TYPOS & Kootenay Life!

In writing this blog, on a number of occasions I have gone back and made sure there were no typos, and I have made corrections, but for some reason, they have not stuck so I apologize now for what appears and careless writing. I did try!

I have been making efforts to increase my cardio and loose weight, and I must say since I moved to the mountains of Trout Lake in the Kootenays, this has happened because I am able to get outside and do the things I used to do!  Living in a town both depressed me and put the weight on me. I couldn't get out to shoot my bow or garden, laid a brick path or repair an old house,  All the things I loved doing as well as bicycling.

I have been making it a goal to bike as much as possible and to make it up a mountain six KM away.  It is not the hills or the distance that has been my greatest deterrent. Indeed, even out of shape, once I get in a rhythm, I can go and go, however it is the bears that are now the issue

I was really enjoying the solitude and beauty of the ride up the mountain. You can hear the river rushing in many parts of the road, and for being up a mountain, it does level off at times so it isn't that bad in the right gears.  They have the KM signs on the odd post or painted on the odd tree. I only intended to go to KM two but turns out 2 ins't there!  Oops so I was just getting past Km 3 when I see a big brown spot on the road coming down the hill towards me.  Just moseying along like bears do. I knew immediately it was a grizzly.

I was not scared, just annoyed. I thought I would try the new horn I had paid far too much money for. I blasted it (and finally my ears have stopped ringing!).  The bear looked at me and cocked his head. I did it again, did he run?  Was he in the least bit intimidated?  Nope, that is a grizzly for you!  Black bear would likely be gone unless it is an adolescent, then he too would be curious! (Come across enough of them in my travels to know this!). So I thought, this isn't going to work, I guess it is time to go down the hill. Whoopee! So, perhaps next time I will get a little closer, perhaps not, but when you live in bear country, you go with the flow! And the second line of defence, I guess is to invest in a good bear spray but frankly if you put yourself in a position where your that close to a bear ( can't smell or the wind is wrong in other words!), then your a damn fool.  But being foolish seems to be a human trait so best be prepared.

Now I have to check all my nuts and bolts on my bike...to be on the safe side! After going down the hill at those speeds, always a good idea.  Loosing a wheel would NOT be a good option!
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