In the Land of Kilometers

Yesterday was a long day.  The morning started late because of the forecast, and we did have rain.  Instead of leaving around 7, we were able to leave at 9.  Fortunately no storms but the pavement was wet and with light showers off and on until noon which then gave way to sun and a perfect riding day.



There was 48 miles to Nelson.  Roads were generally rolling, two lane country roads.  Pavement has often been chip seal, yesterday was patched blacktop, but overall no complaints about road quality.  Most riders were in good spirits at sag stops yesterday even though cue sheets were pretty confusing.

We traveled through Castlegar where the cue sheet had a right turn at 16.8 miles, but there was no turn there.  It's sad when the SAG is lost!  The good news was it led to a stop at Tim Horton's (Canada's equivalent to Dunkin' Donuts) for a box of doughnut holes for the SAG stop.

Eventually we found our way out of Castlegar but again the cue sheet was ambiguous so I sat at one of the left turns for the front runners to confirm they were going the right way.  So, we're now back on track moving to the designated SAG stop at mile 24, which was to be a convenience store with ice cream on the right; and only one 17% climb in the way.  Yes, the riders, and SAG, came around a corner and there was wall in the way.  I'm not sure whether I've ever done anything that steep.  Some made it, some walked it but it was the talk of the SAG -- the store that was to be on the right was actually on the left.

I spoke to the owners before the riders arrived.  They welcomed the riders, many of whom sampled the ice cream which was a big hit.

This was the scenery at the SAG and a sample of what we have been seeing for the past couple of days --

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The second SAG was scheduled for approximately mile 40, at the bottom of the last climb of the day.  But, there were a few more due errors to resolve before the riders would get to the correct road that would take them there.  There was a handful that got bonus miles yesterday.  Others were able to be intercepted to communicate corrections before we had a Keystone Cops incident on our hands.

Once back on route, riders rambled down Blewett Road, running along the Columbia River and Kootenay Lake.  There is a hydro electric plant that controls the water flow to generate power for the majority of the British Columbia.

Kootenay Lake is also accessible from Nelson, and is stunning.  It's interesting there is a flow to this lake that allows it to be dammed and used for power generation.



Two riders got in the SAG vehicle at the second stop.  The route was pretty short following the last stop of the day, but again there was a short wall between the SAG and the motel -- a hairpin turn with at least 17%.  No one's saying who made it and who walked it.  The important thing is there were no injuries from someone falling down.  I'm not sure whether anyone realizes tomorrow's route back tracks that tomorrow.

Following that wall, it was all downhill into Nelson.  The last rider was in around 5:00.

Nelson is known for its art culture, but also appears to be a destination for mountain bikers and motorcyclists.  There is a hostel next to the hotel we are in and today's sign says they are full for tonight.

Since today is a rest day, there were chores to be done, including laundry.  The hotel has guest laundry which was busy early this morning, so I found my way to a local laundromat which was also busy with a group of motorcyclists.  They have been on a multi-week tour since the end of June starting from Vancouver, British Columbia, an annual trip.

There are also SAG clean up duties and preparations for tomorrow.  We'll be off to New Denver early tomorrow.