Cycle Café's....Oops!: 2014

Saturday 17 May 2014

www.SOLEFOODFARMS.COM

Sole Food Farms

This week I got to play the role of "Roveing Reporting", and what a blast it was...

A couple days ago an SOS tweet was send out over the Twitter feed from our friend, and Executive Chef at @ Yew Seafood Restaurant at YVR, the one, and only @NedBell who was soliciting for @solefoodFarms who were in need of photographers for their up in coming Launch Evening. I promptly responded with a RT which I customarily do for most community events as Cycle Cafe is a Community based conglomirate...and then I thought ...hmm..."Why not". So I send a tweet that I would be happy to help out. Not having any clue of what I had got myself in to at all!

Now a bit about me. Some of you may view me as a rather social butterfly that is rather gragareous, well you would be right, but here is something that you may not know about me I am rather shy, and really don't care for large gatherings or social venues, but I was excited to help and to expand my photoghraphy skills as needed.

I am also not a professional photoghrapher by any means, but photoghraphy has been a passion of mine for many years..and to be honest I think I have a pretty good eye which makes up for having a very cheap camera....Not being one to go outside my box...ie: going out in the evening, socializing with a group of strangers, or attending an event where I know noone I was egear to give it a go....

So I was off to the City..camera in tow, and a back-up dress and heels in my Musette in case the event was dresser than my best jeans and sparkly TOMS. I was looking forward to supporting a cause that sole roots (no pun indended) were based in building a strong community based on sustainable, locally grown produce, and cultivating a healthy work environment for employees who had had plenty of missfortune in their lifetime. How could I refuse...this event was made for me.

I arrived at 257 E. 7th Street the HQ for Make; an advertising firm that on occasion rents out their space, and what a cool space it was..perfect for this event...or any. My thought was that it would be fab for a wedding so if anyone is looking I highly recommend it. That, and Make is such a great group of peeps; very accomidating.http://makeisawesome.com/#optimism

Set up was in in full swing, and I instantly went in to full "Wall Flower" mode right after meeting the Queen Bee Kiri, who was lovely, and very busy making sure everything was perfect for the evening, which it was of course.

Supporters for the cause started lining up shortly after I arrived.

They were greeted at the door by the friendly folks from Sole Food Farms and then welcomed to enjoy an assortment of bevies to wet their whistle.

Everyone from Salt Spring Coffee (one of our absolute favs) http://www.saltspringcoffee.com/,

to Wines http://road13vineyards.com/,

and Long Table Distillery for a G&T (they were delicious...if I don't say so myself) http://longtabledistillery.com/...

and 33 Acers Beer, who had three tasty selections on tap. http://33acresbrewing.com/

All these business that have strong roots in developing Communities. So they were a natural component of the evenings theme

I started to mingle and get more comfortable taking candids of those in attendance without being to obtrussive (it really is an art form). As the room began to swell some amazing music could be heard throughout the space (that had fantastic accoustics ...yet another plus) coming from the very talented (female) spinning her master tunes old school with vinal and turntables ...NICE!

The evening was starting to develop in to a hit....and then the food came....and as quick as it came..it went lol! You basically had to be standing right by the table if you had any chance of nabbing any morsal. It wasn't that folks had arrived having not eaten dinner ..the food was just fanominally awesome & tasty. The hit were these pots of the freshest radishes you are ever going to have in what looked like soil, but I got the dirt on that later on (yes I know I am just full of the puns this evening) At the bottom of the pot was a cream mixed with beer & soy product, then a layer of nuts mixed with oreo cookie crumbs on top. Very clearver, and very yummy! Well done!

Everyone looked to be having a great time. It really didn't seem like a 'Fundraiser', which is wonderful, but a few thank you's and acknowledgements were in order for the evening and a reminder of why we had all gathered that evening.

Sole Food Farms "Transforms vacant urban land into street farms that grow artisan quality fruits and vegtables, available at Farmer's Markets, local Restaurants" (resident Chef Ned Bell of the fours Seasons Restaurant is a big promotor of using their products)"and retail outlets"
"Sole Food's mission is to empower individuals with limited resources by providing jobs, agricultural training and inclusion in a supportive community of farmers and food lovers"

So I ask & urge you... Help support this project that gives so much in return to its community. Give a little or a lot. Spread the word and help make Sole Food Farms a Community that grows.

Stop by and visit Sole Food Farms Farm Stand opening June 4th @ 1500 Main Street Hours:Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 10AM- 6PM

For more info and to Donate please go to their website @https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-sole-food-grow--3
Like them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SoleFoodFarms?fref=ts &
Follow them on Twitter.https://twitter.com/SoleFoodFarms

Cheers!

Cycling Cafe's Diva

"Uniting a Community; one Cyclist at a time"

"RIDE HAPPY"

Tuesday 6 May 2014

Behind the Scenes @BMOVanMarathon

5 a.m. wake up call...

It's race day....

No, not mine...(unfortunately)

I had signed up to volunteer at the BMO Vancouver Marathon.

Reason being mostly was that my own recovery has become one big long bore. Volunteering was a way to distract me for the day. That and I had two friends participating in the race, and I wanted to go and show my support, and the best way to watch the race is at the finish line behind the scenes. #truefact

So V.I.P. Hostess/Chaperon it was.

Just as if it was my race day I had set out all my gear the night before, and had lined up what I was having for breakfast. Just because it wasn't my race day didn't mean I wasn't going to need all the energy I could get for the day. Helping people after they have run a Marathon especially in crappy weather takes a lot of get up and go so protein eggs, and toast it was.

I was dressed, and out the door in 20 minutes, and off to catch the bus. While traveling in to Vancouver the numbers of BMO Racers on transit increased until we reached King Edward Station of the Canada Line where throngs of runners where heading to their start line, and the beginning of what was to be a very grueling, unsuspectingly difficult, wet/cold day of racing, and reaching their own personal goals.

When I reached my destination downtown the roads were quiet. The finish line was still in the midst of being completed....Time to get to work. As the morning rolled on things got busier, and more people came on the seen. The fervor that I seem to thrive on had started.

It was race day.

Oh how I miss racing. True I am a cyclist, and have only recently gotten back in the saddle. But running (surprisingly to me) has become my savior. It didn't judge when I needed something to turn to to feed my soul, fire my energy, and give me the freedom I seeked. It just welcomed me.....and make no mistake Runners are very different from Cyclists. If you are either you know what I am talking about, but yet this peculiar community brought me in to their fold...so I was finding myself more, and more drawn to running...and here I was at my third running event this past year Volunteering, and loving it. I figured if I can't participate the least I can do is help out.

The timer was quickly coming up on an hour. The lead runner of the 1/2 Marathon was a kilometer from the finish....woosh 1:02...wow, an amazing time....the crowd was charged as the second place runner (the winner of last weekends Times Colonist 10k run) came in shortly afterwards. The excitement was building. Soon all of the lead Elite runners were coming in Hot, and I do mean "hot"...it was a cold rainy day and all of them were in skimpy shorts and tiny tops...must be nice.

My friend Kyle wasn't fairing so well. An accomplished Ironman/Athlete he found running the course challenging. As did most people I spoke to as the day wore on. He came in just after he had predicted at 1:44 . An Awesome time! He was shaking, and cold. Something a change of clothes, and a hot cuppa Soy Chai no water from Sbuxs would remedy soon enough. We then got a nice visit/chat in.

But then I was off to the trenches. I had more Premium Athletes to Chaparone...and I knew my other friend Macbeth (Kyle's wife) was out on the course struggling. She had thrown up at 13k. Still out on the course and a ways to go I simply didn't want to miss her at the finish line. So despite the down pour, being cold and drenched to the bone I stayed close to the finish line with my eyes peeled.

Finally the time had arrived for MacBeth to finally finish her Marathon. Kyle started to text me that he had spotted her...she was walking. Ok I was ready. Another text "Still walking Less than 2k" ...I was getting anxious, and worried that I wouldn't spot her...another text, "1k"...then another text..."Yellow shirt finishing now". Finally I saw her..and she was indeed walking...but she was finished 4:44 , and that was all that mattered. She had done it!

I was so happy, and proud of her. It's funny I didn't do any of the training or hard work that day. The day was hers, but I was still so proud of her, and every single runner. I know what it takes.I know how your body starts to hurt and ache, and in some cases how your stomach becomes so upset either from nerves, or to many gel packs. I know how many time you feel like quitting...and I know all the things that go through your head, and the things you tell yourself to just get yourself to the finish-line...and she had done it! Way to go Macbeth!

So to all who participated at the Sun Run, The Times Colonist 10k, The Boston Marathon, and The BMO Marathon these past few weeks. Be proud, walk tall and smile because you did it!

CONGRATULATIONS!

http://www.bmovanmarathon.ca/

Cycling Cafe's Diva

"Uniting a Community; one Cyclist at a time"

"RIDE HAPPY"

Saturday 19 April 2014

Paul's Live Life Celebration Ride

It's "Official"...after 16 1/2 very long months of recovery I am now 'back in the saddle' thanks to Jess, my amazing Physiotherapist @Physio Moves, and my friend Paul Underhill C.E.O. of RUMBLE encouragement. Thank you both for making my return to cycling possible.

I recently participated in the inaugural 'Live Life Celebration Ride' in Victoria Friday April 18th, 2014 . An eager group of 50+ riders' gathered along with Velofix (who were kind enough o show up last minute for any last minute tweaks to our bikes...thank you) at Clover Point to Celebrate Paul's 3rd Anniversary as a Lung transplant recipient. So in honor of his new 'Life' and to support Organ transplants (all ride's had to preregister as donor's to participate in the ride...a great way to support and give back) we set out on a 100k ride out to Deep Cove and return (well most of us did..more on than soon).

The group looked pretty tight and impressive as we left Clover Point and rolled along the waterfront past the Parliament Buildings at towards the Johnson Blue Bridge. We were waved and cheered for by many admiring on lookers and were able to pass on our message of supporting Organ Transplants to all who asked. It was a great way to start the long trek.

Still riding as a nucleus we hit the Galloping Goose Trail and headed over the Trellis Bridge and onward to Burnside Road were we departed from the Trail and ventured on to surface streets. Over hill and dale we soon turned on to Saanich Road and continued. Up until this point I had been doing pretty well and was pleased with my performance since I had been rather unsure committing to the ride and nervous about my performance.

But soon we started hill climbing and the peleton of the group naturally started to get further and further ahead of me. I was starting to struggle, but I was comforted by the fact that I wasn't the only rider trailing and there was still a good handful of rider's riding with me. But as we continued down Saanich road those riders numbers dwindled and they soon passed me and I watched as they faded in to the distance.

I only managed to ride with the group for about an hour until I found myself alone, and very lost on Saanich road. I sent out an S.O.S. text to Paul to let him know I was lost and solo. I had stopped at McTavish road not certain as to whether I should turn down it or not. ( I should have apparently...oh well) Not receiving a reply till after I made a decision to continue down Saanich Rd. I was told I had completely over shot the turn off....Oops!...I wasn't turning back so I trekked onward asking for directions from a few passer bys. I rode past Pat Bay, which was beautiful, I saw a deer, some sheep and then eventually ended up at Landsend.

Luckily there was a cyclist there that gave me directions on how to get to the Lochside Trail. Not being from the Island I was completely disorientated and a bit uncertain as to how to find the trail but I forged on and eventually after many wrong turns and back tracking and with Paul's text directions I managed to make it to Swartz Bay (again 'Overshot') and then to the beginning of the Lochside trail.

Everybody else had stopped in Sydney for a well earned rest stop including my friend Karen whom unfortunately I had lost at the beginning of the ride. She to was riding solo by this point but she knew her way about had stopped for a cuppa in Sydney and was heading back to Victoria...I forged on anxious to return to Victoria...so other than a few pee stops a quick visit with a couple pigs, dodging a hawk dropping eggs and getting completely drenched along the trail after 5 1/2 hrs I finally made it back to Clover Point and I was so pleased to see two familiar faces when I finally arrived.

Paul and his lovely wife Sandy had kindly waited an extra hour and a half for me to arrive and I was so happy they did. Seeing them there waiting made all the difference to me after riding solo for over 4 hours it was a wonderful greeting and made the ride so worth it.
All in all the ride was amazing....and I am so glad to be back at it.
I thanked Paul and Sandy and bid them adieu and headed off to Red Fish Blue Fish for a well deserved recovery meal.

We hope that the Live Life Ride will become an annual affair and there is already talk and things in the works for next year so with any luck we will see you all there next year.
In the meantime please register with the Organ Donor Transplant Registry. Your decision could save a life.

To Register to be an Organ Donor: http://www.transplant.bc.ca./index.asp

Cheers.

A very special thank you to Karen Palmer for lending me her bike without which this ride wouldn't have been possible. Thank you again lovely Lady. :)

Huge Thank you to ALL of these great Supporters that we had:

http://www.drinkrumble.com/

http://www.edgefoodenergy.com/

http://www.planetfoods.ca/

http://www.honeymaxx.com/

http://www.honeystinger.com/

http://trekbikesvictoria.com/

And a very Special thank you to: http://www.velofix.com/

Please Follow Rumble on Facebook and Twitter @DrinkRumble https://twitter.com/DrinkRumble

Velofix on Twitter @VelofixVictoria https://twitter.com/VelofixVictoria

and Trek Procity Cycling @ProCityRacing https://twitter.com/ProCityRacing

Cycling Cafe's Diva

"Uniting a Community; one Cyclist at a time"

"RIDE HAPPY"

#Cyclecafes

#RumbleforLife

#cuppa

@DrinkRumble
#LiveLifeRide
#Victoria

Thursday 20 March 2014

Tour de Victoria...Cafe Style!

For most of us that don't ride all year round Spring marks the start of the Cycling Season. So to mark the 1st day of Spring I headed off on my 2 wheeled steed to toddle around Victoria sourceing out some amazing Cafe's & coffee and even got to visit with a good friend it was a great day. (despite the hail storm lol),

1st Stop was @2percentJazz

2%Jazz's Decor is very cool

Check out their very cool Chandeler

2%Jazz roasts their own beans

....and wow their coffee is Yummy and is one of our Fav Cafe's in Victoria that is very Cyclist Friendly!

1st Cuppa down and I was back on my bike riding over to Yates tp Shatterbox who also brew up a great cuppa as well.

Shatterbox not only has amazing Coffee but a spectacular Patio for a group of Cyclists to stop for a Cuppa.

How cute you get a ginger snap with every cuppa.

My job is so hard lol

2 cuppa's down and I was starting to feel the caffeine high and was developing a bit of the jitters....While at Shatterbox the Ladies suggested I stop by Jaga Silk and visit with Tea SAmalia Jared....it was worth checking out so I headed off to find this great spot

Jaga Silk is a bit tricky to find but was I did it was nervana

Jaga is in the Courtyard on Courtney off Douglas

The Matcha Tea was like taking a .Moment. You really have to take time out of your day for each cuppa it isn't a 'To Go' type of cuppa.

Jared is a very well versed Coneseour of Tea and loves sharing his knowledge with anyone that shows interest

After a wonderful time at Jaga Silk it was off to Rumble headquarters to meet a friend for a cuppa/lunch

we ended up at Be <3 ...what a treat...defs worth the visit again and again...thank you Paul it was great to see you and thank you for lunch.

Cycling Cafe's Diva

"Uniting a Community; one Cyclist at a time"

"RIDE HAPPY"

#Cyclecafes

#RumbleforLife

#cuppa

@DrinkRumble

@2percentJazz

@JagaSilk