CHAPTER 3 Calgary to Saskatoon

In Calgary, I got to have a little dance off with Jen and Eric from Bodhi Tree  and I also got schooled by an old friend, B-boy Presto,  on how to breakdance . Unfortunately I must have lost the footage of me , when I perfected the headspin. Just take my word for it. This is what I looked like.

My friend and fellow yogi, Lindsay Park, from Edmonton, joined me for a little bike ride from Calgary to Drumheller. It only took us 11 hours to travel 150km. That was probably the longest day you could've picked Lindsay. I'm glad that you did because it doesn't feel as long with company. Ok, yeah it did.. The day was scorching hot , like the sunburn on our legs. Big thanks to Jeff for dropping her off and picking her up. Your truck looked so comfy as you both drove away and left me in the desert. 

That day I popped a tube, and then another tube without even riding on it.

I'm super impressed that I could do that.

After Lindsay left me she also took the nice weather with her which gave me a chance to have some one on one, storm time.

I passed through Hanna, Alberta, but I think that they might have changed the town name to Nickel back.

As I approached the boarder of Saskatoon and Alberta I came along a town that was named after a hybrid of both provinces. Alsask. Alsask was a small town with big hearts and when I got there many cars had been damaged by the surrounding hailstorms. I set up my tent behind a bill board since the locals were calling for a night of thunderstorms. As I lay in my tent around 9pm, a voice asked if I was sleeping and with the sun still up I said, 'No'. A farmer by the name of Barry was nice enough to suggest that I sleep in his garage since the hailstorm that was coming would probably thrash my tent and he would feel bad if he didn't offer. It was probably the best mattress that i've slept on this whole trip. I lucked out because Barry and his wife had a bouncy castle that suited my childish needs.

So thanks for the hospitality!

The storms and headwinds that followed me to Saskatoon were monsters. And I was thrilled to be in the middle of such intensity.

 At the start of my journey , the mountains had built me up and supported and protected me , and then the prairies opened me up emotionally, with such wide spaces and no where to hide.  My mind and the weather played very active roles in my ups and downs and as I experience more intensity I become even more surrendered to the idea that I'm just here for the ride. There is so much that is out of my control, that it becomes simple. I do what needs to be done and I let go of everything else. 

I like the saying ,"The quickest way out of the storm is to walk right through it". Or rather ride!

The wind was blowing towards this storm but it somehow encircled me in a matter of minutes and had me pinned up against a garage like I was getting sprayed by a fire hose. I laughed, I cried, I pee-ed a little. It was grande!

With 100km wind gusts pushing me to Saskatoon, I made it from Rosetown to Saskatoon, 120km, in less than 3 hours. 

There I stayed with the very hospitable Justin, Laura and Gus. You 3 were golden! Thanks for housing a fugitive. I'm still on the run. I didn't want to tell you.

I was in Saskatoon for Canada day and went to the outdoor event OM Canada. A yoga class by Ryan Leier. Very fun, and at the end wet and fun!

Steve and Clancy came to my Acro Core workshop

and surprised me with a ticket to the sold-out concert, The Roots!

Amazing live show!

Clancy pointed out that she loved the tuba and when we saw the tuba coming around we had to get a pic.

I think they preferred you Clancy. I might've been too eager to play their instruments.

Thanks for a memorable night, Steve and Clancy.
And thanks Ryan Leier for letting me visit your yoga community
and thanks Justin , Laura and Gus for trusting me with your house and car!

CHAPTER 2 Kamloops to Calgary

I decided that from Kamloops I would head north to Jasper and then come down the Icefields to Banff. Mainly so that I could bike the Icefields which I'm glad I did. As soon as I left Kamloops the rain followed me and I believe is still stalking me now which is why I won't reveal my current coordinates.

I popped my first tire near Little Fort. I changed it quickly thinking I was a born pro, only to figure out I had blown out the sidewall so the tube wouldn't stay in. Trusty duct tape held for 10 km which was enough to get me to the next town. But Little Fort was really too little and didn't have any bike services, so I had to hitch hike the next morning to Clearwater. I probably could have got picked up sooner had I been wearing my bicycle shorts. 

Clearwater had one service shop and no tires but one of the employees was nice enough to get his wife to pick some up for me in Kamloops.  I was extremely thankful. I spent the day in a shitty motel which was like the Hilton compared to camping in the rain. That was back when I still had money for motels.

On my way from Clearwater to Valemount I was facebooking to find a place to crash. and Shawna Leigh messaged me that her friend Scott Cook, who I did not know, was finishing a bike tour and playing a gig in Jasper that night. So I befriended him on Facebook and a couple of hours later a van pulled over in front of me and this guy got out and said "Cole?" 

Sure enough it was Scott Cook and so we had a good roadside chat . His bike journeys had been with a guitar on his back and I believe he's living in Edmonton so check him out.

I did find a place to stay in Valemount from a friend's,friend's,friend's ,friend. Thanks Miwa and Isis! Cutest kid ever!

For those of you who haven't been to Valemount, it was pretty beautiful and Miwa lives on one of the most beautiful pieces of land. She is of the Mccurdy family , on Mccurdy street in front of Mccurdy Mountain. Pretty special family. Thanks for making me feel at home. Definitely one of my favorite places so far. 

Here's me pretending to be a Mccurdy.

After Valemount I rode 120km to Jasper which up until this point ws the furthest distance I had encountered and although most of the day was sunny, the rain eventually found me. Even this goat is a little pissed that i brought rain. Look at him looking down on me.

When I arrived to Jasper is was 730pm , pouring rain and I was the most exausted I had been in a while. I phoned all of my potential couch contacts and none were available. My friend Nathan who was also couch surfing that evening invited me to a birthday party at the legion and suggested that i might meet people who have couches at this party. Having no other choice and not wanting to bike another foot, I happily attended.

It was Charlie's birthday. And there was a band playing and many cheerful people of all ages had showed up. I quickly found out that Charlie was the town Legend. Much like Bill Brasky if anyone has seen the SNL skit. One person said, "Charlie has the most amazing garden in Jasper." Another said , "Charlie never drinks any wine but his own. He always carries a few bottles with him." Another said, "Charlie is always the first one on the ski hill and the last one off and he wears jeans while he skis, and his skis are huge and old school and even though he wins a pair of new skiis every year, cause he's that lucky he just gives them away because his are the best. He can ski faster than anyone with his old skiis and thats the way he likes it!" It was Charlie's 60th B-day and when someone pointed him out to me it was as if he knew I was there and he turned and looked at me and smiled. No wife, no kids but more friends than enough that loved him. Charlie even told me a story of how he crashed a wedding where he knew no one and ended up getting the first dance with the bride. True Legend.

Anyway, by 11pm I ended up meeting a fellow named Ian who happily invited me to stay with him and his girlfriend and mentioned that i'd have to finish a bottle of whiskey with him if I wanted to stay. I said yes knowing that I would probably pass out before the first glass, which I did. Thanks Ian for the hospitality and also for the beef jerky with ghost peppers. Which came with the logical directions , after eating don't touch your eyes or your dick! Good advice.

The next 3 days cycling from Jasper to Banff were quite challenging but also quite exhilarating. I met some fellow cyclists , one from Colorado/Edmonton and also some Swiss guys and it was nice to have some comradary for this portion. These mountains were buy far the most beautiful I have ever seen! The first day I cycled 85km in the freezing rain , and the second I took both summits down for 120km. Boo -ya! I stayed in a hostel both nights because campsites were closed. Thats a pic of me after the Bow summit. Just me and my friend Snowman. Cold hearted friend. He didn't even say goodbye.

Lots of good times spent with friends in Banff and Canmore. I saw 6 black bears and 1 Grizz!

Some real Bear Yoga!

Don't worry I ate all the smoked salmon in my pockets.

I arrived in Calgary where my Dad lives, just in time for Father's Day .

Love you Dad

and Mom, I love you too.