The itch I can’t scratch…..

Mammoth Lakes to El Portal Bike Tour

I feel like a junkie sneaking off alone as soon as I get a couple days off. I make half-ass calls “trying” to find a partner.  But honestly, all I wanna do is ride alone again. Just my bike, the road and me.

Last Wednesday in the car I was struck with the uncontrollable urge to bike tour from Mammoth Lakes to El Portal where I live. I had been fantasizing about riding this stretch for a while now and now all of a sudden every bit of me NEEDED to do it, NOW!

I decided it would be a 2 day tour with a night spent in Tuolumne Meadows. I figured this weekend would be the last weekend I had available where I could be assured of good weather, so it was a go!

I debated all sorts of shuttling options and finally was saved by a co-worker, Laura B.. Not only did I get a ride to Mammoth Thursday night but I was also fed delicious Thai food and had a comfy futon to crash on before my ride.

Come morning, after a breakie burrito and coffee in Mammoth it was off to the local bike shop to buy a multitool and fix my rubbing fender.

Then I was off!

Headed north on the 395 out of Mammoth I was reminded once again how much I truly love and appreciate the desert but also the entire Sierra Nevada. the east side seems like the place I will eventually end up living, somehow, someway…..

Some amazing places along the way included the June Lake Loop (pure glory!), The Mobil (Best gas station in the world!) Lee Vining Canyon (best suffering anywhere!). Tuolumne Meadows (gem of the Sierra Nevada), and the 14 miles of downhill leading to my door!

I’m too lazy to write anymore so instead you get photos this time, enjoi.

ae.

Always start with coffee. always.

Me. the dork. Getting ready to ride out from Mammoth.

Mammoth and 395 behind me.

Such great sights along the way

I actually felt pretty good once I got here.

Always take the pretty back roads on a bike.

Beginning the June Lake Loop. 25 miles of beauty!

Fall colors on the June Lake Loop and my killer hairdo!

Brook enjoying the fall colors.

Grant Lake on the June Lake Loop

Sometimes vandalism is quite funny.

I really really really love this part of California.

Headed up Lee Vining Canyon

Looking down the huge hill I had to ride up.

How often does this really happen?

i love this place. Especially after cycling all the way up!

When in Rome, right?

Camping in Tuolumne Meadows

Me posing by Lembert Dome in Tuolumne Meadows

i love this place.

Clouds rest, Half dome. Olmstead Point and me.

Still a fair amount of snow on the road....

Me. biking home.

Livin’ the dream on El Capitan.

Zodiac A2 5.7

Zodiac, on the eastern side of El Capitan had been a goal of mine for a few years now. I knew it was going to happen eventually, I just needed to step up and commit to it.

So in classic Andy fashion, I made plans mid bike tour to climb a wall upon my return. Part of me felt like I was distracting myself from the current task at hand (bike touring) but honestly that’s just the way I work. Hopping from one major adventure to the next allows to stay excited and confident even when my next adventure is slightly daunting.

The topo for Zodiac, our route.

Our route ascends straight through the grey circle.

My partner, Maura LaRiviere has been a friend for years now and has always been a great partner. Although I had never climbed anything bigger than 1 pitch with her before, I had absolute faith in her skills and knowledge. Truth be told, she’s a better climber than me any day of the week. We were SO set!

This the Zodiac dream team, in all their “glory”. With a team like this, what could possibly go wrong?

My fearless/goofball partner, Maura

I like to pretend I'm scared at times.

Battle Kitty strikes again!

As with all walls, the first step involves the gear and logistics which are always a pleasant pain in the ass. Seeing as how Maura would be riding in from Las Vegas on her motorcycle, she was somewhat limited in what she could bring. However, being the genius she is, she managed to bring a truly impressive amount of gear and food on her motorcycle! This woman is truly amazing!

All this fit in Maura's motorcycle panniers!

After gear sorting, food prepping and route re-assessing, we were ready. The easy part was done, it was now time to stop drinking beer on my living room floor and start humping heavy loads to the base of the climb. Seriously, I know it’s all part of the “experience” but humping 80 lb. loads 1,000 feet up talus slopes is damn hard work. Luckily for us, it was over before we knew it and we got to work climbing the first 4 pitches and fixing lines so we could jug up in the AM. All in all, a pretty uneventful first day except for the fact that I left my headlamp on the ground and had to rap down in the dark, no bueno…

Looking up the first pitch of Zodiac. If you can do this pitch clean, you can easily climb the wall.

The next morning, after a bivy at the base that we shared with a rattlesnake, it was up , up and away!!!! This is always my favorite part of a wall, the moment you blast off and commit to the wall and all it has to offer. I knew the next 4 days would certainly be a trip!

All in all the wall went extremely well and we ended the wall feeling fresher than either one of us had on any other previous wall. A lot of that had to do with the massive amount of food we brought which allowed us to gorge every night after setting up the portaledge.

For those interested, we managed to only take 1 fall. This was on the last pitch with the top a mere 30 feet away. It was a short 10 foot fall due to a popped piece, a piece I knew would pop anyways.

Even more proud though was the fact that we broke out the hammer ONLY ONCE! I needed to tap in a beak that was resting on a head but kept skating when I weighted it. Once I moved past it I was able to pull it out with my fingers from above. Not too shabby, eh?

Once topping out we had the “pleasure” of walking/rapping down the East Ledges descent back to our car at El Cap meadow. That descent will always be a badge of honor that makes you realize you just did it.

As an added treat, two days after we finished Maura celebrated her birthday. We figured it only made sense to do yet ANOTHER wall. This time we aimed for the West Face of Leaning Tower, the steepest wall EVER! Only this one we did in a one day push the day before I went back to work. While I didn’t get many pictures of that wall, it was great!

Climbing with Maura was a pleasure and I look forward to roping up with her again.

As per the usual, I’m going to stop blabbing on and on and just let y’all enjoy some pics.

cheers!

That rivet in the block once was a secure piece of protection high up on the wall!

Me coiling the ropes, gansta' stylee

Looking out on the traversing second pitch of Zodiac

Looking up from the belay on day one at what lies ahead...

Maura heading into the black tower, she's a bad ass!

Sorry for the bad quality but it gives you an idea on what life on a portaledge looks/feels like!

Tam Bikes rocks! Get it, "rocks"? buahahahaha. Seriously though, they are great. check them out in Mill Valley.

Trusting yourself to this and knowing a fall would rip out your last couple pieces certainly makes your balls drop. Its called a "head" and is basically a malleable piece of metal hammered/molded into a corner to hopefully hold a climber's weight.

Looking up, it got a little better. This is hands down why I love big wallin'. Way high up off the deck and scared out of your mind. At least for me 'cause I'm a weenie.

The bolts leading to the famous "Nipple"

Me wrestling with the nipple. i gave it a pinch for good luck!

Ah yes, climbing walls "clean" without hammering. Gotta love it."

Maura gives this night's rest a thumbs up!

Sometimes I lurk. I know, I'm a creepster....

Rockfall off of Middle Cathedral at 6 in the AM. It was HUGE!!!

Maura being the bad ass that she is!

This is the view when you look down. Steep and high!

When you lower out the bags from the belay for the haul you REALLY get an idea of just how steep this wall is!

Maura leading off into the light.

Two cams meet on Zodiac. One cams says to the other," What's your sign?"

A lower out with the Nose in the background.

Me. peeing. in a bottle. I'm wayyyy too excited.....

Yup. that's a gallon of urine fresh from two dehydrated climbers. It was still warm....

Nose to Nose. More like dork to Nose.

This give you an idea of that it's like cleaning the upper pitches of the wall. STEEP!

As I'm topping out Mauara shouts up, "Do something cool!" I immediately shout back, "As if topping out on El Cap isn't cool enough!?"

Resting at the top. I felt so good in that moment.

Headed down the East Ledges with a full haulbag.

Carrying a heavy ass load down AFTER doing a wall is pure torture, in a good way.

Anyone who has ever descended off El Cap will recognize this wall. Another awesome place high up off the ground that few people get to see. Up close the streaks are pretty wild!

The team, posing, like the chimps we are!

Coming home to the Range of Light…..

I’m writing this after being home now for about a month and as half now and finally getting into the swing of things once again.

FYI, this will be a 2 part post with my El Cap Trip Report making up the second post.

After finishing up a truly amazing bike tour I still had 4 weeks left in my summer, I needed to make the most of my remaining time.

My first order of business was to go home for a couple days and visit my family and make a road trip to San Diego with my sis and nephew in tow for a few days of wonderful San Diego beach time. It was great being with family but I was once again starting to get restless, and I had already committed to some Sierra Nevada adventures for my last couple weeks before work started.

On my last week of the bike tour I had committed to doing an ascent of Zodiac on El Capitan with Maura LaRiviere, a climbing buddy who was planning on quitting her soul crushing job and needed a reason to head out for a few days. This sounded all fine and dandy as Zodiac had been VERY HIGH on my bucket list for a few years now. However I needed a little refresher course on climbing granite before embarking on a 4-5 day big wall climbing trip. This is where my other buddy Japhy came to my rescue.

Japhy and I at Whitney Portal. I must admit, we make one good lookin' climbing team.

Japhy and I agreed to climb in the Whitney region of the Sierra Nevada eventually focusing on Fishhook Arete on Mt. Russel and the East Buttress of Mt. Whitney. Both peaks are 14,000 ft. + peaks and Whitney is the highest peak in the lower 48. This high altitude alpine climbing was exactly what I needed to get back into my old climbing shape.

Mt. Russel with Fishhook Arete being the obvious huge J-shaped arete

mmmmm..... Mt. Whitney (on right) with Keller and Day Needle.

The climbing went well enough and aside from a little cold and altitude sickness the trip was A+! Climbing with Japhy was great and we spent equal amounts of time climbing and hiking as we just hanging out and shooting the shit in a beautiful alpine campsite.

Our perfect alpine camp at Upper Boy Scout Lake

Marmot proof, but definitely not mouse-proof...

The climbing went well and although I was a bit out of usual climbing shape, we did great. We even managed to fly up Whitney with fast belay switch overs, smooth leads and efficient rope work. I was worked after both climbs having not been at altitude or having climbed in three months but it felt good. It was a nice coming back home gift to myself.

However, El Cap was calling and after getting back from my high Sierra mission, I had a couple days rest before embarking on the big trip, Zodiac. My next post is a trip report of my big wall climb on Zodiac, El Capitan.

Here are some pics for y’all…….

I believe the weight came out to 45'ish lbs. ugh....Headed into the range.

I see you. Keeler and Day Needle behind me and my pink eye.

Japhy chilling out on an alpine tower.

The dream team on the summit of Mt. Russel

May we climb again soon hermano.

Japhy messing with ropes on the East Buttress of Mt. Whitney

The summit of Mt. Whitney, highest peaks in the lower 48!

Me trying to make Whitney's 14,496' summit an even 14,500'!

It’s all done, now what?……….

As I write this I’m sitting at a friend’s house in the Seattle area waiting out the last few days until my flight leaves.

It has been an interesting few days trying to adjust to being back around lots and lots of people while also trying to process my journey. In addition to my body slowly recovering and starting to feel normal again, I can’t shake off the urge to keep biking, re-affirming that the past 52 days of cycling were all that I knew for a short time.

Not having to get on my bike and cycle down to the next campsite every morning changes what was once my daily routine and it feels awkward not really needing to be anywhere but exactly where I am right now.

In addition, the constant question asked by people, “How does it feel now that it’s over?” is still hard to answer. Honestly, it is a weird mix of extreme sense of accomplishment and a very anti-climactic dull restlessness. I feel like I should still be doing something and just sitting here waiting for a plane feels numb.

I wasn’t expecting, or even wanting, some sort of parade or anything for me when I got back, but it still seems like in the larger picture, what I did really only mattered to me.

That I think, is the greatest and hardest part of these big trips. You embark on a big trip and challenge yourself in ways you never though possible. Then, upon returning home, you are surrounded by people who may be “impressed” by your stories and experiences, but ultimately have no idea what it was like to actually be there.

Try as hard as I can, I can not express to people the feeling I got waking up in a different strange new place every morning, how my morning routine became a sort of daily prayer, how it felt to coast down hills in the damp chilly morning air, how the feeling of sweat pouring down my face filled me with an inescapable sense of joy determination, how even the simplest of kind gestures became major highlights of the trip and ultimately how much the conclusion of a major trip leaves you desperate for more.

I am glad I finished cycling when I was at my highest and honestly can not wait for my next cycling adventure. The feeling I get out there is the most real and honest I have ever felt. Every day, every moment and every crank of the pedals brings me to a new experience that makes me the person I am trying to be. I am glad I did this and can not wait to get back out there and see what else this world has to show me.

For now, I still have a few weeks of time off before starting work again. I have more adventures planned and many people to see. Hopefully, this trip makes more and more sense as the following days come and go.

For now, I need a shave, haircut and a fine lady by my side. As per the usual, I will settle for a shave and haircut. My lady is somewhere out there wandering the hills and as always is waiting for me on my next adventure.

ciao.

ae.

On a ferry entering the good ol' US of A. Home sweet home.

Around that corner lies Seattle, the end of this journey. Or maybe the start of my next... not quite sure yet.

On the road, this look is acceptable. Back home, it feels and looks unkempt.

Halfway there to making myself looking somewhat presentable. Honestly, I prefer the grungy look... I look like someone else now.

Ultimately, this is what it is all about.

Prince George to Vancouver- To the end and beyond!

It is truly amazing to be writing this having cycled over 2,700 miles and officially being done! I decided that I would end in Vancouver while I was still having the most fun and make my way to Victoria, on Vancouver Island, to relax and soak it all in for a day.

It is hand for me to put into words how truly amazing this trip has been and how it feels to be done. I have, in the last 51 days of cycling, accomplished something, until rather recently, I never saw myself being able to pull off. Yet here I am, writing these words, having done it and ready for another cycling tour next year/month/etc.

View Larger Map

I will write a more meaningful reflection on the tour and what it meant to me personally later but for now, here’s a re-cap of the past week or so since leaving Prince George and getting into Vancouver.

I had a great homestay in Prince George and stayed an extra day to wait out a storm which was a wise decision. Upon leaving P.G., I knew I still had a ways to Vancouver so I had to focus on being in the moment and not focusing so much on “the end”.

The best poutine in Prince George! Thanks for the tip Shredmaster!

Thanks for the homestay! I truly appreciated it!

A lil' Canadian delicacy, Tim Hortons. Fuel for the day!

The riding from P.G. south was hilly and gradually getting warmer and warmer which was a welcome relief in some aspects compared to the previous 3-4 weeks of rain and overcast weather. This also drained me a bit but as always, my body adapted quick enough.

Another wonderful homestay. Thanks again!

Beautiful lonely road somewhere south of Williams Lake.

The ride south from P.G. went smoothly enough and was merely an “approach ride” to get me to the infamous Sea-to-Sky Highway. This highway takes a “backroad” into Vancouver through the Coastal Mountains and passes through many great mountain communities including Pemeberton, Whistler and Squamish. This ride was some of the most demanding riding I would do all tour but it seemed a fitting end to an already spectacular tour. This section alone would be a worthy tour in itself complete with 38 degree Celsius desert ecosystems, 10-13% 3,000 ft. climbs, 15% downhill switchbacks, snow-capped mountains all around, alpine lakes and wonderful people. If I ever come back here with a bike, I am definitely riding it again!

A small taste of the climb I had coming out of Lillooet. 3,000 ft. in 3 miles!

It was hard going from remote highways and mountains and “wilderness” to the urban sprawl of Vancouver. I had to psyche myself up to come into such a beautiful, yet extremely busy, city. It turned out to be easier than I had envisioned but even then, I could only do it for a day. My host in Vancouver got us free tickets to Theater under the stars, we ate tacos, and saw fireworks. A fitting end, for sure, but my true “end” would be Vancouver Island where I could unwind, relax a bit, and spend time with my riding partner through the tour, John Crouch. He has ended a few days before me so I made it to his home just in time for his Welcome back party and the past day and a half has been full off stories, food, tours of Victoria and now relaxing.

Tomorrow I will take a ferry out to Seattle and spend a few days hanging out and relaxing before flying home to El Paso where I get to see my wonderful family and eat all the delicious mexican food my stomach can handle. For now, this great city is calling for me to explore, so adios!

For those interested:

Prince George to Quesnel     81  miles

Quesnel to 150 Mile House     84 miles

150 Mile House to 59 Mile House     83 miles

59 Mile House to Lillooet     84 miles

Lillooet to Pemberton     60 miles

Pemberton to Squamish     62 miles

Squamish to Vancouver     43 miles

Total Distance from Prince George to Vancouver     497 miles!!!

As always, I shall shut my pie-hole and show you pretty pictures because I do this experience very little justice with my words….

fuel. check. sugar. check. sugar crash. double check.

The Devil's Postpile of Canada! Random roadside basalt columns.

Camping in Quesnel. Not too shabby...

World's tallest skis. Maybe Paul would like these...

d.o.r.k.

Watch for ______?

This will make any cyclist cry for joy!

I'm honestly surprised/disgusted that I ate all this in less than 10 minutes!

Your choice, honestly. But if you ever come to this sign and choose the left option, you will kick yourself in the ass later.

The desert of B.C. by Clinton, B.C.

Farming country by the Fraser River by Lillooet

The killer climb out of Lillooet begins....

A killer view to compliment the killer climb...

Need I say more? p.s. That was my climb, not my descent!

It actually sorta sucks losing a lot of your elevation once your on top because you have to gain it ALL back soon enough!

I had originally planned on a 2,600 mile trip but easily surpassed that!

A great view from Duffy Lake before yet another long, gradual climb.

Even the creeks are steep here!

Resting after all the day's climbing. the ride from here was ALL downhill and flat!

another great... adventure? view? experience? Simply, another great.

When they call it extreme, you know it's going to be good!

I officially give this downhill a thumbs up!

Part joke, part sick desire. When in Whistler, the most yuppy ski town ever, you might as well be a consumer slut.

Mountains outside Whistler, B.C.

Ah yes, the Yosemite of the North!

These are road signs I love to see.

All hail the Chief!

The climber campground in Squamish and the Howe Sound.

Entering the big bad city at the end of a big bad tour!

The end. The happy, wonderful end.

A neat little taqueria in Vancouver. Funny place, eh?

Sunny park. Beer. Tacos. Friends. Great ending.

Where was this red head beauty when I was cycling all alone!?

Theater in the Park in Vancouver

Vancouver was so proud of me they actually threw me a party and had an amazing fireworks display!

Kitty and I on the ferry to Vancouver Island.

Smithers to Prince George- A prequel to the end…

Well the last few days have been quite a change and I have focusing on adjusting to the new landscapes, people and traffic. While Smithers was lovely and I got to stay with a friend, the road was calling.

One day I will live in a beautiful mountain town like Smithers.

My gracious host in Smithers, Ingrid. We met in Yosemite where she worked at the nordic center and dealt with all our student on a weekly basis.

Upon leaving Smithers I was reminded that I am now in “civilized” B.C. as I have been cycling through at least one town with a grocery store a day, a somewhat welcome change from the 300-500 km’s between grocery stops over the past few weeks!

While this means I no longer have to worry about how many day’s worth of food I need to buy at each grocery store and carry 4-5 days worth of food at a time, it also takes some getting adjusted to. I now am dealing with lots of traffic, more and more urban issues (homeless people, crappy streets, glass, trash and noise) in place of my previous “wilderness” issues (bears, stealth camping, food, water availability, unpaved roads).

me. hairy. sunburned. scruffy. and lovin' it!

It has been interesting making the transition to the mindset that this trip is coming to an end soon. I’m not done yet but I’m slowly winding it down and trying to enjoy the last few days as much as I can. I have a flight out of Seattle on the 13th and about 9 more cycling days left. Damn. It seems like only yesterday I was dipping my hands in the Arctic Ocean, but it was actually 42 days ago. Wow. 6 weeks……

The terrain upon leaving Smithers has been much like Hill Country in Texas. Gradual small hills all day long with vast stretches of cows, fields, fences, telephone poles and green pastures. It has remained delightfully uneventful save for a daily “hill” I must tackle. They have all been named and they seem to be the highlight of my days. I am travelling faster though thanks to the more forgiving terrain and a few tailwinds.

The Lakes District of B.C. is hilly and not too exceptionally scenic, except for the lakes...

6 Mile Hill. Really only 2.3 miles but still big...

Hungry Hill. I have faced at least one major "named" hill the past few days and though they are tough, they are not as killer as they may seem.

Camping has mainly been in free campgrounds, abandoned campgrounds or through gracious Warmshowers hosts. Now before you go and assume something else, let me tell you about Warmshowers. Warmshowers is a website that connects touring cyclists with people who would like to host them in their homes for the night and give them a warm dry place to sleep, a shower and occasionally home-cooked food and beer! I have used this service in Fairbanks and Vanderhoof thus far and am currently staying with a host in Prince George.

I almost asked my host if I could sleep in the tree house.

My homestay in Vanderhoof was in a river-side home. Quite lovely.

I will be taking a rest day here then headed south for the last bit of my trip and about 3-4 Warmshower homestays. Quite nice.

Well that’s all for now as I am le tired and need some sleep. Tomorrow I sleep in, eat some yummy breakfast and explore Prince George. I am also on a mission to find P.G.’s best poutine tomorrow. Maybe I can find me a cute B.C. girl to act as my guide tomorrow…..

adios.

For those interested:

Smithers to Houston     44 miles

Houston to Burns Lake     55 miles

Burns Lake to Vanderhoof     83 miles

Vanderhoof to Prince George     63 miles

Total distance from Smithers to Prince George     245 miles

And now, something for you to stare at….

A monument to the largest mountain goat found in Smithers. They shot it...

Apparently when they closed all the A&W's in the US they just moved them into B.C.. They are everywhere up here!

The world's largest fly rod acting as the world's largest fly-rod shaped lightening rod.

I'm not sure I get it.

Every town along the way has a unique town sign. Burn's Lake wins. Anyone noticing a Simpson's theme?

Burns Lake Campground

Burns Lake sunset. Reminded me of my desert sunsets...

meh. It was ok.

I'm still perplexed by this one.

Mr. P.G. He is quite a sight as you are cycling by!

Welcome to a rest day!

Iskut to Smithers- Big Days to Big Rest!

Well the past 5 days have been quite a whirlwind of adventure, big mileage days, fortuitous meetings and amazing rest!

Upon leaving Iskut, I had planned on meeting John at a campground he had stayed at the night prior (7 miles from mine) and only riding about 60 miles to my next camp. However when I heard that John wa planning on riding 90 miles to his next camp, I figured…why not? So thus began a long day of cycling which saw me in camp at Bell II after riding 97 miles! This was not only the furthest I had ridden on this tour, but also the furthest I had EVER ridden in a single day. It was an amazing day and I am glad I did this.

My first century day.... or close enough to it! I joked about cycling in circles for 3 miles to make it a "true" century!!!

The next day was a “chill” 60 miles day through amazing Cassiar scenery with an inspiring riding companion. Camping at a plush heli-skiing lodge was great but even better was the “All-you-can-eat” $15 breakfast buffet. I think they might have seriously regretted that breakfast option as I had more food than I ever want to eat in one sitting again. If memory serves me right, I had; 3 muffin/egg/cheese/salmon breakfast sandwiches, a mountain of breakfast potatoes, 6-8 strips of bacon, 3 cups of OJ, 3 cups of coffee, a heap of fruit, a jelly pasty and a cinnamon bun the size of my head! To top it all off, a gentleman at the next table, either feeling sorry for John and I wolfing down food or equally impressed bought our breakfast for us! Thank you sir, wherever you are.

One day when I'm old, fat and rich I might try heli-skiing. For now, I have my pride.

The ride that morning hurt a little due to a full stomachs but we got to camp nice and refreshed and slept well. The next day we again decided to do a big day and I ended up cycling 97 miles again! It was getting crazy how many miles I was putting in but I was once again rewarded.

All along the Alaskan Highway I had been hearing about the Texas 4000 riders who I was due to cross paths with somewhere down the road. For those of you unfamiliar with this group, they are a group of U.T. Austin students who ride from Austin, TX to Anchorage, AK to raise money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and hope. I had been counting down the days ’till I was to cross paths with them and was again lucky enough to stay in the same town as them for a night. I was treated to a community potluck in their honor and camped with them that night.

It was extremely powerful to see this group of young adults who had put aside their lives back for home for an entire summer to ride 4000 miles for a truly noble cause. Having had family members affected by cancer, it meant a lot to see this group on the road riding for a good cause and having a great time.

5 of the 22 riders I met en-route from Austin to Anchorage. You all are amazing for everything you are doing. I love you all.

I got to dedicate my day's ride to my brother, a cancer survivor. Thank you Texas 4000!

I had a great night with them and was once again treated to a great breakfast. I said my goodbyes to them after a truly motivational pre-ride dedication and chant. Mt goal for that afternoon was Smithers, B.C., 70 miles away. It was here that I planned on spending a couple day’s rest with Ingrid, a friend from Yosemite.

I was about 30 miles out of town when Ingrid passed me and offeredme a ride into town so we can shower and head to the music festival in Kispiox. I debated staying “true” to the ride for all of 15 seconds before realizing that an opportunity to meet a friend, get a ride then attend a music fest was way to serendipitous to pass up.

So I shuttled to Smithers, showered and was off to a GREAT music festival. I felt a tiny bit guilty not riding but the music, people and atmosphere of the festival more than made up for that. I purposefully did not even bring out my camera as I desperately needed “me” time and needed to enjoy the moment for a bit. That and had I brought out the camera I would have been in no condition to remember where I put it if it ever left my pocket….

I then spent the next day there listening to more music, eating practically everything I could in sight (side note: NEVER attend a music festival as a bike tourer without brining your own food, I spent damn near $40 on all the food I ate in a 16 hour span!)

I am now in Smithers, enjoying yet another rest day and debating either a third rest day or pedalling off manana. We shall see…..

For now, I will spend my time drinking mass amounts of coffee and replenishing calories with my trusty jar of Nutella at my side.

ciao!

For those interested:

Iskut to Bell II     97 miles!!!

Bell II to Meziadin Campground     60 miles

Meziadin C.G. to Kitwanga     97 miles!!!

Kitwanga to Smithers     50 miles (+30 miles shuttle)

Total miles between Iskut and Kitwanga     304 miles!!!!!

p.s. From here on to Vancouver, I’m officially back in civilization with daily grocery stops and internet access. This means I don’t need to carry multiple days worth of food and more friendly people. It also means more traffic and less “wilderness”. I have mixed feelings about this…

enjoi…

Nice for cyclists, eh?

ugh....

The scenery is always changing and always amazing.

I heart Brook.

It honestly never gets old.

poor bear got hit by a car... I have now seen 15 live black bears and 1 dead bear.

mountains.

Aaron, one of the Texas 4000 riders. Way to go man!

Some of the crew posing for me!

The Yellowhead Hwy. is also known as the Highway of Tears. Many girls have gone missing after hitchhiking on this road. Sad.

Honestly, this sign is like a beacon for bikers on a long journey. All they need is free coffee and it would be heaven!

ski.

Finally hit 2000 miles!!!

A map of my last 7 days of riding.