Day 14 - Cochrane to Irricana

80.06 kms - Total so far 1,232.63 km - http://ridewithgps.com/trips/4941788

• We left the campground around 9 a.m. and headed uptown to do our shopping. We stopped at Safeway, then McDonald's for coffee and finally Bike Bros to pick up a new tire for Hélène. The replacement tire is a poor substitute for the damaged tire but will have to do until we find something better. I also purchased a tube of Chamois Butt'r. This is the stuff one puts on the bottom of their cycling shorts and enables you to spend the entire day in the saddle and not experience too much skin discomfort. We also got stickers from Bike Bros to continue our recently started collection.

What has 4 tires, 27 gears and no motor? 

• As usual, we had a nice 4 km climb out of Cochrane to get out of the valley and head to our stop for the night in Irricana. We followed Hwy 22, then 567 and finally 9. This route had been recommended to us by Bill and Rose, our friends from Calgary. We had a head wind for most of the day until about 30 km shy of Irricana. We then had a tail and we just flew down the road. While going uphill I stopped to pick up a 7/16 wrench on the side of the road. Tough decisions ahead as I can only keep the one item a week :-(!

• Not much shade in the Prairies, so at our lunch stop we improvised an overhead shelter that gave us protection from the sun. It should also work if we get rain. This is the same tarp I used in one of the campsites', and I am so glad that I brought it.

Improvise, adapt and overcome!

• We stopped for coffee, water and a inner tube in Airdrie. At the bicycle shop, the Specialized bicycle company had set up a booth with their products. The representative from Specialized got all excited by our bikes, gear and travel plans and insisted on getting a picture of us. Another Instagram picture we might never see. We did give the young man a trip card so who knows. He was kind enough to loan us his pump.

• After riding the last 30 km like teenagers, we neared the edge of town. To our rear this large white truck pulled up very close to us. Not what you want when on a bicycle. To our surprised the passenger spoke to us in French and said "It is us Bill and Rose". What a nice surprise that was. We had planned to meet them and it was awful nice to have them join us. We enjoyed a wonderful supper with them. Hélène and I are making plans to comeback and will be returning the hospitality.

  

  Prairies are not completely flat 

• We are back at the campsite and doing maintenance on the bikes. I replaced the folding tire on Hélène's with the one bought today. All in all it was another fantastic day on our vacation. Meeting with Bill and Rose made it even more special. 

Our new friends, Bill and Rose

Leaving the Rockies behind

First Aid Kit items