PROBUS Peddlers

It is great to have some consistent good weather to enjoy cycling.    15 cyclists recently completed a rain free tour of the Cowichan Valley Area from May 1 – 6th with stops in Chemainus, Cowichan Bay, Shawnigan Lake, Cobble Hill, Lake Cowichan, Duncan and Salt Spring Island.  Tackling some hills on this route gave us a good feeling of accomplishment.   Besides the “away” tour, the Probus Peddlers did 3 local rides since the last newsletter.  On April 22 we did a ride I always enjoy in the Dove Creek area which I call Rivers and Rural Roads.   It’s a relatively easy 20 km ride.  Coffee was at the Cornerstone Café.   On May 6, Harry Gaines was kind enough to lead a ride in the Comox area that included the Sand Pines area, Point Homes,  Kye Bay,  Knight and Daye Roads (who named these roads) and eventually back to Quality Foods which was our starting point.   This ride was approximately 25 Km.  The latest ride we did on May 12 was a ride I called the Huband Loop.   We started at the Gazebo at Thrifty Mall and continued on Veterans Memorial and as we often do took a short cut trail towards Huband Road.  Not having scouted this route we encountered a tree that had fallen across the trail. (See photo)  We were able to move the tree and continued to Huband Road and stopped on Quenville Road for a water break.  Usually the Probus Peddler are fairly well behaved but every so often some of our riders can’t hold back.   As my group (Group 1) prepared to continue on our ride after a water break, Craig Basset and his group (Group 2) blew by us with the comment that Group 2 was now Group 1.   We can’t hold Craig totally responsible as he was apparently egged on by Bruce Hart.   Where does this burst of energy come from.  Ed Harding took a smaller group “off road” which included a number of trails in and around Seal Bay Park.  We completed our approximately 25 km rides and most of the group enjoyed coffee at Starbucks.  We welcome new participants to Probus Peddlers, whatever their reason for cycling might be.  We usually cycle between 20 and 30 kilometres and try to avoid busier roads.  We don’t travel too fast and include stops to “smell the roses”.  Helmets are required and we promote safe cycling.  Members on our contact list will receive details of upcoming rides a few days before they take place. We will give you a detailed itinerary, an estimate of the duration and/or distance of each ride as well as the elevation gains.