It was another slow start as I wanted to catch up with Yannick. Turns out his family are big fans of baked beans so I had another good breakfast. It was great to spend some time with him and hear about his new job in Calgary.
It was almost noon by the time I rolled out of Cochrane, after discussion with the local bike shop and the police (Yannick) I had decided to take the Trans Canada through Calgary knowing it would be busier but shorter and flatter than staying north of the city. Yannick would be working again later in the afternoon and said if I had any issues to give him a call and he would make sure I got out of the city safely.
(View back to the mountains as I rode back to the Trans Canada highway.)
For the most part the ride was good and the Trans Canada had a large shoulder, I passed some of the iconic Calgary landmarks including the ski jumps at Olympic Park. I would have taken pictures but decided against it as it would have meant stopping on the side of the highway. I have driven through Calgary before and most people take one of high speed roads that skirt the city. For a while the Trans Canada becomes a city street with a couple of lanes and no shoulder. I kind of enjoyed the city riding and only had a few sketchy moments as cars merged and left the road. It would have been very cool to have a police escort but I made it through the city in good time and continued east to Strathmore.
Susie's parents had mentioned that Strathmore held their very own stampede over the long weekend and I thought I might try and get to the Chuckwagon races that evening. Unfortunately the campground in town was full and when I enquired at 2 motels they wanted over $130 for a room!! I had read about a campground 5km east of the city and after picking up some groceries decided to get back on the road and head there.
It was getting late and I really hoped the campground still existed (they didn't have a website). It was further than 5km but they did, and I pulled in to a slightly ramshackle place literally just off the highway with lots of trailers and no sign of an office. Eventually I saw a group of friendly people eating around a big fire pit and the guy said I was welcome to find a spare patch of grass and then come to pay. He only wanted $10 and then said you must be starving grab a plate, they had hot dogs and pasta and salmon and salad!! They were incredibly friendly and asked about my trip, his biggest concern was how I kept my water cold and when I said I didn't he rushed to get me a glass of water with ice in!! I had my phone in my pocket and heard it buzz, turns out Yannick was in Strathmore and was going to stop by, in a squad car!! I warned my new friends, wondering what an earth they might think!!
So I got to see Yannick in uniform and I am sure made a few people in that campground nervous!! When I went to thank the owners for the food they insisted I join them around the campfire, so I did for a while, they really couldn't fathom cycling across the country. I went to bed thinking it had been another great, if slightly random evening!!
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