Day 8 - Salmon Arm to Revelstoke

106.2 km - Total so far 729.39 km - http://ridewithgps.com/trips/4834979

• The forecast for today was sunny and warm and with that in mind we left Salmon Arm at 7:18 a.m. headed for Revelstoke. We planned an intermediate stop at the information center in Sicamous since the one in Salmon Arm was closed when we arrived the day before. We aimed to be there at 9 a.m., just as it opens. Well guess what, the place is only open Monday to Friday, 9 to 4 pm (today is Sunday). I cannot repeat here the words used by Hélène when we found this out.

• The view for the first 40 or so kilometer was essentially a two lane road with tall trees on either side and the occasional glimpse of a lake. At about 45 km the two lane road became just like Hwy 417, 4 lanes of high speed moving traffic and we finally got something to look at in the distance, the white caps of the Rocky Mountains. It was magnificent. The road continued to alternate between two lanes and four lanes for the next 55 km.

  

  Finally "White Caps"

• We stopped for a quick lunch at Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven on November 7, 1885. "Not only did this spike represent the completion of the trans-continental railway, but it also meant an important step in the founding of a nation." (Last Spike Times, published by the Revelstoke Railway Museum). 

The striking of the spike that united a nation

• Today the shoulder was littered with all sorts of goodies. I passed many a rubber bungee strap that I use in all sort of situations from attaching stuff to bicycle racks, to putting up clothes lines, etc. We also found a small wrench which I absolutely had to pick up. I was limited to one item a week I can pick up, so I might have to make tough decisions as the trip progresses.

• We finally got to our campsite, Lamplighter Campground at about 4 pm. It was a long day in the saddle and as soon as the tent was setup, we sat in our camp chairs for a well deserved treat of cold beer and Cheezies and chips. We absolutely have to replace fluids and salts.

• Many of the segments of the ride involved some nice down hill runs, with one being almost 8 kilometer long. Because of the gentle slope, we are able to coast at about 35 to 40 km an hour and just enjoy the ride. We don't have to use the brakes at all. So much fun and we get to enjoy the scenery as well. As the speed increases beyond that, we have to become ever so alert for holes and debris on the shoulder and cars on the road. Often we can swerve around stuff but once in a while we have to get on the roadway with the cars. Those descents are very demanding and there is just no way we can take our eyes of the shoulder and enjoy the scenery.

• Tomorrow is going to be a rest day of sorts. We will leave Revelstoke around 8:30 am after a short visit to the downtown and pedal 35 km uphill to Canyon Hot Springs. This rest day will get us ready for the next challenge, the 115 km climb to Golden, BC. After Golden, its Rogers Pass. 

• As we neared Revelstoke, we came across many a waterfall and/or stream. Because of the headwind, we were able to feel the cold coming from the rushing water long before we saw anything. You cannot experience that in a car!

Snowballs on the last day of May