Day 5 Hope, BC to Princeton, BC over Allison Pass

 85 miles, 7,480 foot ascent

Today was a brutal day of riding.  I rode "sweep" with rearmost two riders, a safety precaution to make sure all cyclists arrived safely at the end of the day.  The first 36 miles to Allison Pass were nearly all climbing with large segments of a 7% grade and minor segments of 9%.  Unbelievably, after riding 36 miles uphill to Allison Pass, there was no sign at the top identifying the summit.  Big disappointment to riders who always look for a summit sign with elevation and distance.  A photo of the rider in front of such a sign is highly valued, a trophy, so to speak, of the conquest of the mountain. Temperature rose to 95F in the afternoon as we rode.  We anticipate many hot days to come. Thankfully, tomorrow is a rest day. 

The background of this photo is the site of Hope Slide.  Hope Slide was a major event triggered by a minor earthquake.  We are riding in the Selkirk Mountains now.  We get to the Rockies in another 4 days of riding when we reach Golden, BC.  The day after that, we are in Alberta. 

 

On a long ride it is always critical to find water along the route to refill our water bottles.  Water bonanza at this stop!  Cool, clear, mountain water....the absolute best. 

 

I was out of water at one stage, and I told the two Canadians with me that I might need to get water from the river beside the road.  Another Canadian rider had said that the water out of the mountains is safe to drink.  My companions told me not to drink it because of "Beaver Fever", otherwise known as Giardiasis, a protozoan parasite that can infect the small intestine.  For more information, follow this link:   https://www.safewater.org/fact-sheets-1/2017/1/23/detailed-giardia  Giardia is a good example of an animal disease that can be transmitted to humans.  Sitting in the bike saddle all day with a case of diarrhea means a lot of pit stops, not to mention the stress and discomfort! 

Unfortunately, I got another flat today, this time caused by a small, sharp stone penetrating the bottom of the tire.  Pulled the stone out with a tweezers, changed the tube, and back on the road.  That is 2 flats in 5 days of riding.  I am trying to convince the tour organizers to give an award to the rider who has had to deal with the most flats at the end of the tour.