Well this weekend did not go anywhere near the plan. I had this idea that I would use a powertap wheel so I could get some power data for my Iron Man training. Can't exactly buy one of these units right now so when Bow Cycle announced they would rent them I jumped at the chance. The weather report was saying snow on the Monday so at the last moment I decided to take my Touring bike for the ride.
I violated the number 1 rule twice. I used untested equipment for an event.
The touring rig had not been used all winter or spring. If I had done a test ride I would have noticed that the rear breaks were dragging. When I put the rental wheel on, it had a narrower rim width. If I had done a test ride I would have noticed that the brakes would have rub on the sidewall of the tire. So combined with the rubbing and the dragging, and a new wheel it was a recipe for trouble. It happened about 1 km from the start of the ride. I had a massive flat tire, the tube had a 5cm gash in it from the failure. It sounded like a gunshot it was so loud.
I walked back to the gravel pit and packed up the bike. The damage deposit on this wheel is HUGE so had thoughts running through my head that if it would do this 1km into the ride how many more times would it happen. So I pulled the pin on the ride.
I got back to Calgary and put the rental wheel on my race bike and went for a ride so I could at least try it out. But the gears don't mesh right on this setup so I could not use the high gears to see what kind of power numbers I could generate.
I am rather disappointed right now and little angry with myself. It's the Scots man in me that knows I could have spent the money for this weekend on a different choice.
I am going to put MY wheel back on and go for my own 100km ride tomorrow and Monday since I have the days off work. With MY equipment back in action I should not have any issues. I am just hanging my head in shame by not following rule #1 of Triathlon Racing.
Showing posts with label Touring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Touring. Show all posts
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Kamloop Ride
D1 65.08 / 65.08 Km 3:34 17.4 km/h 756M
I woke up in the morning to find it raining while I waited for Dan to pick me up. I am Feeling very nervous. Julie and Dan showed up with Tim’s coffees ready for trip to the mountains. The plan was to drop me off at Banff but the rain clouds and the time of day Dan offered to go to Lake Louise and that made me very happy. I was using a guide from CANUSA a tour company that started in Lake Louise so now I could try to follow it closer. This was kind of setting the bar high because the guide is for a group of people with no luggage and a wagon to pick them up if they had a bad day.
Well it took me a while to get my stuff together before I road away from my friends. I always have a problem with motivating myself for the first 10K of the day. I went off and stopped at Mosquito Creek for nap, it was nice being there again. I always have liked the Icefield Parkway, and this was no exception. The Bow Pass (mid Pic) was a gradual climb to Peytro lake viewpoint (left picture) and I had a good pace going up and then I even tried to jog up the path to see the Peytro viewpoint a couple laughed and thought that the bike riding was good training for the run up the hill. The downhill was a blast as I remembered how long it took me to get up that side a few years ago. I made it to Waterfowl Lake and was pleasantly surprised at the campground. I found that I forgot to buy some bug spray when the mosquitoes came out, how I forgot that I don’t know. Saw my first bear on this day. I was coasting down a hill and I started to pedal and it started to tick at that moment I heard a rustle in the bush beside me and I saw a young black bear running away. I think we both could have soiled ourselves from fear because he was might have been 10-12 feet away in the ditch when I passed.
D2 71.19 / 136.27 Km 4:03 17.4 km/h 845M
This was one cool morning as I looked at the temperature and it was 6. I hoped that would be a good sign for me when I climbed the Sunwapta Pass but it didn’t hold. I rode along until I got to the pass and at first sight I questioned my sanity. I was not having the greatest of rides to this point. I had stopped at The Saskatchewan River Crossing and talked with a couple riders for much longer than I had planned so I ended up getting to the pass at about 1:00pm which is too hot to do climbing. I met Scotty from down under who is a bike courier there and took a year off to travel around Canada. My bike was also making some terrible noise every pedal stroke that was driving me mad.
Above right is the first view of Sunwapta as you come around a corner. The view point is almost exactly in the middle of the photo. That is where the photo below was taken.
At the viewpoint on Sunwapta a few people were shocked to see that I made it up the hill. One lady said a few years ago she blew a motor on this hill. An older gentleman said he used to race but was very impressed that I had all my gear and made it from the bridge to the viewpoint in 40 min. When his wife asked if I had enough water, he quickly said "no he is good, because he is organized". With a compliment like that I could not bring myself to take any of the offered water.
I arrived at the Icefield Center planning to have supper and then go set up camp. I saw this young guy with a team ONCE jersey on so I had to say hello. Turns out that Matt and his sister Amy had lost their SAG wagon, their brother was left at near the Crossing and they had to pick him up, and their father was somewhere between. I wasn’t doing much and they were trying to figure out where they could stay for the evening so I shared info from my guides and maps. Richard their dad showed up quite annoyed at the driver for getting lost. Somehow they reached the driver and he was in Jasper and was told to get here. So we waited for some time and all of a sudden Amy caught sight of her brother Mike pulling up bad knees and all. Food was broken out of packs to feed him because he ran out of food and looked in really bad shape. I had shared my plans with Richard and we had planned on sharing a campsite and I was invited for supper. Finally Chris the driver shows up but without the trailer. The kids panic and try to warn their dad so he doesn’t blow a gasket on Chris who is not family or a bike rider. The plans change and they decide to load up the truck and get to Jasper to camp for the night and Richard says the supper invitation is till valid if I want a ride. The noise from my bike needs to be looked at by a mechanic before I go crackers so I accept the offer of a ride.
Looking back I should have figured out from clues that this was a religious family but Richard only talked religion for all of five mins just to find out my position and let me know what his was. He said something that made me think I just wish I now could remember the exact phrase. It went something like: There are different degrees of how serious people are about religion. I was very glad that I was in a car full of people that were not so serious.
D3 127.60 / 263.87 Km 5:38 22.6 km/h 497M
I woke up in Jasper and Matt and Richard had decided that it would be cheating to not ride every mile from Utah to Alaska. They had woken up at 4:00 to have Mike drive them back to the Icefeilds to cover the lost miles. I wandered into town to look for a repair shop and was told my Bottom Bracket was shot. But they did not have the right size to replace it so it got cleaned greased and put back on. Oh sweetness it was quiet no ticking, grinding or failing grip on my sanity
So I had a late start to the riding day that is not a good trend. I like to have my riding started while the air is still cool. Stopped at the Yellowhead summit and took pictures and of course someone has to wander over and ask the normal questions. How far can you go (as far as I want), you climbed up that hill (no Scotty beamed me up), You have everything in those bags (no some are invisible), are you scared of Bears (nope you just stop your car and get out for that photo while I go on by thanks, by the way smack him on the nose when he gets close that is how they say hello no really that is the way he says hello to you is it not)
I had Moose lake circled on my map to sit and have lunch when I got there it was incredibly hot out and the only shade I could find was behind an info sign. I took full advantage of it had a great picnic. By the time I got to Mt Robson a lady said that it was 36 degrees out. I felt like I could have melted. I was not feeling the greatest and thought long and hard over two large freeze's if I should pull the chute and camp here for the night, I mean I was a day ahead of plan. Nope I pushed on and had the longest ride day of my trip, I drank about 8L of water / Gatorade on this day. I went past the viewpoints for Terry Fox and I finally made up my mind how I was going to choose for IKEAN of the month. Now I just had to find someplace with email to send in my speech.
I stopped at one campground that the info people recommended but it was next to a creek and very shady so it was prime for mosquitoes and getting to it I felt like the sites used to be some farmers grazing area that he turned into a campground. I saw my second deer walking across the highway as I was on the access road. I headed into the town and saw more campground signs and found a better one. This one had a motel on the front and it was full of a Korean Tour group. Their leader felt it was a great idea to use whistles like a sheep herder to let his flock know that it was time to do anything. It was funny to watch them go across the highway for supper. They took up as much of the road as it was wide. Both lanes, I swear if the access road was 100ft wide they all would have walked side by side.
I watched where they went and found a different restaurant to eat at. I had the biggest plate of spaghetti I have had in along time but I made the mistake of getting a ceaser salad to start and it was very large as well. So I could not eat all my supper because I felt like I was going to burst but I think I needed the carbs really badly.
D4 93.27 / 357.14Km 4:20 21.4 km/h 375M
this was a nice day of riding. Hot as hell!! Drank 5L of water. Terrain was very rolly. Snacked at 45k should have eat more. 74k had rest stop. Napped & made soup which I think I should do more often, stop and eat at the 60K mark.
I got into Blue river and a restaurant had a sign saying homemade pie and Ice cream well that was an offer I could not refuse. Instead I got one small scoop of ice cream on a not so great piece of pie. I had higher expectations of homemade pie I guess thanks Grandma :). At least the waiter pointed me to a nice campground. It was nice and shady, only $13 and it was walking distance (normal person distance of two blocks) from a little lake that even had a lifeguard. I swam around the dock and sunned myself for an hour. I thought about trying to use this as a training swim but I was very tired and kinda dehydrated. The Lifeguard said it the lake was 15 degrees, it was neat to feel cold and warm patches of water. All I know is that I need to practice in a lake more often.
D5 112.08 / 469.22Km 5:16 21.2km/h 522M
I liked my campsite so much that I thought about taking a rest day here and just relax for a while even go for a jog and a swim. To this day I wish I had done just that, it might have saved me from myself but it was only day 5 of 12 I had planned so it was too early to get tired and take a break so I kept on riding. At the gas station they had green squall Gatorade. I drank half that on the spot. I told myself to ride 20k. If I was still in bad l could turn back. The aid did the trick.
The scenery sucks after being spoiled by the icefields. One word can best decide today "FOOD"
D6 88.72 / 557.94Km 4:21 20.3km/h 360M
why the hell am I doing this again? I had cell coverage at barrier called Wanda on her cell and she was at work. I think it may have been her first day at her new job so I felt bad, I had checked at the lodge for Mom but they said she was in Red Deer I just assumed that they were together shopping. That happens when you loose track of what day of the week it is. At 80k it started to sprinkle. I climbed hill to see sign saying last camp till Kamloops I checked the map and the rain got heavier. With the rotten hot day I had I was not in the mood to test the sign. I think Kamloop is 40k away. A short ride in & find the Race course and veg the rest of the day. I definitely need rest day or I am going to have to bus it.
A caravan of Germans showed up, 7 motorhomes pulled in while I was having a shower it was entertaining to watch them all park and then begin to party. I met a guy that was on a Goldwing in the spot next to me and he was pulling a very small tent trailer. The funny thing was he had a little dog with him that sat in a milk crate strapped to the back seat.
D7 45.00 / 602.94 Km 2:16 19.7km/h 208M
Today l road very easy into Kamloops and watched the Crit races. I decided to stay at the hostel to pamper & rest, this was a good idea because near the end of the last race a storm blew in and later rained very hard that night. I sat with the map and I have adjusted my daily plans incase I decide to try to complete the tour. Tomorrow I am going to watch Road Race.
In the Ladies Crit there were two from the Bike Shop competing and one of them collapsed from the heat after her race. I was talking to her mates and found that she physically cannot sweat and then she overheats. They have been through this a few times so they were not worried.
D8
Watched the women’s road race and it was getting very hot again. I don't think I could ride and have fun so I headed to the Greyhound. Only to find that they don't have bike boxes. I saw a Sports Mart as I went up the hill so I called them to see if they had a box available. I raced up to put the bike in a very small box. I don't know if it will survive the ride too well. The manager gave me a lift back to the depot but the cargo area was closed. I knew I should have taken a cab back. He is going to put it on the bus tomorrow before he goes to work for me and send it collect.
D9
My bus arrived in Calgary at 5:30 this morning and I am glad to be off that damned thing. All the turns the bus made on the mountain highway made me think it was unsafe for me to ride on it. I had to also get a seat infront of the talkative 10 year-old traveling with his Grandmother. I am surprised at my patience with the stupid runt we all walked off the bus with all our limbs still attached. Arrived at my apartment to see yet another notice that the water is going to be shut off so they can do repairs. I collapsed on my bed for four solid hours of sleep. In Hostels and busses I sleep very lightly so two nights of that took much out of me. I woke up to find the heat wave followed me to Calgary.
I spent the day wandering around feeling quite down. I was very unimpressed with myself that I pulled the pin on the tour. I had been looking forward to this for a long time so I was dealing with some very depressing thoughts. I have come to realize that the decision I made on the road was probably for the best. I have always believed that anger is the most honest emotion a human can have and when used properly it can help guide you in situations. I was very angry at the heat and I was not having as much fun as I had in past tours. This year the main difference in my training is that I am now balancing three events, instead of focusing only on cycling. I cannot do my casual 100+Km/day touring when I am training for a short intense 40K ride. I made a choice earlier this year to do Triathlons and I was kind of foolish to think I could do 1200Km in two weeks without any major distance training and not have any problems.
I am going to salvage the last week of my vacation by hopping on a shuttle to Lake Louise and I am going to go hiking up there. I will get over my disappointment with myself but not overnight, I have to hang on to the good memories of this tour. Lets face it I have had more adventures on my bike than the average person can ever comprehend. I still love my bike.
2003 Kelowna Trip
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
2002 Ride
Day 1 As I left the house I joked with Wanda & Rob that if they saw me in the ditch stop and help me. Well I got the shits from heatstroke, Wanda & Rob just happened to stop just as I got out of the ditch. Boy did I feel like an idiot! Heat and I don’t get along I have found out J
Day 2 Motivation just was not happening and I got a ride from parents to Goldeye.
Day 3 Rode to DT so that I could have a warm breakfast Crystal and Glen were excellent waiters.
Day 4 Saw my first cyclist a guy from Chicago area going to Prince Rupert BC then he was going to take a ferry to LA. I stayed at a youth hostel, turns out it was the most expensive stop of the trip $22! At least it had a sauna that some ladies got going. Met a lady from Switzerland Marlene, James from New Jersey working for Lets Go Travel guides, A guy that was staying at each hostel in Alberta and BC, and a group from UofC doing Mtn Climbing activities. When I first got there it was raining so I took shelter under the bike rack structure and this cat hide under a wheelbarrow until the rain stopped I laughed at that cat so much.
Day 5 I couldn’t make up my mind if I wanted to go north or South, the weather report was rain in the north sun to the south. So I went south not going up Sunwapta pass to the Ice fields. I experienced the hardest 12Km ever on the Bow Pass, I only walked about 2k IF I CAN DO THIS BAD ASSED HILL I CAN DO ANY DAMN THING I WANT!!!! As I went up I saw a couple on a tandem going down and I stopped to talk to a family from Mexico that was going to Alaska they started in March and planned to get there by September, The little girl will have many stories to tell her kids when she grows up! This was the second day in a row that when I stopped for the night before it started raining.
Day 6 Saw another couple on a Tandem and an Englishman on a racer with backpack that stayed at hotels, not a bad idea. He had this wristwatch that had an altimeter and weather station in it, one of the mtn climbers had one as well, the elderly guy said he would not ride without it because it gives him so much info. Later I find Uncle Nic has one as well, spot the trend.
I decided to ride up the chateau and sit for a few hours. 4.5K up a 500ft change in elevation took me forever I think it was harder than the Bow Pass for some reason. I get to the top and see yet another couple on a Tandem this pair I got to talk to. It was the wife’s opinion that with the tandem she could stay with her husband and not get discouraged by not keeping up so she tried harder, the Guy rides so much more than she. He thought it was great because he knew that he couldn’t leave her behind and then she didn’t get mad. I immediately thought this might be an idea for Rob & Wanda for their bike ridingJ
Well I thought it would be nice to eat in the restaurant, trouble is it was really fancy, I mean FANCY!!! I realized that I hadn’t had a shower yet on the trip and that I could smell myself I felt uncomfortable and out of place. Nobody asked to have a different table so I think they all knew but they probably saw me struggling up the hill and took pity on me. The downhill was one of the most exciting thing I did all trip I think, I SCREEMED down that hill maxing out at 64Kph the speed limit is 60. There was a Motor Home the size of a freaking Bus and car in front of me that I could have easily passed if I wanted to.
Because the LL sites were closed to tents I had to go to the overflow campsite where the warden’s don’t patrol. It was cheaper but when I got there it was an open field that was signed as a Commercial truck rest stop I just about went past it. I could have stayed at the Lake a lot longer than I had because I had this huge field to myself when I crawled into bed.
Day 7 I woke up in the morning and to my surprise I had a neighbour, Christian from Germany. We broke camp and had breakfast together and didn’t leave till 9am! He had so much gear on his bike it was heavier than mine. He originally planned on riding from Vancouver, Jasper or Banff then to Calgary in 2 Months, but he hurt his knee and spent most of his money getting a bus to Calgary then rode to Jasper and back.
I had a really good ride into Banff saw many more cyclists as I walked around. I was going to meet Christian at Tunnel Mt Campground but I was having a really good riding day and I am beginning to Hate Banff with a passion. So I headed off to Canmore to avoid another park pass fee, a guy in a shop told me the campsites in Canmore are next to the highway and there were better ones further on, just didn’t say how far they were. So I ended up in Bow Valley PP, actually Willow Creek. Apparently there are about 5 sites in the PP and this one was the closest to the highway. I am planning to get to IKEA by noon so I can talk to David or Don (found out later David is still on Vacation)
I was sitting in my mosquito-infested area (note to self no camping next to shady creeks) and a group of cyclist rolled up with banners on the back and such. Turns out to be 8 men from Scotland, 1 Alaskan, and a guy from BC. They are part of a Protest group for Debt Relief in 3rd world countries. They tell me of a Critical Mass ride the next day in Calgary, which is the main reason for their ride from Vancouver. Later on in the evening the army was showing off, NINE helicopters in a row circled the valley. We all just smiled and waved at them.
Day 8 Woke up and got a good start to the day, found a monster of a hill by highway 68. I rushed into the city and used the C-train to get to IKEA at 12:20 not bad for an estimate (TIP do that more often rest less) I talked to Don for a while and found out about a 35+ position in Logs, filled out a form to keep my foot in the door, it sounds like a really sweet deal. I showed up for the Crit Mass and so did about 200 others, groups from were riding from Sask, Ed, Red Deer, and Vancouver. One of the guys from Edmonton was a real idiot he owns a bike shop. It was quite the experience of a lifetime to turn around and see a sea of bikes taking over the downtown area. One guy said there was a cop annoyed that we weren’t violent because he wanted to crack some heads. I stayed the night at Nick’s. Oh I drank the whole bag of water today 3L plus 2 Gatorades.
Day 9 Oh woke up out of a real bed and didn’t move for a while; a real bed can snap the strength right out of you. Betty made breakfast and Leah had to work, Andrea slept in till around noon. I didn’t leave till around 1pm, it was a bad start to the day but the Crit Mass made the paper and I think I am hidden in the pic or just behind it I am not certain. I took the C-Train to Whitehorn station, I just felt like leaving the city again but not as bad as before, just wanted to get to get to Blackfalds to avoid the heat wave that was coming. So I made it to Bob’s house to find that it was Grad week for Heather. Don & Elaine were there for the events. Jake is quite the biking person I have found; they plan on biking to Dawson next summer. I had a few beers with Bob and I forgot that I hadn’t eaten lunch so I probably looked like I was drunk off two drinks.
Day 10 Rode to Bob’s worksite with him; damn he has a fast pace! I think riding alone makes me forget to keep a good pace up. I think I ate more today riding than any other day. It was probably the hottest as well. I just about bonked a few times I don’t know if it was because my belly was full or not. By Inesvail I honestly thought I was going to die it was so hot and I was not feeling good. I pressed on to the Chapters where I knew there would be air conditioning and just sat and pretended to read magazines to cool off. I took my time to get across town and thought about finding Rob’s workplace and throwing my bike in the back of it and wait for him. But that seemed like a rotten way to end a good trip so I stopped at DQ and ate AGAIN and rested, felt even better. As I rode to Blackfalds there was a traffic jam, I got a few cheers from people as I kept up and passed traffic. I kept up with this semi up a hill, which made me feel really good. Stopped off to pick up some booze to celebrate the end of the trip.
Things I have learned about biking from the trip
- Get one of those watches
- WASH bike shorts every day no matter what!!! If not remember the discomfort
- If I don’t feel good find SHADE!!! Drink water and eat something light
- Find a way work in time to cook a decent breakfast in the morning (instant oatmeal or something)
- Do not pitch the tent next to a shady creek... massive mosquitoes
- Every hill has a top somewhere and a downhill
- There are friendly people out there and they ride bikes
Things I don’t need to bring next time
- The little radio because there is no reception
- Binoculars I used them once
- Long underwear and cold weather gear
- Less clothing Ride set and Hang out set… That is it.
Things I didn’t bring but needed
- Wet wipes
- Bigger sized notebook
- Small calculator
- Slippers were good until they got wet
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