Tagged : Penticton

in Alt Work Life

Penticton Lakeside 5km 2012

Today I made my big running comeback, but I should clarify that I was never super awesome to begin with, but I was a solid runner on the regional scene all the way through high school track and cross country. From 20-30 being a fast runner has not been a priority, but at the moment, thanks to a little friendly competition from my roommate, I am running faster than I have in over 10 years. So today was the first event I have entered since I was 18, and what better spot to do it than in Penticton.

The Lakeside 5km race / fun run is a pancake flat course along Lakeshore Drive and the surrounding neighbourhood. Aside from the wind it was a nice sunny spring day just shy of 10 degrees. In December I started at 28 minutes for 5km, and after consistently working at it 2-3 days a week with a few 10-12km runs thrown in there today I ran 20:03. My goal was to break 20 minutes, and I came up a few seconds short, but I’m still where I thought I would be. Next stop 18 minutes.

It’s good to be back and entering some events. Even though I’m not winning the entire race it gives me something to shoot for in training and a reason to push myself. A special thanks to my friends at The Bike Barn for loaning me a Garmin watch for the day, and to Peach City Runners for their great shoe advice, and the Penticton Pounders for organizing an awesome event.

Penticton Lakeside 5km 2012 Results – Overall

Penticton Lakeside 5km 2012 Results by Age Group

Check out the Interior Running Website for upcoming races.

Penticton Lakeside 5km Race Course Map

Minutes per Kilometer Calculator

in Wine & Food
New-Poplar-Grove-Winery-Building- 1

Poplar Grove Winery

Poplar Grove is one of the Okanagan’s best bet wineries. Now located on the slopes of Munson Mountain adjacent to the Penticton sign, at the start of the Naramata Bench, they command one of the most fabulous views in the Okanagan.

A fantastic Bordeaux Blend — The Legacy — is their flagship wine, but equally impressive are their Cab Franc, Syrah, and Pinot Gris. They are also related to Poplar Grove Cheese, which is now a separate business, but can sometimes still be found in the tasting room. This is a winery that really can’t do wrong and an absolute must visit in the Okanagan.

Poplar Grove Winery
425 Middle Bench Road North
Penticton, BC  V2A 8S5
[t] 250.493.9463
[w] poplargrove.ca 

MAP

Tastings:

April Sat & Sun 10am-5pm
May to Oct 7 days a week 10am-6pm
Nov Sat & Sun 10am-5pm

in Misc Bin

Granfondo Penticton Axel Merckx

For those not so much in the cycling know, the Merckx name is legendary. Axel Merckx, a famed international cyclist in his own right, is son of the greatest cyclist of all time Eddy Merckx. Axel resides in the Okanagan and has put together a Granfondo event (loosely defined as a big bike ride) in my adopted hometown of Penticton, BC which will feature the legendary father-son pair together. To further add to the awesomeness of the whole thing the promo video is narrated by Phil Liggett who has been the voice of professional cycling for over 40 years. Oh, and the road riding in Penticton is nothing short of spectacular. Check out more at Axel Merckx Granfondo Okanagan.

*Update: Many people seem to be looking for pictures from the Granfondo. You can find some good ones at CJ Gordon’s Blog My Penticton .

in Wine & Food

Perseus Winery

Perseus Winery
134 Lower Bench Rd.
Penticton, BC V2A 1A8
[t] (250) 490-8829
www.perseuswinery.com

Perseus Winery (formerly Synergy Winery) is located in Penticton on the way up Vancouver Hill to the Naramata Bench, and is now officially the closest winery to town. Perseus is owned by the Shatford brothers of long standing Penticton history and is serving up some well priced, good value red and white wines.

Located in a house in a residential area with a vineyard out back, Perseus offers a different experience from some of the other Naramata Bench wineries and is nice and close to town if you’re in need of a quick pick-up for dinner.

Notable wines include their quite popular Merlot (formerly Synergy Merlot) and the Invictus Bordeaux Blend.

 

in Wine & Food

Bufflehead Tapas Room Penticton

So finally Penticton gets a Tapas bar/lounge that will please discerning urban diners looking for something to appease their yuppie palate. I mean this in a good way of course as I’ve been hoping for this over the past few years, and finally the Lakeside Resort has opened a lounge that I would compare in feel to the Gerard at Sutton Place in Vancouver, or the piano bar at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, but of course it’s on the lake.

It’s about time, but Penticton finally has an adult bar with class, a reasonable wine list, and a decent small plates menu. The view off the patio to Lake Okanagan isn’t so bad either. Oh yeah, and it actually is called The Bufflehead. Apparently a bufflehead is a small duck species of some sort, so this restaurant fits right in with the adjacent restaurants The Hooded Merganser, and the Barking Parrot.

If you happen to be in Penticton and looking for a place to eat tapas style and have a cocktail or glass of wine I’d recommend the Bufflehead.

Update July 8, 2010

After being open for a couple of months I’ve had the chance to return to the Bufflehead and all seems well. I will say, in addition to what I’ve written above, that for those expecting state of the art foodie fare ala big city, you may be disappointed, but the Bufflehead brings something much needed to the Penticton nightlife. The food plates are simple and of good value and proportion. In some ways it is a better value to eat here than at the neighbouring Hooded Merganser. Basically, the Bufflehead is a nice place to go for a drink and some appies. If you want a big meal go to The Hooded Merganser, and if you want nachos and beer go to the Barking Parrot.