This used to be an undesirable area with dozens of warehouses but has transformed over the years with many high priced condominiums.
The streets and sidewalks are narrow and parking is a premium, if you can find a spot to park your car
We felt a bit out of place amongst the Audi's, Beemers, Lexus and other premium models
Since there are few lanes in this area the garbage bins are displayed in full view on the main street . We did not have reservations and it was a full house in the restaurant so we had to suffer with a window seat, counter style.
We were not the only ones forging for a meal as we noticed
a street resident also looking for his next meal. Homelessness is often a lifestyle choice
They do not ask for handouts nor do they beg for money as many of the younger people of the street who choose not to work, and work the system to their advantage.
Saturday was another iffy day. It started with spitting rain as I left home and headed towards Steveston to have breakfast with the guys. The forecast was for on and off scattered showers. I don't drink a lot of coffee but I usually have one cup in the morning at work and I have become addicted to a certain Vietnamese brand which is sold at this oriental market .
I do not like the taste of the Company supplied brand
I am trying to sort out my riding gear to make sure it is leakproof. I had a problem a couple of weeks ago where I got some water into my waterproof AlpineStar riding boots. I also had a big problem a couple of years ago coming back from Oregon in 8 hours of continuous rain. My boots are Waterproof but when I bend my legs my pants ride up a bit and then the wind causes the water to ride up and over the lip of my boots and then dribbling inside where it forms a little lake in the bottom. I have been experimenting with rain pants but they ride up too. So I got the bright idea to try a pair of Gaitors
This week was not a good week for spending money as I did my tax return and found that I owed the Government BIG money so I sent my check/cheque off and they cashed it already. Then I received a notice from my private insurance company letting me know that my excess Insurance is due for renewal (for both bikes) so I also headed down to my Agent and paid them too. Here in BC you have no choice but to buy basic insurance from ICBC (Government), but I can buy supplementary coverage from a private insurer which is much, much, much cheaper.
So I plan to wear rain pants over my riding pants, and then wear these gaiters on top of my riding boots. Naturally I had to test them out. There are also a couple of grommeted holes at the bottom to tie them under the heal to keep them in place
Since I was in a limited spending mode I also bought a new pair of shorts. During hot weather I like to wear shorts under my riding pants and I like the ones with zippered pockets. These shorts are also a big longer than normal. I would have preferred them to be Capri length but they only make them for the ladies, not that there's anything with men wearing them.
Oh, and to Martha . . .
I found a Taco Bell in Cloverdale, BC. Perhaps one day I will give them a try
Bob have you worn your Tourmaster flex pants? I wear mine in torrential rain and have never gotten wet, you may not need the gaiters.
ReplyDeleteDar:
DeleteOh yes, I nearly forgot that I have a relatively new pair of Tourmaster Flex riding pants but I am saving them to use this summer. I am still wearing my JR Alter Ego pants. I get water inside my boots with water coming over the top but the boots are waterproof. I'm not so worried about short distances but all day on the freeway I needed a backup system
Bob when I saw the title of this post I was thinking .. oh this is going to be exciting .. wildlife!!
ReplyDeleteOh well lunch and bike gear are almost as good ;-D
Love your shot of the bins lined up, it's funny that rubbish looks so good, but that a great photo.
The gaiters look good, shame you couldn't get pink ones ;D
Brenda:
Deleteyou were thinking 'Gator, not Gaiter. Sunday is usually a non-riding day so we go out for brunch. I just thought a few of you wanted to see more scenes around Vancouver. It was previously the warehouse district and people started to rent out the buildings and create lofts. Now it is a tourist area with lots of night time activities.
Yes, I do like seeing your pictures of Vancouver, keep them coming!
DeleteSuzu:
DeleteI am trying to show you more scenes of Vancouver, so hang in there
They weren't all premium vehicles. I spy a Ford Explorer in there too.
ReplyDeleteAnd sometimes, I just prefer to get wet rather than struggle into all the gear. Good luck with the gaiters.
Lori:
DeleteOk smartie pants, but the Explorer was out of place. The Restaurant was buzzing with customers, all tables were taken.
When it rains in hot weather getting wet is a pleasure to cool off but not so comfortable to have a puddle in the bottom of your boots. As Dar mentioned, perhaps it won't be a problem with the Flex Tourmaster pants
Bob - I have to agree with Lori. I can't be bothered with rain gear so much anymore. If I get wet, I expect I will dry out - if it's cold and wet, I expect I'll sit tight for the day. Rain gear - it takes up so much valuable space. Haven't carried it for two years.
DeleteKaren:
DeleteI would like to sit tight for a day if it rained, but I am not sure I have the luxury of wasting time when others are waiting for me. I have no problems with my Jacket or pants, but I wanted to solve my boot problem and it's not the boot. It's the fact that my pants ride up and allow the water to drizzle inside. I am still going to buy a rain jacket to wear over my riding gear
I like that your pink hat matched your Crocs Bob. You are always so fashion conscious.
ReplyDeleteHope the gaiters do the trick for you. I had to buy extra long pants to fix the riding up the leg thing. My current Rev'its ride up some but not as bad. I think it is my positioning on the bike and lean angle of the seat that does it.
Trobairitz:
DeleteI didn't think anyone would notice my colour co-ordination. I have been looking out for a pair of Pink Shorts but the ladies are too short. I like them a bit longer.
I have to see how my Tourmaster Flex fit. I wore them last year in Oregon but I think they ride up a bit too when you bend your knees. I wanted to be prepared this year, just in case and they don't take much room
I l-o-v-e the Flying Pig. Yummmm!
ReplyDeleteDavid:
DeleteDon't tell me you've been to the Flying Pig? It's a busy place and service was good too.
Or you can drill a nice drain hole in your riding boots...
ReplyDeleteNo food pics from the Flying Pig. Is that because it isn't memorable? Or is there a limit to the number of eggs benedict photos permitted on the Internet...
Richard:
DeleteThat's IT ! Why didn't I think of making a drain hole.
I do have photos of my smoked salmon Eggs Benedict, but didn't post them. I always take food photos. How would you know that I always order the same thing where ever I go.
I would love to ride near the water like you do!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a nice time.
(I have to disagree with one point on your post. Homelessness is not always a "choice". Many people do not have the means to avoid this situation depending on their individual circumstances.)
Deb:
DeleteI think you are misunderstanding what I am meaning. We have social services and subsidized housing. We have several Government buildings for these people but many, would prefer to live on their own, on the streets and collect bottles for spending money. They have decided not to accept these "services" for whatever reason. In Canada they are provided for, if only they would ask . . . but they have made their own choice to be on their own.
The younger people are a different matter. They take whatever they can get and not work by choice, even though they are able bodied. They come here from all over the Country, mainly from the East, as we have more moderate Winters. You will find them downtown begging for money and always looking for handouts.
So different from here in the US, I guess. Here there are few "shelters" and even then they are temporary places to sleep for a night or a few days. And yes there are those here who choose to live on the streets as well. But more and more economically displaced people and families here are being forced on the streets by unemployment and some live in tent cities and even sleep/live in their cars. The situation involving younger people in Canada is news to me also.
DeleteIn the US social services are drying up with cuts in funding and services. The jobless are often looked down upon as causing their own situation. I will address this whole issue in my "homestead" blogging as I was almost one of these homeless myself, in spite of all my efforts to find work from 2009 to 2012. So I guess I respond out of that experience as well.
So I see what you mean about Canada and I did not have the whole picture in my mind.
It's all so sad, isn't it?
They make the little skinny bungie cords. Wrap them up over your rain pants on each leg and that should help the ride up of the pants. On another note, there is a Flying Pig in San Francisco. I wonder if it the same?
ReplyDeleteKathy:
DeleteYou're right. Those small bungie cords may work. I'll have to try to find a pair. The Flying Pig is an unusual name. Perhaps they are owned by friends
Buy some pink duct tape, problem solved ;)
ReplyDeleteTroubadour:
DeleteI thought about just using duct tape and bring a roll with me on my trip this year and I would just tape them to my boots, or else big elastic bands. I did see coloured duct tape somewhere recently, but I can't remember where
Taco Bell? Really? Take a piece of cardboard, bend it in two. Fill it with iceberg lettuce, sprinkle some extra fatty beef ( Horsemeat in a pinch) then take a ten dollar bill and tear it up. Throw the mess away and find a real Mexican/Canadian joint to try.
ReplyDeleteMr Conchscooter:
DeleteCanadian Cardboard tastes better than American cardboard in case you haven't noticed. I may have tried a Taco Bell 25 years ago in Toronto, but not recently.
Good idea on the gaiters, I'm going to try it!
ReplyDeleteKen:
DeleteThese gaitors were not expensive and I think they will do the job. I also have another pair of rain pants with a stronger elastic around the ankle area which I can try