ride archive: August, 2008

It was nice to wake up in my tent not thinking of any mountains to climb. I was feeling pretty good given the last 9 days of exertion, crossing 5 serious Mountain Passes (Allison 1342m; Anarchist 1233m; Paulson 1535m; Kootenay Valley viewpoint 1400m+; Continental divide 1640m) and a few other sizable climbs.

I crossed into Banff National Park, crested the continental divide and entered Alberta just after 5:30, having come 135km in just over 7 hours. The heat of the days was subsiding and in my weariness I decided to push on for Banff rather than camp at Castle Junction. I started to have thoughts of staying in a bed.

I rose and packed camp early in anticipation of another hot day, hoping to get past the anticipated steep and challenging climb out of Radium Hot Springs. I was on the bike by 7:15. The ride to Radium (38km) was uneventful. A short climb, some spectacular scenery, and a early heat provided a indication of what was to come. I stocked up on supplies, not knowing if I would make it to Banff and what services were available prior to Kootenay Park Lodge. The adventures of the day provided many more photo’s than any other day...

Another warm day. I rose at 5:30 and left Yahk PP at 6:45. I started the morning not sure of how far I would ride/where I would end up — partly based on the disturbed sleep of the night before. I was buoyed by the impending site of the Rockies, something I not experienced since 2001. I entered the ‘Mountain Time’ zone at 7:40/8:40am, and soon after passed the sign welcoming travelers to the Rockiy Mountains district.

I left myself go back to several times this morning, given the previous day. I rose at 6:45, had packed up camp and was leaving New Key's Place (see photo) in an hour. It was a pleasant ride in the morning, having set off before most of the holiday makers were on the roads. I snapped a couple of pics of Kootenay Lake, which reminded me a little of my ride along the westen edge of Cayuga Lake back in July 06. My memories of that day are more pleasant —most likely as I had had several days rest and was refreshed before setting out.

I was up early, hoping to make Paulson Summit before the heat set in. My plans were to head for Nelson, somewhere I had always wanted to visit, if I could make it that far and take my first rest day. It turned into a very long day!

It was a pleasant morning on the lake, rising at 5:45am. The early morning view across Christina Lake was a pleasant way to start the day. After a quick meal I was able to pack my gear and leave Texas Creek Provincial Park by 6:30. Following the 5km back-track to Highway 3, I turned awayfrom the lake and headed north-east towards Paulson Summit.

If yesterday was a tough day, today was not the most enjoyable. The distance ridden was not large, and the climb quite gentle, but it was very hot, with the heat hitting as I closed in on Grand Forks. Today surpassed the heat of the previous day. I did get to finish with a swim in Christina Lake, which aided in my (mental and physical) recovering.

Lots of photo’s today. It was a tough day, with a long climb some describe as the most challenging of the ride Vancouver to Banff: Anarchist Pass. I started the day after a good rest, enjoying the stay at Stemwinder—though with a flat (the previous day’s tube repair did not hold). I also started to wear board (surf) shorts over my bike pants to protect my legs from exposure—which helped a lot!

Following my only icy morning, I headed off on the cruise down to the east gate of Manning Provincial Park at 8:20am. I stopped at the store just east of the gate (the east gate diner iirc?) to pick up a ‘sports drink’ and a snack for breakfast. As I was setting up to leave a car pulled in that had passed me on the climb the day before (3 bicycles on the roof). We had a good chat about cycle touring. The occupants were moving back to Ontario after living out in Vancouver for a couple years. Their trip east was a journey! They had planned for three weeks travelling south of the border through exploring National Parks. After leaving the Provincial Park, the smallish climb up Sunday Summit was next.

Yes, I know the title is a little cheezy/a double entendre. I was on my bike before 8 for my ride to Hope where I planned on having lunch and picking up some food for dinner/breakfast. My first mountain pass was to follow and I was unsure of how I would manage. It proved to be pretty tough, possibly the most challenging climb for me of the whole trip. One thing that this climb taught me, in conjunction with the many that followed, was that sports drinks make climbing much easier (i.e. they keep you hydrated far more than water alone). I began carrying one at all times, then two later in the trip—for reasons that later posts will highlight.

Given that I was up until close to 4am the night before, I had a bit of a late start today. I was off and on my bike around 10:30. I was unsure how far I would get, aiming for somewhere between Mission and Hope (interesting town names!). The Fraser Valley is very flat, and I stopped in the late afternoon, not wanting to push too far on my first day, at Squawkum Park.

I went for a late ride with a couple friends tonight. We round from the downtown east side following the  Trans Canada Trail loop that circumscribes Stanley Park and the seawall trail—after weighting out a bit of rain. We stopped at English Bay so I could dip my tires in the Pacific Ocean. Getting across the sand proved a task—and cleaning off the sand was a pain. We ended up heading out to Foundation for a late feed, staying to well in the morning chatting.

I have finalised the last of the tasks I needed to get done, and with possible rain forecast for Monday, I will be leaving tomorrow (Sunday). I packed all my gear into my trailer yesterday as a final test pack and will take it out for a 20km ride this afternnon, following the Trans Canada Trail loop that circumscribes Stanley Park and the seawall trail.

I have started to get in some kms around Vancouver before I start my trip west on the 10th or 11th. On Monday (4th) I did a lap of Stanley Park with a friend to watch the sunset. I did some riding around town on Tuesday and Thursday finalising some things. On Wednesday  afernoon I had a good ride from Vancouver up to Whytecliff Park and back, a little over 60km and a little under 2 hours.