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13 June -
depart ~ 7:30 - Groceries from the gas station. Did not want to retrace
the route to the rail trail so followed the highway on an uphill slog for
27 km to Polson Bridge and more uphill to lunch at 37 km. Lunch of smoked
oysters, sourdough bread and root beer. Filtered creek water. Tunnels -
longest was 910 metres - and shared track with ATVs. Downhill track
overlooked Arrow lake. Passed 2 other cyclists in one tunnel. Lower Arrow
Lakes for the last 15 km into municipal camp at Robson - showers - laundry
in sink. Food and beer from gas station. Slurpies from the servo, stew for
supper. Average 16.3. distance 89.5, time 5:28, end odo 1028.5
14 June - Saturday - morning temp 3-4C. Windy
overnight - 3 inch diameter cottonwood branch landed within 4 feet of my
tent - "you OK Grant?" - "OK". The laundry lines in
the pine trees held - Ken retrieved his laundry during the night.
Scrambled eggs for breakfast - boiled eggs for trail snacks. Depart Robson
~ 11 AM following highway 3A to Nelson - 45 km. Fine weather, power
generating stations along the Kootenay river/lake - tour of Nelson before
finding the campground ~ 3PM. Alfresco meal of salmon on the main street
with a large 9% La Fin du Monde- Quebec beer. Strawberry and rhubarb pie,
washed bikes and cleaned gritty gears and chains. City campground was
noisy with kids and crows, but no rooster. End odometer1075.8 |
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15 June -
morning temperature 4C. Depart Nelson ~ 8:15 arrived at Balfour ferry in
time for the 10 AM departure. A steep rise out of Kootenay Bay. Groceries
at the Gray Creek general store - operator from Bradwardine Manitoba. Pass
closed - trail bikes tried Saturday evening. Camped at Lockhart Beach
Provincial Park - the nearby creek provided white noise to offset the
highway noise and provided a cold air drain as well. No showers so swam /
dipped in the snow melt lake - numbingly cold. Early supper at the Italian
family resort restaurant - spaghetti & meatball and a better quality
rhubarb and strawberry pie End odometer 1137 km.
16 June - Monday - morning temperature 2C. Depart
~ 8:15 mostly hilly terrain along highway 3A. Lunch in Creston - burgers
long break at Dairy Queen. Took the flat-cut into Creston via Lower Welvem
road about 11 km west of town on the plains. Break at Kitchener for large
cinnamon bun halved. A 7 km hill before Yahk - G2 gear. Camped in
Riverside park - dandelion patch campsite. Turkey tetrazini, rice and
tomatoes for supper. End odo 12139.5, time 5:28, Average 18.1 |
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17 June -
Tuesday - morning temp ~2C. Scrambled eggs with cheese and tomatoes for
breakfast. Followed rolling highway 3 to Moyie Lake Provincial Park then
back roads with rough patches into Cranbrook. Nice lunch break spot near
lake / pond with water lily pads. Cirrus clouds in morning with clouds
accumulating in the afternoon. Ken's mom broke hip and arm 4 days ago and
waiting for operation. Ken decided to go and provide family support after
conferring in the evening. Made bus arrangements, found a bike shop for
packing. Municipal campground with the tent section across creek. Downtown
area in decline due to box stores Average 18.3, distance 72.8 km, time
3:57, end odometer 1312.
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18 June -
Blueberry muffins and coffee for breakfast, farewell to Ken at the
Columbia / Bike store ~ 8:30. Methyl from the paint department of Home
hardware for my stove. Followed Highway 3 to Wardner and Trans Canada
Trail to Baines Lake. 4 km tour around and did not find "down
town" and on to Elko. Camped at RV Park / Motel near general store.
No hot water for washing / shower. High thin cloud in late afternoon.
Average 18.2, distance 94.93, time 5:12, end odometer 1407.3
19 June - Thursday - depart Elko ~ 8:00, 0C
morning temperature, 3 minute noodles for breakfast. Had muffin with
coffee at Tim Horton in Fernie. Coleslaw and bananas for lunch in Sparwood.
Purchased beer in Coleman before camping at Lost Lemon RV park in
Blairmore. Arrived ~ 5:00. Mostly gentle uphill to Crowsnest Pass then
generally downhill with a favorable wind. Mainly overcast. 16C at 6:00 PM.
Laundry and shower. Average 21.4, distance 104.65, time 4:53, end odometer
1513.8 |
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20 June -
Friday, 0C morning temperature. Depart Blairmore ~8:00 and decide to go to
Fort McLeod and bus to Calgary. Stopped at an auto parts Greyhound agency
to determine the bus schedule, etc. 95 km ride plus town kilometres. Lack
or town organisation is similar to Cranbrook. Visitor centre was not aware
that the bus station was closed till a new location was developed. Spoke
with bus driver who advised that a boxed bike would be loaded. I purchased
tape, box cutters and pedal wrench for bike packing. A building renovator
near the depot said I could use their spare cardboard. West Indies fellow
painting the restaurant next door. The owner next door offered tape and
tools and would store the box parts overnight for morning assembly. The
building owner was touring cyclist - recently bought a Dutch touring bike
from California - typical distances 125 km per day. Lots of mosquitoes in
caravan park. Beer not sold in single cans - the 1.1 litre bottle of 10%
alcohol Black Label was dumped. The beer store resembled a jail cell with
a small window through which the grog was passed. Average ~25, distance
117 km, end odometer 1630 |
