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.
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