Tour BC 2007 - Day 5

Day 5 - July 17



Revelstoke to Nakusp

I slept really well last night. It was nice and cool and was 63* in my
tent this morning. I was among the last to load up and ride my bike to
breakfast. I spotted Denise at breakfast and suggested that we ride
together as we're both slower riders. We were almost the last group to
leave.



It became apparent on the hill out of town that Denise was a stronger
rider than I. So, she started riding ahead, and I rode at my speed.
Near the first water stop, Michel rode up. He was riding sweep, and it
was his job to ensure that I made it in safely.



The first water stop had very rustic bathrooms (none). So, while I was
in search of a suitable place, I found a small Canadian flag that fit
perfectly on the antenna on the back of my bicycle.



We left the rest area and rode along Upper Arrow Lake.




The route was quite hilly, but pleasant. When we arrived at the lunch stop, we found out we had just missed the ferry by 10 minutes. We grabbed lunch - for
me cheese sandwiches - and got back in line for the ferry.

We got on the next ferry, along with about 12 vehicles and 10
motorcycles.



On the other side of the lake we encountered a steep upgrade. Just
past the summit, a black bear emerged in the oncoming lane. Michel was
riding in front and slowed his bike almost to a standstill. The bear
looked at him and bounded across the highway into the woods. From where I
was the bear looked to be a yearling, but Michel said it was full
grown - the size of both of us put together.

The wind started to blow as it turned overcast. At the top of the next
hill, it started to rain, becoming quite hard. We decided to stop at
Halcyon Hot Springs to wait out the storm. Michel decided to go in the
hot springs. I had not brought my swimsuit, but had shorts. However,
because it was raining, the appeal of hot springs was lost.

In the meantime John and Deirdre had driven up in the SAG wagon.
Deirdre decided to get a coffee with me and John went looking for stranded
riders. "The girls" were also at the hot springs; I found out at dinner
they got in for free because one of them figured out which steps led
where.

After I had finished my hot chocolate, I got back on the bike and rode
to the last water stop. I was rewarded by a waterfall that said, "Come
on over and cool off." So I did.

Then, I got back on the bike for the last stretch, 9 miles, into the
Nakusp Campground. We were camped in an open area. Dinner was at the
Senior Center, which was across the field from where we were camped.
Dinner was very filling. Spaghetti, chicken that resembled chicken fried
steak, except was chicken, Caesar salad with apples, and wonderful
desserts. Later, the cooks offered some of us truffles, which were left over
from the recent jazz festival.

After dinner I had Lana work on my shoulders and neck instead of my
legs. I have scheduled a massage every night of the tour except the last
day.

62.89 miles; Av. 9.3 mph; 6.44.56 hours riding time.

Tomorrow: breakfast is at 6 AM. Get on the road early as there is a
lot of climbing

Nikii who is somewhere in British Columbia