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July 14-15, 2006 - I decided to push myself a little and ignore my painfully sore legs. They didn't let me down though as I made it over Crowsnest Pass without a problem. Crowsnest pass is a train route so it is not nearly as steep as most of the other mountain passes. After camping overnight at Maycroft campground on Highway 22 I was up early on the 15th and pushed myself to get into Calgary early, covering the 165 Km in about 6 hours. Nice to be done and glad I'm not going across Canada. I can't imagine...those people must be crazy.....or at least crazier!

Thanks to everyone who made this possible;

Mom and Dad for supporting my athletics which gave me the ability and the mindset to get off the couch and follow my dreams....even though it worries her alot.

Willson and Trish in Vancouver for the lodging and great cooking! And the morning lattes.

Lifesport cycle on Pembina Highway in Winnipeg for the good deal on the bike and for shipping it to me in 1 piece.

Jeff and Kim Verslype for the ride from Manning Park to Princeton.

Bonnie Anderson for the accomodations in Kelowna and the pottery lessons.

Cecil and Verna Lewis for the food and accomodations. Great to finally meet them.

Thanks to Linda Lewis for the extra worrying about my safety and for giving me life!

My staff at Pharmasave in Roblin for their reliability and loyalty which keep everything going when I'm away (and when I'm there).

Cyclepath in Kelowna for rebuilding my rear wheel...no complaints since.

July 13, 2006 - This ride was a little more like work. My legs are so sore but they are noticeably larger and stronger. 160 Km does not seem like such a long ride anymore. Had a slight tailwind today and no mountain passes which helped but it was cold and late getting into Fernie and I had to put a long sleeve shirt on for the last 20K which was a first for the tour. The road was terrible for the most part as it is not as new or upkept as all other stages of the trip. Great pic below taken about 10K from Fernie. I can taste the end of the trip now with only 275 Km to go. Crowsnest pass is the only thing between me and the foothills.

July 12, 2006 - I have bypassed the trip from Castlegar to Nelson but must say it is worth a visit. Nelson is similar to, but much quieter than the Okanagan. Probably too far from Vancouver to be really popular.

Hit the road around 10 after having my morning latte and writing a couple of postcards. It was about a 35 Km ride to the ferry at Balfour which is apparently the longest free ferry ride in the universe. Beautiful ride along Lake Kootenay and I even saw a Kokanee beer truck! I almost crashed! I went to take a break at a park and met two guys Mitch and Andrew who were just getting ready to play a little hockey. I joined in for a bit and had a beer with them before I resumed my ride. Gotta love Canada!

I arrived in Yahk, BC around 7:30 and stopped at Two-Scoop Steve's for a double scoop ice-cream as I had been craving it since I saw their sign about 12 Km back. Turns out the owners are from Winnipeg originally and have really done something with their little spot. They have a restaurant, raise goats, and make soap under the brand name Goat's Mountain Soap company or something. Took their bad advice and stayed at the Yahk Motel campground where I was the only camper and the grass was nearly as high as my tent. Good shower though.

July 10, 2006 - Got rained on while tenting overnight so started late as I tried to dry my stuff. Stopped in Grand Forks at the Dairy Queen and upgraded my double cheeseburger to 2 of them for an extra $1.11. Love it! The owner told me I would not make it to Castlegar because of a big climb but I laughed at him and said I would make it even if it kills me. I did make it but my legs felt like they might die. Paulson pass at 1535 m is the highest point I have bicycled in my life. What a rush going down to Castlegar! Stayed a great campground which had 2 bicycle tours staying there and a cyclist couple Eugene and Astrid (pictured below) from The Netherlands who fed me some yummy bread (dipped in milk/egg/cinnamon and coated with brown sugar). They met 3 years ago at a running club of some sort and say it was "love at first smell of stinky socks". They even made espresso in the morning, some of the best I have had. Sounds like a good match so good luck Eugene and Artid!

July 9, 2006 - My first day of riding after a few days of rest. Kelown was fun as I hung out with Linda (see pic) and learned how to glaze pottery and helped local artisan Bonnie Anderson with some raku (look it up in the dictionary). Bonnie and partner Bob were kind enough to let me setup my tent on their deck for a few days. When in Kelowna check out her shop at the Rotary Arts Centre. Definitely worth the stop.

Kelowna was hosting the Wakefest wakeboarding tourney and I went for a day. Pretty amazing boarders and there were more than a few bikinis! Not that I was looking :)

Trip to Greenwood was started with a 900 m climb to Big White area but leveled off afterwards. Stopped for a great burger at the Beaverdell hotel. Total biker bar so I felt like I belonged. Sure I was wearing spandex instead of leather but I made it out safely. They had a beaver pelt with horns hanging on the wall which I'm pretty sure is a first.

July 5, 2006 - Had my wheel fixed and was on the road by 11:30. Met another cyclist who was on the side of the road after waiting out a storm. Brian Whalley a librarian by profession who started in Edmonton and went through Yellowknife and then down through BC. Plans on being in Newfoundland in October. Amazing really, I got a few pointers regarding packing and my wheels and will put it to use immediately.

The ride was great for the first 70 K from Princeton to Keremeos as I chatted with Brian and had a great tailwind. Turning north towards Penticton brought headwinds and gusty conditions but I decided to push on to Kelowna. Just after Summerland I ran over a piece of metal which put a hole in my tire. A new tube kept me going until just north of Peachland but it gave out due to the tire. After a taxi ride back to Todd's RV and Camping I spent the night and was offered a beer from a couple, the woman turning out to be from Dauphin originally! Such a small world.

Spent the morning in Peachland on the beach reading a book.....does that ever beat working!! Linda (my birth mom) picked me up and I spent the rest of the day looking for a shop to build me a new wheel. Cyclepath in Kelowna is rebuilding using my existing hub and rim but with DT spokes. Will keep you posted as to how that works.

Next ride Sunday, east of Kelowna and south down the Okanagan.

July 3, 2006 - The day started well with a great breakfast and latte in Hope. The surprise was the next 65 Km which were basically uphill with the exception of a nice descent into Sun Valley. The mountains constantly give an optical illusion of riding on level ground or a descent just ahead. It sure helped keep me going during the long climb to Allison Pass. The heat, plus the ride yesterday really made this tough. Disaster struck just before the summit when I heard 2 "pops" which were spokes breaking on my rear wheel. After stopping at a resort/rest area for a couple of hours I decided to try the descent to Princeton (about 60 Km) but 1 Km out a third spoke broke so I walked back to the rest area and looked for a ride. Most people already had full loads and were just returning home after the long weekend but within 45 minutes I lucked out and got a ride to Princeton from Jeff and Kim Verslype who were heading to Osoyoos. I learned alot from Jeff along the way about his entrepreneurial experience and Kim gave me some fantastic monster cookies which her daughter had made. Thanks again Jeff and Kim!

Once in Princeton I was able to ride around town without breaking any more spokes and dropped into the local Pharmasave before heading to a motel. Cool how these little motels have wireless internet!

Next step is to lighten my load so I can make it to Kelowna or get a new 36 spoke wheel. If anybody tells you to carry a full load on paniers and saddlebags on a 32 spoke, definitely insist on the 36.

July 2, 2006 - Got going a little late today but had a good ride. The freedom I feel is something really great and unique. Much different than a long ride when you know you have to be home at the end of the day. Time takes on very little meaning it seems, responsibility for all but the immediate concern of making it to the next place or having enough water are much more important. I had booked a motel online but upon arriving the owner informed me he would not honor the rate so I found a campground and tried out my camping gear. Not too bad really although the tent (a 2 person) is probably meant for 2 ultra-skinny short people. Oh well, I will get over it. Highway 7 was a great route and I now turn onto #3 for the trip through the mountains. One mountain pass today at 1300m should give me a taste of what is to come. Next blog update will likely be July 5 from Kelowna.

July 1, 2006 - I had the honour of donning Portuguese colours and waking up early to watch Portugal defeat England in World Cup soccer in penalty kicks. Great day and great vibe as the streets filled with cheering fans and 2 or 3 blocks were closed off by police to make sure nobody got hurt. From left to right, Trish, Willson, myself, and George.

June 29, 2006 - Trish "Iron Chef" Caetano turns otherwise lifeless pink mounds of poultry flesh into yumminess and Grouse Grind fuel! This is my last public apology I will make until at least July 2006. Trish, I hereby withdraw my lacking in the kitchen department statement and apologize for any humility this has caused. Look out Willson you are going to get fat. Oh yeah, I hereby swear on Red Gummy bear's grave that Willson had absolutely nothing to do with this meal.

June 26, 2006 - Started my ride on schedule from Parksville. Mom was super worried and still thought I should cancel it and drive because it is safer. I love my mom and dad! Made it to the ferry on time and met Chris Fritsche my cousin for the first time ever. Loaded my bike in his truck and had a good visit en route to Horseshoe Bay. He took most of the load from my very overloaded bike (I estimate 30 to 35 Kg of gear) which made a big difference. Took some bad directions from an attractive woman on a bike. Lesson 1, trust your initial decision on routes, or at least don't listen to strange females. Anyways, after being lost in Vancouver and riding at least an extra hour I made it to Mission. Highway 7 was great with a paved shoulder the whole way. Met my grandparents who were super nice and treated me superb. Great food and a couple of comments on how much I have grown. I guess so as they last saw me when I was 6 months old....lol! Total ride 145 Km, butt is very sore but my spirits are high.

June 27, 2006 - Back to Vancouver to visit Willson and Trish Caetano. Met up with a cyclist/lawyer Benjamin who showed me a bike route from Simon Fraser University to downtown and had some good conversation and a Starbucks coffee at the end. Willson cooked a great supper as his wife is not blessed in the kitchen department (but very blessed in all other departments). Willson remains lean and happy after numerous years of marriage! Total ride 74 Km, legs a little tender but I can feel my quads growing already. Look out mountains....

I think that my trip officially started today. First ride of the year was a 100 Km hilly out and back from Parksville to Port Alberni. Stopped for lunch at Harbor Quay in Alberni and for a quick photo op at Cathedral Grove. Two things I learned today is that hills suck and I should have started training earlier. And what BC people call a "hump" is actually a straight climb from sea level to 375 m. All fun though after it is over. Note pic of big tree. The tiny one which fell over is just a yearling...lol!

So I get up to leave for the airport Tuesday morning and my truck is not where I thought it should be. Funny thing is the first thought was "was I drinking last night?"....but after I ruled out everything else I knew I was the victim of a very badly timed autotheft. All my gear for the trip plus my laptop and wallet were gone and the police station did not open until 8:30 so I couldn't even report it.

Great police work resulted in me getting it back by about 13:00 and my wallet was returned by a jogger who found it on the street. My gear and golf clubs were locked in the box and were still there!

Booked a flight to Vancouver on the solstice and arrived via ferry in Nanaimo by the evening and I'm still on schedule to leave on the 26th.

June 26, 2006 - Leave Parksville for Mission to visit Cecil and Verna Lewis my grandparents on my birth mother's side whom I have never met before. Estimated distance 130 Km

June 27, 2006 - Mission to Vancouver - hanging out with friends Willson and Trish Caetano and Aaron Carpenter. Probably staying until July 1st.

July 1, 2006 - Leave Vancouver for Kelowna. Arrive in Kelowna July 5.

July 10, 2006 - Leave Kelowna for Calgary. Arrive in Calgary July 14.

July 21, 2006 - Driving from Calgary to Roblin, Manitoba....back to work...sigh.

This is my first blog and my first long distance bike tour. At this point it is just in the planning stage so please check back for updates.