day 8 june 7; 126km; 1675M vertical climb

So, after a day of rest (we were useless as tourists because we didn’t do anything but watch some telly and do some bike maintenance) we left town for a tough day. The road rose from the edge of Osoyoos and just kept going up for the next 25km to the top of Anachist Pass, 1231m high. And of course it was still cool and damp but at least it didn’t rain. From the pass we dropped around 600m down to Rock Creek where we stopped to warm ourselves up with some lunch and a cuppa tea. A few kms later we caught up with a young couple on mountain bikes towing bob trailers and they are also crossing Canada but they had started in Patagonia last Nov. been in Argentina, done the length of Chile and then flown to Vancouver to start crossing Canada. We didn’t say a lot. We left them near Midway and started our long gentle 30km climb up the Kettle Valley to the Eholt pass at 1028m and then enjoyed a 15km downhill, no pedalling and no need for brakes, to within 5km of Grand Forks. We are both knackered, full of chicken wings, other main dishes and large glasses of beer so we are off to bed. Night, night.

Day 7 Rest day in Osoyoos

Day 6 June 5 88km; 12°C; 838 M vertical climb

We started out with a gentle downhill and a tailwind. After a mid morning snack at Keremeos we continued but the weather changed and the wind turned against us. The official wind was from the south at a speed of 9kph. In the mountains the wind was funnelled directly into our faces. At one point while we were taking a break in the shelter of a rock, the wind blew my 40 KG bike off it’s kickstand at it ended upside down on the handlebars and the seat. Not bad for a 9kph wind. We are entering the area of Osoyoos, which is the only desert in Canada. It never rains here, but today it rained . However we had a steep climb to the final pass of the day and the wind and rain was at our backs. It gave us a good boost up the hill. We had a 2 km downhill run into Osoyoos and pedalled all the way down into the wind. We have a rest day tomorrow and we will relax in Osoyoos. Shortly before Osoyoos we came across Spotted Lake. It contains all sorts of minerals and salts that are good for you. We didn't try it.

Day 5 June 4 105km; 6°C; 806 M vertical climb; top speed 70kph

We rode from EC Manning park to Hedley West today. Most of the route was downhill with one major pass to climb. There was a great change in the weather as we sumited the last pass and headed down hill. It got warmer and dryer immediately. Tim G got up to 70 kph downhill. Unfortunately when I was set up to take pictures on a downhill, Tim had to pass 3 trucks because bikes are faster than cars downhill. We met Barry and Wendy on the road while we were taking pictures of the downhill runs. I got a great picture of Wendy also. The last 30km of our day we were on an old seldom used road. We had a peaceful 30km ride from Princeton to Hedley West along the Similkameen river. We are overnighting in a cabin on the banks of the Similkameen River

Day 4 June 3 67km; 6C; 1571M vertical climb total

We left Hope at 10:15 and immediately started climbing. The whole day was uphill as we climbed over Allison Pass and into EC Manning park. The rain started shortly after we got on the road and the temperature dropped as we rode higher and higher. Life was a little more interesting as we rode past a young black bear feeding on dandelions by the roadside. He didnèt seem interested in cyclists. On 2 occasions we had long down hills where we got chilled. At 6°C with a wind blowing through your wet clothes there is no option but to focus on the road and keep going. At one of our many rest stops we met a husband and wife couple who had ridden across Canada last year. We met them again at the lodge in EC Manning Park and had supper together. Barry and Wendy gave us good tips and good moral support for our trip.

Day 3 10C, 61km, 227m Vertical Climb

June 2 We left Chilliwack and headed for Hope along highway 7. It was cold wet and miserable. We had quiet roads and busy roads. Getting passed on highway 7 by logging trucks was a soggy treat. We rode all the way to Hope in the rain and once we got to Hope the rain stopped. We toured Hope in the afternoon and enjoyed the chainsaw carvings. Hope is the chainsaw carving capital of Canada.

Day 2; 14C, 117km, 466 meters vertical climb

June 1 We left Tsawassen bright and early at 9:15. We had a good ride to Chilliwack although the weather was a bit cool (14). We are avoiding the trans-Canada highway and riding the back roads as much as possible. It is longer but more peaceful and quiet. We had a beautiful stretch of road 20km long, dead straight and bordered by beautiful farms and houses. We arrived at Chilliwack at 5:00 and stayed with Anson, our host for the night. We had a good evening with Anson, who is 80 and more active than both of us.