The day that did not want to end....

Sunday, May 9. Hope to Coldspring Campground (Manning Park)

We were up early this morning and on the road by 7:15. Good thing we did. It was a hard day! I will rephrase that "it was an extremely hard day"! Training in Southwestern Ontario or on turbo trainers cannot prepare you for the climbs on Hwy 3. The first 18 km to Sunshine Valley was uphill. And I mean no let up. 6 kilometres of this was at a 7% grade. Then we had a downhill where we were a little chilly and then the climbing started again. At times we walked and at other times our "Granny Gear" was our best friend. Through BC "Granny" will get a workout. By about 47 km we were ready for the day to end. If a suitable "gorilla campsite" (wilderness) had been found we would have stopped. We were forced to continue, however, as the shoulders were either rock face or cliffs. With some riding and some "pushing of the bikes" we made it to Allison Pass Summit (elevation of 1341 metres). After a celebration and picture taking, we coasted 7 km to Coldspring Campground in Manning Park. We are camped in a facility not yet open. There is snow beside our tent.

Met a biker today about 10 km outside of Hope who had his back rack break and he was trying to temporarily put it back on so he could continue. His destination was unclear to us. Seemed like he was just wandering. Another biker passed us hoping he would have a flat so that he would have an excuse to stop. Tough day!!!

Daily Distance = 67.65 km. Time on the bike (or pushing it) = 6 hours 58 minutes. Actual Time = 10 hours 45 minutes. Average Speed = 10.28 km. Maximum Speed = 52.42 km.

Kevin = 1 Sue = 0

First of many plan changes....

Saturday, May 8

We were packed up and on the road by 8:45. Hwy 7 again provided beautiful scenery and relatively flat terrain. However, the 4 months of sunshine, temperatures around 20 degrees, and a tailwind had a "hiccup". For much of the day we fought a headwind which at times made for some slow progress despite the flat terrain. Guess my "wish" was a little bit optimistic!!! Then came the first, but probably not the last, change of plans. The preferred destination was Sunshine Valley but with a few phone calls made from the tourist info place in Hope we found accomadation was non existant so we decided that the prudent thing to do was have a short day today in preparation for the mountains tomorrow. The good news is we only have 64 km to ride. The bad news is it is a very challenging ride to the first mountain pass in Manning Park to a campground where the services are not open until May 15. Knew there were going to be days like this!!! We are camping on the Coquihalla River (yes Sue is happy with the sound of the river flowing past) at the Coquihalla Campground in Hope.

It is always interesting the people you meet. Today we crossed paths with a tandem bike with 4 young men on it who yelled at us that they were on their way to Halifax. They had a trailer/truck supporting them. We also met an older gentleman in Hope who had cycled in France and Italy...and truly seemed to be envious of our trip.

Plan is to be up and on the road "early" or at least much earlier than the last 2 mornings.

Daily distance = a paltry 44.04 km. On the bikes = 3 hours 10 minutes. Average Speed = 13.85 km. Maximum Speed = 42.90 km. Slowest Speed probably about 7 km.

Kevin = 1 Sue = 0

It has actually begun....

Friday, May 7

The trip has begun for real. We were on the road by 8:35 am. after another official picture taking ceremony at our friends house in Maple Ridge. We would again like to thank Nancy, Gashaw, and Michael for "putting up with us" for 4 nights as we turned your house upside down. Your friendship and support has helped us to begin our adventure. Thanks so much.

Today was quite a nice ride along the Lougheed Hwy through flat agricultural lands bordering the Fraser River. We had a 3 km climb before Agassiz and then an exhilerating fast downhill until the road flattened out again. We are camping at the Pathfinder Motel, RV, and Campground in Agassiz with a pair of Holsteins next door quietly watching us. A 5 km ride to the grocery store and back means we will have a nice chicken stir fry with salad for dinner. Life really is "tough"!!! Our goal tomorrow is to get to the Sunshine Valley area just at the edge of Manning Provincial Park.

Daily Distance = 76.98 km. On the Bikes 4 hours 50 minutes. Average speed = 16.05 km. Maximum Speed= 64.36 km.

Kevin =1 Sue =0

Ready to go....

Thursday, May 6

Today was a day to "truly" get ready to start the ride. We took a 2 1/2 hour training ride around the Maple Ridge area once again. This was the day to make sure that the bikes were ready and to do some laundry. Who knows when laundry facilities will be available again!! Packing is in progress as I write this. Goals have been set for the first 3 days of our ride and believe it or not some of my nervousness seems to have been reduced. Just making the decision to begin has helped. We are actually going to do this. 2 1/2 years of planning and tomorrow we actually begin. St. Johns here we come....

Kevin =1. Sue =0

More training and last minute preparations....

Wednesday, May 5

Not much excitement today. Took 2 hours to ride 8.6 km. No it was not because of the hills!! We were on a last minute shopping trip. Grocery store, post office, bank, and a stop for lunch. Great training!! Rode back towards Vancouver and returned to Maple Ridge on a very busy Lougheed Hwy. (Collin I hit 46 kmh today). Think we will set out "for real" on the "adventure" on Friday morning.

Kevin = 1 Sue =0

Back to training....

Tuesday, May 4

In case anyone is confused, we are just following our plan. A few days in Maple Ridge for "training" before the real journey begins. We decided to ride from Maple Ridge to Mission on the Dewdney Trunk Road and return by way of the Lougheed Highway or Hwy. # 7. First 15 km seemed to take forever. Then we figured out why. We had been gradually climbing. 10 km downhill on curvy roads in about 10 minutes, pretty much riding the brakes the entire way. Never knew what might be around the next curve. Quite fun actually. Looking forward to those downhills in the mountains. But you know the climbs are still a concern!!! Tomorrow another training ride.

Kevin =1 Sue =0

And we are off.....

Monday, May 3, 2010

Via Rail surprised us with an early arrival at Vancouver. It took about an hour of work to get our bicycles and gear ready for riding. Thank you Via for putting up with our gear spread across the station. Off to our official "getting the tires wet" in English Bay. Thank you Amy for your patience waiting for us to arrive and for being our official photographer. Sure was nice to have a friendly face to see us off. With google maps and written instructions from a local cyclist in hand, we were headed for Maple Ridge. Gusty winds, tons of traffic and our limited maps made our first day an interesting one. Highlight of the day was probably riding across a major bridge with 4 lanes of traffic flying by in each direction. And they call this a bike route!!! Arrived at our good friends house in Maple Ridge at 5:30. Thanks Nancy, Gashaw, and Michael for use of your house for the next few days. It is really nice to have good friends like you.

Daily distance = 65.01 km. On the bikes = 4 hours 35 minutes. Average speed = 14.18 km. Maximum speed = 47.15 km.

Kevin = 1 Sue = 0

And then there were mountains...

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Another leisurely day on the train sitting mostly in the Park Car with its glassed walls and roof watching Alberta pass us by. Then the mountains appeared with their "majestic snow covered" peaks. Another few minutes of nervousness as the mind wandered to our coming climbs. A 45 minute stopover in Jasper allowed us to stretch our legs along the main street. Jasper was much quieter than other visits we have made to it. Numerous "bear" and "big-horned sheep" sitings today. The mountains with all their splendour continue to mess with my mind. Need to get riding!!!

Kevin=1 Sue=0

A Nasty Surprise....

Sunday May 2

Food on the train is really good....scenery through Northern Ontario leaves a little to be desired. Scrub trees and more scrub trees. Sorry to insult any arborists who might like poplar trees. Entering Manitoba was actually kind of nice. A 4 hour stop in Winnipeg left us with enough time to exercise our legs by explopring the forks of the Assiniboia and the Red Rivers and visit the "Forks Market" reminding us of the Granville Island Market but on a smaller scale.

A nasty surprise awaited us as we entered Saskatchewan. Snow!!! Yes, I said snow, and we are starting a bike ride in less than a week! A little bit more to play with our brains.

Due to abnormal freight traffic we have found ourselves 1 1/2 hours behind schedule arriving in Edmonton. But then again we will probably have to get used to being behind planned arrivals. Life has definitly "slowed to a crawl".

Kevin =1 Sue =0

A long slow ride....

Friday, April 30, 2010

After leaving home (and saying goodbye to the cats) we meandered our way to Orillia and had a leisurely dinner. Off to Washago to catch the train just before 1 a.m. Talk about service! The train stopped with the baggage car right at our luggage. Loaded the bikes and hockey bags and they then moved the train ahead to exactly our car so we could board. (You would think we were unable to walk!). Sleeping on the train was a little bit "iffy" as we were not used to the noises and the movement of the train in our "cozy" cabin for two. Meals are really quite good and everyone seemed to be friendly (even if most people think we are nuts). If you are not in a hurry, the train is a great way to travel. If you are an impatient person, take an airplane. (Yes, I realize, this is "the kettle calling the pot black."). Day 1 of the adventure....slow. Me wonders if this might just be a trend!!!

Kevin=1 Sue=0