Another early start (you are noticing a theme here are you not, or it could be a lack of imagination on my part). Away at 8.30 and we are noticing a depressing similarity between most campgrounds, the huge hill they all seem to have to get out of them. A last look at the poor battered (who on earth deep fries a sign I will never know!) campground sign.
Just before we left we managed to get a picture of the world famous Fernie “GHOST Rider” so the advert said. It is the shadowy figure visible on Mt Hosmer on a sunny evening. Make your own mind up.
We awake to a clear sky, it was looking like a glorious sunny day, there was a chill in the air, we are still quite high up here.
A goodbye to Joy, Sammie and Audrey (but they are cycling faster so they will overtake us soon) and we were back on track again.
We cycle some simply stunning forest riding to begin with, always checking for bears!
We awoke to a glorious sunny day, and were on our way by 9.30, and then a visit to the campground next door for oblutions and water.
Only a very short day today as we will be riding on proper roads all of the way. Breakfast with real milk (as opposed to pretend milk which strangely resembles water). Pack up then ready to go by 9.30.
A farewell to Peter but I suspect our paths will cross again.
It was straight out of the campground onto Highway 3, this is a very busy road but it does have a wide shoulder (similar to broard shoulders one to be cried the other to ride on). The speed limit is 100 km/hour all you need to do is multiply by 5 and divide by 8 to change into miles/hour.
Huge lorry with an uncountable number of wheels
The valley continues to be very impressive even from the road. At around 13 miles in the middle of nowhere a young lady is sat on the bridge over the River Elk, waiting for her father with his tractor, strange you may think, that’s because it is. The short clip shows said tractor near the end but don’t blink (or the angels will get you) and miss it. The link.
We turned off the highway onto Dickens Road for the final 5 miles, almost traffic free, nice.
Dickens Road off Highway 3 near Fernie
At the end of this put there just for us was the tourist information a visit to this then off to Fernie RV Resort, you know it is expensive just from the name. No surprise there then at 40 c$ a night our most costly yet.
Lots of RVs and a tent at RV Resort
It was that time to tally our money still 220 Canadian dollars to go, you can buy a lot of cake with that.
Janet had her first proper go with the Exped chair and that worked out well, the bodes trended well for the future.
The Chair
Our final act of the day to visit Fernie and get food, burgers tonight, cooked using our very own frying pan with potato salad and beetroot and onion salad.
Main Street Fernie
Today was a longer distance day but does contain proper roads, around 35 miles should see us there.
Up and away by 8.20, feeling quite cool (minimum last night 4.4 degrees), but not a cloud in the sky. We had an almost normal breakfast milk and everything, it made a nice change.
Peter (from the Netherlands who we met yesterday) will cycle with us today, we both have a date with Sparwood.
The route leaves Elkford and goes immediately into much steepness, in actual fact 2.5 miles of it at 8% (for those of you unfamiliar with 8% it is about the same strength as a super strong larger).
Janet pedaling up Fording River Road
The day started with a massive and when i say massive I mean quite big thunderstorm. The rain was torrential then changed to hail, it was bouncing a foot off the ground. Luckily we have a nice shelter to hide under with benches and all that kinds of stuff in.
Today should be an easy 25 miles down the remainder of the Elk River road (let’s play word association I say road you think potholed dirt track).
A nice lazy start today giving everything chance to dry off after last night’s thunderstorm. Goodbyes were said to the fishermen and we were off. The cycling was straight forward, the surface determining the rate of progress.
Elk River road
Overnight and first thing this morning there was a series of very loud bangs (bear bangers local call them) and lots of noise from megaphones, this was being done to move bears away from the campgrounds, a reassuring thing.
After yesterdays dire warnings about every campsite in the whole of the northern hemisphere being full due to the Canadian public holiday, we got up early and we were away by 8.00 hoping to get to the campground before they were full.
First off there was a very steep climb just to get us back on the track to Elk Pass, at least it was still cool so we could struggle without too sweatyness. We were now on track plenty of up very little down. The route followed an overhead cable, in fact if followed anywhere that would be called challenging. Continue reading
We got up a little earlier (coldest night yet 4.4 degrees) managing to leave by 8.40, having an overly sweet instant porridge and a poo in a hole (not at the same time though).
Then it was straight back on the Smith-Dorrian road, it was considerably quieter than out last sojourn along it. Surprisingly the surface was a little better so the riding easier and we made better time.
Cycle Travellers 