26-27 June Clagary - Drumheller - Youngstown

Wednesday 26 June

Breakfast was served at the University at Calgary at 6.30am. Bacon, eggs and fried potato set me up for the day.There was quite a bit of ducking and diving getting out of the city. Once we got going it was a fine sunny day with no clouds. Quite warm. Peter and I made good time doing the 166km in 6 hours and 51 minutes at an average of 25kph.

The farmland is mainly planted out with canola. The route was still quite hilly, the flat bits of the prairies still a few days off. The other aspects of Drumheller that are interesting is the dinosaur museum, and the size of the mosquitoes. The wet spring has made for a bumper crop, so lots of insect repellent is the order of the day.

The campsite was fine with lots of trees providing shade. A fine and breezy night meat for a dry tent in the morning.

Thursday 27 June

Today we rode from Drumheller to Youngstown - 144km. Weather still beautifully clear with deep blue skies and not a cloud in sight.The hills are getting smaller too. The road was good and the traffic ok as well. They have sealed over old concrete roads and the jointing can be a bit hard on the system, but generally a good day with a tail wind. We stopped in Delia for morning tea and in Hanna for lunch at Subway and rested there for a while. Delia was a real hicksville type of place but the Chinese owner of the diner couldn't have been more helpful. He offered blueberry pie with ice cream and other assorted goodies, all welcome on a hot day. Otherwise not much to report - I suspect this may be a feature of prairies reporting.

Now camped outside the Youngstown hall and sending this message from the library across the road. Youngstown has 157 inhabitants according to the young librarian. We have the use of the hall facilities and Shane is busy preparing dinner. I've done the laundry and have my cycling clothes drying on the line.

Calgary

We have had to take the bus to Calgary. They allow buses through but not private vehicles. There is extensive road damage particularly to bridge abutments which have been undermined. I reckon it will a couple more weeks to fix.

The shuttle dropped us at the airport and we took taxis to the university where are staying at the student hostels.

We have a rest day here tomorrow but can't really go anywhere because the downtown is still closed and the campus is well out of town.

Nothing like resting up though for the 6500km still to do.

I've attached a photo of self in Banff in the sun before departure this morning.

Also bought a new sleeping mattress as the old one kept leaking air.

John Climbing Allison Pass 1250m

23 June - Lake Louise to Banff

Lake Louise to Banff - 65km

It rained most of the night at Lake Louise. The tent is holding up well though and doesn't leak. We are at an elevation of 1300m above sea level, so the nights are still cool despite it being summer.

Dinner last night was potato and beef casserole. I am careful not to overeat - the young cool Shane will make us all put weight on if we are not careful.

Everyone had a bit of lie in this morning as it was only 65km or so to Banff. The road we were to take was closed so we rode down the main Trans  Canada Highway. There were no cars on our side because the road is closed past Banff.

Organizers are still trying to get us through from Banff toward Calgary, though I suspect we may not actually go to Calgary, which is the next rest day. I guess it depends whether the road in and out is clear. Downtown Calgary is a disaster zone because of the floods.

The ride to Banff was all downhill with the wind behind us. We set off at 7.45am and were in Banff by 11am.

It's quite the mountain tourist destination, very much like Queenstown.

Our campsite is elevated and about 3km from town.

Main Street Banff

Angela and self in Banff

Entrance to Banff Campground

Saturday 22 June - To Lake Louise

Going up 10 Mile Hill

Had a really good dinner out in town last night and a good nights sleep, so felt good this morning. The hostel owner provided a cooked breakfast of bacon, sausages, eggs and French toast. Delicious!

Peter and I headed out just on 7am and immediately began the 16km climb up the first hill, called 10 Mile Hill . Then about 50km of rolling country.

With a favorable tail wind we made good time and stopped at 55km at a township called Field. This is at the base of Kicking Horse Pass. We had a well deserved coffee and sat talking to some Dutch tourists for 20 minutes.

The main meal of the day was the 1650m Kicking Horse Pass. From Field it was an 800m climb to the summit in the "granny gear". The photo with the lake in the background is the summit. No real trouble as we are all starting to get used to the hills.

Entering Yoho National Park

A familiar "bug"

Summit of Kicking Horse Pass, 1647m

Al Lake Louise

Mountains at Lake Louise

I felt pretty good at the end of the day considering all the climbing. The campsite at Lake Louise is protected by bear proof electric fence.

The scenery around here is beautiful with several peaks around 3600m.

For those interested in the riding stats we rode 858m in 5 hours 9 minutes, at an average speed of 17kph.

Tomorrow we head to Banff.

John's post - Albert Canyon to Golden 115km

Peter, Angela & Linda

Finally the weather has cleared up. We had a fine day to do our ride of 115km. The first 33 km were uphill about 800m to the summit of Rogers Pass.

Then a very steep descent before another equally long climb. The final 40km into golden were largely flat but into a brutal headwind.

Everyone finished the day feeling a bit jaded. The other issue was that there were no stores or petrol stations to get supplies.

We are staying indoors at a lodge in Golden. Kicking Horse Lodge.

At least I finally got to see the Rockies. The rain 2 days ago is causing the organizers issues because the Trans Canada highway is closed between Banff and Calgary.

We have decided to push on to Lake Louise tomorrow and then to Banff. Flooding in Calgary may mean we can't get there. So we may have an alternative rest day. See Google for news on flooding in Calgary - a real disaster.

Now dining out in town on bison and bruschetta.

Friday 21st June - In the Rockies

In the Rocky Mountains, between Albert Canyon and Golden

Liz reporting today:

Just talked to John. The tour organisers are working out what to do, as Calgary - to where they are heading - is being evacuated due to flooding. So they can't go there and can't go back....

Was a hard day riding, though the mountains were lovely. Last 40ks into a head wind, cycling downhill.
No doubt we'll hear where they get to soon!

Wednesday 19 June & Thursday 20th June - Kelowna to Mara/Mara to Albert Canyon

This report is for 2 days since there was no WiFi last night.

Wednesday 19th June-
Today was one of those days! It started raining about 6km into our 106km ride and hasn't stopped. The road was very busy with big trucks sending up plumes of spray. Finished the day dirty and wet.

I hit a pothole and blew a tube. We stopped in Vernon at the Starbucks for a hot caramel macchiato which warmed me up. Another stop at some roadside tourism venture - The Log Barn - where bigger than human models of T Rex were displayed alongside black bears....... Too long in the woods methinks!

At the Log Barn

The scenery, what we could see of it was lovely, farms,  lakes etc.

Shane had hot soup waiting for us when we arrived - very welcome. I hand-washed all my clothes and dried them in the camp drier.

Dinner tonight was pasta and a meat goulash of some sort. It's still raining steadily and they are promising the same all day tomorrow. 

Swollen river between Mara & Revelstoke

In fact it rained heavily all night and several of our number had to move tents in the night to higher ground because of concerns that the stream beside the camp would burst its banks.


Tomorrow we go through Revelstoke to Albert Canyon, starting to climb the Rogers Pass, a 127km ride.



Today is Thursday 20th June, and at least the rain is not as persistent - just drizzle.

Started off with Peter and climbed up and down all day. The camp ground here is supposed to be 900m ASL. Rogers Pass is 1250m or so.

Between Mara & Revelstoke

It rained or drizzled for the first 50km them cleared up for the remainder. I feel pretty good as I slept well last night.

The route today is into the mountains with lots of beautiful lakes. The rain has put all the rivers and streams into full flow. The road is washed out about 150km ahead - so we are hoping the road workers get it sorted tomorrow.

Between Revelstoke and Albert Canyon

Angela and Linda had to stop for a black bear today, adding to their enjoyment.

Taking photos has even hard because of the rain  and heavy cloud obscuring the view.

Kelowna Tuesday 18 June - Rest Day

Kelowna is a small city of perhaps 35,000, around 350m ASL
It seems to be quite prosperous with lots of retirees moving here for the good weather. It's connected to Vancouver by a good highway and has 4 flights a day from there.

Everyone is taking it easy though my roommate, Mike, rose at 5am to do his washing...... I was tired enough to sleep in. I've since cleaned my bike and been down to the supermarket to stock up on chocolate bars for the mountains ahead!

Then a stroll up and down the Main Street. Caught up with Brian from Toronto and had coffee, then lunch in the park where the photo was taken. Kelowna is situated on the Okanagan Lake shore and is quite picturesque.

Have managed to clean and dry the tent and clothes. You can tell which hotel all the cyclists are staying in by the balconies draped with drying tents and cycling clothes.

I'll probably rest most of the afternoon, but I saw some of our number off on a wine tasting tour. We look after ourselves for dinner tonight but there are plenty of good restaurants within a short distance of the hotel.

Cycling demands lots of energy food so meals with lots of either potato, rice or pasta are a good start.

Tomorrow they are promising rain, but the day at 116km appears to be up a valley to Mara, so hopefully will be an easy ride.

Monday 17th June - To Kelowna

With Angela on the road between Hedley & Kelowna

Another beautiful day in the coastal range of the Rockies. 26  degrees celcius, so a hot one for cycling. People all seemed keen to get away early, with most of us up at 5am. A bit early since the cook was still in bed!

Peter, Angela and I rode together today. The ride was a real mixture. The first 33km were downhill with a 30kph tail wind. From then on lots of hills. A great deal of the day was spent riding along the shore of Lake Okanagan, an area renowned for its wine.           
                                                                            But the road often went up over bluffs.

To give you an idea of my daily food intake: breakfast was 4 blueberry pancakes with honey, a banana and a plate of muesli. On the road I had 2 bananas, 6 bottles of water, 1 ice  cream, 1 raspberry donut, 1 iced milkshake, 1/2 a chicken panini, 3 assorted chocolate bars and 3 handfuls of trail mix. For dinner I've just eaten roast pork with chips, fried beans, corn bread, coleslaw and a tonic water. This is a routine food intake for exercise like this. I will probably still loose weight. Indeed, a recommended Jenny Craig diet plan!

Lake Okanagan approaching Kelowna

Resting enroute

As you can see from the photos the scenery is stunning. The road was very busy though, so we are grateful for the wide shoulder on Canadian roads.

With Jim on bridge into Kelowna

 We did the distance  of 151km in just on 7 hours actual riding.

Now staying at the Royala Anne hotel in Kelowna for 2 nights. Tomorrow is a rest day so we get to recover and clean our clothes.

Saturday 15th June - To Manning Park

Today's ride was up over the Allison Pass from Hope to Manning Park. A tough but short ride of 66km. The pass is at 1342m and starts climbing almost as soon as one leaves camp.

The day was cloudless with a tail wind. The first 11 km were at about 5% gradient then a stretch of 6 km at about 8%. Thereafter the road flattened out for perhaps 20k before continuing to the summit at between 3 and 5%. I rode with Peter from Dundas in Ontario. He is probably a stronger rider being a few kg lighter as well.

I was ready for the summit with about 4 km to go! However the last 9km were down hill to camp. A special treat is that we are staying in the Manning Park lodge. If you Google it you'll see what its like.

We did the 66 km in 4 hours 36 minutes at an average of 14.6kph. To put this in context, ironman Chris took less than 3 hours. He is a very competent rider. 

The surprise at Manning Park is that we are staying in a lodge with spa and swimming pool. So I've soaked my weary muscles in the hope I'll be right again tomorrow.

One of our number is struggling with the ride. He's a diabetic so I suspect that he maybe finding it hard to balance his sugars.

All in all a great days ride. Tomorrow we have a 100k ride to Hedley which I suspect a good part my be downhill following a river.

Dinner was was curry chicken with a fancy white sauce! Yummy! I was rooming with Mike from Alaska, a man of few words.

16th June, Manning Park to Hedley

Fathers Day Sunday 16 June 100km

Another beautiful day in the mountains with no cloud or wind. Breakfast of fried potato and scrambled egg, followed by muesli.

 Peter and I set off at 7.15am. The first 23km were downhill, perhaps a 700m descent. 

Did the first 23km in 44 minutes. Then up up up, to Sunday Summit at 1291m, just on 32km into the ride. From then it was largely downhill to the campsite at Hedley, which I think is about 450m ASL.

We averaged 23.9 kph for the day despite all the ups and downs. One really steep 3 km descent where I got to 62kph

Saw 2 deer on the roadside, but no bears yet. Stopped at lots of places to take photos and have something to eat.

We were second into camp but while writing this we are still waiting for the truck to turn up. They are swapping trailers for a new, larger one which is being delivered from Ontario. This means shifting all the gear over.

So I'm feeling ok at this stage. We have a long day of 145 km tomorrow into Kelowna where we have a rest day. Today we followed the Similkamine River.  (Spelling?)

The day tomorrow is along the lakeside so hopefully not too many hills.

Camp about 4 k West of Hedley

Hope

It rained from about 2am and continued all morning. We broke camp with wet tents and got a good soaking while riding.

The scenery looked like South Westland in the rain......which would have been nice if fine. The route followed the Fraser River all day with a couple of river crossings but a mainly tail wind.

We got into the campsite at Hope about 3pm and dried everyone out - its sunny now with a good breeze.

The bike needed a good clean and the chain oiled, since riding in the rain really makes them dirty.

The young chef (Shane) started off well last nice with spaghetti and meat balls with a home made sauce. Looks like he does dinner and the driver, Megan the breakfast.

Tomorrow we have a short hard day to Manning Park. It's only 66 km but climbs 1300m. Hope is 42 m above sea level.

Today's ride was 120km.

Fort Langley

This is the first riding day of the tour. For the record I'm part of a Canadian tour riding 7500km from Vancouver to St Johns in Newfoundland.

The day started early with a cooked breakfast - French toast etc. then down to the Pacific to dip our wheels in. 

A good pace out of town where the strong riders showed themselves early on. 

Arrived at our first campsite at Fort Langley before the truck at 1.30. A good first day with no incidents. The day is warm and partly cloudy. Crossed the Fraser River and saw logs being floated downriver to a large chopping operation. A wonderful sawn timber smell in the air. 

Otherwise the day largely taken up getting out of Vancouver. The camp at Fort Langley is beautiful with good grass and big hedges to protect the tents from wind.

Two of our number are somewhat slower and have yet to arrive.

Some have gone in to town to have lunch but I'll wait for the truck and then do some washing. The showers cost $1 a time which is apparently a fairly uniform charge at campsites.

74km.

Vancouver - Ready for Departure

Today, Wednesday 12 June, was taken up with a briefing by the tour organizers of how the trip will operate. We were introduced to Shane and Megan, young students who will be driving and cooking. 

The trip leaves at 8am tomorrow. They have supplied us each with a new cycling jersey to wear. 

For those with a keen interest in the route the first week is to Fort Langley, Hope, Manning Park, Hedley and Kelowna. This is about 500km.

There are 11 of us starting the trip. The tour company owner is also joining us for the first few days.

Reporting from here on depends on access to wifi, so don't be surprised if there is sometimes a few days between communications.

Deep Cove, Vancouver

Just been out for a few hours with Nelson looking at the sites. 

Deep Cove

Stanley Park looking toward the Lion Gate bridge and North Vancouver.

Monday 10 June

A lovely Monday in Vancouver. Catching up with colleague for a day out sightseeing. Attached a couple of shots at the University.

Vancouver

Saturday 8th June

Well I took the bus to town and got my new cell phone number. Visited the Museum of Anthropology for a couple of hours. Very modern and well laid out. Then some lunch at a local cafe followed by a bike ride. (30 km) I did a big loop along the coast and through the suburbs. Some really good signposting of cycle ways.

The suburbs were all well established with tree lined avenues. Now it's about 6 pm so I'll find a Hell Pizza shop and have dinner.

30km

Sunday 9 June

I'm still on NZ time, awake 1/2 the night!

Just got in from 4 hours out on the bike. Rode along the waterfront cycle way into the city and around Stanley Park. Thousands out enjoying the sun, though still quite a cool wind.

They have a shared walkway/cycle way all around their city waterfront. Lots of cafes, parks, people sailing and flying kites.

I'm meeting up with Nelson tomorrow. He is one of the cyclists who joined us on the European cycle holiday last year. 

48km

Vancouver

Well I've arrived in Vancouver at the start of my cycle ride across all 10 provinces of Canada. After 5 months and 4300km of training I'm ready to get going! 

For those who haven't been keeping up with my plans I'm joining a small group of 11 Canadians and riding 7500km across Canada over the next 11 weeks. I have a few days here to get ready and sightsee and then we leave Thursday 12th.

The weather here is quite cool with heavy overcast and wind. Not really summery at all. 

I've taken the bus to town and found a Telus stouts where I've got a new SIM card for the iPhone and new number. Liz has the #.

This afternoon I'll visit the Museum of Anthropology and go for a ride to make sure the bike is working, it having been assembled.