T-5 June 18, 2003
Ian and I were discussing our five years plan and how wrenches have been thrown to them. Also when we go on vacation we just get plain primal. I want to get my confidence back and know what, where, how I want to do with my life.
I have shipped my bike and I am not 100% satisfied with my pack job. It felt somewhat loose.
On my way home today I crashed at the bottom of the hill on the 8th Ave Bridge. A pedestrian with headphones on blocked the path. My mistake was ringing the bell with my right hand so after the 5th ring I grabbed the brake, front one of course, and flipped over onto my right side. I have road rash on my right knee, elbow, ankle, swollen left thumb, cut on my left thigh, and somehow got the pattern of my tire on my right shin. Messed me up quite good and I am stiff, sore and generally pissed off.
T-1 June 22
I survived the weekend with all the family. I hope that I am not required to go to these campouts every year. Their version of camping just doesn’t do anything for me. Camping in an RV unit what's the point?? Camping is freezing your butt off and trying to keep a campfire going... oh well. My Elbow has changed a greenish color so I am going to need to keep goop on it. I am nervous and excited about flying to Kelowna to start this trip
D1 Todd’s RV in Peachland $25 28.00Km 878ft up 960ft down 02:09ct
Supper @ Wendy’s $7.00
Flight into Kelowna was good and smooth, got to see the mountains they look really nice from the air! Got to greyhound and as they pulled the box close the front brake hood stuck out of the box and when I opened it up I discovered I put the cluster next to the frame and it had done some chewing on the frame. Grrr I am I annoyed at myself.
Good grief is it hot here! I asked a racing roadie the safest way out and he sneered at me until he saw the loaded bike leaning against the store.
As I rode out I met Paul “A confused Gangster” living straight for 10 years. Now his woman wants to go to school, and now the temptation is hard on him to make the good money again.
I like the shoulders here they are nice and wide good for biking except just in front of the floating bridge. Arm doesn’t look so green anymore, now that I think about it I had stopped putting the goop on it.
I pulled into the campsite and when the lady told me it was $29 I slapped my forehead and forgetting about the BC taxes, she laughed and gave me the low price of the winter season just because I came in on a bike.
D2 Okanogan falls PP $15 72.26Km 1,528ft up 1,498ft down 07:02ct
Supper @ Café $8.00
I woke up very warm didn’t sleep in the bag at all. It was nice not to unzip the bag and run for the can because my bladder got cold. I really like the Okanogan area. Woke up before anyone else in the campground. Arm isn’t so green anymore; the goop must have been causing it. No major hills to take note of but I have learned to stay away from heavy cinnamon buns no matter how good a deal or looking they are. My stomach felt like I had a brick in when I was on a climb. I felt like taking a huge crap from the 6Km to camp sign. There certainly are many tri-athletes, a chick said hello as she passed me.
I met a Finish man and his family at the campsite. His family lives in Vancouver for the last year; he is a quiet happy/proud man. He bought a 4L pail of ice cream and offered me a bowl “Bought too much”. I smile and feel good didn’t ask for it, didn’t expect it.
There is a funny looking bird with a crown on its head. Man they can move around with no upper body movement, just that little crown bopping around.
D3 Johnston Creek PP $14 86.33Km 4,156ft up 2,420ft down 08:33ct
Supper @ Make own $0.00
Woke up nice and early left on time at 8:00, made it to Ossoyoos as planned. Wasted time looking for a place to eat that would have lunch at 9am BC time (there is that cursed BC/AB time chatter that takes up some much of the conversation at family things) Decided that it was good and early to start Anarchist Mountain. Fucking good name!!! 
That was not the summit just the end of the steep stuff. I should have known when a lady rolled down her window and yelled “good luck with the hill” The downhill from the summit was a great reward. Note curves on a map mean hills!!!
D4 Lake Christina $5 108.51Km 6,741ft up 6,173ft down 08:12ct
Supper @ Pizza Place $8.50
But I like this Christina Lake; there are lots of families here. Staying at the Schulli Resort owned by an Elaine which wasn’t the one I had circled on the map but when I pulled up out of breath and stinking from sweat and a well water shower they day before. She asked if I was on a bike and alone. I replied and she says five bucks. She keeps spots just for bikers “We worked hard enough so we shouldn’t have to run around looking for a spot to camp”. I lucked out and got a spot 5 feet from the lake. She came by later on to ask how it felt to be the envy of everyone. This was the third act of kindness from non-cyclist; I hope I haven’t used up my good luck.
I did a load of laundry and eat a really good pizza for supper.
D5 Castlegar/Moyie PP $24 73.89Km 12,522ft up 11,088ft down 12:11ct
Supper @ A&W $8.00
Oh I knew this was going to be a bad day. Woke up stuffy and plugged up from allergies. Did not feel motivated at all just wanted to sit by the lake and relax. I had one hell of a time getting up the hill, had to stop every so often even had a nap once or twice leaned up against my bike seat. People would honk and wave or smile at me. I got to the top and sat for a while savoring the moment. I was glad that I filled all the bottles and even my water bag because it took 3 bottles to the top and 1.5L to get to the end of the day. Then I found I was not at the top just yet. Remember wait for the elevation marker sign before celebrating.
I had already decided that when I got to Castlegar I was getting a rental to Cranbrook then I would go to Rossland mine and visit Rose in Trail. Janice at the visitors’ info place was phoning for me. I went to the rental counter and stated my case to Carlo, the Kootney area manager and he thought for a moment and said “come back in an hour “ for the price of filling the tank he could get me there. He was helping that location out once a week and was heading home to Cranbrook after his shift so I went to eat, grocery shop and he drove me to my choice of campsite and then would not take the gas money. He was happy for the conversation that made the ride go faster. I am now 2 days ahead of original schedule. I am happy I hope I didn't get him in any trouble.
Elbow is scabby well and should peal off soon. That bump on my ass is coming back to drive me nuts. I am washing my riding shorts and having showers so I don’t think it is a saddle sore.
D6 Cranbrook $19 23.23Km 328ft up 363ft down 01:35ct
Supper @ K’s safari $15.00
After yesterdays adventure I made a proper pillow, stuffing all my cloths into my compression bag. I slept like a baby. Went to bed at 10:30 and woke out of bed at 9:00. I had such a late start it was already hot out. I got to Cranbrook and got the groceries that I forgot they day before… Actually I forgot one more thing Doh!! I dropped off the bike to get cleaned and service on the derailleur. So I had a few hours to kill. Found a restaurant and had pasta so I think I feel better already. Went to an Internet café and hung out downtown.
This is a nice place Cranbrook, still to damn hot though. Instead of pushing to Kimberly or Wasa I got a camp spot and took the railroad tour. I had asked when the tours were open till, the guys pointed to the sign and said the next one is in half and hour better hurry. I smiled and set up camp, I bought my ticket at ten to three.
D7 Wasa $10 56.67Km 2,455ft up 2,689ft down 07:58ct
Supper @ Trevor’s 0.00
Sat met more bikers their doing research for a book on the Trans-Canada Trail through BC. Rode to Kimberly and it felt a little chilly but the sun was out. The low that night in my tent was 12C. I stopped in Kimberly and was disappointed the sign kept saying “The Bavarian City of the Rocky’s”. I was expecting like Cochran where every building fit into the theme, but only a 3 block pedestrian mall was set up. I waited around for the museum to open and the train started at noon, and then it got really hot. My gauge said 48 in the sun. So I hid in the shade of display buildings. Finally I hoped on to the lake to met Trevor. Perfect timing too he happened to look up from tying up his boat and there I was. The showers were great the loonies lasted forever!! I actually shut off the water before my time was up. We stayed up BS’ing the night away and the neighbor knocked on the door to tell us that we were being loud after quiet time. Boy did that get Trevor upset. This lake is nice; the cottages are more spread out than at Christina. I should mention that just before supper it started to sprinkle, I stayed put because it wasn’t that hard of a sprinkle but I decided to move under the tarp after I felt cooled off and then it stopped raining. Go figure.
D8 Jaffray $10 50.57Km 1,262 ft up 1,157ft down 03:47ct
Supper @ make own 0.00
Trevor offered a ride to Fort Steele and I happily accepted it and did the tourist thing. It wasn’t too bad I think I am going to do some research and learn some more of the area. Started riding in the heat again and didn’t go too far. Camped next to a golf course for $10. He let me camp by the creek and all the motor homes were on the front half of the field we were in. Saw four ducks in the creek and cows in the field next to us. Earlier in the day I had a feeling that my landlord left a message for me. So I checked for cell messages and found that Marilyda came to Alberta for the last time, her Dad is moving from Rocky to Utah. I am upset that I can’t see her. I think I am going to have to go to Denver sometime for a weekend or something. Reminds me to stay in better touch with my friends more or I will become the lonely old man that appears in my dreams.
D9 Blairmore $17 121.63Km 2,865ft up 1,304ft down 09:57ct
Supper @ Fernie Boston Pizza $18.00
Feeling really good today which was nice because this was the longest day so far. Troubling though were my thoughts of the day. Pretty ladies and why they look so good… I haven’t got a clue why.
The campsite I have is about two steps from a small creek. A Swiss couple owns the campground and I chatted with the lady. Once again my pronunciation of IKEA caused confusion.
There was a mountain today that I fell in love with, Grassy Mtn / Center Peak.
Riding is so much nicer minus that 10-15Lb bag I left with Trevor.
D10 Chain Lakes PP $13 99.75Km 3,198ft up 3,102ft down 10:24ct
Supper @ Make own 0.00 (mac & cheese not good)
I did the mine tour in Bellviue that was cool/cold I thought 7C would be nice for a change but I had everything on and they gave me a poncho to wear and I was still shivering. It was neat to see what it was like down there were the men worked. They had to put in so much timber to make the inspectors happy that when we got to the fence and looked at the timbers that they really worked with was an eye opener.
I started riding again and came around a corner and there were some ruins that were on one of the films, Leitch Collieries. I had to stop and check that out!
Caught an amazing tailwind to Lundbreck. A couple roadies snuck up on me and startled me as I took a picture. They were making use of the tailwinds to get from Fernie to Lethbridge where they had shipped their BOB trailers. I was having a good day so I went up #22 to Maycroft PP… kept going that place hadn’t been cleaned in so long the toilets were full to about 2” below the seat. I stayed long enough to eat and drink enough to get me going for another 50Km ride to the next campground.
Chainlakes are ok there are a lot of mosquitoes and black clouds keep going over and I hope they keep on doing that. I am boiling water according to the sign so I can drink tomorrow. J I am about 60/40 for not doing the Highwood pass. I think I could rent a car for the weekend or plan something.
D11 My own bed $0 112.57Km 2,603ft up 3,417ft down 09:37ct
Supper @ Bar U Ranch $12.00
The road construction on 2A looks like it is getting finished the blacktop is on it and all they need is lines on it. The top of the hill is a different story traffic was backed up and the pavement was all chewed up. Not my favorite surfaces to ride on you have to be careful and pick the right groove to go down. Just as I was to enter the city I went behind a SUV that was waiting to cross #2 and as the lady took off she sprayed me with gravel. Welcome back to the city! I threw my hands up and gave the “what the hell was that for” look. She saw me and had that “panicked caught in the act but I am still innocent” reaction. So I took the C-Train to the Stampede grounds just to avoid the city drivers with my loaded bike.
D12/13
I spent the last few days entering in all my data into a spreadsheet and typing up my notes and have come to the realization that if I had a Palm computer I could write this on the road and save time when I get back. I have to go through my photos which I could do each night and remember the photo and give the best description possible.
As I finish this on Saturday Morning (D13) it has been raining all morning. There is a Canadian National Bike Race on TV and later on today Le Tour begins with the prolog.
Overall I am impressed with myself:
11 days rode 6-8 lbs weight I lost on this “diet”
60 lbs approx weight of bike and bags shipped
4 of 6 mountain passes were completed
833.41 Km were ridden of the 1,200 that were planned 69%
75.0 Km/day 20.0 Km/h Average speed
32,358 ft were climbed in 130.7 ft/Km
28,281 ft were coasted down 95.8 Ft/Km
81:09 hours from breaking camp to when I stopped for the night
42:27 hours Time butt on saddle cranking the pedals
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