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June 20, 2008
Geocaching
If anyone is interested in Geocaching we have a Travel Bug (TB) with us named "Dilly Bug Bear". She will be the first (I think!) TB to traverse Canada by bicycle! Here she is enjoying a view of the Rockies:
More about Dilly later when she reaches Newfoundland!
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Posted by Dave at 06:24 PM | Comments ()
Mountains and Wildlife
Here is a collection of photos taken through the Rockies:
This is me at the start of the ascent up the Yellowhead Pass
Summit photo!
And here is the only wildlife I saw in Jasper National Park:
Baby sheep
Mummy sheep
And Daddy sheep keeping a watchful eye on his flock!
How about this sign - the first sign after crossing into Alberta:
OK, so what is a cyclist supposed to do??
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Posted by Dave at 05:16 PM | Comments ()
June 14, 2008
It's cold and wet up north!!
I put my tent up last night 65kms east of Prince George at Purden Lake - a campsite with a small cafe - then the rain started!! Rained all night, and this morning my bedroll was floating on water in the tent! Luckily it is thick enough that only a bit of the sleeping bag got wet! Last night I bought 4 big turkey sandwiches on home baked bread from the cafe and ate them en route today. Had to pack the tent and fly both soaking wet!!
Here is tent drying method no.1 - all pegged out on grass at the edge of the highway!
Rained ALL DAY and the temp never went above 4 degrees! Had to eat those sandwiches in the rain. Got real close to a bull moose in the ditch below the road, then he saw me and ran off. Next passed a fully grown black bear that stood up on his hind legs with paws held together as he watched me go by. That was followed by a mother bear and her cub that I rode past as quick as I could, then a wolf stood just at the edge of the bush and watched me, but as soon as I stopped, he ran off. No photos as it being so wet, the camera was packed away. Made 50kms before breakfast, 118kms before lunch and finished in McBride at 147kms. Total accumulated climbs came to 1,080 metres - the most I have climbed in one day! The Yellowhead Highway goes up and down like a yo-yo all the way!! Start the big climb up towards Mt Robson tomorrow!
Have to confess to bailing out to a motel tonight, and the room is full of clothes and tent hanging all over the place drying out! (Check back later for photos) There is a restaurant next door where I am just off to eat their biggest steak!
Tent drying method no.2. If your motel room is too small, erect the tent on the bed until it's dry!
And here is tent drying method no.3 - use the bike if no grass!
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Posted by Dave at 06:06 PM | Comments ()
June 12, 2008
Northern BC
Under cloudy skies and threatening rain and starting out at 6:30am, I made the 156 kms from Prince Rupert to Terrace in 10 hours! Overnight at the Ferry Island campsite, and next day rode to Kitimat. All the way, the hills seemed to have grown since I was living there in the 1960's! Went back to Alcan, where I was interviewed for "The Ingot" which is the in-house newspaper.
Me outside the old office building - 40 years on!
And here is another bit of history! These mountains are the Seven Sisters near Cedarville, and also some 40 years ago, my friend Klaus and I were the first to stand on the summit of Sister No. 7 !
Sister No.7 is on the left
For the past few days, I have struggled out of my sleeping bag at 5am each morning, temperature hovering around 1 or 2 degrees, and hitting the road about 6am! Passed my first 1,000 kms just before Prince George.
Despite the weather, some great views up here!
In Smithers I met Antonio Tomaselli cycling from Anchorage all the way to southern Argentina. We had a great few days together before sadly parting company in Prince George. He is a strong cyclist, so he would sleep-in each morning, set off about 2 hours after me and catch me for lunch! He cycles uphill in high gear standing on the pedals! Very kindly waited for me at the top of each hill, and we cycled together each afternoon! Click here and follow his journey Antonio Tomaselli
Here is Antonio attacking a hill in his "standing" style!
Last night, I went to a two hour presentation by Stephen Lewis - gave me a lot to think about while I am pedaling along! Tomorrow, June 13th, I head for Tete Jeune Junction and the BIG CLIMB up past Mt Robson to Jasper!!
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Posted by Dave at 11:15 AM | Comments ()
June 05, 2008
Going north
My first bear encounter in Port McNeil! I was minding my own business, gazing around at the view whilst I ate my muffin, turned around, and there not 5 metres away, was this bear! He had his eye on my muffin, so I walked towards him, waved and shouted "Shoo - go away" and he did!
The bear that wanted my muffin
Check out the loaded bike!
Dave loaded up and off to St John's
Along Nimpkish Lake
I had a full day on the ferry to Prince Rupert - lots of great views
A view of the Inland Passage
The weather along the Skeena River valley has not changed much since I lived up there 40 years ago! I made the 156kms between Prince Rupert and Terrace in 10 hours and that included 768 metres of climbs! But great views all the way.
A view across the Skeena
Posted by Dave at 09:22 PM | Comments ()