73 miles and 2,120 foot ascent
Cottonwood cotton is ubiquitous in the campground at breakfast. Cooking crews have to work trying to keep it out of the food. All riders are on a cooking team. One third of all TDC meals are vegetarian.
Cooks Preparing Meal for Cyclists
Cottonwood Cotton Everywhere
along with Bunnies
Here is a preview of what we look forward to tomorrow. The majestic Canadian Rockies. Tomorrow I should find out if my gearing is low enough for these mountains.
This is Connor. He is the lone support person for the tour. He drives the truck hauling a trailer with our extra clothes, as well as our bicycle and camping gear. He also buys food and supplies daily. He is, however, not allowed by the tour facilitator to provide SAG support. Riders are responsible for supplying their own food and drinks during the riding day. This Canadian tour differs greatly from my experience on numerous tours in the USA where the tour set up SAG stops with healthy drinks and snacks along the route between the breakfast, lunch, and dinner stops. Many of the Canadians have metal bikes set up with panniers and are able to carry more food and drink with them than I can on my carbon bicycle.
Today's ride included a section with an 18 to 20% grade. I was cycling in a group of 11 riders. One of the them was able to ride up the entire steep section, about a quarter mile. He is a beast of a rider!
I had to change a tube today due to a pinch flat. I was riding on the shoulder during a gentle downhill section, and I ran over something that I didn't see, and it caused an immediate flat in my front tire.
We have now had two riders drop out. Today Bill made the decision to end his tour. He has some health issues that he thought would impede his successful climb of the mountains ahead. Today he was in my riding group, and I am sad that he is leaving. Bill said that his issues can be helped by a specialist, but in Canada it
takes eight months to get such an appointment.
No comments:
Post a Comment