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Friday July 26        Cycling Day 19

         Watson Lake(Y) to Coal River ( BC)

Distance:  (Km) 150

Time: 6:19

Average Speed: (Km/ hr). 23.78

Ascent:  (m). 1215

Heart Rate: (beats / min). 115

Cumulative Distance:   (km). 2017

Cumulative Ascent :  (m). 16,321

Punctures so far : 0

Rest Day over and back on the bike. Today was a scheduled 150 km, one of the longest distances and some riders left the hotel as early as 7 just to be sure and missed a lovely breakfast.

It was around 15 deg as we left Watson Lake this morning and virtually no wind. For a period early in the day we had the benefit of a very slight tail-wind and even that was appreciated. It never got too sunny or too hot and this evening in camp I didn’t bother to put the solar panel out. I think I’ll have sufficient charge in the power banks anyhow.

Although we did dip in and dip out of B.C. last Wednesday today we made the official entry into that province and were welcomed by an impressive sign. BC is much larger than Ireland with a population of 5 million but heavily located in the south east around Vancouver and Victoria (the capital).

Now there was a noticeable difference in the roads, especially the roadsides...wide(40metre) grass verges and from a distance looked like manicured lawns. You could imagine yourself driving into the grounds of a top class hotel at times. And very little evidence of fireweed.

No bears spotted today, but some riders did spot a few black bears. However there was wildlife. We had been forewarned at Riders Meeting and by gantry notices that bison would be on the road. I did spot two in different locations. One was down in a hollow below the road and the other was about to cross as I passed. On the highway, bison have the right of way and a bison can weigh up to 2000 lbs each. Hopefully , I’ll spot a herd of them further along the road.

We were led to believe that the surface of the road would improve after Watson Lake but that it would be busier. The surface did improve although I didn’t notice that it was any busier. The majority of traffic all along the Alaska Highway consists of RVs of one type or another. Expecting the better surface. I pumped a few extra pounds of air into the tyres and I think it paid off. On level surfaces I careered along usually at 30 km/hr and on the steep downhills it was easy to reach.....(I’ll say nothing!). It’s lovely to have a long straight wide downhill with no junctions and a visible run-off. Just let her go!

Coal River.

Scenery today wasn’t anything special apart from mountains in the distance. Near the end we dropped down through the Coal River valley to where it joins the larger Liard River. The trees are getting larger and healthier looking as we progress into BC but the results of forest fires is evident on all sides. Logging and timber is an important part of the BC economy.

I reached camp in Coal River Motel and RV Park at 2:45 and all riders agreed that today was the easiest 150 km ride they had done for some time. The road surface and easy gradient accounted for this though we did have a few long climbs over 5% gradient particularly after crossing the Hyland River.

This campsite like most of the official ones has a toilet block and hot showers available. Refreshing after a long ride. Some riders have checked into rooms in the motel again. I’m sticking with my little house on the prairie. Once the tent was erected I indulged in the pleasure of a cold beer that I carried from Rest Day. Frieder, to cool the beer I utilized your wet sock strategy and it worked. Might utilize it again.

So, I’m through the 2,000 km mark and more to come. Tomorrow is a shorter day along this Alaska Highway.

Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.