Biking PEi

Biking PEI
We had reserved bikes from the local kayak company (Paul) and the evening before the ride we wandered the small town trying to find where the bike rental place was. Finally, out of desperation we went in the visitor’s center to ask where it was (the town is all of 8 blocks or so and after traversing the whole thing, no bike shop, no kayak shop). Paul was in the visitor’s center and there were the bikes as well. I guess he runs the visitor center, kayaking and bikes from there (there were a total of 6 bikes). The bikes were in good shape and we talked with him about when we would get them tomorrow. He said he was going out at 9am to kayak. So, it was a good thing that we talked with him because the email he sent me said the bikes were ours from 10-6. We had to make plans to come get the bikes at 8:30 the next morning.
We did not want to get up and get the bikes (that bottle of wine and the beers were not helping us get up). But, we managed to drag ourselves there and bring the bikes back to the bed and breakfast. We had breakfast and then we were going to ride. But first we had to get Asha on the bike. This ended up being impossible. She refused no matter what. Kesh, I and Vive held the bike, the handlebars, the seat and nothing worked. So we had to leave her behind.
The boys and I set out about 10am. The ride was wonderful. We rode along the ocean for a few miles and then headed inland. Our initial goal had been to ride the confederation trail, but we couldn’t figure out how to get there from Victoria. Paul had recommended that we head inland to the dirt roads. So, we ended up doing that. It was a beautiful ride. Lots and lots of hills which were quite tough but great fun to ride. The boys stayed out way ahead. I stayed in the back so that no one would feel they were last and get their feelings hurt. Sometimes, I stayed waaaaaayyyyyy back so that I could take good pictures. Many of the pictures I took on the fly trying to stay on the bike, take the pictures and get the camera back in the case before the hill plunged down and I needed both hands.
Kesh seemed to take the hills like they were nothing. It was a pleasure to watch him ride. Vive didn’t seem to be working hard either. And, Justin was amazing. He was working so hard but never whined or complained, just kept on going. I loved to stay at the top of the hill and just watch the three of them. I, on the other hand, trudged along as best I could.
We had a map but sometimes it was difficult to figure out where we were. But, eventually, we found the roads we needed and made a big circle. Twice, we had to ride on fairly busy roads which we did not like at all. I was too worried about the boys, but they did fine. And, when the boys ran out of water, we stopped and asked someone if they would fill the water bottles with their hose. They were very friendly and glad to help.
The last three miles of the ride, we found a small market and the boys had ice cream. The rest of the ride was straight and a pleasant way to end the ride which took us about four hours.