The Riding Fool Hostel in Cumberland is celebrating five years in business this Saturday.

When asked to reflect on the years, owner Jeremy Grasby said, “We’ve learned a lot, had some great times and met some amazing people. We created a great facility here but it’s the guests who make it, they bring the energy and without that energy it’s just a building.

“It’s a lot of fun not just running a hostel but realizing your dreams.”

The hostel has had its successes along the way, most recently being voted as the “local pick” for Lonely Planet BC Edition and described as “one of the best hostels on Vancouver Island.”

In 2005, the Riding Fool was awarded the New Business of the Year Award by the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce and Business of the Year by the Cumberland Chamber.

During the years, Valley band Sixgun Buddha has been the soundtrack to the Riding Fool anniversaries, and this year is no different.

After a year-and-a-half hiatus, the local rockers are ready to start tearing it up again Saturday at the hostel’s anniversary celebration.

Joining them once again are local DJs Soulshock and Upsidedown Ninja. Nova Fire will perform.

Tickets are $15 in advance and are available at Tarbells Cafe, Sound Advice, Orbitz and at the door. Doors at 9 p.m., 19+ID. For more information, visit www.sixgunbuddha.com.

— Riding Fool Hostel

You’re welcome to celebrate Bike to Work Week, have some fun and support a worthwhile cause.

World Community Bikes will host Cycledelic, a fast-peddling evening of dance and entertainment on Saturday, June 7 at the Lower Native Sons’ Hall.

Artists will include acoustic guitarist Amber McAlonan and her original alternative-folk style, and the newly formed three-piece band Booty and the Hofish, whose style can be described as a fusion of bluegrass and hip hop.

The dance portion of the evening, featuring DJs of varying styles, will begin with local DJ Upsidedowninja and his down-tempo, jazzy style of spinning. Next up will be Scotty Soulshock’s hip hop scratch and Glenn Wildes’ mix of styles. Adil Amlani, originally from Montreal, will perform urban house mixes to round out the night.

Tickets are $10 each, with a limited number at $5 for low-income or students, and will be available at the Freakin’ Coffeeshop on Rosewall Crescent or at the door. There will be door prizes, food and a no-host bar.

Doors open at 8 p.m.

Profits from the evening will help send a container of bicycles collected by World Community Bikes to Nicaragua. The group would like to thank the entertainers, who are all local, for volunteering their time and talent.

For more information, call Jansz at 338-0229.

— World Community 

BC Hydro is sending out a public safety warning this weekend, but this time it’s about something other than the quick-running water of the Puntledge River.

Trees will be removed in the area between Comox Dam and Puntledge Diversion Dam. Because of the trails in the area, BC Hydro is warning people to pay attention to signs, and expect some closures and delays on the paths.

The hazard tree removal will begin this Monday and continue for about two weeks, said Stephen Watson with the company’s community relations.

“This is a bit of a catch-up,” he said about the removal process, which began with a danger-tree assessment by certified arborists earlier this year.

About 90 per cent of the trees to be removed are already dead, said Watson, and they will finally be able to access some of the damaged areas from the 2006 storm season.

No overall number of trees to be removed could be provided. They will continually monitor, he added, to ensure that trees aren’t felled into the water.

THe area will not be fully closed, said Watson, which is why they’re asking for the public’s diligence in considering safety on the trails. Contractors will be on hand to help with trail-users, and signs will be posted, but Watson said the best way to avoid issues is to avoid the area all together until mid-June.

Meanwhile, they’re adding once again a warning for the river flows this weekend. BC Hydro will be spilling water from the dam to provide optimum river levels for the annual kayak festival.

Staff say the flows will be too high for anyone other than experienced kayakers to be on the water.

reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com

By Colleen Dane - Comox Valley Record - May 30, 2008

For Silent Mountain Enterprises, biking to work and for work is an everyday occurrence. The family-owned and operated business has been growing with the city.

“Most of the law firms, notaries, banks and real estate offices use our services numerous times a day, which means less cars, emissions and overall consumption. Doing our part in helping the environment makes us feel great at the end of the day,” says owner Paul Laperriere.

Laperriere says, “Being a good cycling role model ends up helping out everyone in the long run; the more comfortable the drivers and the riders feel, the safer it will be and therefore more people will want to ride their bikes.”

Laperriere and his wife Salinas are the two main couriers and share the workday with taking care of their one-and-a-half-year-old son Bodhi. “He really is our inspiration for the business. Having a child makes you realize you can’t take our planet for granted.”

Maybe Bike to Work Week will encourage people to bike everywhere more often. A big step would be getting on our bikes and showing by example.

For more information on, call 897-9166. — Silent Mountain Enterprises

From Comox Valley Record - May 30th, 2008

By Colleen Dane - Comox Valley Record - May 30, 2008

It’s not the steep Rocky Mountains or the long lonely prairie roads that’ll be the hardest part for local resident Dave Livingstone as he bikes across Canada starting today.

“Going three months without coffee,” laughs Livingstone, when asked what he thinks will be the hardest part of his fundraising bike tour.

The healthy choice will tie in with the cross-Canada bike tour that is a fundraiser for the BC Lung Association.

This is  the second time he will ride across the county to raise money and awareness for the organization that promotes lung health and air quality.

“Cycling is a part of their messages , so this is really an extension of that.”

Last time though, he had the company of Comox-Valley resident Maxine Bowen for the entire 110 days it took. This year, however, Bowen will only be able to join him for the three-week portion between Edmonton and Winnipeg.

Livingstone was all packed up and ready to go on Wednesday this week, when he stopped by Sunwest Auto Centre at the bottom of Ryan Road.

Volkswagen dealers across the country are sponsoring the ride, and the staff in Courtenay wanted to see him off.

It’s a good fit as a sponsorship, said Livingstone, noting the VW’s use of diesel, and the reduction that gives in fossil fuel use.

“It’s all part of the clean air issue,” said Livingstone.

The only challenge, is trying to plan ahead for welcoming events with sponsors along the way and at his final destination of St. John’s. That’s because the amount of time it takes will totally depend on the conditions of each day — namely how much wind there is.

He said that’s the most challenging part of cycling across the country. Last time, they started at the east side, and only had a few days where they didn’t face head winds. This time, he hopes to have it helping him along from behind.

“It’s a phenomenal way to see the country. You’re not just stopping to gas up and go. You see so much of the countryside, it’s a nice leisurely pace.”

Pledges can be made for Bowen and Livingstone through the ride’s website at www.bicycletrek.org. News of the three-month trip will also be posted along the way.

reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com