No shoulder to cry on.
We started with trepidation. It was cold (11c) and raining. It turns out that BC highway shoulders are water soluble, as they seem to have vanished as we progressed. Sometimes the ”shoulder” is ample and clean, sometimes it is missing entirely, but usually it is a 12” gap in the scattered debris between the rumble strip and the guard rail. It becomes very important to hold that line as transports pass at 100km.
This was a day of hills. You have to love hills to ride them in the rain. Rain days usually mean that you are inappropriately dressed for the 90% of the day when rain is not falling. Again, ya gotta really love hills.
Today had lots of ups (6 hills in total, including a mammoth 16km killer). But the earned treat was the decent. Zipping through mountain canyons, beside waterfalls, and add in some crazy steep grades, and this was a decent into madness.
Alas Mike and Darlene are en route to our old campsite in the morning to pick up a misplaced item – a drone left stuck and abandon in a tree. Boys and there toys.
3 Responses
A person with true grit has passion and perseverance. That fits both of you to a T. PD strong, my friends.
Good job Steve and team, you’re making steady progress! Look forward to hearing more throughout your journey!
The hills and mountains were always my favorite as well, Steve and Jim. They always provided a great beauty/challenge combo that is hard to match. As you get into the Prairie provinces you may miss the climbs but the challenge will likely be the winds. It isn’t flat like most people who drive through report it to be. Cycling changes your perspective on so many things. Sunny days aren’t always welcome and winds will become your best friend or biggest challenge depending on which direction they are blowing. Whatever comes, accept it as your own unique Canadian experience. Know that hill climbs will resume and if you get to the point where you hate them now, you will certainly love them again when they provide you refuge from the winds.