up the hill, panting, and always forced to stop once or twice. Only sheer force of will keeping me going. I make it to the top finally and peddle feebly to the park only to collapse in the grass and gulp down water, wishing I was home.

Now yesterday marked the beginning of my fourth week as a bike commuter, I was having kind of a rough day and was lacking my usual spirit. Despite my mood I’d been having a good ride and as I pulled up to the lights on Grandview I looked my nemesis square in the face. I wasn’t looking forward to it, but what else is there to do but keep going?

The light turned green and I pushed off from the curb and started the slow ride uphill. I passed the park with the super high swings that I love and I passed the car with all the Vegan bumper stickers, then I neared my normal stop for water spot and debated taking a rest but decided to push on. I struggled past the first stop sign, which was clear to go through for once and as I pulled up to the second stop sign I cursed the car that stopped to let me cross, I’d been hoping for a break but as I trudged up the last stretch of hill I realized I’d done it.

I climbed Sunrise without stopping. This was a cycling goal. This was a moment to remember.

The Big Boss of Hills is still out there, waiting to be conquered (oh Boundary you know I mean you), but for now I’m happy that I mastered Sunrise.