Thanks for all your kind words regarding the stolen bikes. It was just so bizarre. I was so incredibly happy and having such a wonderful time in the gardens and then we came out to the disbelief of the missing bikes. Talk about crashing down to earth. The bikes were not expensive, but my bike and I did a lot of things together. I lost weight, did a triathlon, duathlon, rode 100 miles. Not to mention that I have that 62 mile charity ride coming up in just about a month – so I have to replace the bike quickly. This was not an expense we really can afford right now as we just dropped $6600 on new windows for the house that are coming soon. We were thinking of upgrading the bikes next year, but guess it has to happen sooner, and not to the degree that we would have upgraded. I don’t want to wish ill on anyone, but I hope the person that stole these gets herpes or something.
Anyway, the botanical garden itself was absolutely stunning. Funny how I offered to treat John to the gardens, and we found out it was the one weekend a year where it was free. I got off lucky on that! Other than losing my bike, of course….
Enjoy the Montreal version of my what’s blooming post:
Stevia plant:
Quinoa – interesting, don’t you think?
And flax. Look at all these good healthy foods!
Echinacea milkshake – pretty cool:
Biggest hibiscus ever:
Stunning dahlias:
Flowering tobacco – Nicotiana sylvestris, which I hope to grow next year:
I took 150 pictures in the botanical gardens! I might pull some more to show. I was just in complete joy here. I had asked John if it was possible to explode from happiness and his answer was “no” or I already would have. 😀
After we came out and saw the bikes gone, we kind of sat for a while and I had a little cry while we figured out our options. We ended up using the Bixie rentals to work our way back to the B&B. We were actually famished at this point, and stopped along the way to try a bagel:
I had a multigrain bagel:
Very different than a NY style bagel as it was more like baguette type bread rather than a chewy bagel like I am used to. But it was tasty.
We then changed out of bike clothes and just walked around. We did try to at least enjoy ourselves some, but we both just felt so deflated and I was ready to go home. However, we had paid for 2 nights, so we decided against that. Found a good place to eat dinner that wasn’t super crowded. Indian, of course. You can always count on finding a seat at an Indian restaurant. I am looking pretty pathetic here:
I was happier when food came out. Chana Masala
Must recreate at home. Plus some of the fluffiest nan bread ever:
The food was really good, but the service was terrible. John ordered a diet coke twice and never got it, and they never checked back on us.
Gelato makes it all better, though.
We are actually going to start looking at some bikes n Sunday when we get back to the US (can’t wait for that). Gotta cram in bike research quickly!
The flowering tobacco is gorgeous! I can’t wait to see it in your garden.
The Botanical Gardens still looks the same as when I went there which was about 20 years ago. Time sure does fly.
Glad that you stayed even though you were bummed about the theft. Good luck on finding some great new bikes!
.-= Kimberley´s last blog ..A Much Better Day =-.
The gardens are definitely beautiful!
I still feel sorry for you Lori. It wasn’t just a bike as you said but it has brought you so many good things!
Do you have insurance for it? I hope you and John find bikes you like soon.
Have a safe trip home sweety.
No insurance on the bikes. After the deductible, we still wouldn’t get anything for the bikes. They really were not expensive.
Oh, I feel deflated just reading this post. Such a bummer. I do love your botanical garden pictures – thanks for sharing. Hang in there – and maybe there will be a silver lining?
.-= Amy´s last blog ..This and That =-.
Still so sorry about the bikes but what beautiful pics of the gardens!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thx for sharing even with the bike stuff Lori!
.-= Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Wonders of Life =-.
Are your bikes insured?
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Veggie Pasta Salad Recipe =-.
No insurance on the bikes. I got mine used for $140 five years ago. It’s the sentimental value more than anything else.
Awful about the bikes. I know that feeling of disbelief–came home from work one day when we were living in Brooklyn & the car was no longer parked in front of the house. I loved that little car–never saw it again!
Beautiful pictures!! Hope you get a new bike soon
.-= suzanne´s last blog ..Not too much happening around here! =-.
Love the flower pix and the ‘pathetic’ picture is cute–so not you. I can’t imagine that a dirty rotten thief is going to get you down for long.
.-= Tish´s last blog ..Its a Good Thing Popcorn is a Whole Grain =-.
I love the flowers! Those dahlias are absolutely gorgeous!
India food is something I’ve never tried, but my husband likes it. Had Thai food today for lunch. Yum!
I wish you great luck in finding an AWESOME new bike for a decent price. *crossing fingers*
.-= Leah´s last blog ..My Heart Hasnt Been In It =-.
I just love botanical gardens . And you obviously do too. 🙂 Again i ‘am just so sorry about the bikes. I hope you make a post about what you find out in your research for bikes as i will be in the market too. I’m happy you stayed and were able to salvage your trip.
Horrible about the bikes…I’m so sorry that happened to you!
I do have a few suggestions for you though – check your local Craigslist to see if people are selling their older used ones. I don’t remember how tall you are, but you’d probably fit on the lower 50cm range bikes. Also check your local bike shops since some of them sell used/certified ones (like car dealers do).
As for bikes – I’m not sure if you’re going to go towards a hybrid or road bike…hybrids are generally cheaper than road bikes, but with all the pics you’ve shown, I’d think a road bike would be better suited towards the rides you both do. A lot of local shops (around here, at least) are having some good sales on their stuff so hopefully you’ll find something you like! Trek is generally overpriced for what you get, but Felt and Cannondale and Specialized all seem to be pretty good. I haven’t looked at Giant road bikes but they are a good company too, if you are leaning towards “name brand” type of stuff. Otherwise Sports Authority has some good deals on “general” bikes. (Either way you go, I’m sure you can find something you like!)
.-= Destination:Athlete´s last blog ..hallelujah! =-.
I’m a shortie LOL! We are looking at performance hybrids because we do ride on some rough surface, but don’t want a mountain bike. Tires about 32 mm wide and no smaller, so that pretty much puts road bikes out. Been checking Craigs list, but most are mountain bikes (and for men…)
I checked out Giant and liked it, and going to look at Fuji and Cannondale.
Glad to hear you a little cheerier. That gelato looks delicious. Oh yeah. The flowers are pretty nice too–just kidding. Thanks for sharing. Montreal looks like a really nice city to visit. I just won’t bring my bike.
.-= debby´s last blog ..Moving Forward =-.
“I don’t want to wish ill on anyone, but I hope the person that stole these gets herpes or something.”
I laughed my a%$ off when I read this!!!
.-= Ron´s last blog ..Getting there =-.
ARG about the bikes. Good grief!
I’ve had 2 cars and a motorcycle stolen before. Did you spin? Each time I walked out and spun around because I knew I parked it just there a second ago. What a horrible feeling of disbelief. I’m so sorry.
Love the flower pics. I thought of you when I took similar pictures in Hawaii especially the picture of my huge shrimp cocktail.
It is good to be home and visiting blogs again. 🙂
.-= Shelli Belly´s last blog ..Day 341 – I’m finally home! =-.
still can not believe it about the bikes.
and your pathetic face resembles my pouty face…when husband drags me to indian food 🙂
Im not a spicyfan!
.-= Miz´s last blog ..LinkLove & preview of coming MizFit’tractions cue confetti =-.
Woah those plants are beautiful! I’ve never seen quinoa, flax, or tobacco. So cool!
.-= Beth @ Beth’s Journey to Thin´s last blog ..Fueling for Fitness- Perform Well and Recover Quickly from Your Workouts =-.
Oh no! I would’ve cried too. Though you look much too pretty in that photo to have cried buckets. I would’ve been all red faced and splotchy. That bike was a friend that went all those long lovely miles with you. And some meanie punk had to go and steal your bike. Their special something will get jacked someday. Karma and all.
I can’t believe your bikes were stolen! What crap! I hate people sometimes. But maybe this is a good chance for you to upgrade to a superawesomefantastic bike. 🙂
Those flowers are so beautiful!
Gosh – great photos. Beautiful gardens.
I just can not believe someone ripped off your bikes! Amazing! You know, it was Montreal that my cousins visiting from the UK had their rental car windows smashed and their camera stolen. Wonder if that city ranks really high on the crime scale? Wouldn’t be surprised.
Well, even though it was an unplanned expense, look forward to new bikes.
.-= Joanne´s last blog ..Mondays Routine and Weekend Parties =-.
“but I hope the person that stole these gets herpes or something.”
It’s Montreal, it’s a possibility!! 😛
Oh Lori, I am sosososo sorry about the bike. I totally get how attached you were to it, and unexpected expenses are so stressful. True story: my roommate was once so scared to lock up her bike in a part of town, she made us choose a restaurant with a patio so she could hold on to her bike through the gate 😛 Bikes are only as kickass as their owners, so I already know your new one will be awesome by default 😉
.-= Susan´s last blog ..The Summit =-.
The size of those flowers! I love botanical gardens.
Mmm…nan. I haven’t had nan if forever. Or any Indian food for that matter.
.-= meg @ LivingInLuling´s last blog ..Big Girl School =-.