I haven't really got back in the groove since my days off in Canmore. I have been late starting and struggling to regain the momentum I had in BC. This morning I was awake and off much earlier than recent mornings, despite camping right beside the highway I felt rested and hoped to make it to Brooks, 135km down the road.
As soon as I turned onto the highway I realised I was going into a headwind. To cut the story short I battled headwinds or crosswinds all day. It was mentally tough, much harder than the mountains, for the first time on this trip I had to resort to music with an earphone in my right ear. Sure it was a nice day but the relentless winds were hard work, I never got anywhere near my big ring and my average speed was just over 17km/hr. I remembered I had started an audiobook on the drive out with Laura, I also had it in paperback but have never found time to read it. The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard is a memoir of the 1910-13 British Antarctic Expedition led by Scott. It was written in 1922 and is often acclaimed as the greatest true adventure story ever written. For a while I peddled along engrossed in the story of the their journey down to New Zealand by boat and then on to Antarctica, in unbelievably harsh conditions.
As the wind did not abate I decided to call it a day in Bassano, after 89km, have an early night and hope the wind direction has changed by the morning. There is a small self registered campground and after some food and a good shower the challenges of the day are almost forgotten. Last night I was camped right beside the highway, tonight it is the railway but I find it quite soothing.
Some Alberta beef. I don't think they see many cyclists because when I stopped for a photo they all ran off!!
Check out the flags!!
A hill!!
Cute little 'book house' at campground, allowing you to take a book, borrow a book, leave a book etc.
I particularly love the photo of your bike and flags set against the horizon. Flags waving tell the story of your windy day for sure!
ReplyDeleteKeep trying to enjoy every day for the adventures and blessings it offers you, wind and all, because one day you'll look back upon your trip and what you've done and see nothing but a huge smile.