Vancouver: Time to Think

The last three days provided some very tough riding conditions, harder than anything I would get on the record route, actually. Steep long climbs and descents. After Grand Forks I climbed most of the way to the pass for a 220km, 9:15 day.

Left in rain the next morning and made my way across rolling terrain to the
major descent to Osoyoos, where I passed an RV! The rain stopped, but in the next valley over I had headwinds winding up towards Keremeos. Very scenic and I had the occasion to talk with several other bikers. One man from Sault. Ste Marie had retired Friday and started biking from Vancouver on Monday, doing his first ever tour and heading all the way to the East Coast. Cool.

The bizzarro prize went to an older French speaking dude with a wild billy-goat beard who was headed east to Osoyoos with a monstrous load on a home made trailer. There were bags hanging off everything and he didn't even have proper water bottles. The whole thing had to way over 100lbs. It had taken him 14 days to cover the approx. 350kms from Vancouver.

I made it to Princeton in a long day, maybe about 9hrs and 210kms. My bike computer crapped out on me due to moisture. I splurged on a pay site and enjoyed a long, hot shower. I took my time in the morning, realizing I would not make it all the way to Vancouver, especially with strong westerlies forecast. The ride up to Manning Provincial Park was cold and tough, with rough narrow roads in places. I had to throw out my new rear tire that morning due to a large crack/hole in it that produced 2 flats the day before. Luckily I had brought an extra folding one along.

I had hoped to maybe bumb a ride with Bruce and Christine from Hope to Vancouver, but crossed wires had me off by a day on their schedule. The timing and luck worked out well: I arrived just in time to catch a cheap Greyhound and was able to toss my bike in without taking it apart or using a box. I didn't feel there would be any value in riding along the busy and windy trans-Canada. This trip has served its purpose and I got to go out for Greek food with my cousin and her hubby this way!

My butt sores are still there and can be quite uncomfortable at times, but maybe I am just getting better at tuning them out. As for a decision?? I promised myself not to make one until I was off the road for a bit, for perspective. There were several times in the last few days where my mind was already on the bus back to Calgary, though. I realize now that I will need more than 2 days off in any event.

The good news is that I physically feel quite good. I never made the 10hr day, but I think the conditions more than made up for that. Also, I should probably mention more frequently that my diabetic numbers (glucose) have been good and that my disease is in NO WAY playing a role in my indecision as to how to proceed. As is often the case, it is more of a minor logistical irritant than a major issue.

I'll let you know what I've decided when I can figure it out.