Who got you into riding?

Actually, questions were more like β€œWho’s the boy that got you into riding?” β€œYou’re so little, don’t you think riding is too dangerous for you?” or β€œSeriously? YOU ride?!”

Yes, I know. I don’t look like your typical rider. But I ride, and I love it… 

My journey went a little something like this.  

I’ve always wanted to learn. So, one random day in March of 2016 I went to the Services Ontario Drive Test Centre and took the M1 test and passed! Mind you, it was during my lunch break, so I had to wait until after work before I was able to sign up for a course to learn how to ride and get my M2. 

[No, I didn’t sign up with a friend. This was a solo mission. There was no motive other than β€œI’ve always wanted to learn how to ride.” 

The few weekends that followed went a little something like this:

Theory course which was essentially an in-class course where you’d learn about proper tire tracks, gear, what to expect during the practical training sessions, etc.  

^^ The first time I ever sat on my bike! Thanks, Justin for parking it for me!

Bought a bike! YUP! I bought a bike BEFORE I sat on one by myself. Hello 2015 Honda CB300FA from North Bay, ON! Don’t worry – I had a friend test ride it and tie it to my trailer before I bought the thing, and another friend helped me park it in my garage! LOL. 

Time for the β€œPractical Training”… Which was simply EUPHORIC! Imagine walking to a parking lot where they had all these bikes lined up for you to use to learn on… And then use it during your M2 test. From sports bikes to cruisers and dirtbikes, students were able to test and try them all. 

Funny note: I remember telling the class that I HAVE to pass because I already bought a bike! The instructor was a little shocked, but I think mostly proud, haha. Tried a variety of bikes, but because of my size, most of them had me swinging my legs in the air. In the end, the 125cc red sports bike suited me best. Luckily they had a bunch there because I dropped it so many times. The co-instructors got me out of a couple of pickling situations.

^^ Had to get my bike lowered so that I could flat-foot it, and some gear just in case πŸ™‚

And YUP, I [still] passed! Thank goodness your learning experience doesn’t count towards your actual exam… So, just figure it out beforehand, and you’ll be fine. 

I would highly recommend signing up for a course if you never sat or rode a bike by yourself. I used the Riders Training Institute in Toronto. 

For me, what was great is that you left the course with a few new friends, and a newfound confidence that I think ignited only when you dropped the bike a few times. Little fear. Lots of adrenaline. Tons of learning. And over the moon excited that I conquered and gained such a β€œcool” skill. 

The way I’ve always seen it was, why not learn how to ride a bike? Sure. It may be scary at first [as with most things you have no idea about], but if you’re going to want to go to parts of the world where cars aren’t as accessible – wouldn’t you want this skill in your back pocket? 

Here’s a little fun video of us picking up my bike from my cousin’s place. Watch episode 5 of my Vlog here. If it made you smile, please like and subscribe! It helps with the YouTube algorithm. πŸ™‚

xoxo,

salyna

Happiness isn't around the corner. Happiness IS the corner.

- Unknown

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Did you know that when you open a vacuum cleaner and clean it... You BECOME a vacuum cleaner. 🀯🫠

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Throwback to our first massive snowfall... So what's on the agenda, babe? ⁠
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Instagram vs. Reality 
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βœ… Snowboarding in the ravine⁠
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βœ… Strap in and street-Snowboard behind ⁠the car
πŸ₯³ K, this one was super fun. Where people opted to stay indoors and not get into their cars, we turned out block and roads into a playground. Kids and parents applauding our thirst for fun (and a few 'Karens' throwing a few f-bombs bc of the "danger" aspect of it) 
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The right place at the right time had us flying towards the sunset for many hours on end. Hello, the longest sunset we've ever experienced πŸŒ‡ 

Also, a few gorgeously frigid shots of Canada πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ 

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Is it riding szn yet? 🏍 We're debating on selling our bikes and investing in a legit electric downhill mountain bike. Anyone have one that can share their experiences? 

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What's in the pipeline? ⁠
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🧊 and darkness... ⁠
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Of course, this was his idea, but I am glad he made me do it. ⁠
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There's a zen-like feeling from the crunch of the ice, the shift from a little bit of light to complete darkness as you walked further in... and pushing your comfort level just a little bit further with every step. Imagine even the sound of silence echoing in the distance. That's that moment. ⁠
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Would you go down a dark hole where every sound is echoed? ⁠

P.S. bonne année 2023 🎊
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"Do you guys hear that? It sounds like rain in the forest but it's not raining... What is it?"⁠
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Answer: Caterpillars pooping.

Learn something everyday... 
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I am dating a fish. ⁠🦈
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Just a pretty serene moment on our icy hike. No soul in sight. Just us, Cartman, and these frozen balloons adding colour to the set. ⁠
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#psAdventures #hikerlife #hikersofinstagram #hiketoronto #RunnersOfInstagram #summittraining #ClimbersOfInstagram #climbinglife #climbingtraining #bikersofinstagram #cyclinglife #cyclefamily #cyclist #cyclistsofinstagram #bikerchicksofinsta #dirtbikelife #dirtbiking #dirthonda #betatrialsbikes #vanlife
It feels like a vacation. ⁠
Oh, it IS a vacation. ⁠
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What is a vacation?⁠
Life. ⁠And whatever you make of it. 
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🌽🌽🌽
You know how I know he loves me?⁠
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He sends me random pictures throughout his day. ⁠
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He loves his mushrooms... He's French after all. ⁠
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What's your love language?
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#psAdventures #hikerlife #hikersofinstagram #hiketoronto #RunnersOfInstagram #summittraining #ClimbersOfInstagram #climbinglife #climbingtraining #bikersofinstagram #cyclinglife #cyclefamily #cyclist #cyclistsofinstagram #bikerchicksofinsta #dirtbikelife #dirtbiking #dirthonda #betatrialsbikes #vanlife
"Where do you wanna wake up tomorrow?" he'd ask, and I'd always respond "by the water, with a view." ⁠
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And he never disappoints. ⁠
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Kind of boggles my mind that around this time last year we woke up at our final van-life destination. ⁠
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We drove to... I am not sure where. He looked at the map and said "well if we wake up there and if the sun decides to come out, we'll wake up with a beautiful view."

Parked up on a picturesque backdrop, with a lighthouse to bat. We celebrated with an amazing steak and pasta dinner, and winter fire. One of those nights where we didn't want to fall asleep because we didn't want the night to end. ⁠
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But of course, we're only human so we passed out. ⁠
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Lesson learned? Don't park on a landing overnight. The wind is INSANE and will wake you into a state of "WTF is going on outside? Is someone there? Why is our van moving? Babe! Wake up, I can't sleep!" ⁠
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Of course, he'd come to our rescue and moved the van to a less windy spot. 

Thank you, babe. Xo πŸ₯°β 
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It's been a while ❀️ Have a safe long weekend everybody πŸŒ‡

#nofilter #psadventures #sunriselover
A few moments from our hike at the secret bluffs yesterday. πŸ₯°

Completely a diff scene from our winter hikes here. πŸ™ƒ

If you wanna check it out, be prepared for random high folks and no-warning nudists beaches.

Hahaha, ew. πŸ’€

But otherwise, hike was pretty perfect... lots of beautiful sights and moments to take in. Great climb as well πŸ§—β€β™€οΈ

Love you babe! πŸ€—

#psAdventures #hikerlife #hikersofinstagram #hiketoronto #yesterdaydateday #nofilter

A JILL OF MANY TRADES & A MASTER OF ONE

Chasing my dreams and maybe inspiring a few along the way

Let's be pals.

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