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Monday July 29        Cycling Day 22

 Tetsa River (BC) to Fort Nelson (BC)

Distance:  (Km). 114

Time:  5:11

Average Speed: (Km/ hr). 22.0

Ascent:  (m). 958

Heart Rate: (beats / min). 110

Cumulative Distance:   (km). 2441

Cumulative Ascent :  (m). 19,694

Punctures so far : 0

A good night’s sleep last night. It wasn’t from the absence of noise - the generator in the centre of the campground ran all night but it was continuous not intermittent. I adapted to it, earplugs in, and this is the first morning that the alarm woke me. Other mornings the sound of zippers of tents being pulled etc wakes me up. Waking at 6 for breakfast at 7 is ample though other rise much earlier.

Last night had been one of the coldest nights so far, colder than many nights above the Arctic Circle. All layers were on and still it felt cold.

Since there was WiFi at the lodge on the campsite I got the results of the matches. I see Limerick we’re always playing catch-up for the 70 mins. And Tipp seem to have overcome a number of setbacks to triumph at the end. So now all set for an All-Ireland with the old stripped enemy. Bring ‘me on!

I was late out of camp since I rang home on WhatsApp to get all that news. But this campsite is renowned for its cinnamon buns and I purchased one as a treat for myself at the end of this day. Bun......it’s almost half a cake. But it was delicious when I had it after my shower this evening.

So I set off after most had gone. Yesterday cyclists were always in view either ahead or behind. But today we were more stretched out on the road. Some were keen to get to Fort Nelson for the Rest Day while others reckoned there was no rush since rooms wouldn’t be ready till 3:30. The early kms were a continuation of yesterday....still descending from Summit Lake.

But we knew that today was one big climb and then down and flat. The highest point of the day, Steamboat Mountain would come at 32 km. In time that rise in the road appeared ahead. I came to the ‘crest’ just behind Lloyd (Can ) but then I spotted the sign on the right advising motorists to fix chains here. Not the top quite yet, be ready for more. And there was a lot more. I settled in with my hill technique and arrived at the top of Steamboat (1074metres) just behind Herman and Ada (Neth). 

And ahead lay the descent winding its way through the trees and around hills back down to lower ground. From here the view out over the Muskwa-Ketchikan area was spectacular...as good as yesterday. Trees covering the floor of the valley in all directions and those lofty snowy peaks in the far distance. Like the Blue Mountains?

The descent down was as exhilarating as being at the top. I stopped a number of times to admire that view once again. Coming down lasted for 12 kms on open road till the 45 km point.

From there on scenery was absent. The road was left and right, up and down with trees on either side all the time. The most interesting photo I could take along here was the lunch stop at 64 km. Time to rest and to re-fuel for the remaining 50 km.

For the rest of the day the scenery was unimpressive, plenty of the same.

 But at 78 I spotted some movement out to my left.  A black bear, actually two, was making its way to the road. No2 was a bit shy and waited in the growth. He came up on the road, had a look at me and then shyly crossed just behind me. His companion still hid in the growth. Always nice to spot some of Canada’s wildlife along the route. That broke the sameness of the afternoon ride.

Some 30 km from destination, clouds came over and the road was wet and soon heavy drops began to fall. On this level ground careering along at 30 km/hr even a light rain seems much heavier. Cars and RVs coming against me were throwing up a spray. And it was the first time since Nevada (2008) that I encountered rumble strips gouged into the surface. But it was just a narrow strip and possible to avoid them.

Then just 10 km from Fort Nelson I spotted a sight to please the eye....a farm with cattle in the field, and hay for sale. I could have been at home ! I expect more of that from now on.

Over the last 30 km my rain gear was on and off and on and off. Dark clouds were moving across our route. And the Fort Nelson came into view. It’s larger than Watson Lake but not a large town.

Our Rest Day base is Motel 6 just off the Alaska Highway and near to everything. 

Checked into Room 208, showered and enjoyed my cinnamon bun. Now to do all the housework and allow tomorrow to be one of Rest.

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