Yesterday’s post in case you issued it.
So those young people riding laps with loud music around the campground were our neighbors. And they liked to party all night. I went over to their site at 1 am and again at 3 to ask/tell them to be quiet. Didn’t work. Wasn’t the best night sleep ever. Except for Gary who brought earplugs.
We were a slow rolling group of middle aged dudes today. In fairness to ourselves, it was pretty climby and wet, but still we were on the road for 10 hours for 110 km.
Started with about 25 km to second breakfast at Rocklyn General Store. Roast beef sandwiches and apple cider donuts it’s amazing to me that these fancy little places exist in remote locales. Gary says the trail delivers and he’s not wrong.
After the meal the climbing started. Lots of steep uphills on all kinds of surfaces. And also the most insane downhill I’ve ever ridden parallel to a decommissioned ski hill. I am quite sure if you were to tuck in and not brake you could reach nearly 100 km on this particular descent.
Somewhere in there and after the rain started in earnest we had our first mechanical. Michael’s rear tire was losing air and wouldn’t hold it. It’s a tubeless setup so just putting in a new tube is the fix of last resort. Gary for the issue sorted quickly and efficiently.
Between the rain, coats in and coats off, snacks and hills, by 3:30 in the afternoon we’d only made half the days distance. We were trying to reach one of the few food options in the area before it closed at 6 and then the campground before 8. We thought the climbing and weather was mostly behind us and we were wrong. The next two hours were a bit of a slog. But there were also some stunning and dramatic views.
We made it to Ravenna’s, home of French dip sandwiches and famous butter tarts about 15 minutes before closing.
And then had some more screaming downhill to make it to the Craigleith Provincial Park by 7:30.
Tomorrow steeper hills.
I’m assuming from the pic, you found some.
Haven’t written the post yet so check back tomorrow. But yes, success
Hey I love the photo montage, y’all look like you’re having a good time.
Just how many clicks can you get out of a butter tart?
Very few. You wouldn’t believe the amount of pastries we collectively consume
Thanks for posting the stories and the photos, Chad. Do you ever have trouble finding places to charge your electronics?
No usually. Campgrounds always have a place to charge and we are all carrying power banks
Great photos and stories. Love the sunlight beaming through the grey clouds.
I’m not quite sure how you can still be smiling pushing your bike on what appears to be a crappy uphill trail. Tells me you’re enjoying the ride. Make a note, ear plugs next ride. Enjoy the hills today.
Sounds like a nightmare campsite, why all the machines in nature?Thankfully the scenery and camaraderie will have made up for all the noise of motors and party animals.
Hope the wind is at your back today with even more hills. xo
Good thing you have those VO “Crazy Bars” for the downhill aero tuck position! Hope the hills settle down today!
I live that hills shot!
*love
I think Michael took that one. It’s great