27 July - Loving the mountains

Rogers Pass to Golden 86km (1535km total).

I had taken a day off at Rogers Pass as I knew Ivan and Rick (more ACC friends) were not arriving until Sunday evening. In a way it was a great spot for a day off, I napped, stretched, cleaned my bike, read some outdoor magazines and got out the maps for the rest of my trip. Unfortunately with no power or cell service catching up with the blog was not an option hence why these posts are a little late!! I ate a bunch of food I have been carrying around for the last few weeks as I was starving and was incredibly glad when Ivan and Rick showed up with dinner. It was great to catch up with them too. 

(Ivan and Rick meet Bob at the ACC Wheeler Hut, Rogers Pass).

It was a short ride to the summit of Rogers Pass on a crisp, clear morning. It is a stunning spot and I spent some time reading the information boards etc. I was pretty surprised to read the highway was only opened here in September 1962. Then it was downhill and more avalanche tunnels, one of which was not lit and was rather sketchy as I could not really see what I was riding over!! I was glad it was early and the traffic quiet. I wish I could report it was downhill all the way into Golden but of course it wasn't, however the scenery was stunning and as I will be leaving BC shortly I could not help but marvel at the mountains and smile. I love the mountains, even when I have to climb up them on a bike.

(Inside an avalanche tunnel near Rogers Pass).

The Columbia River is also spectacular and I learnt that the river valley that bears its name (sitting between the Rocky and Purcell mountain ranges) is an internationally important wetland area. During the trip I have stopped at pretty much every roadside information board and I have learnt all sorts of interesting facts. I also lost an hour today and there was a sign but it was on the other side of the road on an uphill so I didn't stop for a photo!! As I got closer to Golden I could see the slopes of Kicking Horse Mountain probably my favorite ski resort. I had decided to stay at the Dreamcatcher hostel in Golden because I had stayed there before and it still rates as my favourite hostel in Canada, partly because of the 2 wonderfully friends dogs but also the Canadian / British couple who own it. You really feel like you are staying in their house.

After a quick shower (it had been a few days as the Rogers Pass hut doesn't have running water either!!) I headed across the road to the grocery store. I was super hungry and trying to figure out how much food I would need for the next day when I heard my name down the aisle. I looked up to see Cat a mountain biking friend from Ottawa pushing a cart towards me!! Neither of us could believe it, I knew she was visiting Scott in Rossland and she knew I was cycling across Canada but what are the chances of us meeting in a small grocery store in Golden. She could not believe it but I have had some crazy luck and coincidences on this trip so I guess I was not so surprised. She invited me back to her motel for dinner with her kids (Gabrielle and Alex). They are on a western Canada road trip with lots of mountain biking so we ate lots of pasta and poured over maps.

(Gabrielle, Alex and Cat in Golden).

When I got back to the hostel the owners Abi and Gerald were back and Abi recognised me. She couldn't believe it was my bike and Bob trailer in the garage and was excited to hear about my trip. I needed to get up early in the morning and although I had good intentions to update the blog this evening the time had disappeared. So after petting the dogs for a bit I headed to bed.