Goodbye British Columbia...Hello Alberta....

Sunday, May 23

Fernie to Blairmore, Alberta

On the road by 8:10. Fernie was a typical ski town. Not that much happening now that ski season is over. Our ride was nice to Sparwood where we had our obligatory picture taking with the 'largest truck in the world'. Sparwood is a mining town and has been since the late 1800's. The big truck was used for a period of time to move earth to get at the coal. Coal mining has certainly changed in the last 100 years. It has gone from digging tunnels and coal by hand to the style today where they cut off the top of the mountains, take the coal out, and rebuild the top of the mountain with slag. Obviously quite a few mine sites still operating.

After Sparwood we did a gradual climb to the Crowsnest Pass aided by a 'tail wind'. Again some stunning views! The wind that I said I wanted the whole trip was sure a pleasure today. (I guess one tail wind in 2 weeks + is not bad!). It literally blew us from the Crowsnest Pass all the way to Blairmore!

The feeling when we passed from BC to Alberta is hard to describe; elation, relief, disappointment, a sense of accomplishment. Take your pick. They all apply! One province down...nine more to go!!!

We are staying at the Lost Lemon Campground and RV Park in Blairmore, Alberta (can't get over that we have left BC behind except for the memories). We are going to take tomorrow off as we want to visit the Frank Slide and maybe the Bellevue Underground Mine.

Daily Distance=73.61 km. Time on bikes=5 hours 8 minutes. Average speed=14.33 km. Maximun speed=59.34 km.

Wildlife sightings=deer, elk, red tailed hawk, bald eagle.

Kevin=2 Sue=0

Mountain Views, Valley Views...Pictures Can Never Tell the Story....

Saturday, May 22

Cranbrook to Fernie

Last night was the coldest of our trip. The tent fly and grass were white with frost. The water bottles were "slushy" to try to make coffee with. Tested our "layering" of clothes.

On the road by 7:40 and all bundled up. Today was all about views. The mountain peaks were never ending. Our necks were getting sore from "gawking". Then we came upon one of the most beautiful river valleys imaginable. The Kootenay River with its green, lush, cattle grazing land was spectacular. Around every curve another vista. Wow!!!

And oh yes, there was that thing called riding. We had a major accomplishment today. We rode over "100 km" for the first time in our lives and we did it in the Rockies! Not an easy ride but certainly not our toughest.

Today we met a young guy who was riding his bike from Calgary to the Okanogan. He is hoping to find work in the vegetable and fruit industry. Personable young guy. Good luck to him.

We are staying in the Snow Valley Motel and RV Park. It has a hot tub for our weary legs.

Daily Distance = 101.19 km. Time on the bikes = 6 hours 33 minutes. Average Speed = 15.38 km. Maximum Speed = 42.14 km. Wildlife Sightings = Green Winged Teal, Ruddy Duck.

Kevin = 2 Sue = 0.

A day of "Firsts"....

Friday, May 21

Yahk to Cranbrook

On the road by 7:40 with lots of clothes and raingear on. 5 degrees and overcast to start. Today was all about "Firsts". We had our first experience riding in snow flurries. Yes I said snow!!! The temperature climbed to a "balmy" 6 degrees with a bitterly cold and strong wind. Thank goodness it was in our backs most of the time. The hills were not too bad and certainly ride-able. The roads were busy, dominated by dozens of cattle trucks.

We also changed time zones today from Pacific to Mountain. Now we are only 2 hours behind you "easterners"

A milestone was also passed today as we broke the 1000 km mark for our trip. Imagine 1000 km in the mountains! Cannot believe it ourselves!

Last but certainly not least, we began to enter the "majestic" Rockies with their snow capped peaks. (Even though they were hidden off and on with snow flurries)!

We are camping in downtown Cranbrook at the Mount Baker RV Park, a small but well maintained little park with friendly people. It is a bit windy however! Forecast for tonight is minus 1. Chilly! We are going to try for Fernie tomorrow. It is a bit further than we have been riding so we will see.

Daily Distance = 70.26 km. Time on the bikes = 4 hours 22 minutes. Average Speed = 15.76 km. Maximum Speed = 52.42km. Wildlife Sightings = spotted sandpiper, hooded merganser, deer.

Kevin = 2 Sue = 0.

A study in small town Canada....

Thursday, May 20

Creston to Yahk

Heavy rain overnight made for a slow pack up this morning. Good thing the Kozy RV Park had a Kozy Kitchen to be able to have coffee and oatmeal and pack up our bikes. 8 degrees and rain showers dominated our day, the first truly miserable weather day of our trip. The intention was to go to Moyie Lake Provincial Park, but the cold, wet, windy day made us alter our plans. We are in the small town of Yahk, population maybe 25. What makes this town unique is that people actually move here to get away from the hub-bub of city life. The owner of the motel we are staying in, the Cozy Quilt Motel, (yes we are again comfortably set up in a kitchenette motel room) moved here a couple of years ago from Edmonton to get away from their high paying, high stress jobs. It is a small motel 'literally' on the banks of the Moyie River with mountains surrounding it. Down the road from the motel is the Yahk Soap Company. The lady makes all the soap using goat's milk in the process from the goats that she raises that are allowed on the roof of the store entrance. Her husband runs Steve's Two Scoop Ice Cream along with a restaurant. A little further along is the Yahk Hotel still renting rooms out with the license issued in 1913. A really "unique" little town. This is the reason for our adventure. It is to experience small town Canada and meet the people!

As for the riding, it was a short day. Not as scenic because of the rain and low cloud cover but we have been assured BC's beauty will re-emerge tomorrow.

PS. To top the bad weather day off "IT IS SNOWING"!!!

Daily Distance = 41.25 km. Time on the bikes = 3 hours 5 minutes. Average Speed = 13.38 km. Maximum Speed = 40.70 km. Wildlife Sightings = hard to see anything when being sprayed by logging trucks.

Kevin = 2 Sue = 0.

Kootenay Lake... a hidden gem...no backseat to Lake Louise....

Wednesday, May 19

Crawford Bay to Creston

On the road by 7:10 with rain gear at the ready. Last nights storm did not materialize. Today's ride took us from Kootenay Bay all the way the full length of Lake Kootenay. Lake Kootenay is a real hidden gem. The views today were as magnificent as anything that Lake Louise could offer with less people! It is a tourist area but a very 'sleepy' one. On our right all day was the blue waters of Lake Kootenay with snow capped mountains in the background stretching to the waters edge. Really not describable and photos will never do it justice!

As for riding today it was actually a harder day than we might have expected. It was a winding road with a series of short but steep hills that we continued to face. You were either in 'Granny' or not pedaling at all. We stopped for a late breakfast in Boswell and were treated to a history of the area. It was a fruit growing area until the 1950's when the road came to the area. That spelled the end of apple production. Why? Well, the apples and other fruits used to go to market in Nelson by boat. When the road came through the boats quit running and the roads were so rough that the tender fruit could not make it to market without being crushed. Now isn't that progress!!!

We then stopped for an ice cream at the Sidar General Store, in business since 1913, and some of the stuff was circa 1913. We had our ears talked off by the owner. We then took the lower Wynndel Road to Creston so we could avoid some climbing. As a result, we biked through a hay growing area on reclaimed land at the south end of Lake Kootenay.

We are comfortably set up in a small campground in the middle of an orchard, the Kozy Campground and RV Park in Erikson.

Daily distance=82.84 km. Trip time=6 hours 1 minute. Average speed=13.78 km/hr. Maximum speed=55.56 km/hr. Wildlife sightings=osprey, deer, painted turtles.

Kevin = 2 Sue = 2 stumbles.

Reward for yesterday....

Tuesday, May 18

Castlegar to Crawford Bay

On the road by 8:10. Today was a really nice ride, a reward for yesterday's tough day. From Castlegar to Nelson we followed the Kootenay River with its numerous power dams and huge lumber mills. (Eat your heart out Hallmans...they actually have yards filled with logs)! If there was any negative at all it was that we rode "off and on" in a light rain so we had our first test of our "raingear". Seemed to work! After a buffet lunch in Nelson, the perfect meal for touring cyclists, we started to follow the West Arm of Kootenay Lake. This area is absolutely beautiful. It reminded us of the shoreline north of Owen Sound. (The cottage sprawl was unfortunately just the same). The riding was a little more challenging with some short steep climbs. We just missed the 2:50 ferry crossing of Kootenay Lake so had a 35 minute crossing at 4:30. And imagine it was free!

Our plan was to get to Crawford Bay but we were met with a rather rude surprise after the ferry dock in Kootenay Bay, a 3 km "push of our bikes". We are again in a motel tonight, the Crawford Bay Inn. This seems to be a habit lately. A really bad storm, similar to the one last night, is forecast for the area with the possibility of 80 km winds. I guess it pays to be a "fairweather camper".

Daily Distance = 86.99 km. Time on the bikes = 6 hours 9 minutes. Average Speed = 14.15 km. Maximum Speed = 52.92 km. Wildlife Sightings = numerous ospreys sitting on their nests.

Kevin = 2 Sue = 0.

Oh where are you Ben, Joel, Hoss, Little Joe & Hopsing????

Monday, May 17

Christina Lake to Castlegar

On the road by 7:00 am and starting to climb. Today was a real test of our "willpower". 36.3 km of climbing. Not that bad until about km # 28 when we came to Paulson Bridge and then the climbing really began. Maybe I should say the "pushing of the bikes". For the next 6 km we pushed. A continuous 8% grade and we were already fatigued. One definitely has too much time to think when walking that far. I kept wondering where are Ben, Joel, Hoss, Little Joe and even Hopsing? (And maybe we could even throw in Candy)! Bonanza Pass was somewhere. And then we came upon "Paulson Summit" (elevation 1535 metres). Bonanza Pass was nowhere to be found just like the Bonanza characters! I guess it is "Bonanza Pass" and "Paulson Summit". Downhill to Castlegar from there!

We are again staying in a motel, The Flamingo. Castlegar is a small city so campgrounds are located outside of town and it appears all roads lead "up" out of here. We needed groceries so downtown was more to our liking. We have a room with a kitchenette so a gourmet dinner is in order.

Today was really difficult! But you know again very rewarding!!!

Daily Distance = 77.08 km. Time on the bikes = 6 hours 49 minutes. Average Speed = (first 36 km = 7 km) overall = 11.43 km. Maximum Speed = 44.10 km. Wildlife Sightings = deer, osprey

Kevin = 2 Sue = 0.

Getting Ourselves Ready....For Another Big Climb....

Sunday, May 16

Grand Forks to Christina Lake

Got up to the unfortunate sound of raindrops on the tent so we decided to skip our "campsite coffee and porridge" for a big breakfast special at the Grand Forks Hotel.

Today was all about the "set-up for tomorrow". Christina Lake is the kickoff for another major climb. 1000 metres over 30 km so we decided a very short day was in order. We had a very liesurely ride along the Grandby River with the knowledge that today was a short ride. By 11:30 we were in Christina Lake. Christina Lake is a resort area with numerous motels and RV Park/Campgrounds. We are presently sitting in a laundromat as I do the blog. (Sure would be easier if clothes did not get stinky). We are going to stay in a motel tonight so we can get a very early start tomorrow. Seems that from a campground we are slower at packing up and departing. Tomorrow will be a 80 km "long hard day" with our destination Castlegar.

We met a couple today from London, Ontario (not bikers). She spent summers at the Klondike Campground outside of Grand Bend. Small world!!! We are staying at the Lakeview Motel. Nice little place with picnic tables and BBQ's for our use. We are watching game #1 of Philadelphia vs. Montreal. What happened there???

Daily Distance = 29.39 km. Time on the bikes = 2 hours 1 minute. Average Speed = 14.55 km. Maximum Speed = 42.15 km. Wildlife Sightings = deer in downtown Grand Forks and again along the Granby River, Western Kingbird and Bullock's Oriole a few days ago in Osoyoos, Lark Sparrows.

Kevin = 2 Sue = 0

BC Riding Diet: One summit per day....

Saturday, May 15

Kettle River RV Park to Grand Falls

On the road by 8:10 am after a really nice stay at the Kettle River RV Park in the "yurt". The people there really made us feel at home. Thanks! Today started off with a nice ride through a valley accompanied by the Kettle River. It was nice to not have to stop every 15 km to pump up my tire as I changed the tube last night. We stopped in Greenwood for lunch at the Golden Eagle Bakery. (Highly recommend the cinamon buns with cream cheese). From Greenwood for the next 15 km, we climbed to Eholt Summit (elevation 1028 metres or 3341 feet for those "metrically challenged). The climbing probably was not that bad as the grades were managable but yesterday's "serious" climbing left our legs a little bit tired. To complicate matters we faced a moderate wind from the north-east today. (What ever happened to the prevailing westerlies?). After reaching Eholt Summit I made the offhand comment about how nice it would be to be able to "coast" the next 18 km to Grand Forks. And sure enough the next 15 km were covered without even a peddle stroke nor any braking required. I kid you not the wind kept our speed at a reasonable 35 km. What a pleasure!

We are presently camping at the Grand Forks Municipal Campground. Not that nice but the washrooms are really clean with free showers. Two nights in a row! I will leave the "rant" about the showers in campgrounds for another day!!!

Daily Distance = 69.49 km. Time on the bikes = 5 hours 5 minutes. Average Speed = 13.68 km. Maximum Speed = 43.29 km. Trip flats = Kevin = 1.

Kevin = 2 Sue = 0.

Persistence....Single Digit....

Friday, May 14

Osoyoos to Kettle River RV Park

On the road by 7:10 am. To our destination by 4:45 pm. A long hard day! "Persistence" truly was the order of the day. A 30.5 km climb with one section of 8 km at 8% grade truly tested our stamina and determination. With a combination of riding and pushing our bikes (mostly riding), we conquered "Antichrist", oops I mean Anarchist Mountain. (Even though the first term is probably a more accurate description. What is with these names anyway? Sunday Summit???). The climb consisted of a series of switchbacks as we climbed up out of Osoyoos. At 30.5 km we reached Anarchist Summit (elevation 1233 metres). Our average speed was "single digit" for this part of the ride. Once again the views were fantastic as we rode through more cattle country. Thank goodness the next 35 km was primarily downhill. (That does come with a price probably with more climbing in the near future).

We are camping at the Kettle River RV Park 8 km past Rock Creek. We are in a "Yurt" and are able to sleep in a real bed tonight for the cost of a campsite! We learned a valuable lesson today in that we should pay more attention to our own information and go with our plan. In Rock Creek some locals gave us a "bumb stear" that cost us an extra 8 km of riding. Just what we needed to finish an already long day!!!

We met up with another cross-Canada cyclist today, Doug a retired school superintendant, who had also just climbed Anarchist Mountain. He is on a Burnaby to Istanbull solo bike ride by way of Halifax. Not your conventional route! He said that he had been hearing about us for the past few days. This really is a "small fraternity".

Today's ride was another confidence booster just like the climb in Manning Park was a few days ago. We are actually beginning to think we "might" actually be able to do this.

Daily Distance = 69.44 km. Time on the bikes = 6 hours 30 minutes. Average speed = 10.88 km. Maximum Speed = 51.93 km. Wildlife Sightings = rattlesnake (alive in campground last night).

Kevin = 2 Sue = 0