A Day In The Mountains

Thursday, September 18, 2014

We were off from our campground by shortly after 6:30 am. To say the least we were the only people up and moving within the campground at such an hour.

For Sue we were entering new territory. She had never gone through the mountains on the Trans Canada. As a result we stopped at some of the historic sites as we drove, the first being the "spiral tunnels' and later the location of the 'Last Spike'. By the time we had reached Kamloops we had decided against the short cut (The Coquihalla Highway) and stayed on the old Trans Canada. It was new territory for both of us and there were many more tremendous views as we headed down through the Fraser River Gorge towards Hope.

We arrived in Maple Ridge at Nancy and Gashaws by 6:00 pm, another 12 hour plus day. The drive has been fun but we are glad it has ended.

Wildlife Sightings = Elk.

The Thompson River Valley.

Vast Spaces, Changes in Terrain, Changes in Scenery

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

We left the Travel Inn in Regina before 7:00 am (I had better not get too used to this) setting out on another long day. After more than 10 hours on the road we have arrived in Two Jacks Lakeside Campground in Banff National Park.

What a change in scenery we have experienced over the last 2 days. Leaving Dryden and entering 'flat Manitoba' was almost a welcome change...I know it should not matter...I am in a vehicle. As yesterday progressed and we entered Saskatchewan the terrain became somewhat hilly (not what most people believe about this province) and as we crossed into Alberta the terrain flattened out again despite the fact that we were gradually climbing towards the mountains. After leaving Calgary behind, the mountains appeared in all their glory. As I write this we are nicely tucked into the edge of the mountains. Every direction we look is another snow capped vista.

For those 'farmers' out there, 'despair not', your brethren in the West are in just as bad of shape as you without much wheat or canola harvested. Cash croppers in the Calgary area will have to wait until next year to harvest anything as the wheat crop was flattened by the snow storm of a couple of weeks ago.

Wildlife Sightings = Pronghorns, unidentified ducks (L.B.D.'s), White Pelicans, Snow geese.

And to copy our friend Pat's sign off...Life is good preparing supper while tucked into the mountains!

20 Steps From Our Campsite.

Reflecting Back...

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Yesterday's drive up and around Lake Superior was breathtaking at times and darn well boring at other times. The rock cuts and the magnificent views, however, more than made up for the 'vast nothingness' on the way to Dryden. It was a long day in the saddle...oh...I guess that is not true...it was along day in the truck...I am getting ahead of myself. The day did give us time to reflect upon our bicycle ride through the area in 2010. No wonder 'Cross Canada Cyclists' find this area so difficult and complain a lot about it. We knew it was 'hilly' but had forgotten just how difficult it was. Up and down all day. It is hard to believe that we actually climbed those hills day after day after day! Reflecting back, we must have been in great condition...if only that could be true for the start of this adventure...Oh well it is what it is...we will deal with what we have to deal with...still a little nervous!!!

We made it as far as Dryden last night where we stayed in a really nice, small, and I cannot stress enough, clean place called the Hide-Away Motel.

We were up and at it early again this morning...Sue's suggestion that we get up at 5:30 am...do not know what is going on...but I will take it. It has been another long day and we are presently 100 km from Regina where we plan to stop for the night.

Time in the saddle (truck) on Monday = 12 1/2 hours. Time in the truck today = 11 1/2 hours.

Wildlife sightings = lots of ducks too difficult to identify while flying by at 110km, Snow Geese.

For Those of You Who Understand...Always a Special Place For Us

The Adventure Begins... Sort of!!!

Monday, September 15, 2014

It is our second day on the road...sort of. We have travelled over 1000 kilometres...already. Let me explain. We had planned on an early Sunday morning departure but decided to get the adventure underway early, leaving home at 4:30 pm on Saturday. We travelled to Parry Sound where we stayed in the Knights Inn in downtown Parry Sound...rather seedy to say the least. Sunday we travelled as far as Agawa Bay Campground in Lake Superior Provincial Park just south of Wawa. And no, we are not on our bikes. They are nicely 'standing' in the back of the truck travelling 'much faster' than they would if we were on them.

It is Monday morning and we had a 6:30 am departure from the campground (really early for Sue). We are presently 'cruising' close to Marathon. And Oh, yes, we have already had a bike 'break down'. Well not really a 'break down' but have had a mirror 'snapped off' of my bike. We won't talk about how!!!

The adventure has begun.

The Beach at Agawa Bay Campground

Last Minute Scramble...Again!!!

Tuesday September 9, 2014

Since the last blog entry (Is that really more than a month ago? Where has the time gone?) lots has happened. Work is wrapped up...finally...customers are 'semi' happy...oh well the adventure must go on. From bicycle issues, furnace issues, trying to get the garden cleaned up between rain storms, and getting friends and family to help while we are gone, the scramble really has begun. Our basement looks like a disaster zone...yes more than usual! Our gear is spread all over the place. Hope we have everything.

Oh yes there is that thing called training...the necessary evil! Our training rides are pretty much complete. 1300 kilometers behind us...I sure hope that is enough. But like 4 years ago on our 'Cross Canada' ride we will take it easy for the first few days...some of our family think that we take it easy every day when we ride...right Colin?

5 Days to departure. I guess it is too late to back out now. Too many people know about the adventure and have the blog. The last minute planning is coming together.

We are looking forward to our adventure!!!

Departure Date Set...and Some Not So Important Information!

Sunday, August 3, 2014

In 2010's blog I spent some time describing our route plan. This time the route plan is simple...go south...stay coastal (where the road allows)...and try not to get 'defeated' by the hills!!! I am probably more nervous this time out for various reasons including the fact that 4 years have passed since our cross-country ride. But the true reason for the 'angst' is that we now know what we will face. In 2010 'ignorance was bliss'. We are told our experience will make it easier...we will see!

Our equipment list has changed very little. We will be installing Schwalbe Marathon Touring Plus tires (darn near cost as much as car tires!) to replace our Michelin Tracker tires. This change has nothing to do with performance but is a forced change as the old tires have been discontinued. A new tent will accompany us, an MSR 3 person, as the old one has seen its better day. A new speedometer has been forced upon me as the old one was 'destroyed' in my 'over the handlebars' experience of a couple of weeks ago. The rest of our equipment remains intact. And yes we are still 'poster people' for MEC!

Our departure date has also been set. We will be leaving Sunday September 14 and driving to our good friends Nancy and Gashaw's in Maple Ridge BC, spending a couple of days with them and then heading south 'downhill' (at least it is on a map) on or about the 21st. We are again becoming a bit anxious about our latest adventure as the time draws closer.

More training is needed I am afraid!!!

One of our training rides with the new tent.

6 Weeks to 'D Day' - How Time Flies!

Saturday, August 2, 2014

It has been a month since the blog was created and an eventful month it has been. Sue has obtained a 3 month leave of absence and I am trying to wrap up about 4 different jobs (trying to keep customers happy).

Training is coming along nicely with 'fully loaded 'Sunday/Monday camping rides. Our distances are 'ramping up' with the hope that we will be ready - at least physically. Rain (can you imagine us having to ride in rain?), wind and cool weather have already been experienced and I suppose one could say - conquered. A serious 'spill' over the handlebars at 20 km / hr onto a paved road was overcome with 'minimal' damage to 'body and bike'. We actually feel like our legs are slowly getting back into riding condition. (At least I do - Sue on the other hand is a little bit skeptical!) Four years is a long time for 'muscle memory'!

County Road 40 - one of the most challenging climbs in the area.

43 days and counting....