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Wednesday August 7         Cycling Day 29

   Kakwa River (Alb) to Grande Cache (Alb)

Distance:  (Km). 92

Time:  5:03

Average Speed: (Km/ hr). 18.24

Ascent:  (m). 1398

Heart Rate: (beats / min). 123

Cumulative Distance:   (km). 3210

Cumulative Ascent :  (m) 26,892

Punctures so far : 0

Andreas scouted today’s route last evening and enquired. He reported to the group that 1/ traffic is much lighter from here(Kakwa) to Grand Cache, 2/no construction  3/any rider wishing to transfer to Grand Cache will be accommodated and 4/ the forecast is for rain.

So Riders were left with the final decision. Most opted to ride the full day, a few transferred to the end and a few took the van to lunch.

Sunshine ahead.

There was fog (and lots of mossies ) around the camp this morning but Andreas drove up the road and reported clear sunshine after about 5km.

By 8am those riding were out and indeed the road was quiet, much quieter than yesterday. And we did emerge from that fog after 5 km as promised into clear sunshine.

For the rest of the day it was warm and clear (until this evening in camp) and the views improved. I spotted mountains in the distance and cheered — a promise of some nice scenery. It will mean climbing but we’re climbing well over 1000 m each day without a mountain in sight.

The forestry along the way today was of commercial size and I noted more activity than previously. And for a change loaded logging trucks rather than the empty ones of other days. I wonder do they replant or depend on natural reproduction?

By lunch time at 45 km all riders were thrilled that they had made the decision to cycle the full day. It was a lovely day’s riding with some new refreshing views thrown in. The morning was one of many small sharp climbs lifting us 800 metres to a max height of 1342 m ASL, high over the river valleys.

After lunch we had a 10 km descent in stages down to the level of the Smokey River and the road generally followed the course of the river upstream for the next 30 km.

During this 30 km I passed the Canada Coal plant on the bank of the river with the mined coal coming down under our road by conveyor belt. A complete side of a hill has been exposed in the quest for coal and some spectacular seams were on view.

According to legend, the Cree tribe found glowing smoking stones along the bank of the river here and hence the name. Coal has been mined here since 1969 and Grand Cache grew as a result. So, the town is celebrating just its 50th anniversary this year. We are camping on the way in to this town of 3500 inhabitants so I haven’t seen the centre yet.

After that spin along by the river (now at 85 km) I crossed over the new completed Smokey River Bridge (‘due for completion Summer 2019’) and took a break for a croissant (from breakfast) and a banana. I needed this extra fuel as a 5 km climb with average of 7% started just across the bridge. This was a long long climb with no steps or stages....and it coming at the end of the day. 

Halfway up I spotted some black clouds out to my left. Now, not only did I want to get to the top but I sure wanted to get tent up before the heavens opened.

In time the top appeared at 90 km and the Welcome to Grand Cache sign. But what caught my attention was the communications just near it...on high ground.

No problem finding the campground and I got the tent up on a nice grassy patch while still those clouds threatened. Sunshine still as I went in for a hot shower but when I came out it was thunder and lightning and heavy rain. Lucky that my tent was near the shower block and I was confined to the tent for the next half hour. And then it all clears, I erect a line and hang the gear and towel out to dry although thunder is still to be heard in the distance.

At dinner time down comes the heavy rain again and dinner is served in a common room. And still the thunder rumbles...might have a rough night of it.

So, normal service has been restored. I’m glad that I de died to ride today and hopefully ell sty in the mountains.

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