Anniversary
08-23-17 | 08:13 PM
#1
Thread Starter
In Real Life
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 52,159
Likes: 773
From: Down under down under
Bikes: Lots
Anniversary
August 24 is Rowan and my anniversary. 
Although we were married on August 24 in Canada, which is August 25 in Australia, it is August 24 here in Australia today, so we're celebrating today. Did you follow all that.
I've mentioned this before elsewhere, so I'll try to be brief ...
Rowan and I "met" here on Bikeforums, in early 2003. I'm a Canadian and he is Australian. I had posted a question about the Paris-Brest-Paris, a 1200 km bicycle ride coming up later that year, in August, and he replied indicating he was going. That was that. We made no plans to meet or anything.
In late August, on the Paris-Brest-Paris, I was walking through the last rest stop when someone called, "Machka". I wondered who would know that name, and it was him. We chatted for a little while then went our separate ways. But over the next year we got to know each other on a couple cycling forums, one of which was this one.
In October 2004, I went to Australia with a friend and spent 3 months cycling around Australia. Rowan and I met again at the Great Southern Randonnee, another 1200 km cycling event, and then my friend and I stayed with Rowan in Hobart for a few days. My friend and I went our separate ways after that trip, and Rowan and I got to know each other better online, and through emails and phone calls.
He came to North America in 2005 and 2006, and of course we did cycling events and tours together. We spent a month in Europe in 2007. I went to Australia in early 2008 for a couple weeks. And then he came to Canada in late 2008 ... and we were married on a lake just outside Jasper.
But first, on that day, we cycled a century (100 miles) to celebrate the development of our relationship ... then we were married.
Rowan returned to Australia 10 days later, and 9 months later, I moved to Australia. During that time, I finished my Bachelor of Education ... and the area where he lived was destroyed by Australia's most devastating bushfire. Rowan lost his home and narrowly escaped with his life. For a while, he was living in a tent trailer on the property where he worked, and I thought that might be where I would be living too ... but his employer offered us a very rustic cabin on the back of the property about 2 km from "the grid". It had, somehow, survived the bushfire. And that's where I spent my first year in Australia ... living off the grid in a remote and rustic cabin!
We've been back to "our" lake in Jasper where we got married a couple times, most recently this past June. Of course we take photos which are in the album below. And last weekend, we cycled a century again ... actually 184 km this time. We do try to cycle on or about our anniversary each year.
So, we're celebrating 9 years of marriage, and 8 years of living together.
The whole album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/machka...57607097344648
Although we were married on August 24 in Canada, which is August 25 in Australia, it is August 24 here in Australia today, so we're celebrating today. Did you follow all that. I've mentioned this before elsewhere, so I'll try to be brief ...
Rowan and I "met" here on Bikeforums, in early 2003. I'm a Canadian and he is Australian. I had posted a question about the Paris-Brest-Paris, a 1200 km bicycle ride coming up later that year, in August, and he replied indicating he was going. That was that. We made no plans to meet or anything.
In late August, on the Paris-Brest-Paris, I was walking through the last rest stop when someone called, "Machka". I wondered who would know that name, and it was him. We chatted for a little while then went our separate ways. But over the next year we got to know each other on a couple cycling forums, one of which was this one.
In October 2004, I went to Australia with a friend and spent 3 months cycling around Australia. Rowan and I met again at the Great Southern Randonnee, another 1200 km cycling event, and then my friend and I stayed with Rowan in Hobart for a few days. My friend and I went our separate ways after that trip, and Rowan and I got to know each other better online, and through emails and phone calls.
He came to North America in 2005 and 2006, and of course we did cycling events and tours together. We spent a month in Europe in 2007. I went to Australia in early 2008 for a couple weeks. And then he came to Canada in late 2008 ... and we were married on a lake just outside Jasper.
But first, on that day, we cycled a century (100 miles) to celebrate the development of our relationship ... then we were married.
Rowan returned to Australia 10 days later, and 9 months later, I moved to Australia. During that time, I finished my Bachelor of Education ... and the area where he lived was destroyed by Australia's most devastating bushfire. Rowan lost his home and narrowly escaped with his life. For a while, he was living in a tent trailer on the property where he worked, and I thought that might be where I would be living too ... but his employer offered us a very rustic cabin on the back of the property about 2 km from "the grid". It had, somehow, survived the bushfire. And that's where I spent my first year in Australia ... living off the grid in a remote and rustic cabin!
We've been back to "our" lake in Jasper where we got married a couple times, most recently this past June. Of course we take photos which are in the album below. And last weekend, we cycled a century again ... actually 184 km this time. We do try to cycle on or about our anniversary each year.
So, we're celebrating 9 years of marriage, and 8 years of living together.
The whole album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/machka...57607097344648
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
08-24-17 | 06:03 AM
#6
Senior member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,368
Likes: 888
From: Oakville Ontario
Great story! Happy anniversary.
08-24-17 | 08:06 AM
#7
feros ferio
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 22,398
Likes: 1,865
From: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Thank you for posting, and best wishes for many more cycling anniversaries.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
08-24-17 | 01:57 PM
#11
Me duelen las nalgas
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,519
Likes: 2,832
From: Texas
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
That's marvelous. I know many folks whose marriages couldn't endure lesser challenges, including my own. Best wishes and many happy miles/meters to you both.
08-24-17 | 02:32 PM
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles basin
Bikes: His & Hers 1966 Schwinn Collegiates (Mom and Dad), 3 1998 GT Palomars (The Twins and the Red Headed Step)
Nice story, except that bit about the devastating fire.
We're at 15 years towards the end of next April and we'll be celebrating in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan. It's a little late for the Sakura blossoms in most of the country, but I'm hoping that being that far north will yield us a result. I really don't think there will be any cycling though.
We're at 15 years towards the end of next April and we'll be celebrating in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan. It's a little late for the Sakura blossoms in most of the country, but I'm hoping that being that far north will yield us a result. I really don't think there will be any cycling though.
08-24-17 | 05:00 PM
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,722
Likes: 1,698
From: Berkeley CA
Bikes: 1981 Ron Cooper, 1974 Cinelli Speciale Corsa, 1975 Alex Singer, 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar 1, 1986 Miyata 710, 1982 Raleigh "International", 1985 Trek 720
What a fantastic story, full of meaning and adventure. Congratulations!
08-24-17 | 05:04 PM
#14
Full Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 351
Likes: 18
From: McLean, VA/Burlington, VT
Bikes: Obed Baseline, Cannondale Topstone, Specialized Roubaix, Cannondale Synapse
Awww, that is a wonderful "how we met and got together" story. Happy Anniversary! And here's to many more!
08-25-17 | 08:36 AM
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO
Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford
Really nice story. I like learning about others here on BF. Its also nice that you both share a great interest in cycling. Cheers, and here's to many more anniversaries! 
Edit: Nice photo album, by the way.
Edit: Nice photo album, by the way.
08-25-17 | 09:05 AM
#18
Seat Sniffer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,904
Likes: 3,039
From: SoCal
Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti; 2006 Schwinn Fastback Pro and 1996 Colnago Decor Super C96; 2003 Univega Alpina 700; 2000 Schwinn Super Sport
I'm soooo glad you posted that. More proof that all the negativity in the world notwithstanding, love will find a way. 
__________________
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
08-25-17 | 09:10 AM
#19
Super Modest
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 25,338
Likes: 6,637
From: Central Illinois
Bikes: Trek Domane+x2, Trek Emonda
Happy anniversary to one of my favorite BF couples!
__________________
“Train hard until your legs are tanned, then keep going until the shape arrives.” -Jolanda Neff
08-25-17 | 10:20 AM
#22
just another gosling
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 20,555
Likes: 2,667
From: Everett, WA
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Happy Anniversary! Our 44th and 35th was August 15. We didn't ride. Our tradition is to spend the day in bed.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
08-25-17 | 10:35 AM
#23
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,585
Likes: 122
From: Tampa, Florida
Bikes: 2017 Colnago C-RS, 2012 Colnago Ace, 2010 Giant Cypress hybrid
Happy Anniversary!
__________________
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
08-25-17 | 03:28 PM
#24
Let's do a Century
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 883
From: North Carolina
Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra
I've had the pleasure of meeting a number of participants here on 50+ but I've never married any of them!! Good for you two.