Thursday, June 14, 2007
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.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
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?
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.
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.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
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.
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.
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.
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.
Friday, June 1, 2007
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.
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.
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