SPINNING THE WHEELS in Maple Ridge
Spinning On Wheels is a collection of journal entries written in real time during the 2021 Go By Bike Week in British Columbia Canada. The word “Spin” has multiple meanings including ‘a new and better way of looking at things, ideas, concepts, places, people and life.’
I
Controlling my Destiny
Today’s adventure on Day one of the week to celebrate cycling, started off with a burning desire for a classic Blenz café mocha in Pitt Meadows, British Columbia.
I don’t normally plan such a thing as I actually make my own mochas every morning with my espresso machine and frother. However, I strategically made sure I did not have any milk in the fridge as a way to get me up early and out the door to start my cycling day. It worked!
I pack up the sunscreen, fresh water and my towel, and gallantly start the day, grateful that the sun is out and that the nimbus clouds overhead are off high in the stratosphere.
As I position myself comfortably on the seat of my Nishiki bike, I feel my smile behind my mask and the extra beat in my heart as I look forward to the day. I disembark at Blenz and order my medium drink at the price of a small (thank you BCAA).
Next stop finds me at the Maple Meadows West Coast Express station in Maple Ridge. I am drawn to this location because it is my best reminder of being brought up in a CPR town (North Bend) where I learned how to cycle and how to double (Sharon Evans), and that joy of controlling my destiny has stayed with me ever since.
A lot of flashbacks come to mind as I sit here on the bench easily recalling the fun of cycling through big and small mud puddles on Highline Road and doing hands-free descents down the hill leading to Carlson’s store where I often scored two bottles of pop for the price of one from the outdoor pop machine. I had figured out how to hold on to two bottle heads at once, yank at exactly the same time, and all that for one dime! It was always such a victory until one day the machine was decommissioned! Isn’t it funny how we remember things?
I can also remember waiting for the CPR train to approach the station yard. I would ride along side the engine, waving at the engineer, then bolting ahead to cross the tracks before he had a chance to block me. I know it was a very dangerous thing to do but in a small town you’ve got to do whatever you can to keep the adrenalin flowing. I always considered it a victory lap!
Victory, when you think of it, is a component of a good life. A good life for me is a series of victories (paragons) like learning how to cycle without help, graduating and successfully making bread from scratch. Other victories are things like dismissing draining and perplexing relationships to pursuing better ones or tackling computer challenges from nervously to calmly; or, almost completely reframing life to accommodate an international pandemic. Victories big and small carry us forward.
On I go with my cycling journey, leaving the train station’s parking lot and heading into Hammond. As I approach the roadway, I see it has been recently paved. That may not seem like a big deal but to a cyclist it definitely is; what’s more — the road will, from now on, include an official properly designated cycling lane. I am delightfully surprised and definitely impressed. Kudos to Maple Ridge for designating my tax dollars so wisely.
I love the Hammond neighbourhood; it is a part of Maple Ridge but it is where this area once boomed with the forest industry — the backbone of British Columbia’s prosperity, long before Maple Ridge was created. It has a lot of history and small town character, and those who live there carry that sense of pride in how they tend to their gardens, yards and their homes. I think I would enjoy living there too.
At this point, those nimbus clouds have descended somewhat and I am anticipating drops soon. Best I head home and plot out tomorrow’s destiny.
II
Don’t Ignore The Signs
Today is Day Two of Go By Bike Week in British Columbia. I started my journey at home and 26 kilometres later I was back. It was a long, hot day, but inspiring, reflective and transformational. Here is how it unfolded:
After a good warm rice porridge breakfast and a delicious home made cappuccino, I refresh my water bottle, reset the odometer, and set out on another new adventure in my region. COVID-19 restrictions continue to put me into that framework of limitations, and I am actually quite liking it. I let my bicycle take the lead on this beautiful sunny day.
We take a left from home and then a right along 123rd Avenue. There is no designated bicycle lane immediately but, a few blocks up, a sign tells me I am on the 123 Bikeway. Not sure what that means but I keep spinning forward to Laity Street and take a left. More signs, more messages. I don’t think I have ever noticed that these signs are specific to cycling.
You know when you travel along the same stretch over and again, you tend to not notice the little things. Life tends to be like that. It is kind of like looking at a forest and not seeing the trees. You only see the forest.
I am passing by another sign. I stop; turn around and take a photo. This sign indicates the beginning of a cycling lane. All of a sudden, out of the blue, with no rhyme nor reason, a cycling lane begins. The sign across the street indicates the end of a cycling lane. So, when you get to the end, where are you supposed to go? This is kind of a weird moment. Life has those too. Weird moments. We usually cast them aside and spin on.
Further down the designated lane, I see more signs and take more photos, and the song ‘Sign Sign Everywhere A Sign’ comes to mind. I smile. I don’t think they are new signs, but I really have not noticed them being ‘bike specific’ before now.
This weird and perplexing moment also brings to mind a correlation between what I am now experiencing with road signs and a once promising and prosperous new friendship years ago, hit by a very unexpected curve ball. I evidently missed the signs.
The potential success of the friendship was obvious and taken as a given. Everyone could see it and everyone believed it. But, in hindsight, signs neatly camouflaged to the contrary were actually there. In a way, when putting all the slightly hidden signs together, it brought to mind battered person syndrome. Mentioning any of this to anyone, would result in a gasping ‘No Way’ reaction. They have never seen those signs and likely never will.
Like the road signs, the signs in this personal experience were definitely there early on. I ignored them until a torpedo came out of nowhere and a guillotine blade almost severed my neck. No lead up; no explanation; no follow up. No response to an offering of an open door to clear the air. Ignoring signs can be fatal.
In hindsight, I can now see all of the poignant signs that got me to the end of that personal journey. I missed them, didn’t acknowledge them, didn’t value them and pretended they were not there.
Isn’t this much like the cycling signs I have seen today? The reality is each one of them has been there for a long time and each carries an important message. Ignoring them could be fatal. Don’t underestimate the power or value of a sign!
Ok, enough of that, onward we go. Let’s spin on!
Up ahead at the foot of Laity Avenue and Abernathy Way still in Maple Ridge, I see a sign leading me to the Trans Canada Trail.
“Wow”, I say. “The Trans Canada Trail is right here in front of me! I have been here often and did not realize its designation until now. A sign says I am about to enter a section called The Great Trail. Somehow now it feels exciting.”
It is actually one of the original dyke pathways that separate farms from waterways, and it spans for many kilometres. The scenery is incredible with majestic mountains to the north, and flora, ducks, birds, and people of all ages, all abilities and all backgrounds spread out along the vast landscape walking, jogging, cycling, kayaking and fishing. It is glorious here and a great sign of how fortunate we are to have a place to exercise, to contemplate and to be at peace.
I happily continue my ride, smiling from within. My eyes are open wide, back straight like a yoga back extension. I am feeling like a yoga high mountain, relaxed and at peace. As I stop, with my heart centered, I close my eyes and imagine a brand new sign yet to be posted saying “Don’t Ignore The Signs” …. whether tangible or not.
Let’s cycle on alert and aware!
III
Heavy Hearts Harmonize
Today, Day 3 of our Go By Bike Week in British Columbia, I woke up with a heavy heart. When that happens, the best therapy for me is a good breakfast followed by a purposeful bicycle ride.
I got up early and cycled to Hammond outdoor pool for a good session of Aquafit. As I cycled home, I sorted out how best to unfold the rest of the day. After a refresh, I am going directly to the Katzie First Nation territory in Pitt Meadows to talk with the Chief. I want to sit on their land, be near Katzie people, express my disgust, shame and sadness about the seemingly endless stories of atrocities indigenous people in residential schools experienced under the ‘watchful’ eyes of the State and Church. Quite frankly, “disgust” is not even a strong enough word.
215 children’s bodies have been found secretly buried under ground beside their designated residential school in Kamloops. We don’t need a Royal Commission, Task Force, Independent Report and any other form of delay tactic by the State or the Church. Words no longer mean anything; apologies are no longer sincere. It is time for concrete retribution and I am heading to the Katzie Nation to tell them what I really think.
It is a very hot 21 degrees Celsius and the cycling distance is only 7 kilometers each way. I have refilled my water bottle, applied the sunscreen, checked the tires and off I go.
The territory is protected by security and only members are permitted entry due to COVID-19 restrictions. I am happy to hear they have made their own rules in order to ensure their own protection. I am also happy to hear the residents are getting their second dose of the vaccine on site today.
The Chief is not available to talk with me but I manage to talk to a couple of members who happily listen to my tirade and my expectations for a somewhat plausible resolution. I say to them that both the State and the Church have to carry this shame and both have to hang their heads in shame from now to eternity.
“How?”, they ask.
“Well, let me tell you,” I respond.
I think all the names of any of the perpetrators of the residential school system found on statues, buildings, streets, highways, currency, and events have to be removed. I want them to be condemned in absentia. I also think both the State and the Church must be compelled to admit, orally and in writing, to the atrocities, as well as express their shame and regret openly and publicly on a certain date, each and every year from now to eternity.
I went on to say that the atrocities are reprehensible; the damage on human souls irreparable; but, actual amends must follow this wake we are going through now. We owe it to all indigenous peoples; we owe it to the buried children and their families; we owe it to each other.
If we could hug, I am sure these two Katzie men and I would; but, I do give them the traditional respectful ‘dipping of the hands’ thank you and farewell.
As I mount my bicycle to return home, I end by saying “the discarded children have spoken and you can be sure that finally a lot more people are listening”.
I hope I made their day! The experience definitely made mine.
RIP sweet children — your voices are finally being heard.
IV
Smiling From Within
Today is Day 4 of Go By Bike Week in British Columbia and I woke up realizing that I have actually not been in my car since Saturday —that is five days ago. I feel myself smiling from within because that is what personal victories or milestones do for me.
I set off after a delicious warm, smooth homemade caramel mocha and a few scrabble words with actual friends in Ontario and Quebec. Scrabble has nurtured and enriched our relationships so very well during our shared COVID-19 pandemic experiences. Cycling has that same impact on me and my relationship with myself; the adventures are both nurturing and enriching.
I replenish my water bottle, oil the chain and off I go wondering what the day will bring. Destination is a lovely quaint, quiet café, deep into the rural part of East Maple Ridge, 8 kilometres from home. It is called Humble Roots. (@humblerootscafe). I love this place and try to come about once a month for their delicious eggs benny.
As I arrive, the familiar server spots me and directs me to an available table. She has an extra jump in her step and she clearly anxiously wants to tell me something. I wanted to tell her something too but I let her go first. Turns out, we have the exact same story to tell.
Yesterday, I noticed a couple of cyclists in a shady area, looking perplexed and lost. I stopped and asked if I could possibly help them. The man had a large map unfolded on the grass below and the lady was on her cell phone trying to find names of places in the area with outdoor dining for lunch. They told me they were on an RV vacation, parked in a lot in Fort Langley, and they undertook significant cycling excursions daily. They really wanted to enjoy an outdoor quiet lunch in Maple Ridge.
“Oh,” I said. “You must go to Humble Roots.” The conversation extended from there covering off the type of place it is, where it is, what the menu was like etc.
“Oh,” they both said in unison. “Yes we must go there!”
The encounter was delightfully interesting and they were most grateful for the recommendation. They tapped in the coordinates and off they went. I cycled in the opposite direction again feeling the heart smile from within, saying: some people are just so nice.
So, here I am today at Humble Roots and the server tells me that while that couple was talking to her yesterday, she immediately thought it was me who sent them. All they had told her is that a cyclist who comes there semi regularly, for the Humble Benny, highly recommended the place.
Again, I feel the heart smile for all the right reasons while I enjoy the fresh air, notice the smiling people around me, and realize this is indeed a small but very interesting part of the bigger world. We are pretty darn fortunate to be here.
V
Cycle Spin
Today I decided to sit down in my quiet space and put some spin on cycling. This is Day 5 of Go By Bike Week in British Columbia and some people might still be wondering what’s the big deal?
There are a lot of obvious answers to that question: exercise, better energy levels, muscle formation, happy lungs, healthy heart, endurance, balance, obedience, compliance, stress release and relief, contemplation, accomplishment, personal bests, goal setting, decision making, story telling, discoveries, photos, time-outs, time outside, socializing. The wheels keep us going forward as far and as fast as we want and, based on this very long answer to that question, the experience offers something to everyone.
Of course other advantages are no greenhouse gas emissions and no need for fuel or expensive repairs.
For me, what I like most about cycling is the ability to correlate it with how I live my own life. I am in the driver’s seat and I love my independence. I like to keep moving forward, one push on the pedal at a time, at my own pace and in my own way. I don’t have a jock mentality; I am not a daredevil; I am not a risk taker; I don’t gamble; I don’t race or climb mountains, and I don’t wear flashy apparel. I love to live this way and I love to cycle this way: plain and simple, but always moving forward, strong, determined, focused and happy.
I do have a keen sense of adventure. I love to just get up, jump on my bicycle and go. I don’t want to wait for anyone and I don’t want others waiting for me. Sometimes the trips are specific like getting a bunch of errands done around town or meeting a friend at a not so far away favourite place to enjoy time together. Other times I just start and keep going and going, reminding myself that I need enough energy to get back home!
I do, on occasion, get extravagant and enjoy European cycling tours with a keen group of like minded friends who live in various parts of the world. It was like an annual reunion every
September for a number of years until COVID-19 hit us as well as other factors. (Cover photo was taken in Italy) I can see us getting back at it at some point because those trips were especially special.
My bicycle and I are also working on a cycle-tourism initiative that travelling cyclists or locals can enjoy. The plan is in the early stages but essentially it will bring a number of factors together such as an interesting route, including specific pit stops hosting cycling exhibits and giving participants access to food, drinks and bathroom breaks. The idea came to mind while cycling along the dykes of the Pitt River Dyke Trail system, and I flesh it out a bit more almost every time I head out that way. The space, the serenity and the scenery in that area inspire me, and inspiration like that keeps my cerebral wheels spinning.
I guess you can say that my bicycle and I are much like a couple with a great marriage: in sync and moving forward in harmony, slow and steady, often mesmerized and excited, noticing and feeling the breeze and the warmth of the sun,
breathing in the fresh air, listening to and hearing the sounds of nature and, all the while, challenging the brain waves and exercising the body, always looking and spinning forward to the next milestone or victory. I love cycling and I love living. Right now they definitely work well together.
This is the end of my cycling journal in celebration of Go By Bike Week 2021. I have enjoyed the adventures and sharing the stories. The feedback tells me a lot and I thank you all for joining me cyberly on my cycling journeys this week. I hope casual cycling will continue to enhance my life for many years to come.
About the Author
Antoinetta DeWit was born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and came to Canada as a baby in 1957. After an introductory start to a new life in Canada, the family moved to the hamlet of North Bend in the upper Fraser Canyon region of the Province of British Columbia. The small town upbringing shaped her life and that experience has stayed with her ever since — education, independence & creativity going hand in hand in order to enjoy life and to move forward.
toine1956@yahoo.ca