OFF THE HOOK, BRITISH COLUMBIA

HEY, BUT THE HOOK WAS MY HOME

Having tried to make time and catch up, the Blogger is soon to be on a real time break from posting from the past. 

 For a week Kate and I 

will be on a hut to hut hike in Wells Gray.

No phone, no devices, no posts, no problem.

More Rocky Mountain Riding soon.

Hoping to be seen in September, 2014.

The editor apologises for any  inconvenience this may cause.

GOLDEN, B.C.

TUESDAY, DAY AND AUGUST 12, 2014

Hoodoo Campground, Yoho National Park to Golden, B.C.

View Trip Overview in a larger map

Here's a quick look where I have been.


View Hoodoo Campground, Yoho National Park to Golden, B.C. in a larger map

Here's a look at what's up for today.

 As I packed, my Taiwanese camp partner was showing me the wear that thousands of kilometres will do to your tires. He seemed resigned that he has no choice but to buy some new rubber in Golden.
I've seen many thing used for a temporary tire patch, but never a greenback.

A good portion of the Trans Canada that I will ride today has just had what I believe is close to a billion dollar improvement.

My luck in next to no rain has been the bane to fire crews across both provinces fighting numerous wildfires.

OK!

 With my load and some of these descents I am quite concientious about being able to stop at the bottom. I haven't yet seen any smoke coming off my pads but I like my disc brakes alot.

My last big mountain trip thru Montana, Idaho and Washington states I rode with  cantilever brakes, 

but I'll take discs today. 

I cannot tell a lie. Didn't put a clock on it but sure seemed like a descent for 10 miles.

This all being part of The Kicking Horse Pass.
I pity the fool(s) who rides west to east. Thats all I have to say about that.
My day of only approx 35k's had only one significant climb with  the rest seemingly like a ten mile DOWNhill.

I thought some of the work cutting thru the Canadian Shield on the way to Bayfield was impressive.

The Cut.

Like so many things I try to capture on camera, the size and magnitude of some subjects are difficult to 

convey.

This is one hell of a bridge!

The road goes up, the road goes down, the road goes up, the road goes down,.....

Like so many things I try to capture on camera, the size and magnitude (and more) of some subjects are difficult to convey.

I read once that even after a power failure at  a Qiucky Mart that a hot dog roller cooker still mysteriously continued to turn for hours?

Pit stop.

Sad, Sad, I will spend the night in Golden before my assault on Rogers Pass.

I can see that I will enjoy my night as the town has a quaint downtown and all services that I will need but will have to come back one February to give it final approval.

Not for lack of ability to cross in a single leap but I will plan to spend two nights up and on Rogers Pass. Other than sufficient campgrounds there are no services for the approx, 150kms to Revelstoke.

Stocking up. Love Hate relationship.

Love having food.

Hate dragging it up what might prove to be one of the more notable climbs of the trip.

Rondo Motel, Golden, B.C.

I do not complain but some days it's not the actual temperature but being in  the endless sun that proves trying. Here fortunately, unfortunately the sky, and air quality, are beginning to be tempered with a mix of smoke from distant fires.

YOHO NATIONAL PARK - HOODOO CAMP

MONDAY, DAY AND AUGUST 11, 2014

I've done my R&R and as much as one can on a bike have blasted back to Lake Louise to start tracking some new territory.

Go west old man.

View Lake Louise to Hoodoo Campground in a larger map

Heading into some unserviced and primitive camping, I stock up in LL.

Even Field, BC, noted on the map, apparently has limited services with random hours.

My provisions are purchased on the lighter the better for as soon as I turn the corner and hit the Trans Canada I will start climbing the Kicking Horse Pass. 

 I'll be the judge if it's 

The Best Place on earth, 

Thank You

My third national Park.

Heading to the ......

Such a testament to the engineering of over 100 years ago, today's trains still use many of the exact routes and everything that make them possible.

This and most tunnels were constructed in 1910's thanks to thousands of immigrant Chinese labourers.

Here the trains achieve gradual elevation gain or loss by looping in a tunnel within the mountain.

Train going in.

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

No wagering please.

 A little below the train is coming out.

A big sigh of relief by all.

Either I'm getting some mountain legs or, (I do know) climbing the Kicking Horse Pass going east to west is not easy but easier.

I was disappointed to summit and found no coffee.

By mid afternoon I found the heat and sun getting a little too much and just focused on getting to camp.

Hoodoo Campground

After setting up camp I headed to the stream for some cool times.

Don't read the ingredients.

MONOSODIUM POISONATE??

During supper I had some company roll in.

Though this fellow from Taiwan had very limited English, and my Taiwanese was limited to nothing,we exchange stories though the international language of the bicycle.

I couldn't for the life of me even get his name for his heavy accent.

I loved his explanation when I asked where he was coming from.

He pull out a small piece of paper that had his routing. It was very simple:

Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. to Toronto and now to Vancouver.

Here I bet are some stories.

100,000+ kilometres

"Home Alone 6"

International language of:

Good Night

Going to sleep!