Random pictures

A New Record

June 19 2007 20th day of riding
53 35.312 N 116 24.613 W
171.7 km Total 2047.9
I had a strong tailwind for most of the day so even with a three hour break in Hinton I pulled some big numbers. The weather was pretty good for most of the day but a nasty thunder storm made sure I arrived at the campsite cold and wet. I was going to make mashed potatoes for dinner but there was a pizza across the street calling my name. I feel a bit like a horse to a barn the closer I get the faster I go.

June 20th 2007 21st day of riding.
54 17.854 N 116 15.454 W
137.0 km Total 2144.9
Today was tough day. Strong headwinds again for most of the day. At Whitecourt I called Flip and he came to pick me up. At the same time I rode as hard as I could with the tail wind towards him. I made it to 40 km east of Fox Creek. It is good to be home.

So... so far I've averaged 102 km per day of riding. That is through BC and the Rockies. I'm pretty sure that if I give myself 60 days I could finish the trip up. Only time will tell.

The reason I bike is because the outfits make me feel so damn sexy. Meow.

Home Sweet Home

I'll blog more about last few days later. Just wanted everyone to know that I'm home safe and sound. I'm floating around in happy euphoria. I'm glad to be here but I can't wait to get going and finish my trip.

Mother

June 17 2007
52 39.641N 117 52.584 W
Today 107.3 Total 1834.2
I don't think I've been this cold since last August long weekend. (A little inside joke for Chris. We went hiking and got caught in a blizzard.) I left the hostel full of vigor.

Coming up the pass.

I managed to make it up the highest pass gaining 650 metres of elevation, taking a half hour break, and still doing 40 km in 4 hours. I was feeling pretty proud of myself. Whoo hooo. Its all down hill from here. Ha ha ha. Then mother nature decided to be a mother &%$@. It felt like I was in a hurricane. Driving rain and winds. The freezing cold rain felt like ice pellets hitting me. I couldn't see a thing. If you would like to duplicate how I felt put some spandex on. Take a fan into your bathroom and turn it on high. Cover your sunglasses with Vaseline then turn the water on full to straight cold and jog in place for three hours trying to stay warm. Take a fifteen break (do not leave the shower) and eat something. Then start jogging again for another three hours. It took me 6 hrs to do 67km with an elevation loss of 800 meters. Nasty. I managed to injure my left Achilles heel somehow. Its pretty sore but I'm taking a partial rest day tomorrow in Jasper so hopefully that will help.Edith Cavil Mountain; Kelly style.

P.S. I'm still glad I'm doing this. Every day is a new lifetime. Enjoyable, punishing, and fulfilling.

Cyclists

June 16 2007
52 02.565 N 116 51.813 W
Rain again today. I started my day with a side trip to the actual lake of Lake Louise.

Lake Louise.

27 min up and 5 down. Whee. I saw bears #2,3 and 4. They were all surrounded by the paparazzi, so I sailed on by. I did the Bow summit today. It is the highest or second highest one I will do so it felt pretty good to get it done. I am staying at the Rampart Creek Hostel. Lots of cyclists here. I met a young guy who started out from Montreal 47 days ago. He gave me a great cycle map of Laval and Montreal. Great info. Most of the cyclist are a bike group from Edmonton doing training. They did the Icefield Summit today and are doing the Bow summit tomorrow.

Moose

June 15 2007
51 25.676 N 116 10.988 W
Today 104.3 km Total 1626.4
I was up early again today. Today was mammal day. I saw my first bear. He was happily munching away on clover and totally ignored me. I also saw my first and second and hopefully my last moose.
Every cyclist will tell you about the cow phenomenon. This is when a cyclist goes by a herd of cows they all stop what they are doing and stare. Then in unison, they turn their heads and follow you until you are past. (Try it some time it's a riot.) Deer do somewhat the same thing but their bodies are pointed away from you poised for flight. Moose kind of do the same thing but if you picture cows as hound dogs behind a fence, and deer a cowering whippets, Moose are rottweilers with no fence. The first one had just shied away from a truck and trailer when she saw me and her whole attitude changed. She leaned forward, her ears came forward and there was a look in her eye that had me saying to myself, "Oh shit." (Why do these encounters always happen when I'm peddling up hill?) Luckily at that moment another truck and trailer came by and scared her into the bush. The second one was bull moose that came to full attention when I showed up. It is very unnerving to have that much attention from something that big and angry looking. A couple in a small white car with bikes on the roof rack saw what was happening pulled a U-turn and escorted me past him. I waved thanks, they waved back and left. My knights in shining armor.

At the Continental Divide.

Hmmm think it was windy?

Weather wise it was another brutal day. Rain, sleet, hail and more rain. It was puking rain it just doesn't show up on the camera.

I was frozen to the core. I think I was still suffering from the after effects of the chicken wings because I was light headed and dogging it all day. I am staying at the hostel in Lake Louise for $10 more than a campsite I have a roof and hot shower. I'm happy as clam.

Revenge of the Chicken Wings

June 14 2007
Today 33.4 km Total 1522.1
Brrrrrr. The day started with me packing up in a rain storm, riding in the rain, visiting the hot springs in the rain and then riding in the rain again. I had planned on riding a lot farther but most of the campsites are still closed due to the early date. I could have stayed at the lodge but I thought I would get camp set-up early and relax. I am staying at the McLeod Meadows there are 98 sites of which 8 are occupied. They have special locker so cyclist can store their food so I threw everything of mine in. So far I've seen a pine martin, a pika, a ground squirrel, and three mule deer without even leaving my campsite. I was hoping to wander more but the chicken wings are still having their way with me so the only place I'm wandering to is the facilities. I was washing my hands when I looked in the mirror. Brown hair, brown shirt, green vest and green face, they think I'm really ugly tree. As long as one of the mule deer doesn't start nibbling on my ear I'll be happy.

Info Booth?

June 13 2007
50 35.190 N 116 02.275 W
Today 145.2 Total 1488.7
I slept in today so by the time I had everything packed up I had the big decision: push hard and get to Radium late or lallygag and spend the night in Fairmont at the hot springs. Lallygagging won. I had a late breakfast and then I stopped at Skookumchuck for a very nutritious snack of dill pickle chips, skittles and red bull. I guess it was the body wanted because the next 55 km flew by. I was just getting fatigued as I pulled into Fairmont. It was only 4:30 but I decided to call it a day and spend some time in the hot pools. The road to Fairmont is two km off the beaten track so I stopped at pub at the bottom the hill. Being Wednesday wings were on special so I ordered twenty. I also had two Guinness. If any one has every driven up to Fairmont they can attest to the fact that it is up, straight up. It had to be at least a 9% grade. Doing it cold was insane. Doing it after a trip to the pub was ludicrous. The spicy Thai wings sat somewhere between my stomach and my throat with the Guinness rumbling away underneath.
I had stopped at the Info booth on the way into town. They did mention that it was two km up the hill to the hot springs. What they neglected to mention the campground doesn't allow tenters, (it was fairly obvious I wasn't pulling a trailer.) They also neglected to mention that the hot pools were closed for maintenance.
All information I would have appreciated at the bottom of the hill.
They were going to let me stay in a grassy field with no amenities for the bargain rate of $24. but I declined.
I hopped back on my bike and did another 35km getting this side of Radium. All the while the Guinness and wings slowly protested it's way through my digestive system.
Red Bull + cycling = good
Guinness + cycling = very bad

Song Birds

June 12 2007
49 30.564 N 115 45.557 W
Today 132.8 km total 1476.3 km
I didn't sleep well last night . A rest stop is not a good place to encamp too many nocturnal visitors. I was up and on my way early. I haven't put my headphones on since Castlegar. As flowers were to the island, song birds have been to the Kootenay's. It sounds like a rain forest with all the different song birds. Red winged black birds, black birds, robins, sparrows, meadow larks, chickadees to name a few. Even chickens, ravens and eagles have added to the mix and on percussion the northern flicker and the peleated woodpecker. These are just the ones I can name there were a host of others.

In to Creston.

I had second breakfast in Creston. So far it wins hands down for being the friendliest town. I'm suffering from second day fatigue syndrome. The road from Yank to Cranbrook was brutal. The shoulder was rough with a huge rumble strip with no breaks in it. It was very difficult riding.

Catch Up

June 11 2007
49 17.995 N 116 39.680 W
Today 136.5 Total 1343.5
I got a late start from Dad's but even with that and a lengthy stop in Nelson with the help of a strong tailwind I made it the 76 Km to the Balfour ferry by 1:45. I had to wait for the 2;50 so I had lunch at the Docker's Pub. The first hill coming off of the ferry was a dandy, especially trying to do it with cold muscles. I had planned on staying at the Kootney Kampground but it was closed. I've run out of steam and I'm trying to stealth camp at Kuskonook, I'm just waiting for a family with two vicious dogs to leave. They are oblivious to my presence. Unfortunately the mosquitoes and no-see-ums know exactly where I am even with the bug spray on.
The roads from Nelson to the ferry were great with a smooth , wide bike lane. After the ferry the whole road was rough but the drivers have been very courteous.

Alls Well

I only have a couple of minutes so I've made it to Radium, alls well going to spend some time in the hot springs and then off up to the parks.

The Trapper

June 7th 11 Day of riding

49 20.930 N 117 39.826W

134.6 km Total 1207.0

I was up early again and on the road by 6:15. The weather was cool but calm.

When I cycle I do not pass anyone. Everything with wheels passes me. I am still waiting for some lady pushing a baby carriage to go flying by me.

I was riding along and I could see a bright reflective X in the distance. It would disappear periodically and then reappear. I was excited hoping it was another touring cyclist whom I could talk to. I began to pedal a little harder. As I very slowly began to gain on the person in front of me I began to notice details about him. He was riding with his knee out an almost 45 degree angle making his legs and knees look like to wings as he pedalled along. he had two plastic bags one draped over each side of his handle bar. I began to ease my pace definitely not a tourer. His bike was vintage 1950s with faded paint, chipped fenders and the seat spring were frozen into the compressed position. As he rode along he suddenly stopped , let his bike fall to the ground and scampered down into the ditch. As he was walking back up to his bike, admiring his treasure, he noticed me. He quickly stashed his loot jumped on his bike and began pedalling furiously his knees flapping away. We were still steadily but gradually climbing when he again jumped off his bike and headed down into the ditch. As he was walking back up I got a better look at him. He looked like a biker who had misplaced his Harley. Long shaggy hair, full beard, knee length cut-off jean shorts and work boots. he was examining his latest find a Frisbee. "This is my route." He said. I smiled and nodded thinking, "That's nice he must bike frequently." He looked up at me and said, "It's MINE." That's when the gears in my head clicked. He thinks I'm going to poach his trap line. At the same time I am suddenly aware of how painfully slow I am moving. I geared down and began pedaling a little faster. I smiled like an idiot and said, "It's YOURS." He watched me suspiciously as he tucked his treasure away. He picked up his bike and began to follow me. Now this where I think my brain is trying to kill me. I was not 50 metres down the road when I saw a bright, brand-new pop can sitting in the ditch. The urge to drop my bike go galloping down the hill and hold the thing up like I had just found the holy grail was almost painful. However I don't think the trapper would have found in funny in the least. I lost him from my sight s as he went to retrieve it.
The rest of the trip went quite smoothly I made it to Christina Lake by 11:00 so I took a 45 min break and carried on up the Blueberry-Paulson Summit. There were no real steep sections it just kept going up and up and up. Again the weather was cooperating as it was still cool and calm. I had some friends that did this trip on mountain bikes, pulling a bob trailer, in the full July heat I didn't envy them.

The Summit.

Me at the summit.

Rumble strips and groves. Where the heck am I suppose to ride?

My map had showed two summits but it was wrong after the Paulson it was all down hill. I made it to Dad's by 6:15 just in time for dinner. I was pretty happy with my time.

More Instant Karma

June 6 10th Day of Riding
49 05.742 N 118 40.600 W
83.2 Km Total 1072.4
I had a late start as Doug had to drive me from Kelowna back to Osoyoos which is a two hour trip. By the time I got everything organized it was 8:08 am. My ride up Anarchist Summit felt great. I made good time and I felt strong. I was excited because I sure I could make Grand Forks. That's when mother nature got nasty. I rode the rest of the way into a strong swirling headwind. When I wasn't pedalling like crazy to go down hill I had to check my speed down the steeper sections because of the gusts. Very frustrating. There is nothing between Grand Forks and Greenwood except the pass so I made a judgement call and called it a day at 5:30 in Greenwood. So now I am 140 Km and 3 passes away from Castlegar. I have already called Dad and told him I wouldn't be there until Friday. I think I'll do two short days and enjoy the sights.
The roads were pretty good with wide shoulders that varied in quality. At times it was a patchwork of bumps, cracks and debris. So usually I was riding on the right side of the car lane and moving over when there was traffic in both directions. I was coming up an incline when a silver car, a black truck and a grey car came barrelling over the rise. I glanced in my rear view mirror to see if I need to move over to make room for the traffic in my lane. There was nothing coming. When I looked up again I suddenly realized that the little grey car had crossed the double yellow line and was zooming down on me. I cut over onto the shoulder and as I bumped along I shook my head, threw him a dirty look and insulted (in very un-lady-like terms), both the driver of the car and the linage his mother. The car then cut back in front of the black truck. It wasn't safe for him to pass both vehicles. I looked back in my rear view mirror just in time to see the truck light up like a Christmas tree with flashing blue and red lights everywhere. Instant Karma again. They were gone over the next rise before I saw the car pulled over but I giggled all the way to Bridesville.

Downhill with a Tailwind

June 4th 2007 9th day of riding
49 02.205N 119 28.709W
113.4 Km Total 989.2
It took my body about an hour to remember how it felt the evening before. I suffered along taking numerous small breaks until I remembered that magic word IBUPROFEN. I was still sore but it was manageable. By 11:15 I was halfway through lunch and I had already done 67 km. The difference downhill and a tailwind makes. From Keromeos to Osoyoos there were a series of hills starting out small and then gradually increasing in length. To make matters worse the light drizzle turned into full on rain complete with headwinds and thunder. As I reached the top of the last hill, (long but with an easily manageable grade) the rain and wind quit. Letting me make great time down the hill into Osoyoos. The roads for the most part were smooth with great shoulders.
I'm spending a rest day visiting my father-in-law.

Doug. The duck herder.

I purchased a new set of lights. Pricy but bright and they have good flashing setting. It is suppose to rain tomorrow and I would like to be as visible as possible. It has rain steadily all day today with some nasty winds so I'm grateful that I wasn't on the road today. Hopefully the winds aren't as bad tomorrow. I won't need that with some of the grades that I'm facing going from Osoyoos to Rock Creek.

Highs and Lows

June 3rd 2007 8th day of riding
49 27.721 N 120 29.571 W
130.7 km Total 875.8 km
(Written earlier)
It has been a brutal day so far the first 50 km were up, up and more up. I gain 1300 meters of elevation but it took me 6 and half hours of riding not including my rest breaks.

Brakes Adjusted? No.....Is my brain???

It is currently 3:00 pm and I only have 60 km logged. I've stopped at the Coldstream campground and grabbed a nap 'a la Doug', (He is known for is ability to nap anywhere, on top of a picnic table, a strip of grass, etc, during his motorcycle trips.) This has been tough day both physically and mentally. I was for a while there ready to eat crow and pack it in. I was done. I mean done. I've made it this far I'm going to get packed up, and re-sun blocked, (another hot sunny day), but I highly doubt I'll make it to Princeton.
(Written that evening)
I did it!!! As I write this I'm at the riverside campground in Princeton. I don't think I could have gone 6 more feet but I'm here. After Coldstream camp ground I knew I had one more summit to do. So I stopped at the Eastgate Esso for some well deserved treats and some info. I asked the clerk, "There's another summit between here and Princeton?"
"Yes Sunday Summit."
"Is the hill long or short?"
"It's not that long." (It was 6 km long.)
"Is it steep?"
"No." (It was 9% for the first kilometre.)
Of course if I had known all this I probably would have quit right there. I'm not ashamed to say I walked half of that first kilometre. After Sunday summit it was pretty much all downhill.

The view into Princeton.

I was jubulant and exhausted when I rolled into camp at 8:00 pm.
What made today bearable was the number of people honking, waving, nodding and giving thumbs up. It was very encouraging.

Last Retracing Step

June 2 2007 7th Day of riding
49 22.797 N 121 25.485 W
119.9 Km total 745.1
My body really doesn't like doing over 100 km. I am always fighting for those last few km. The first 50 km I'm a hero. The road flies by under me. The next 25 are a workout, from 75-100 my body is whining like a three year, "Are we there yet?" After that point I've pissed my body off to the point where things start to cramp up; the ultimate form of protest. I'm usually forgiven by morning when I'm feeling like a hero again.
It was a hot, hot sunny day. I now have the coolest burn lines from mid bicep to wrist, and from mid thigh to ankle. I look dead sexy in a bathing suit with these tan lines. I need one of those old fashion turn-of-the-century striped jobbies, complete with the cap for my helmet hair.

The Fraser at dawn.

On My Way

May 31st 6th Day of riding
49 11.331 N 122 45.545W
101.4 Km Total Km 625.2

I'm back at Selena's. The ride back was fairly uneventful. I was worried about coming back into the city during rush hour but with the bike route and the traffic being at a stand still it was all good. Dustin talked me into staying an extra night (something about margaritas) so I'll leave Saturday morning. I'm anxious to be on my way but at the same time I have no idea when I will be back this way.