As many of you will no doubt be aware I have been in a "relationship" with a woman from my neighbourhood since early May. Sadly, that relationship has come to a close, despite the very positive cycling aspects, it was just not the right time for us apparently.
Cristal H is a stunningly great cyclist, she took to the bike after a 25 year hiatus and within days was off on 50k plus rides. I helped her chose the bike, took her to the various bike stores around town and we chatted extensively about the bike she finally ended up with. At the end of the day she chose to drop some serious cash on a custom Soma Fabricating bike from Dream Cycle on Commercial Drive. We also took long rides throughout the city and beyond, the longest we took was from our neighbourhood out to Steveston and back a total of 63kms or just over 30 miles - riding with someone like Cristal was always a pleasure - she never complained and was always ready for the next part of the ride.
However, a mutual interest in cycling does not a relationship make. Despite our mutual love of cycling we had many differences in our lifestyles, our approach to life was polar opposite. I had my life and she had hers and there was very little room for compromise in there and at the end of the day it did not matter how much we cycled together, we butted heads too much on the other things.
In tribute to our relationship and to show the world how hot Cristal looked on her new bike here are a few photos taken by me prior to us going out on a date down to Commercial Drive.
The other day whilst working out at the gym I saw Cristal ride by, just that image of Cristal riding her bike was a sad comment for me on our relationship - the image of Cristal and her white Soma bike will be forever etched in my head.
Happy riding Cristal - may your road be forever smooth.
