Music and Bikes

When we began this trip, none of us were cyclists. We had never used clip in pedals until the day before we left, we didn't know what a chamoix was, and would never have been caught dead wearing spandex. We overcame these apprehensions very quickly.

Now, we consider ourselves to be cyclists by association. We have all learned basic bike maintenance, know enough lingo to fool the gearheads at bike shops, and wear spandex daily.

We chose to do this trip on a four man bike because it is unique. We wanted an attention grabber, and a four man bike definitely grabs attention. However, as we ride across the country on the number one highway, we have met many cyclists who are on the exact same mission.

There is a specific group of bikers who we have been chasing for a few days. Two girls, Lisa and Ayla, have been about a day ahead of us since Osoyoos, and yesterday we finally met up with them. We've been in contact with them via facebook, and we were originally drawn to them because their mission was to raise $500, 000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

As we sat in the double decker pub last night, we finally met up with the girls. We sat in the bar, and traded stories of broken chains, busted rims, and creepy rest stops. Today, we all rode together a little further down the number 1 highway, as one big fundraising gypsy cycling caravan.

The ride today was, however...paced. Last night was jam night at the double decker. The house band got on stage first, and ripped it up. They spun musical greatness across the stage as the entire bar sang along. When they finished their set, they opened up the floor to the Tandems. We eagerly jumped up on stage, and led the entire bar in new renditions of our old favourites. Later on, the house band invited us back on stage, and we all sang our faces off into the wee hours of the morning.

It seems as though things always have a way of working themselves out. This evening we met yet another cyclist who is on the same mission. Tonight, we are all camped together in Portage La Prairie, and tomorrow we will all ride together to Winnipeg. We may not have been cyclists when we began this trip, but we feel that now we have been willfully adopted into the cycling community. And it's awesome.

www.thetandemtour.com