As I took delivery of my new Cannondale hybrid bike from the bike shop in Vancouver, I felt the anticipation of my first trip with the Red Lobsters rise. I thought back to the time, nearly three years ago, that I had talked to Keith about cycling and the famous Golden Triangle - Golden to Radium Hot Springs to Lake Louise to Golden - and realized that in just a couple weeks, I would be leaving. (Route Map) I spent the next week in the Okanagan, training for the ride. I rode 25, 30, 40 and finally 45 km, cycling a variety of up and downhill routes. The bike felt comfortable and I was learning to shift smoothly with it - my previous bike had had rapid fire shifters while my Cannondale has grip shifters. After returning to the lower mainland, I made several trips to Mountain Coop to make the necessary purchases for the trip. I also went on another ride with 3 of the lobsters (Keith, Dale and Chuck) to Mission for breakfast and then through the Matsqui valley. The total ride was close to 80 km. I felt in pretty good shape - my knees didn't hurt and my wrists were OK. I probably hadn't trained enough but I did some and was now more or less ready for the Golden Triangle. There were five of us on the trip. Keith, who suggested the trip to me and planted the seed three years ago, is a big guy - similar to myself - and very personable. He is called Troll because he likes to hide under bridges and cool down when the going is really hot. Chuck is a compact and very fast cyclist with no nickname. Many come to mind when his great sense of humour is considered. Dale, also called Lickety Split, lives up to his name as he, too, is fast. I've known Dale for ten years and have enjoyed his wit and friendship during that time. Ken is a strong yet also fast cyclist and is also the chief photographer. The origin of his nickname of Brown Hornet is either long forgotten or shrouded in mystery. Finally, I am Dave - and this trip was my first overnight trip with this group that call themselves the Red Lobsters. I am not really a lobster as the trip is only one element of joining. I guess I think of myself as more a Crab or even a Geoduck! We left on Monday, August 2nd, and drove to Golden, B.C. The trip was pretty uneventful except for the fact that I was the only one of the five cyclists that doesn't get carsick. Through judicious use of Gravol and breaks, we all made it to Golden in time for dinner. I did happen to see a former student, Luke, on the way. In Golden, we met up with another teacher, Greta, her sister, Kira, and fiancee, Craig. We all went and had an excellent dinner and some special Carbo loaded drinks (beers) at a pub in Golden. Returning around 8 o'clock, we bedded down at the campsite in anticipation for our adventure. (Golden Map)