Day 16 Irricana to Drumheller, Alberta

 58.2 miles 1060 ft. ascent

 

Up early and ate the usual breakfast of porridge and either scambled eggs,   pancakes, or French toast before departure to Drumheller. Because today's ride was comparatively short, 58 miles, there was plenty of time to stop for photos.  We are now out of the mountains and  further into farming country.  Below is a barn sporting the Canadian Maple Leaf, Canada's logo and national symbol.

Rape seed and another crop that resembles miniature corn plants along the way.  This part of Alberta is reminiscent of the lush farmlands of Iowa in the American midwest. 

As you see, there were no longer mountains towering over the landscape, and the terrain here is pretty flat and easy to navigate on a bicycle, as long as the wind is not a factor. The ever present Alberta wind has been fighting with this structure for a long time. The road on the other side of the structure will take us to the valley of the dinosaurs and Drumheller.

 

Once in the valley, we noted the stratified canyon walls, quite a different sight from the farmland and the mountains through which we had ridden thus far.

When we arrived at the visitor information center, this fellow greeted us, not so much with open arms, but with a very large open mouth.  His junior colleagues can be found all over Drumheller.  

Among our tour members are  husband and wife cycling guides from Sheffield, England, who lead tours around the United Kingdom on a regular basis.  Although they are guests on the tour like the rest of us, they sometimes graciously transition into unofficial "guide mode" and lead groups of cyclists along the route.  Today I rode in a group of four cyclists along with the British guides.  If someone fell behind the group, one of the "guides" went back to check on the rider and help that individual get back to the pace line, while the second of our unofficial guides led the pace line.  It is a blessing to have that support.  Apparently this couple worked in the corporate world and made an exit to start their own bicycle guiding business.  I felt blessed to be able to stay in the pace line for the duration, and I never had to fall out and require assistance, feeling strong all the way.  

Lunch was at another A&W with their grass fed beef protein and this beauty to accompany it.  I have no idea how long it has been since I allowed myself a genuine A&W Root Beer float!   One advantage of riding a long tour is the freedom to eat anything one likes!  Extra calories are burned when one gets back in the saddle.

 

In Drumheller, I explored Canadian Tire, Canada's version of Wal-Mart.  Canadian Tire is a Canadian Institution and is 100 years old.  This store was one of their smaller stores in a small town. They operate a huge vehicle service and supply department, stock a large gardening supply area,  a big inventory of outdoor gear, hardware, housewares, and sporting goods, but very little, if any clothing. 

Note the washroom key on a stick at the auto parts desk and the big fishing lures.  (When going fishing in Canada, always go for the big ones!)

 

 

Tomorrow we have a rest day to allow for exploration of the dinosaur sites like the area below. This photo was taken looking down into the fossil rich Drumheller region.

 

Rest day tomorrow, but you are invited to come back  to join our hunt for fossils and dinosaurs!