Wednesday, August 9, 2017

"Ya know theres a big hill outta town eh?"

DAY 8,
Tue July 26 2016         Kamloops to Cache Creek, BC
Dist; 90.2 km, Time: 4:30, Avg spd; 18.8 km; Cal; 2329; Hr 117 avg

The ride out of Kamloops was nasty. I followed a bike route for a while which was nice. I thought to myself "Hey. Way to go Kamloops for being bike friendly" I was impressed. Soon after that, the signage stopped and I got confused as usual. Anyway, so I continued on the main road. Bad idea. (I can here the motel lady saying " Oh, are you gonna climb the hill? ya know that it's big eh?". (She told me earlier)
Well, I'm sad to say that she was right and I bailed for the first time as a bike traveller. I hit the sidewalk. Ugggghhh. It was too hot, too steep and too many redneck mobiles. This hill was relentless, I was really caught off guard. Once off the sidewalk, the road became Hwy 1 and kept climbing. I passed 2 "No bikes" signs and kept climbing. I sure as hell wasn't going to abort. At this point 2 hours had passed from leaving the crappy motel.
As I write this post one year later, I can see from Google Map that I should have just stayed on the highway. There was no reason to go into the city except curiosity I guess.
I found a sweet spot to break, stretch and snack...

The remainder of my day's commute consisted of long slow climbs and descents. Pretty much every climb had a reward right after. It was a good combo.
Near the end of the day I was really hot and was ready to settle on any accommodation.
My feet were on fire during the last hour of the ride.
Found the "Tumbleweed Motel" Good enough, Ughhh.

Working the bike route (For a while at least)

Didn't see much but could've done without that climb

Up and out of Kamloops

Picnic stop at Kamloops Lake

Lovely stop. Much needed.

Shade was key

Desert landscape
Sketch of encounter with human at Kamloops Picnic area


HWC was ready for a battle

Great road ahead. More shoulder than I know what to do with... It's hot though

Cool landscape

Nowhere man in a nowhere land

Nowhere cat in a nowhere land

"Back in the day, I used to run fields like this till my paws throbbed" Now I lay on an expensive bicycle travel bag made in Quebec.

Info

Miniature ranch

Gunslinger cat!

Good place to be in 2016. Not so good this time in 2017 as forest fires were rampant.


Off the beaten path a bit






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