DAY 1: SX4, Dash 8, Surly Long Haul Trucker...

Tues. July 19, 2016

Drive to YVR (25 km), Fly to YXC (535km by crow), bike to Lazy Bear Lodge (15 km)

Well, I must say that this morning didn't start out as I would have liked. I stayed up super late the night before and woke up tired as hell and somewhat hung over. My friend (and driver) Tanya and I were chatting, eating pizza and having some "wobbly pops" as time ticked the night away...

Even though we were both toast, it was really great to have help getting set up at the airport. Of coarse there was the usual "rigumroll" associated with bike box protocol. Despite my efforts to become an expert on the Air Canada baggage specifications, I found myself angry and confused yet again. After paying extra fees that didn't add up to me, it was time to see my favourite people in the airport. The BST, (Baggage Security Trolls). These humanoids are good at what they do. Unfortunately, they lack the synapses required to access the common sense area of the noodle. Having a home made bicycle crate designed to allow easy inspection was lost on these life forms.

Anyway, after almost losing my passport in the security check line up, I found my way to gate 38.
It was a very long trek. I have never been to this wing of YVR. It was a strange feeling to board my "Dash 8" aircraft from the tarmac. A 737 it wasn't.
I was excited about the flight as I took my window seat. 
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end... 
BOOM!! A large female human plopped into the seat next to me. Like "Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind" I would have gladly accepted a "Seat Encroachment Fee". (maybe 20%)

Anyway, the airport was small and quiet which I enjoyed. Also had tons of space to set up Shirley and gear but had problems filling my water bottles. Weird. Anyway, the 15 km ride to the town of Cranbrook was a bit scary. The access road from the airport was nice, but a downhill section of the 95 S. was a bit crazy. Just bad timing.

The Lazy Bear Motel was OK.
Cool owner. I wondered why I had so much extra time. I assumed that I was on Mountain time. My friend Kerry texted me in confirmation of this. I used the extra hour to drink more beer. Ha ha.

Sketch of my uncomfortable flight to Cranbrook

Landing in Cranbrook BC

Shirley on the move

Ready to roll...

HWC approved signage

Home Base Lazy Bear

"Staycation tour" Overview

Sat. July 16, 2016

This years trip is a simple one;
*Get a ride from North Vancouver to the Vancouver airport (YVR)
*Fly to Cranbrook/Canadian Rockies Int. Airport (YXC) 
*Bike back to North Vancouver using a not so direct route.

Originally I had planned on a trip and tour of Northern Ireland.  I over thought the whole thing, got discouraged and wimped out.
HWC is so disappointed in me.
Ireland isn't going anywhere.   

Here is a link to my staycation route:
https://goo.gl/maps/9NzuyNoi4bs

I have 2 weeks for this ride, which at 1200km, gives me tons of time. I can do 120/day for 10 days 

Shirley gets her nails done

I haven't ridden Shirley very much since the Alaska / Whitehorse trip and was unsure about her health since then. After a test ride and a quick gander at her chain and cogs, it was clear that the end was near. She was certainly rideable but there was a lot of wear and the chain was very stretched.

I bit the bullet and tracked down a new set of teeth. On short notice, it wasn't easy finding 9 spd. parts but since I live in the land of bike shops, it was possible, although I had to drive to Port Coquitlam "Caps Bike Shop" for the insanely small "Granny Gear"

I also got new Schwable Marathon tires in the 700 by 32 size. I love new tires. A good investment. I also replaced the front derailleur cable as it was a bit damaged.

A flat free zone will be dialled in with these tough guys.

Cheaper than the "Marathon Plus" which I am replacing, but should be the cat's ass on this little spin.

"This looks nothing like my poo box..."

9 spd, 110 mm BCD is old school apparently...This purchase (MEC and Caps Bikes) was under $250.00 

I didn't really feel like spending $1200.00 on a whole new crank. Bike parts are such a rip off. Anyway, this should last a while as I have 4 other bikes to ride after this HWC trip.

11/34 Shimano cassette

Can climb an 18 percent with 4 cases of 24 

Or with HWC after a big lunch stop during a headwind

Kizz is clearly excited about Shirley's upgrades.

SHIRLEY'S CRATE

Summer 2016 is here!
Me, Highwaycat and Shirley will be hitting the road soon. YAY!  It won't be a glamorous epic journey, but it should be fun nontheless.

We will be flying out to the Kootenays of British Columbia and will ride back through some familiar and some not so familiar roads back to North Vancouver. Approximately 1200 km over 2 weeks. An easy pull.

To make things super easy, I decided to build my own bike box for shipping. I came across a post on https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/  where the concept came from. I basically copied the plan using Shirley's measurements. The skeleton is 1" by 2" pine screwed together with cardboard from 2 bike boxes glued and stapled. This box will allow me to ship Shirley without removing her handlebars and rack and will keep her safe. It's overkill, but I thought that it would be fun and would make departing super easy. The box is a "one and done" scenerio, at $12.00,  I'm cool with that.

Anyway, here are a few pics of said bike box...

Screwing 1 by 2 pine together

Kizzmitt is the project manager

The skeleton with HWC and Grasshopper cat

Checking bike placement.  All is good (the rack will be lowered) The wheels and forks are supported and everything will be easily scanned by security staff. 

Adding the skin. Grasshopper cat inspects...

Skin is glued and stapled (except top)

Kizzmitt displays the stare of approval.

Anyway, the box comes to about 109 linear inches. The Air Canada allowance is 115". Also, it comes in at well below the 70lb. limit. Even if HWC was a stowaway.

Last grunts...

October 24, 2015

Brain farts;
    The original concept for this trip came about while I was planning a trip to the Whitehorse Cemetery. My parents took residence there 7 years ago in Section "N".  I'm sure that they were tired of having bears as their only visitors. A human rendezvous was overdue. So I thought, why not turn a visit into a bike tour?...  I didn't have much choice in the timeline because of work but was reassured that early September was a good time to go... "D'OH!!"
    This tour was short on km's and long on days but I wanted a buffer in case of trouble and time to be a tourist. I had a rough itinerary to follow as a guide but I was forced to make adjustments along the way. No surprise there.
   I learned that being prepared is not enough when in the Yukon. You need to assume the unexpected. The locals assured me that the poor weather was abnormal for this time of year. I also learned that the people up here are not like the people in the lower mainland. (or anywhere else) These people are amazing. There was always a person willing to offer assistance, whether it was to portage past a grizzly, escape out of a National Park or offer hydration, food or mechanical repair on an otherwise deserted highway.
   When I look back at this trip, I think; "What a nightmare, What the hell was I thinking?!!. But as I recount the fine details and examine my notes, I see a better outcome.
    This trip had less to do with cycling and more to do with HUMANITY. Cheers to the good people of the Yukon and Alaska (and Wisconsin USA)!!
 

My original sketch. I planned on a clockwise route. My sister's husband suggested that I reverse the direction. I agreed.

First week timeline sample.

Good to be home. Happy Hallowe'en!!

Leaving here

Day 14, Tuesday Sept. 8, 2015
Bumming around town. Waiting for my flight outta Whitehorse...

Went to the Post Office to ship some "non plane" items back home. The clerk's list of restricted items had me pulling my unused bear spray and camp fuel canister out of the sealed box. I gave them back to Coast Mountain Sports as a gift. In hindsight, I should've left them in the box. Oh well. Anyway, the bears in North Vancouver would respond to hair spray or cologne, no need for bear spray.
    Bummed around town while I waited for my flight. I got some minutes on one of the library internet computers. Google stuff including printing out my boarding pass. It was a super nice day and I was feeling sad about leaving. This is funny because when I first arrived, I hated the town and couldn't wait to leave. Weather is a powerful influence.
    The flight was awesome as we had all 3 seats to ourselves. HWC could sprawl out. She was so happy.
 
 

Cadence Cycles. Was closed

HWC loves Gold Rush history

Poser

Ticket to ride

Bustling Whitehorse Airport. I left the box un-taped. They did the annoying search.

Joe for HWC

3 seats for us. HWC can sprawl out.

The Yukon

Back at YVR

Miles Canyon

DAY 13, Monday Sept, 7, 2015 (Labour Day)
Robert Service Campground - Miles Canyon - Back to Stratford Motel. 20km a bit hilly, 1:15

As I was slowly packing up to leave camp, staff came around to warn of a bear nearby. I didn't see the bear as I was leaving. The weather was pretty nice for my short ride to "Miles Canyon".
http://www.yukoninfo.com/whitehorse-yukon/whitehorse-info-miles-canyon/
    It was a couple ups and downs to the canyon, but was worth the trip. It was an awe inspiring sight. I was actually here several years ago, when I took part in the Yukon River Trail Marathon.
http://www.yukonmarathon.com/   It was a tough run as I had an infected ingrown toenail at the time.
Extremely painful. It was my first marathon length trail run, so I took it slow and cautious. I remember cramping up with about a km to go on a big downhill, ha ha....Anyway;
     We didn't stay long. Got set up back at the motel and rode to the "Superstore" for dinner. As I was locking up my bike outside the store, A large older native man approached me. .. "Hey, that's a nice bike, mine's in jail". He said.
He was bleeding from areas of his face and got pretty friendly with me. I went along with it and gave him the benefit of a doubt, although, I was reluctant to leave Shirley alone. The last thing one wants to hear is "That's a nice bike" before leaving it. And why was the guy bleeding? Anyway, standing in line at the checkout was a very painful experience. It was taking so bloody long and I couldn't stop worrying about my bike. Everything seemed to be moving slower than humanly possible. It was like an episode of Star Trek when one person is sent to a different space where time is much faster, through a singularity. (or something like that) AAARRRGGHHH!!
   I finally got  outta there to find Shirley waiting patiently... sigh.
I got some more local hops and boxed Shirley up for tomorrow's flight home. The process of packing the bike was more difficult this time. I went through a dictionary of swear words by the time I was done.

Lovely cabin on route to Miles Canyon

Road to Miles Canyon (before hills)

Float plane central 

Above Miles Canyon

HWC ponders a better life...

HWC @ Miles Canyon

Crazy humans

Me and HWC on the footbridge