Day 7 - from Creston to Cranbrook - Today was easy?

Submitted by Kitty Chavarie

Hey again out there in blogland.  The day was lovely..great weather for smooth cycling. The big trucks full of stinky cows made for some gripping experiences a few times for Brenda and I as we were on the inside of the rumble stuff and it was squeezy at best, then there was the embuttment to make it even more narrow....this made for a bit of stress but here we are in Cranbrook regardless.

On mountain time now, got in early and ended up at nearly the same time anyway, hardly fair.  We all loved that we have time to socialize before dinner and hit a nearby sports store for some needed cycling supplies AND clean groovy clothes to boot!

Only two days to go, hard to believe.  This is my first experience with having to ice my knees..I guess that one mile climb yesterday did that to them (not a guess, I am sure that was the cause)  We rode through "Bountiful" today, no sign saying "welcome" so we didn't drop in.  Oh, and a town called Yahk, somehow that made me giggle. I think all this pedalling makes one delirious to some extent.

Oh I forgot to mention our delicious breakfast at a Russian restaurant this morning in Creston.  Martina and I enjoyed a double hit, eggs (real delicious eggs from a real live chicken who runs around outdoors< I am sure of that!)  Home made bread and veg.

THEN the piece de resistance crepes with sweetened sour cream...delicious.   Dinner tonight is at a golf course with the Kinsmen and Kinettes picking us up, oh going back to real life and cooking and being responsible may be an adjustment for all of us...

- Kitty

P.S. Some GREAT pictures will be posted here soon, likely tomorrow (Saturday) night.

Would you like to sponsor a favorite rider? Click on their name anywhere on this journal to open their "bio" on the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation GearUp4CF web site. Then simply click on the button "Sponsor this Rider".

Day 6 - More about our ride from Trail to Creston - 122 km

Submitted by Stan Shaw


I'm now at the Skimmerhorn Inn in Creston, watching riders roll in one by one. No heroics today - we were all climbing the mountain in survival mode today - except for, perhaps, Simon Ree, who blasted up the mountain pass at a breathtaking on hour and twenty minutes, hitting the last 8% rise at 46 kph.  

We left Trail just before nine, as the sun was rising and the chill, cloudy weather the night before was disappearing.  I found myself stripping off rain gear, then cold-weather clothes one by one simply waiting outside for the others to get ready, as the temperature rose minute by minute.  By the time we left, around 8:45 AM, it was already pretty warm.  What would it be like when we started the actual climb?

Justin, and two of our wonderful volunteer support drivers, Wayne and Malcolm, packing our trailer before starting off-->

Susan Edmison and I headed, and found ourselves riding all the way up the mountain together.  A quiet, steady rider and delightful cycling companion, we found ourselves saying very little, but helping each other by drafting against a slow but steady headwind that blew down the valley. Conserving energy, knowing we had a huge climb before us, is so important. 


<--Susan

We met up with a small group of riders for lunch, at the base of the mountain.  By now, the sun was beating mercilessly down, forcing us to drink enormous amounts of electrolytes to keep from becoming dehydrated.  And then, after a brief, ride along a mountain stream, the real climbing began.

Brutal.  


I don't have much of a description beyond this. The grade was not much different from what I had prepared for on Cypress Mountain - about 8%, but the combination of heat and a light headwind seemed to make every pedal stroke that much harder.  Susan and I switched places in the lead frequently. It was so helpful riding with an another cyclist up the mountain.

This ride was difficult, one of the hardest climbs I've done in a long time.  I must say, I nearly lost it in the last half kilometer before the summit.  It was all I could do to lay down one pedal stroke after another. My altimeter steadily clicked away... 2700 feet... 3000 feet.... 4000 feet... 5000 feet... 5500 feet.... my God, where's the summit?  




And then came Andrea, who had reached the summit ahead of us, and was now whizzing back down the mountain towards us, here cheery smile encouraging us that  we were nearly there.  Before we knew it we rounded the corner to find the summit, and our incredibly helpful GearUp4CF support team waiting for us.




<--Stan

Susan-->

<--Andrea

David, 

arriving at the summit-->

<--view from Bonanza Summit


And now... the reward.  A thrilling 25 kilometer descent from summit, down to Creston's lush green valley below.


I left ahead of the others and found myself drifting off asleep in the warm sunshine at the base of the mountain as they arrived.  


Together, Tom, Susan and I rode into town, and a very welcome hot shower at the Skimmerhorn Inn.

The folks at the Skimmerhorn were wonderful hosts. I am now relaxing in my room, waiting to go out for dinner with my son, Robert and his wife Courteney, who only a few blocks away.  It will be terrific seeing them again!

I so enjoyed Kitty's description of the ride today.  This tour has brought us together, not only in helping each other through an extremely difficult journey, but in sharing a common purpose - to help the children and adults we are riding for, who are living each day in a life journey that is every bit as difficult.  I am inspired by what I have learned through parents of CF kids on this ride who, despite the continuous challenges they face each day, are with us on this epic ride.  Every dollar raised for CF research improves the chances of a better life for their children, and, we hope soon, a cure.   If you have not contributed to our ride yet, please help us now as we approach our final goal of this tour.  

Sunset in Creston-->

Tomorrow we ride to Cranbrook, thankfully it will be an easier ride, 108 km, with no major mountain passes.  I am looking forward to taking time to chat with my fellow team riders along the way.  Will add photos of today's ride in this entry at that time.


-  Stan

Would you like to sponsor a favorite rider? Click on their name anywhere on this journal to open their "bio" on the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation GearUp4CF web site. Then simply click on the button "Sponsor this Rider".

Day 6 - Trail to Creston: Tears, Cheers and Thanks

Submitted by Kitty Chavarie

The day began with a family visit from my aunt and uncle, then, we did an interview with Trail Times.  Finally, off we went to seek out the base of our climb.


<--Our route today, plotted on Stan's Garmin GPS. Total distance 122 km. For details, click here.

Our elevation profile, plotted by GPS.  At 1,545 meters (5,036 feet), Bonanza Pass is one of the highest mountain highway passes open year-round in Canada-->

<--Bob Payne, arriving at the summit


Wow, I had no idea how long 1 mile up could be.  Salmo-Creston pass is a place to ride forever to find yourself.  There's lots of personal time working our way up there.  It took me a total of 2.5 hours in order to get wonderful hugs from everyone waiting at the summit.

We made it!!  Jill Payne and Kitty-->

<-- Jill and Bob experience a moment that won't be forgotten for a long tine.




ZOOMING down was a rush and I managed it without the fear I felt on our ride down Sunday Summit a few days ago.  The dry helped me get over the fear as the visablity is a bonus.

Watermelon, sweat, and cold clean air then hot hot air will be my memories of this day, combined with lots of love and acceptance.

Support drivers Wayne and Malcom with Kitty--
>

Thanks....

I just want to add a bit to this journal about thanks.  


Thanks for all my  friends and supporters who helped get me to where I am today. I had no idea
so many people cared so much about each other and were willing to help out so much.  Life is sometimes about luck, some of us are lucky and get healthy bodies at birth and carry on to reproduce another generation of healthy kids, and some of us arn't so lucky.  This ride is about the other folks.  

We all take lots for granted in life, doing this ride with parents of CF kids, researchers, friends and family with CF connections has taught me more than I could ever have imagined. With all of your support raising over $7000. became a reality, and now with all of your cheers, good wishes and "go do it's" daily here on the Internet I find the willpower and strength to finish the challenge of getting to our next stop everyday.

To all you boilermakers in Kamloops a special thanks for really kicking it up a notch, I feel the love believe me., you women and men are special to me in ways you can't imagine...I think of you as I am pedalling for hours on end up and down endless roads here thru our beautiful province.  It is a different sort of way to see this place, we see, smell and hear things you can't experience in a car, so worth it. 

I am tired, no doubt about that..my parts are aching but so are everyone else's and we are a tight team now so none of us will quit until we finish this thing.

Thanks again, enjoy every breath..love, kitty 



Would you like to sponsor a favorite rider? Click on their name anywhere on this journal to open their "bio" on the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation GearUp4CF web site. Then simply click on the button "Sponsor this Rider".

Memories of Day 1 and Day 2 from Margaret Benson - Thank you all

Submitted by Margaret Benson

Just thought I would touch base and let you know Brian and I survived the big bike ride and amazingly are still talking to each other.

Margaret with Hannah, one of the CF children she rode for this year-->

What an incredible journey, two days of joy, uphill grinds, laughter, swearing, sweating, sunshine, misty rain and of course tears.  It was one of the most memorable weekends of our lives and to raise awareness and funds for Cystic Fibrosis a cause so close to us, was the best.

We traveled over 253 kms in the two days and were in the saddle approximately 12 hours.  The first day we were given a police escort out of the city of Ladner. There were many families there to join in the send off.

Hanna, one of the CF children we were riding for, was there with her family. It was sunny and the journey rather flat and in farm country with our final destination Harrison Hot Springs.

<--Brian, Margaret and Hannah

We enjoyed lunch in Sumas at one of the Kin director's home.  Fantastic food and the deputy mayor of Abbotsford joined us.








<--I was able to take pictures from the back of the tandem which was loads of fun.

The horse picture was actually taken upside down, but that is the beauty of digital cameras and the rotate button-->

The second day was the day of Hills, Hills and more Hills.  From Hope to Manning Park is one gigantic hill. It is relentless.  Let's just say we both had to dig deep, swear a lot, cry and totally think of the people we were riding for, to give us strength. They were our light of hope at the top of every hill.


When we finally arrived at the summit we stopped for a very grateful and emotional picture. (Thanks to my donor family and donor)

All I kept thinking was 11 years ago I was dying of CF and now Brian and I are pedaling our tandem bike to the top of the Hope Princeton Highway, seemed like the "Top of the World."  What a celebration there was when we came down the final hill into the Manning Park Lodge.  Our cycling friends were there to meet us.  The looks on their faces and tears in their eyes said it all, "WOW, what an accomplishment!!!!"


Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our journey.  There are no words to properly thank each and everyone of you, but just know that we appreciate all of you for your love and support.

Nathan Stedman (the brother of Alex Stedman... Alex is the young man James is riding for), together with Brian, Margaret and Hannah-->

Special thanks to Brian for, just being "Him."

<--James, Margaret and GearUp4CF rider last year, Chris Blohmke, who rode with us for the first two days.










On a final note, George Keulen, one of the CF adults we were riding for, received his double lung transplant late Friday night or early Saturday morning. What a blessing.  We were thinking of him while we were riding. Here's hoping in a few years he'll be part of the CF ride too.

-  Margaret



Would you like to sponsor a favorite rider? Click on their name anywhere on this journal to open their "bio" on the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation GearUp4CF web site. Then simply click on the button "Sponsor this Rider".

Day 5 - Grand Forks to Trail 130.9 km

Submitted by Stan Shaw

Hi everyone, this is a very quick note to say, we've made it in Grand Forks. Everyone is safe, and we've had a wonderful time so far. I loved Kitty's brief account.  I'll write more soon, as I have a ton of photos to share, and some very interesting information I learned about Cystic Fibrosis, which will be part of my account.  However, right now, I need to get some rest.

Stan at the top of Paulson Summit, after his first ascent up the mountain.  My eyes are a bit swollen from road debris as the latter third of this massive climb was under road construction.  Feeling GREAT, though!

Like many riders, I"m feeling stronger each day.  It's remarkable what the human body can achieve, even at my age, soon to be 54 (in August!).  But I cannot help but be grateful for health and strength to do this incredible ride, and for the privilege of riding for Roman, Madison and Hailey (click on the link to learn about them), who I think of often.   Someday, I hope, with the possibilities of research that can not only save their lives, but improve their quality of life as well, perhaps they can do a ride like this some day.  I can dream of this, knowing what Margaret Benson, who also has Cystic Fbrosis, did only last Sunday with her husband Brian, in conquering Allison Pass on Manning Park.  If you have not read about it, here's the link to our Journal account.  With your help to support Cystic Fibrosis research, we can give these kids the best chance they have of achieving their own dreams, and experiencing adventures that will, no doubt be every bit as wonderful as this ride is for us.

<--Our route today, plotted by my bike's Garmin GPS.  The team's distance was about105km, but I did a bit more, making my total distance 130.9 km today. Calories consumed on the ride 4,657. You can imagine how hungry I was tonight! For details, click here.  

My personal elevation profile.  The steep rise, starting at 26 km outside of Christina Lake is the ascent up Paulson Pass, a massive climb. 


But, wait... there's TWO identical peaks in that profile! - ?? .  The reason is, I went partway back down the mountain (at around 58 km) after achieving the climb as one of the lead riders, then rode up again with several others in the group. My Garmin GPS faithfully plotted the result.  


Here's a more representative elevation profile of the route our team did, from my journal last year.

Jill and Bob Payne, on reaching Nancy Green Summit, the second major peak of the ride (at just under 80 km).  It's been so great to have them riding with us this year-->  

On arriving in Trail, we were taken out for a lovely dinner by the local Kinsmen association.  The support we received from these wonderful people is so appreciated.

<--Sunset in Trail. Those clouds look ominous.  I hope that doesn't mean rain tomorrow.




There's more to come tomorrow night, after we reach Creston!!!   For now, however, I simply must get some rest.  We have a hard climb tomorrow on our way to Creston,  one of the most difficult of the entire tour.  Please think of us.  


- Stan


Would you like to sponsor a favorite rider? Click on their name anywhere on this journal to open their "bio" on the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation GearUp4CF web site, click on the button "Sponsor this Rider", and you will join our team!

Day 5 Grand Forks to Trail - Kitty's account

Submitted by Kitty Chavarie

Left Grand Forks feeling groovy after my wonderful massage last night...the ride by Christina Lake was beautiful, sunny and summery.  Then we climbed and climbed thru a yucky construction zone, don't know when I have ever had a semi closer to me other than maybe leaning on one in a parking lot! SHEESH it was scary...made it to the end of the climb ok regardless.

<--A quick roadside bike repair

 Lots of folks had bits and parts fail them today..you can tell we have done lots of kms by the wear and tear on our bikes.  Mine keeps making this velcro rippy sound just out of the blue then it goes away.  SO far I am not looking for the problem cause
ignoring it seems to be working...not so smart but I think my brain may be getting a bit soft and tired after all this pedalling...

Lunch break was accompanied by some cute little critters, we think it was a chipmunk and a squirrel (different than island critters) turns out they like peanut butter and bread quite a bit.

LONG long descent into Rossland with head wind that made my freckles exhausted but here we are in Trail now. Had a lovely dinner out with the Kinsmen here...this being treated so well is very very doable for all of us.

Loving all the friendships with this ride, nice folk to talk to all day and share stories. Anyone who wants to feel community and purpose with fitness in mind might want to look into this.  I only started riding a road bike in April and here I am managing to get all this way and still in one piece!  WOW

-  Kitty

More stories and photos will be posted for Day 6 on Thursday night, after we arrive in Creston.


Would you like to sponsor a favorite rider? Click on their name anywhere on this journal to open their "bio" on the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation GearUp4CF web site, click on the button "Sponsor this Rider", and you will join our team!

Day 4 - Osoyoos to Grand Forks 131.1 km

Submitted by Stan Shaw

We've arrived at Grand Forks!  It's hard to imagine that we've already traveled over 590 kilometers in four days, and are travelling deep in the heart of the interior of British Columbia.

Our route today, mapped by my Garmin GPS. Click on the image to enlarge.  For more details, click here-->

<--Our elevation profile.  Breakfast had hardly settled before we were faced with the massive Anarchist Pass rises out of Osoyoos.

Today was of interesting things to see.  But the first challenge to overcome was what was perhaps the most intimidating hill climb of the tour - Anarchist Pass, overlooking Osoyoos.

The view partway up Anarchist Pass, overlooking Osoyoos-->

What is perhaps the most difficult part of this particular pass is the heat.  Osoyoos is, for all intents and purposes, a dry, hot desert.  Fortunately,  there were clouds overhead this morning, which kept the temperature down a bit.  Still, it was a tough hill. The grade, mostly around 6%, was a bit easier than Cypress Mountain back home, but we were climbing for 35 kilometers, before a thrilling descent into the valley below.

Jill and Bob Payne, two of my splendid riding partners today-->

Once over Anarchist pass, we passed rich farmland and beautiful rivers.

<--Brenda, enjoying the ride


 Traffic was better, too, as, thankfully, the southern route along Highway 3 is not quite so heavily traveled. Still, it takes nerves of steel to keep from being blown off course as a big semi-trailer roars passes by. They travel pretty fast along those narrow highways!  For the most part, however, drivers are very considerate, giving wide berth as they see us riding up the highway.

We passed by lush green farmland and old homesteads. This part of BC is full of history.  Passing through Hedley, we came across massive slag heaps, the product of copper smelting at the turn of the century.

<--Turn of the century stores at Greenwood looking much the same now as it probably did then.

Old railway tunnel just outside of Greenville.  The date reads 1913-->

One major goal of the ride, to share with Madison, Hailey and Roman's elementary school, is to find wildlife!

Kitty found it, but I think she didn't really want to get as close as she did.  As she was cycling along the highway, a mother bear, with three cubs nearby, tried to break through a wire fence that separated her from Kitty, who was riding on the highway. Kitty didn't dare take photos! That mama bear was not looking very friendly.

Deer,  hidden in wild flowers-->

<--Sheep and horses grazing in a farm nestled in a valley below the highway






.... and all sorts of unusual animals....







<-- a lama, inside a farmer's pasture pacing back and forth along the highway fence.

And, guess what I found, at the top of Anarchist pass? (I think that's an empty Kokanee beer case in his hand) -->

<---OK, this is not exactly the wildlife I was looking for, but at least this fellow didn't run away.   I quickly decided riding a bicycle is safer, and I'll get there a lot faster!

Along the way, we cycled over the Rock Creek Bridge, which spans a terrifying (looking down) 300 feet above the creek below. 

Those pointed bushes below are the tops of trees!-->

Eventually, we rolled into Grand Forks, a town that is steeped in BC history.  Incorporated in 1897, a group of pacifist refugee emigrants from Russia moved there in 1909, and became home to many Russian descendants who live there.  Even today, Russian is still taught in schools.  

There, we stayed the night at Johnny's motel, situated beside the convergence of the Kettle and Granby rivers.  Every year the GearUp4CF team have stayed here, they have found the staff to be wonderfully helpful. This year was no exception - when they heard we were riding to Banff again on behalf of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, they offered to do our laundry, for free!

Tomorrow, we're travelling between Grand Forks and Trail.  It's going to be a hard climb. I must leave early, but will write again when I arrive.

- Stan

Would you like to sponsor a favorite rider? Click on their name anywhere on this journal to open their "bio" on the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation GearUp4CF web site, click on the button "Sponsor this Rider", and you will join our team!