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Now that I am home and have a day to get settled, I can do some more on my blog. Sorry for not posting much during my holidays, I had such a enjoyable time, much of it away from a computer. But here I am now.
Let's go back in time, back to Tour De Jasper. In my first Tour De Jasper post, we had bicycled from Prince George to Purden Lake, a distance of 65 kms (40 miles). Here's a map of the first days' ride, we bicycled Highway 16 East of Prince George, and that's the highway we take all the way to Jasper.
After a good evening's rest, we enjoy a big breakfast in the morning. Today we will be biking 110 kms (68 miles) from Purden Lake to La Salle Forestry Campsite. I sort of know where La Salle is, but it still seemed like the longest of all the days. Here's a map of Day 2.
This is the most remote part of the trip, there isn't much of human settlements in this area. There are lots of grizzly bears though. A few people ran into a Mother and cubs and the Mother didn't like that, she charged the people who were unfortunate to be behind her. The others ahead of her biked hard to get as far away from her as they could. Thankfully for the people being charged at, a vehicle soon came to their rescue and scared the bears away. I'm sure they breathed a sigh of relief, you don't want to mess with a mother, it can get nasty.
I was lucky, I only bumped into a black bear as I was entering La Salle campsite and it was as surprise as much as I was of it. As I was biking alone for most of the trip, I often sang out loud, and that was a day that I did it alot! Keeps the wildlife away.
I started feeling sore this day, the last 10 kms were the hardest and I really wanted to get off my bike. My butt was the sorest part, and I sooned learn, it wasn't going to get better.
The first thing I would do when I arrive in camp every evening was to set up tent and stuff. Then, I'd go off for a beer! I needed to take a bath in lake at one point, but so hard to do that right after a long day out on bike.
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Purden Lake has a nice beach to relax at.
My tent and bike are on the left.
It was cool that another person had an MSR tent, bigger then mine (on right side)
We had lots to choose from for our breakfast. As the days progressed, I found myself eating more and more. A good breakfast would give me a few good hours on the road before needing to snack. We were fed so well!
With all that good food in my stomach, I was all ready to hit the road. I woke up at 6 each day so I could take my time enjoying coffee, dismantling tent, packing up gear, and eat a hearty breakfast.
I had to stop at the Ancient Forest along the way. This is before our pitstop. This is in the area that others met up with angry Grizzly bear mother and her cubs. Near here is Red Mountain which has the highest concentration of them in one area! (I am hiking there this Sept) Heh, I painted THOSE posts for the sign in May. :)
As we head East from Purden, the scenery starts to get breathtaking as we enter the Rocky Mountains. I like to hike in this area a lot.
Fellow Cyclist, Dianne. I helped her earlier that day to change a flat tire. I like groups like this, we all help each other out in time of need. You were truly never left on your own!
Above: La Salle Lake with Harley (official dog at Ruckus) who joined us on this trip. He loved you if you threw sticks in water for him to fetch! One couple went last year and brought dog biscuits this year, he was their best buddy!
Above: Setting up camp, an evening ritual.
Such a nice wide shoulder on the highway. Can't get over how wide it is! Very nice.
ReplyDeleteIn Alberta, it's much bigger. But you have to watch out for people going on shoulder to let other cars by. They don't always notice that there's a bike on the shoulder.
ReplyDelete