NICOLA, HYLA, PAUL NEMY. CYCLING THE SIERRA NEVADA. SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA. U.S.A.

August 26, 2016

Finishing off day four.

After completing and celebrating the bulk of our climb, we will enjoy some leisurely sightseeing on the last leg to Lodgepole Campground for the night.

Don't strain your neck!

So take the photographs and still frames in your mind

Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time

Tattoos and memories and dead skin on trial

For what it's worth it was worth all the while

It's something unpredictable but in the end

It's right I hope you've had the time of your life

green day

 Off my left shoulder is 

The General Sherman.
Not the oldest at approx. 2000 yrs, but the largest living tree on this earth.

After a couple of nights at rather remote campsites,

here we will take full advantage of ALL the services provided at Lodgepole.

Giant day!

Well done.

Well done indeed.

HYLA, NICOLA AND PAUL NEMY. CYCLING THE SIERRA NEVADA. SEQUIA NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA. U.S.A.

August 26, 2016
Day four.
Potwisha Campground to The Giant Forest.

Chain Gang.

Today in a distance of less than twenty kilometres we will ascend over five thousand feet.

That will convert to close to four hours of saddle up time. 

One of our rewards will be riding into one of my favourite forest zones.

A wonderful mixture of pines and firs are often found between 4,000 and 6,000 ft above sea level.

In this case, add the majestic Sequoia with some cool mountain temps.

Lets go! 

Bicycling

The cause and solution to all my problems.

(just like alcohol)

Yesterday we were learning about the climb.

Today one gets quite reacquainted with oneself, 

the good and the part that could have used a little more training.

Slightly for myself, but for the girls, both Kate and I have been endlessly impressed with their mental fortitude in life and what life brings.

THAT SHIT YOU CAN'T BUY.

(or train for)

One can train, and train, and train

but

when it comes to forging ahead under somewhat 

difficult circumstances and still lay the miles of smiles down, well..........

Become exalted, elated and exhausted in life.

The road below.

Getting there.
and 
getting there.

This viewpoint will provide us with enough sightseers to take pity on us and help top up our bottles. A water source is not available till the visitor's centre near the top.

Here is one of many sources of both inspiration and slight doubt.

This driver both showed his encouragement,

"you folks are crazy!!!!"

 and expressed his personal concern that just going downhill was hard enough on his car.

The Giant Forest not actually being the summit, but it will mark our climbing success and achievement.

Summiting.

Stop we will.

Stop we will indeed.

Coming next: We have no flags to plant on the summit but celebrate we will.

NEMY. NICOLA, HYLA, PAUL. CYCLING THE SIERRA NEVADA. SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA

Day Three

August 25, 2016

Horse Creek Campground to Potwisha Campground, Sequoia National Park

Today we will push into Sequoia National Park.

As it will be similar in style to an assault on Mt Everest for us, we will advance as close to the base of what will become a monumental climb to the summit of The Giant Forest tomorrow.

Our Adventure Cycling Association map is showing a profile of the climb that is more reflective of a ski mountain better suited with not one but multiple lifts to the top.

I'm coming,

I'm coming.

Today is a rather special day to ride into any National Park in the USA. August 25, 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the creation of the National Park system.
Much of it started locally.

We will celebrate with free admission and smiles all around.
Oh, yes. I got a sticker.

Here we will ride UP to our camp. 

Like any mountain stage in a grand tour, the rock in the background offers a fine vantage point for some spectators. 

Here we had to make sure Hyla turned left. 

We'll spend our last night in the foothills and still a little heat for a couple of days.

I just assume with all the laughing and smiles they must be reading the latest @

going over niagara paul's.

An seemingly endless source of...............

No,

What a minute.

It's actually something of value and meaning and worth.

very unlike going over niagara paul's

Click here:

Frontier College Cat Lake Literacy Camp 2016 

Hyla and Nicola's summer project in Northern Ontario.

OMG

We discuss that tomorrow we will start riding at 2,100ft above sea level to our destination campground in excess of 6,000 ft above sea level.

With our stage a measly 25k or so, we will easily classify this one as Hors Catégorie

This will not be the only time one might read a bit too much of what may lay ahead any of perhaps many days.

NOW TO DECIDE.

WHAT'S BETTER?

THE DEVIL YOU KNOW OR THE DEVIL YOU DON'T.

sweet dreams

NICOLA, HYLA AND PAUL NEMY. CYCLING THE SIERRA NEVADA. HORSE CREEK CAMPGROUND, CALIFORNIA

August 24, 2016

We will end our second day at Horse Creek Campground. 

It's I'm sure early in the summer right on the shore of a reservoir. 

At this time of the season the water is a bit off on the horizon but none the less one gets a little relief from the heat just knowing that its close.

Resulting from the full effect of the drought, we will for a good part of our trip be living in the finest sand dust created/ground by the heavy use of sites like this.

Our do it yourself laundry days wash water would easily pass for the Welland River. 

Bent on the Crest.

This will just be one campground that we will share with just a handful of others.

Corn Surprise.

Room with a view and

FINALLY

the sun has set!