Well, today was perhaps the greatest day yet although it seems we keep saying that--things just keep getting better as we move along! The weather was perfect, 9 of us out on the road, mostly flat and downhill, creek running along beside us, first glimpse of snow capped Rockies--topped off with a welcome potluck in Revelstoke!
I wouldnt say 100% great though, there were a couple scary and angry moments. Bridges along this stretch are less than ideal, tiny shoulders with deadly drainage grates along them. I was crossing a bri
dge and had checked my rearview to see what i thought was a break in traffic from the rear. Halfway across the bridge, with oncoming traffic, all of a sudden a huge logging truck was RIGHT beside me with its wind making me shake as I tried to avoid both slipping under and falling into a drainage grate dip. I made it to the other side alive. A little shaken up and a couple deep breaths later I pedalled on. I was pretty angry though, and then a huge semi full of squeeling and 
squished pigs went by which really topped things off. Martina has a story of her own---our first experience so far with things being thrown from cars. We think it was either a cherry or a strawberry...hard to say given the speed we were travelling at but it definitely came from a large black truck with Alberta plates..hhhm, Alberta might be an interesting leg of the journey. Our friend Will who was riding ahead also got a cherry thrown at him. AND, while stopped in a construction zone, Martina got stuck in her clip pedals and toppled over. As i tried to help her i also toppled over with my bike, a bit of a bike pile up ;)
dge and had checked my rearview to see what i thought was a break in traffic from the rear. Halfway across the bridge, with oncoming traffic, all of a sudden a huge logging truck was RIGHT beside me with its wind making me shake as I tried to avoid both slipping under and falling into a drainage grate dip. I made it to the other side alive. A little shaken up and a couple deep breaths later I pedalled on. I was pretty angry though, and then a huge semi full of squeeling and squished pigs went by which really topped things off. Martina has a story of her own---our first experience so far with things being thrown from cars. We think it was either a cherry or a strawberry...hard to say given the speed we were travelling at but it definitely came from a large black truck with Alberta plates..hhhm, Alberta might be an interesting leg of the journey. Our friend Will who was riding ahead also got a cherry thrown at him. AND, while stopped in a construction zone, Martina got stuck in her clip pedals and toppled over. As i tried to help her i also toppled over with my bike, a bit of a bike pile up ;)Following all of this, especially the incident with the logging truck, I have really realized just how big of a commitment this trip is. I am setting intentions of safety and momentumas we continue onward---embarking into the Rockies tomorrow!
So that about finishes up with all the bad news of the day. Overall, the weather, scenery and great people really made today "perhaps the greatest day yet". A big thanks to all the lovely folks in Revelstoke that have put us up and shared their potluck with us! Sad to say that Will and Kesten will be heading back to Kamloops tomorrow, but there is great hope that they will again turn up further down the road somewhere---likely Regina!
Rumours of headwinds tomorrow, dreaming of taildwinds tonight.
(this is my 3rd attempt to try and post a comment)
ReplyDeleteHi Nadia and Martina,
Thanks for doing this blog - the imagery is vivid, almost as good as being there with you. Each day I visualize my bike angels hovering just over and beside you...I'm going to add some extras, for JD and everyone else who joins in.
Following 17 year old Malkolm's journey from Whitehorse is also interesting (his day 9 entry is very funny!) What a vast and diverse country we live in...While you are eating fresh strawberries and raspberries and battling grated bridges and busy highways, he is meeting black bears and grizzly bears and cubs, and bear spray is part of his gear. Travelled 190 km his first day (his mom is with him till Edmonton) and averages 9 hours daily, very attentively watching the terrain for the next bear sighting.
Thanks to all of you, for riding for our bright future.
Very much love,
Mary, Andy and Keenan (Pender Island)
Hey sisters...just got back from Croatia and read through the blog...I am amazed and very proud and also very sad that I can't be there to share all the adventures and fun. I can't wait to follow the rest of the journey and I keep on telling everyone I meet about pedal for the planet, spreading the word in Europe, the least I can do!
ReplyDeleteLove you and miss you tons
THE WEASEL!
Hey Nadia!
ReplyDeleteI just read all your posts, you guys look like you are having an amazing trip so far. I also watched the video of the send off with David Suzuki. You spoke after David Suzuki! That is insane. I'm so proud of you, keep strong, and keep on pedalling!
I agree, that IS insane, Nadia sharing billing with Mr. Suzuki. Andy just found that on the internet and we watched it. Whew! Well done, Nad.
ReplyDeleteMary and Andy