Tour BC 2007 - Day 7

Day 7 - July 19



Castlegar to Grand Forks

This was a shorter day than most of the other ones. The ride starts
with a big climb of 1100 meters in 40 km andthen a downhill over 38 km.
Danelle suggested that Al drop me off at the top and then pedal in from
there. I was agreeable with that.

The day was very overcast and then began to rain. I was very leery of
descending in the rain without warming up. So, I had Al drop me off at
the lunch stop. This was near the bottom of the hill.

I was able to get an early start to be able to focus on getting in
early enough to go to the laundromat. I had damp clothes that needed to get
dry ASAP. I also needed to get to a bank and exchange some money. I
was able to accomplish both.

I got in around 2:30, but certainly not among the first ones. There
were at least 30 tents set up already. I quickly grabbed my laundry and
something to wear, and set off in search of the credit union. They
charged me $5 to exchange my money. Part of my change consisted of
$10 in loonies ($1 coins) and $10 in quarters, because we weren't sure
what the machines would take.

As it turned out, the washers took 2 loonies, and dryers quarters - 4
from me to dry my clothes. I was thankful I had used Bonita's tip on
putting liquid laundry detergent in a water bottle.

Not only was the bathroom locked, but there was no attendant, nor
change machine. I was able to share my detergent with other bicyclists.

Then I walked back to the park where we were camped. A big storm had
come through a week earlier and uprooted many mature trees. They were
in the process of removing them.

I set up my tent and talked to Susan, who is about my age. She retired
from the University of California and lives in what she calls the
"Republic of Berkley." She agreed that the ride was strenuous and gave me
credit for coming out on my own and riding. She feels that anyone who
says that the ride is easy and fun is blowing smoke. Then she told me
that James asked his girlfriend, who is also riding, to get married at
the summit (Paulson Summit). She said yes.

Dinner was spectacular. It was in the Senior Center, which was
adjacent to the park. There were at least 4 different salads, whole wheat and
white large dinner buns, salmon - either plain or with a cream sauce,
and rice. There were three desserts, and I had two. I sat with Doug
and Nancy from Sandy, OR. Nancy teaches special ed in Milwaukie, Grades
1-3. She has primarily worked for Clackamas ESD with multi-handicapped
students.

After dinner, Danelle shooed us outside for the pipes and drum concert
that she had hired. I got a business card to share with the WMHS band
director. Then the band went over to a makeshift band shell and played
for about 15 minutes more for those who had gathered.

There is a Cuban band performing tonight just for us (and anyone else
who happens by). They are supposed to be very good. After the pipers
and drummers left, another local band started playing. I had to leave
after the first song because I had a massage scheduled at 8. Lana has
done wondrous things on my legs, so that they do not rebel too much the
next morning.

When the massage was over I wandered back to hear the band. They sang
all of their songs in Spanish. Don, the photographer, had set a DVD
camera on a tripod and was recording. He said that this band was better
that the Buena Vista Social Club; had better rhythm and harmonies.

After the concert, they were selling CD's and a DVD. I bought the most
recent CD. One of the riders was bi-lingual and bought one of
everything. He was conversing with the woman selling the merchandise, as well
as the band. We got the jackets on the CD's autographed.

Now it is time for bed. Danelle has asked me to get a ride with Al in
the morning to the top of the climb. There is a very narrow window when
lunch will be available, and of course, I gotta have lunch. Not to
worry. I was not looking forward to that climb. I'm about climbed out.
She could cut this ride in half, and that would be enough for me.

Av. 10.7 mph; 1.51.50 hours ridden; 20 miles ridden


Nikii who is somewhere in British Columbia