Jon's knee meant an end to his cycle but every cloud has a silver lining, and he now looks forward to speeding his way across the Rockies to see friends he couldn't have before and catch some West Coast sunshine.
I am forever grateful to him letting me cycle through the mountains without feeling pangs of guilt for continuing without him. We entertained ideas of hiring a car and touring the Rockies together, but after two and half months of riding towards them, and having been turned back from the mountains earlier at Camp Disappointment, i wanted to ride the mountains.
After stomping through crashing thunderstorms out of Calagry, the mountains didn't disappoint. Mist gave way to high mountains hugged with cloud, unbelievably green lakes and crisp air. BC is beautiful and reminded me of our travels through the winding uphills of Vermont.
Scorching days brought warm evenings swimming in beautiful lakes, clear night skies and great camping. Meeting other cyclists certainly wasn't a problem either, and very reaffirming, giving me new energy and confidence to keep turning the cranks. I've seen more cycle-tourists in BC than across the rest of the country! Even re-encountering cyclists as our paths cris crossed the BC mountains. In Creston i had the pleasure of meeting a lovely German couple who had coincidentally been cycling across North America, having started out in New York at the same time us. Hopefully we'll see each other in Vancouver too.
I filled my extra time from travelling alone with more cycling. Rising early to catch empty roads and avoid park rangers, napping in the afternoon as the weather hotted up and continuing the riding into the evening. But perhaps the riding has also been some of the best i've experienced all trip, shaded, low traffic, snaking lakeshore drives. With a couple of 90+mile days i was grateful for a rest in Nelson. A final thigh searing hill took me to Nola and Darren's front lawn, a note on their door inviting me to a bbq at their neighbours topped off the day. It did get me thinking about the merits athletic self destruction... cycling up a hard hill is always made worth while when rewarded with steak!
The biggest truck in the world at Sparwood!
Retro Dairy Queen in Nelson... made the ice cream treat even sweeter!
Safe travels Mr Jon and here's where i finally got to have a swim.
