Tour BC 2007 - Day 3

Day 3 - July 15



First day of Tour BC. Fortunately, I was organized (or so I thought)
and finished packing my backpack. It was heavy! I packed the car and
drove to Okanagan College. Then I put the backpack on the baggage truck and waited with my bike until the "official start". Finally at 7:45 we were off.

It was an overcast sky with a headwind coming off the lake. It felt
good. Our first water stop was at Okanagan Lake at a city park. The
restrooms were conveniently located across the narrow street. They had brownies with chocolate frosting in addition to water and make-your-own electrolyte beverages.

There were some serious uphills after the water break. One was at
least a 12% grade, and my body said, "Get off the bike now!" So, I did.

I met Steve, a computer programmer from Leslie, MI sitting in the shade
about 1/4 up the hill. I offered him a fruit and nut bar which he
readily took. By now, the clouds had given way to a blazing hot sun. We walked the remainder of the hill and rode to the lunch stop.

Lunch was at Bear Creek Provincial Park, which was also on Okanagan Lake. On the menu was 1/2 Subway sandwiches, chips, cookie, and a large soft drink. Many people had brought shorts to wear to go swimming. I had not.

After lunch there were a series of long climbs on a busy beach road
with no shoulders. I kept having trouble with the heat, and would pull over every half mile or so to cool off.

Finally, after 4 miles I spotted Janet, from Nelson, BC, sitting in the
shade. She had called her friend, Rick, who lived in Armstrong, and he came, picked her up, and offered me a ride too. We decided to go to
the water stop and then ride in.

Camping in Armstrong was at the Provincial Exhibition Grounds
(fairgounds). My shower was so hot, I had to turn the water down.

Dinner was at the Glad Tidings Church, 1 km away (up and over the hill
on the left). They had all you can eat lasagna, choice of salads (I
chose Caesar), and a great assortment of pies. I chose a Bumblebee (berry mix) pie, with melting vanilla ice cream. I ate my dessert and took my meal to go because I had an 8:00 massage with Lana.

Lana worked miracles on my legs so that I would be ready to ride
tomorrow.

Miles ridden 69.52 out of possible 88; riding time 7.23.59; av. mph
9.3.

Tomorrow: Breakfast at 6:30. Hope to get an early start.

Nikii who is somewhere in British Columbia