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.