Cache Creek to Lillooet,
Time 4:30, Dist, 89.5 km, Avg. 18.3 km/hr, Cal. 1880, HR, 110
While I was packing up for the day's ride, I had a moment to talk to a fellow cycle tourer. This older man was 2 doors down from me outside the motel. He was gearing up also - Tons of stuff!! despite the fact that his tour was a small circle route in the region. Nice grey bearded guy with a stories of touring. Fun.
Riding the 97 N out of Cache Creek was toasty and strange. (It felt odd going North albeit, for a short spell)
These are typically some of the hottest locations during the summer in BC. (the South Okanagan is on the list also)
It was satisfying to see the turn off to Lillooet. I have never ridden or drove the Hwy 99 at this end before. How exciting!!!, sigh. HWC wanted to keep heading straight N. to Prince George.
The 99 was interesting. Her structure included a broad healthy shoulder with moderate traffic at first. Eventually, the climbs became longer and the descents started to be stressful. The road downhill had some twisty sections over large escarpments and no concrete barriers. To make things worse, my cassette kept freezing up which caused the chain to back up while coasting. I tried to match the cadence in pedalling so the chain would be free but it was impossible to keep up. I can maintain, maybe 125 RPM,s on a spin bike for a short spell, but its harder in real life. So, when I gave up, I just lifted my feet and let the pedals fly. Sounds like fun , but it wasn't. I was thinking how unpleasant it would be to have the flailing chain pull the derailleur into the spokes and send me over an escarpment to certain doom.
Anyway, the heat was getting to me and the downhill sections were stressing me out as some areas had no barrier along the cliff side. There was road work as well which spices things up.
All the stress ended as I rolled into Lillooet, of coarse it was a climb into town, no prob. Ugghh. My plan was to stay 2 nights here, so as I passed the town's campground, I headed up to the tourist info Centre in search for cozy accommodations (I'll camp the second night) The girl at the counter was pretty much useless, so I looked around this small town of around 2300 and decided on "Mile 0 Motel". Cheap and a good fit for me Shirley and HWC. When I got the "Situation Room" set up, I did a Shirley inspection. I found some loose rack bolts, but more unsettling was the tear in her rear tire. These are expensive touring tires and should not be damaged. I was pissed! I texted my friend and fellow cyclist Kerry. He suggested to swap that tire for the front. What a great idea, thanks BILLY! (alias).
I was worried about a blowout on the Duffy Lake road, so I went shopping; I found an outdoor shop where I picked up bear spray, some chain lube and a really cheap emergency tire.
It felt good to be set up in this town. I was looking forward to a day off tomorrow where I will secure a dandy campsite. Until then,
Meeowww...
Fellow cycle tourer. Heading out of Tumbleweed. TONS of gear on his bike!
The road to FREEEEEDOMMM!
Sweet conditions. Meeowwww!
D'OH !!
Very unpleasant road work. Grrr
Marble Canyon. Break time. Great spot!! Would love to stay, but gotta move.
Highwaycat was furious at the prospect of leaving. "What the hell is wrong with this place?!!"
This pic is in the wrong place. Check'in out the town of Lillooet.
Cool vistas
No cat food stores
Down there is the great town of Lillooet. Cats are welcome.
We're gonna head into town if it's the last thing we do dammitt.
Massive downhill after this sign. Bloody cassette kept getting hooked up. Problems with the freehub body that I installed a while ago I guess. Stressfull descent.
WELCOME!!!
Home base
The result of a stressful ride...
Expensive touring tire. sigh.
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