Goodbye to Daphne, Linda and Richard

Tomorrow Daphne, Linda and Richard are heading back to Vancouver. Thanks for all your company and we hope you had a great time. So, now we are down to the core 5 cyclists and we have no escort vehicle, so we're carrying all of our own gear.

A quick word about the blog - since the computer is on its way home, I won't get as many chances to update the blog. Bear with me please - I'll try to do it when I can. Thanks.

June 26 - Thorsby to Tofield - 130 km

Today turned out to be a tough day for the cyclists. There were only 4 of us (Gerry, Leddy, Laura and me) - the rest had taken a side trip to Edmonton to do some chores.
We left Thorsby, headed for Leduc. We had a bit of a south east headwind. After a stop in Leduc and another in Rollyview (population about 3 from what we could tell) we lunched in Miquelon Lake Park.
The weather forecast included a chance of thundershowers. Just as we were leaving the sky darkened and the storm started. We hunkered down under the local store's covered patio and waited out the storm while contemplating moving tables around so Laura and I could pitch a tent if we were stuck there.
It was just a thundershower - after an hour it had abated enough to continue, except the wind had shifted 180 degrees and the rest of our trip was still against stiff headwinds (even though we were going north instead of east now).

All's well that ends well. We got to Tofield and had a great dinner in Tilly's in Tofield. Thanks to Ruth and Gus!

Photos - Gerry took a picture of us at the park before the storm and an hour later after we had geared up for the storm.

Gerry's GPS also turned over 2000 km today! Only another 7000 or so to go!

June 25 - Evansburg to Thorsby - 136 km

A long, but not that hard day today. Reasonably flat, but no headwinds (at least that I remember).
Today's big event (for me) was my first bicycle problem. After working on other bikes mine decided to give me a problem by breaking the chain (the master link disintegrated). This happened at lunch in Drayton Valley - there are no bike shops in Drayton Valley!

Luckily, at the last minute before we left on this trip I decided to toss my chain breaker into the tool kit - it saved my bacon. That, along with the memory of a MEC video on chain repair got me back on the road in half an hour, and I didn't even miss lunch.

Everybody should check out the MEC technical videos on their website. They're great - thanks MEC!

June 24 - Goodbye to Dan and Terri

Dan and Terri left us today. They are staying in Evansburg tonight and then heading to Edmonton for a few days before heading back to BC.

We had a great time travelling with you two, even though your big brother had to keep fixing your bike, Ms McSpoke. And Dan with his 4 flats in two days! A total of about 1800 km through BC. But a whole lot of fun - and "mountain biking" the Surly through Miette canyon was a highlight!

June 24 - Edson to Evansburg - 105 km

We're actually not in Evansburg, but at a lovely B&B called the Rustic Ranch about 15 km outside of town.

Another good day of cycling, our speeds are increasing in the flatter countryside. No rain, but we got a solid thunderstorm after we were safely inside the B&B.

Photos today - our "Lunch Spot That Time Forgot" in Wildwood, and a view from our bedroom at the Rustic Ranch.

June 23 - Hinton to Edson - 96 km

After a very chilly start for the campers we continued eastwatd. Easy cycling, no rain in the morning. We dodged the afternoon showers but had to peddle through the road mud left behind.

Today's photo shows the real last summit. Can you believe the highest point on the Yellowhead highway is east of Hinton? Our total mileage to date is about 1725 km.

June 22 - Jasper to Hinton - 85 km

After our rest day in Jasper (Dan and I went cross country to Miette Canyon) we're heading off towards the east now. The flatter countryside makes for easy riding.

I've included photos of the Tauntons and a photo showing a bunch of happy people about to be deluded. Laura told them this was the last summit. But she lied.

Our Track So Far

Since I woke up early on our day off and had a couple of hours before Laura stirred, I put together the picture of our trip so far, with the places we've stayed.
Forgot to mention yesterday that we saw a wolf on the road just outside of Honeymoon Lake. He was trotting down the road in front of us, oblivious as can be. He deeked into the bush and Laura went by him. He then came back onto the road right beside her.

Next Part of the Trip

Here's a map of our route through the Prairies. Click on it to enlarge it.

June 20 - to Jasper - 54 km

Some nice downhills and a short 54 km sprint into Jasper with a side stop at Athabaska Falls.
My GPS says we have gone about 1540 km to date.

We have tomorrow off in Jasper and head further into Alberta after that. Time to do laundry (at least whatever clothes we can catch), a bit of bike maintenance and be a tourist (breaky at the Bear Paw Bakery!).

June 19 - Saskatchewan Crossing to Honeymoon Lake - 91 km

June 19 was Suwapta Pass with its killer hill, the Icefields Centre and then on to Suwapta Crossing (the Tautons, Leddy & Daphne) or to Honeymoon Lake (Terri, Dan, Laura & Greg).

The climb up Suwapta Pass wasn't as hard as we all thought it would be. Having decent weather was a bonus. On top of the pass the headwind was bitterly cold (happens when it comes off a glacier). The other side was nice.

The left side photo is the lower hill approaching Suwapta Pass from about 2/3 the way up.

The other photo is the first glimpse of the main glaciers, just past Parker Ridge (right where we got hit with the headwinds).

My apologies to whomever if I can't spell Suwapta.

June 18 - Lake Louise to Saskatchewan River Crossing - 88 km

A very cold but dry morning in Lake Louise. We left the lake and climbed the Bow Valley Summit. Cold showers mixed with snow forced us into full rain gear. A pretty good downhill ride after the summit with improving weather.
Photos of Dan and Terri before lunch, a loyal member of the "shower cap brigade" and Rampart Creek Hostel, where Dan, Terri, Laura and Greg stayed (nice sauna, cold creek!).

June 17 - Kootenay Park Lodge to Lake Louise - 75km

This day included Vermillion Pass, the Continental Divide, and a rough downhill stretch to Castle Junction for lunch. We followed the Bow Valley Parkway to Lake Louise, where some of us got caught in a very wet and cold sleet/rain shower. Otherwise a great day.
Margaret - notice what we celebrated crossing the continental divide with. The other photo is Castle Junction.

June 16 - Radium to Kootenay Park Lodge - 66 km

Catching up on the last few days of our travels:
After a rest day we were back in the saddle with a morning climb through Sinclair Pass. A hard climb for a while, but a nice downhill and valley bottom ride afterwards.The photos are the classic shot of Sinclair Canyon, the crowd having lunch at one of the rest stops along the Kootenay River and the crowd have before dinner refreshments (is eating and drinking all we do?).

June 15th- Day Off in Radium

We spent a wonderful day off in Radium. We were toured around by Grant and Claudia, up into the back country around Radium Hotsprings.
Thank you again for the wonderful time and the great barbecue on your deck.

June 14 - Fairmount to Radium Hot Springs - 55 km

June 14 was another easy day in nice weather. We went from Fairmont to Radium with a side trip to Invermere for lunch. No major hills but a bit of a head wind for most of the day.
We had a goodbye dinner for our driver Gord last night in Radium. He's off back to Vancouver today. Thanks again for carrying our gear and keeping track of us.
Gord is replaced by the terrible twosome of Linda and Daphne who will be driving and biking with us to Alberta.
So, we have a day off in Radium today (June 15) to rest, hit the hot springs, and psych ourselves up for Sinclair Pass tomorrow.
Dan, Terri, Laura and I want to thank Grant and Claudia for letting us pitch our tents in their yard in Radium.
And special thanks to Grant & Claudia's duaghter Genie for warming up Laura's sleeping bag.

June 13 - Cranbrook to Fairmount Hot Springs - 104 km

104 km sounds like a lot but, on a nice day with a bit of a tail wind and no major hills, it goes by fast. Terri and Dan went straight through to Radium, so they did an extra 35 km or so.
Lots more "big" towns - Fort Steele, Wasa, Skookumchuk, Canal Flats. You know the places. The Native meaning for Skookumchuk (Strong Waters) is the same as for the Skookumchuk narrows near Sechelt.
Included are a picture from Fort Steele, another 'endless road' photo (albeit with a nice view) and a nice photo of the mountains on the far side of Columbia Lake.

June 12 - Creston to Cranbrook - 107 km

We started out from Creston under threatening skies, but missed all the rain, with the weather improving during the day.We hit all the big towns between Creston & Cranbrook - Kitchener, Yahk, Moyie Lake. Stopped for morning brunch/snack at Two Scoop Steve's in Yahk and at the bar in Moyie Lake.
Dan and I high tailed it into Cranbrook to see the railroad museum there.
All in all a good day with no major hills.
Today's question - what do Yahk and Coombs have in common? Both have "Goats on the Roof!" Actually, the current owner of the Soap Company in Yahk is from Port Alberni, so I guess we know where the idea came from.

June 11 - Crawford Bay to Creston - 78 km

Back at it today. 78 km to Creston, but with nice weather! The ride along Kootenay Lake was great, with a stop at Lakeview resort for morning snacks for some of us and lunch at the pub in Sirdar (just below south end of Kootenay Lake).

We got to Creston just as a thunderstorm broke. The weather forecast is that this will pass over this evening, so we are hoping for good weather for the run to Cranbrook tomorrow.

Today's photos are of the "Biker Bar" at Sirdar, the vicious crowd of bikers inside, and a shot of the Creston valley.

June 10 - Ainsworth to Crawford Bay

After an evening at the Ainsworth Hot Springs we had a very short day - 14 km to the ferry at Balfour and then a few km on the other side to the various B&Bs or to the campground at Crawford Bay.

Terri and Laura took advantage of the light day to get a ride to Nelson with Gord so Terri could replace her rear wheel and Laura could get some rain pants. Hopefully, no more broken spokes for Terri.

Our Track So Far

The Cyan line is our trail through BC from Mission to Ainsworth Hot Springs.

June 9 - New Denver to Kaslo to Ainsworth Hot Springs

The hill out of New Denver was billed as a monster, but it didn't seem too bad. The valley scenery was spectacular. However, at the top of the hill it started to rain, which made the glide down to Kaslo a bit uncomfortable. We were better prepared for the rain this time, so everybody made it to Kaslo for lunch.

Our thanks to the staff at the Kaslo Visitor's Centre who helped me find a possible source for a new back wheel for Terri in Nelson.

After lunch in Kaslo we hit the road for the about 20 km to Ainsworth Hot Springs, where we all mellowed out in the pool.

A couple photos of the "Energizer Bunny" on the hill out of New Denver. And, check out the "Shower Cap Gang" at Ainsworth.

Our grand total for mileage (kilometerage?) is 786!

June 8 - Fauquier to New Denver - 107 km

On June 7 we got to Fauquier - across Arrow Lake from Needles after the Monashee Pass. Today was along Arrow Lake to Nakusp and then overland to New Denver on Slocan Lake. A nice ride with a few showers.

Terri blew out her 3rd spoke today.

Today's photos - Rolling road outside of Burton (just up the lake from Fauquier), Terri at the Pink Piggy Deli in Nakusp, and check out the piece of shrapnel Laura took in her tire.

June 7 - Monashee Pass

This turned out to be a tough day. It started raining as we climbed up to the pass and a lot of us got rather cold. We stopped before the summit and made tea at an abandoned building. After stripping off the wet clothes we headed down the other side. The rain had stopped and the downhill was much more enjoyable.

The Monashee summit is only 1240 Meters but we had a bunch more up and downs which made the day's vertical close to Alison Pass. 113 km today.

The photos are brunch at Cherryville, looking up Arrow Lake and the
ferry between Needles and Fauquier.

Relay For Life

Just a reminder to support the Relay for Life tomorrow.
Greg's Sister Terri is registered in it but will be biking tomorrow instead of running. Greg contributed to Terri's Relay for Life campaign, so Terri has to tow Greg tomorrow. You can see Terri practicing here.

June 6 - Westbank to Lumby

Great day today - 101 km today, 497 km total so far.
We toured through Westbank on our way to Kelowna. Got a bit lost in town due to detours. After Kelowna we toured through some of the smaller towns - Winfield, Oyama, Coldstream and on to Lumby. We made a number of detours through side roads (see Cycling 101 - Lesson #2).

Two more flats for Dan today, on his brand new back tire! We found a tiny piece of glass in the tire on the second flat. We met "Alaska" Jack today. He is from San Francisco and is cycling from Kelowna to Alaska this year. We had to give him a patch kit - he has 5 tires that weren't holding air (and we thought we had problems).

The first photo is of the group running ahead of a shower on Highwway 97, the second was taken along Highway 6 - this rain shower missed us - no rain today!

By the way - don't be alarmed if we don't keep this up to date. Some of the places we are staying don't have electricity, let alone Internet.

June 5 - Another easy day.

Note the luxury accommodations for Gerry et al the previous night!
Our Thanks to George and Colleen.

Thanks to Stewart and Penny for letting Laura, Greg, Terri, & Dan stay at their house.

We made it to Westbank before it started raining. Then ir poured!

Terri (aka Ms. McSpoke) broke another spoke, but we had the right tools to change it this time.

Keremeos to Penticton

Here's Laura leaving the barn!

Keremeos to Penticton. An easy day. The weather turned out nice.
Nice stop at Yellow Lake.

Gerry, Ashley, Leddy & Gord continued on to the Punta del Norte at Summerland.

Two burst tubes for Dan today, caused by a failing tire. All repaired.

June 3-

Beautiful rooms at Manning Park Lodge.
Nice ride from the Lodge to Princeton, but still lots of up and down. A couple of long downhills into Princeton.

After lunch in Princeton we took the Old Hedley Road to Hedley. We'd recommend this to any cyclist or automobile that wants a nicer, slower route. Unfortunately, it started raining.

Hedley to Keremeos on Highway 3 was very wet. 133km for the day.
Four of us got to stay in the Eagle Campsite and we talked them into letting us pitch our tents in the party shelter!