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In the Fifth Month I love going up to a mountain village. When one passes a marsh on the way, a thick covering of weeds hides the water and it seems like a stretch of green grass; but as the escort walk across these patches, the water spurts up under their feet though it is quite shallow. The water is incredibly clear and looks very pretty as it gushes forth. --from ch. 122 of the Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon translated by the late, great Ivan Morris
 elcome to the latest addition to these pages, but it will still be under construction for awhile. Other than hiking and biking stuff, most of these links used to be listed in the media section since I enjoy and experience most spectator sports vicariously through various forms of media (mostly 'cause you have to be a pretty darn wealthy bastard these days to afford the tickets). However, since I also ride, I needed additional space to accommodate an ever-increasing number of skateboaring links. Come back later for more stuff. GO SKATE!!!
- Arsenal FC. Although I don't support this club,
I have provided a link to the Gunners' official site as an excuse for me to include of of my favourite passages from Nick Hornby's hilarious Fever Pitch:
I had discovered after the Swindon game that [club] loyalty, at least in football terms, was not a moral choice like bravery or kindness; it was more like a wart or a hump, something you were stuck with.
Marriages are nowhere as rigid-- you won't catch any Arsenal fans slipping off to Tottenham for a bit of extra-marital slap and tickle, and though divorce is a possibility (you can just stop going if things get too bad), getting hitched again is out of the question.
There have been many times over the last twenty-three years when I have pored over the small print of my contract looking for a way out, but there isn't one.
Each humiliating defeat (Swindon, Tranmere, York, Walsall, Rotherham, Wrexham) must be borne with patience, fortitude, and forebearance; there is simply nothing that can be done, and that is a realisation that can make you simply squirm with frustration.
BC Hydro maintains several recreation areas throughout the province, including the too popular Buntzen Lake in the Lower Mainland.
BC Parks often surpass scenically the full-fleged American National Parks.
 Cal Sports. Go Bears!
U.C. Berkeley Recreational Sports are responsible for facilities like the RSF.
CarlingNet is the official home of the Premiership.
Chicago Blackhawks is the NHL club I follow most.
CBC Hockey is also where you can catch Hockey Night in Canada.
ESPNET SportsZone. After all these years, ESPN is finally really good for something after all.
The network's well-designed
website provides all the relevant sports updates and information.
Surprisingly, its televised programming is also getting better,
particularly the splashy and awesome graphics which give the network
an entirely new and refreshing image and feel. Shows how much
good design can do. Those captions are to die for.
Express Sport Live focuses on U.K. sports scenes.
FIS Alpine Ski World Cup. I grew up watching and enjoying the circuit on the telly.
 football.guardian. This is the place to start for all the latest news and scores. Even though I'm not exactly a fan, all Anglophiles should try to keep abreast with what's going on.
Manchester United FC's appropriately monumental official site.
Metro Vancouver runs several really cool regional parks for hiking and mountain biking sych as Lynn Headwaters, Lower Seymour, and Belcarra.
MEC, the Mountain Equipment Co-op, is the Canadian version of REI. Cool, eh?
NBA. National Basketball Association. Be sure to stop by and check out The Lakers.
NHL Open Net. Douglas Coupland wrote in Souvenir of Canada:
The thing about hockey in Canada as opposed to hockey in other countries is that the sport percolates far deeper into our national soil and thus affects everything that grows in it.
Canadian teams playing within the NHL are, in effect, microcosm of Canada’s ongoing process of trying to remain a country—battling constantly not only against Americans, but against other teams from within their own country.
It’s ugly yet it’s civil; and most tellingly, it’s the one place where people still sing the national anthem
International Olympic Committee is corrupt, but the Games are usually fun.
Pedestrian and Bicylcle Information Center seeks to foster safe built-environments that support cyclists and pedestrians.
Powderhounds review ski resorts, particularly with nice coverage of Japanese areas.
Recreation.Gov provides information on recreational opportunities on Federal lands.
REI, the recreational outfitter co-op.
Seattle Parks and Recreation.
Whether it’s doing the obligatory stroll around the peninsula at Seward Park,
or retreating into the glorious wilderness in Discovery Park, or listening to the sound garden in Magnusson Park,
or cruising for slutty guys in Volunteer Park, the Seattle Parks District is always a hoot.
Ski Resort Info. If you like to explore ski resort options all over the world, this is a useful site to check out. All entries include stats and trail maps.
Skis.com. You don't have to buy from them, but the site is good for product reviews.
Skilifts.org originally focused on North America, but the forum is very international and has become the meat of the site.
Skimap.org collects high-definition versions from all over the world, and is a good reason to have the interwebs.
Sky Sports does a fairly decent coverage of all the Premiership clubs as well as other divisions, rugby, and cricket.
Slam! Sports for Canada with good pro hockey coverage.
 pecialized has manufactured two bicycles that I own: a mountain bike and a hybrid.
Trek also makes all types of bikes, some of which I really like to own.
As a neophyte cyclist, the aspect of cycling that fascinates me the most is the hardware.
I'm interested in industrial design, and like other people who fetishises cars or clothes, I do with bikes.
I'm always stopping to examine, admire, or inquire about a particular bike. I'm also curious as to who's riding what, and how much it costs him.
TSN. The Sports Network is Canada's ESPN.
USTA hosts the U.S Open which always means the beginning of school.
I once enjoyed tennis immensely until my mid 20s.
Vancouver Trails. The Lower Mainland region is packed with great hikes of varying lengths and altitude gains, and this site acts as an indispensable guide. It also provides helpful maps, stats, and pics.
Waterfalls usually make decent destinations when going on hikes in the Pacific Northwest.
Reach us at 'bcbloke' on all the usual social media platforms
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