There were seven riders for our first crack at the Leechtown ride for this year. Unfortunately, two riders, "tired" but nameless, did not make the start line at Stickleback. One returned to bed after a tiring restless night, the other was confined to his garage with tiring tube failures.....

The uphill leg went quickly once we got Jack's brakes reconnected after a recent tire change. In fact, after the uphill, our legs definitely felt "tired" enough to stop for a few minutes at the Sooke Potholes before continuing to Leechtown. On the downhill trip we stopped at the ruined lodge on the very edge of the Sooke River canyon. Some of riders took an adventurous tour through the old ruins, marvelling at the size and ambition of developer Albert Yuen's dream.

The only incident to report was one lost water bottle on the descent.

Thanks to Dave N for the photos

And for a bonus: how cities can become more friendly