New Denver to Ainsworth -- 45 miles

After rain last night, riders were happy with beautiful blue skies and high clouds this morning.  Temperatures were cool to start.  Don't ask how cool.  I still haven't got the conversion thing down.  It's particularly disturbing when you think the route is 45 miles and the road sign says 72.  What???  Oh yeah, that's kilometers.  Can't tell you how many freak outs there have been!

This was the view at today's start --



Even though temps were coolish, it didn't take long to get warmed up.  There was an 11 mile climb right out of the motel.

The entire day was spent rolling up and down after the morning's initial ascent, and for the most part between the mountains with water running everywhere.  Either down the mountain, in a stream or a calm lake.  The views were, again, magnificent and the SAG stops today were positioned perfectly to take full advantage.






There were only two towns after leaving New Denver that were close to the route today, Kaslo and Sandon.  For the most part, we are rural but see many houses, some rustic some quite nice.  Pavement and drivers have been great.  Timber seems to be King here.  We've not seen signs of other industries, for the most part, other than tourism and the Canadian Pacific Railroad.  I'm not sure how tourism works for winter.  There have been very few ski areas visible, and most mountains are tree-covered.  The climbs that we have done usually have gates that can be closed, presumably because of snow or avalanches.  

Today's ride ended in Ainsworth, which as it turns out is an unincorporated area.  The only thing we could find there was the hotel we were staying at and a school bus turned espresso bar next store.  Consequently the hotel's restaurant was inundated with cyclists at the end of the day.  The only server working was beside herself.  She worked hard and got our group AND another group of bikers taken care of as efficiently as she could.

The hotel's claim to fame is it's hot springs.  Riders were treated to unlimited access during our stay.  There is a natural cave on the property which acts as a sauna, and a hot springs pool.  I think everyone took full advantage.  For me, I think it helped.  My legs were starting to get tired and sore and felt better afterwards.  We'll see if it gets me through to the end of the ride.

Chef Sue grilled steaks and sockeye salmon for the evening meal, only to be rained on, again.  Everyone was comfortable eating under the overhang of the hotel, and the meal was excellent.

Rain on the way.  It's just a matter of time.