Vancouver - Kent - Hope 150km
Sorry for the lack of updates but finding internet connections out here has proven harder than I thought.
I am now in Hope BC, a small town located approximately 180 km east of Vancouver. Yesterday was my first official day of riding in which I travelled 110 km from Vancouver to Kent. Overall, the highway I rode (7, for those of you interested) was quite pleasent. There was ample shoulder for most the journey and courteous drivers too boot. I had one frightening experience just west of Coquitlam where the shoulder completely disappeared, effectively forcing me into traffic for a good 1/2 kilometer. This was by far the most unsettling cycling situation I've had yet, as the cars were moving at 100kms + and seemed completely oblivious to my presence. After many "dear god let me survive this" requests and some steely determination on my part, I made it through. Shortly after passing Coquitlam I encountered a friendly cyclist named Jason on his way to ride some mountain trails. It turns out Jason has many years of touring experience and was a wealth of helpful information. Around 6pm I rolled into Kilby campsite, where within seconds of arrival, was accosted by several semi-drunken 20 somethings who invited me over for food and drinks. After a couple of old milwaukee's I made my way back to the tent whereupon it started to rain. It rained for the entire night, leaving all of my belongings in varying states of wetness. Despite the uncooperative weather, I set out around 9 am in a light drizzle. By mid-morning the sun had come out and riding conditions were excellent. For much of the trip I was traveling within a couple hundred meters of the Fraser river, with it's large whirlpools and swift current making for fascinating scenery. I've seen a lot of dairy cows throughout the Fraser Valley, most of which stare me down whenever I roll pass. I desperately want to approach them but I'm afraid of being caught by their owners.
Around 3pm I rolled into Hope. While searching out a local campsite I came across another tourist also riding to the east coast. Apparently, Sebastien had been holed up here for the past couple of days due to poor weather. He seemed excited to find another cyclist and promptly invited me to share the motel suite he had rented. I gladly accepted as my tent and clothing needed to dry out and the forecast called for showers throughout the night. As I settled in for bed that evening, I felt an odd rumbling in my gut. Just to play it safe I approached the toilet, where I immediately let out a hearty stream of vomit. Thinking the sickness was the result of some questionable pizza, I crawled into bed. Sadly, my slumber didn't last. By 4 am I had expelled all solid and liquid material from my ravaged body. The pain was so crippling I decided to call the local hospital--911 didn't work, I guess they take Sundays off here--where I was greeted by a nurse who showed virtually zero interest in my predicament. After our brief and altogether unhelpful exchange, I hung up the phone and continued dry heaving until I finally passed out.
I'm feeling better today, and will hopefully be recovered by tomorrow morning as I'm getting a bit stir crazy here.
When I get more time on the internet I'll make an attempt to upload photos.
I am now in Hope BC, a small town located approximately 180 km east of Vancouver. Yesterday was my first official day of riding in which I travelled 110 km from Vancouver to Kent. Overall, the highway I rode (7, for those of you interested) was quite pleasent. There was ample shoulder for most the journey and courteous drivers too boot. I had one frightening experience just west of Coquitlam where the shoulder completely disappeared, effectively forcing me into traffic for a good 1/2 kilometer. This was by far the most unsettling cycling situation I've had yet, as the cars were moving at 100kms + and seemed completely oblivious to my presence. After many "dear god let me survive this" requests and some steely determination on my part, I made it through. Shortly after passing Coquitlam I encountered a friendly cyclist named Jason on his way to ride some mountain trails. It turns out Jason has many years of touring experience and was a wealth of helpful information. Around 6pm I rolled into Kilby campsite, where within seconds of arrival, was accosted by several semi-drunken 20 somethings who invited me over for food and drinks. After a couple of old milwaukee's I made my way back to the tent whereupon it started to rain. It rained for the entire night, leaving all of my belongings in varying states of wetness. Despite the uncooperative weather, I set out around 9 am in a light drizzle. By mid-morning the sun had come out and riding conditions were excellent. For much of the trip I was traveling within a couple hundred meters of the Fraser river, with it's large whirlpools and swift current making for fascinating scenery. I've seen a lot of dairy cows throughout the Fraser Valley, most of which stare me down whenever I roll pass. I desperately want to approach them but I'm afraid of being caught by their owners.
Around 3pm I rolled into Hope. While searching out a local campsite I came across another tourist also riding to the east coast. Apparently, Sebastien had been holed up here for the past couple of days due to poor weather. He seemed excited to find another cyclist and promptly invited me to share the motel suite he had rented. I gladly accepted as my tent and clothing needed to dry out and the forecast called for showers throughout the night. As I settled in for bed that evening, I felt an odd rumbling in my gut. Just to play it safe I approached the toilet, where I immediately let out a hearty stream of vomit. Thinking the sickness was the result of some questionable pizza, I crawled into bed. Sadly, my slumber didn't last. By 4 am I had expelled all solid and liquid material from my ravaged body. The pain was so crippling I decided to call the local hospital--911 didn't work, I guess they take Sundays off here--where I was greeted by a nurse who showed virtually zero interest in my predicament. After our brief and altogether unhelpful exchange, I hung up the phone and continued dry heaving until I finally passed out.
I'm feeling better today, and will hopefully be recovered by tomorrow morning as I'm getting a bit stir crazy here.
When I get more time on the internet I'll make an attempt to upload photos.
posted by the notorious E.G.G at 4:50 PM
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