131.4 km TD 278.7 km Max 54.0 kmh average 20.3 kmh
time 6:28 bananas 4 broken spokes 1
Day 2 again begins with a drizzle worthy of the coast mountains. My butt isn't as sore as my nightmares suggested. I can still sit-- tenderly. We get an earlier start this time around, though much of our gains are lost with our first broken spoke as my rear tire groans under all the gear. Note to self; a metallic twang means stop! You can imagine how my knees feel.
Our afternoon tea (pie and coffee) at Cedarvale cafe is a diamond in the rough. The weather clears and we ride a wicked tailwind for the rest of the afternoon that keeps our spirits up. As we approach Hazelton the sky in front is a menacing grey-black, with intermittent lightning flashes hitting the ground. The mighty Roche De Boule mountain overlooking the town has drawn in a vicious storm. The wind whips up ominously as we race to our camp at Seeley Lake. No sooner do we set up the tent that the skies open up, with the odd FLASH followed by the echoing boom.
Two boxes of KD and a dash of chocolate later, and we call it a night- it is only 8 PM. Way past bedtime.
111.4 km TD 390.1 km Max 57.8 kmh average 18.4 kmh time 5:59
An early start is offset in Hazelton when we run into the Telkwa Fire Rangers heading off to the Kitseucgla region to check on the fires after last nights rainstorms. Rain hits us again as we leave Hazelton, but our knight in shining Chevrolet armour arrives as Ted Bobb takes our panniers to lighten our loads. We have company on the 60 km into Smithers with Kate Portman joining us- I think she questioned her sanity a few times with the trucks bearing down and the rain pounding! After two coffees and a food break in Smithers, we attack the final stretch to Quick, with Danny Hikisch joining us for the last 15 km. The Hikisch homestead is a welcome sight for a day off of well deserved rest.
time 5:49 max 64.4kmh avg 19.6kmh bananas 4 deer 2
We are off again after an unexpected second day off with Andrea fighting a stomach flu. It is only fitting on Canada day that we are held up by the local celebration parade at Houston.
The challenge of the day is the infamous six mile summit, made easier without gear as our chief BC supporter Pat Hikisch awaits us at the top. Our attempt at a classic Canada day moment - swimming in a northern lake- is cut short by leeches, blackflies, and duck itch!!
We spend the night in Burns Lake, Andrea recovering from her stomach bug, and Cormac mourning the Czechs' loss at Euro cup.
July 5, 2004 Slim creek to Tete-Jaune Cache 155.4 km td 1032.7 km
max 54.8 kmh avg 18.3 kmh time 8:28
bears 2 deer 14 coyote 1 bananas 4
I awake as our tent walls lighten, expecting to get a start on the day. It is only 4 AM! Already the days have shifted as we approach the BC border.
Our early morning start is rewarded with monster hill climbs for the next five hours, at times the tree species change as we enter subalpine. My legs feel like lead. then like jello. Finally into the backwater town of McBride for a couple hours of logistics- laundry, groceries, bank, camp fuel, showers, phone calls, and a good meal.
Back on the road we power our way to Tete-Jaune Cache, dodging multiple deer and even a couple bears. Farmers wave to us, cows stare at us- oh wow, we are celebrities.
Our hard work is rewarded with a beer and glass of wine on a patio overlooking the not-so-mighty Fraser river- at this point you could throw a stone across the grey-green waters.
Today was a day of milestones:
-first 1000 km completed
-longest distance traveled
-first day in the Rockies
-last full day in BC
-first five-day shift completed
July 6, 2004 OFF Tete Jaune to Mount Robson lodge 12.2 km td 1044.8 km
max 54.8 kmh avg 15.0 kmh time 0:48
A tip from a local takes on an adventure through the woods to see the infamous caches of the yellow-haired Iroquois who discovered this lowest of passes through the Rockies. We find seven unmarked pits nestled next to the only beach for miles- they are old, with some big trees now growing in them. Who knows if this is it?
We bike a short distance to our cabin at the Mount Robson Lodge, and spend the day watching the clouds roll on and off the mighty mountain. Our friends Kim and Randy arrive with posters on their car "Rockies Support Vehicle". They say we look rough- they should have seen us yesterday.
July 7, 2004 Mt Robson lodge to Jasper, Alberta 103.1 km td 1148.0 km
max 60.7 kmh avg 21.2 kmh time 4:51
deer 1 elk 1 bananas 4 flat tire 1
The day starts with pouring rain, so we wait it out in our cozy cabin with french toast and coffee. A wicked tailwind takes the four of us up the road to Jasper. We blast by moose lake, moose marsh, moose river, but see no moose. The highlight of the day is crossing the Great Divide, and then crossing into Alberta- we do a little jig under the welcome sign- our first province conquered, 1,100 km finished.