Day 2 Getting in Sync

Bryan may have bit off a bit too much on his second day of cycling. There seemed to be more long uphill climbs than downhills. The posted mileage was further than expected and it was certainly tougher than yesterday with winds gusting down the Frazer Valley. As I write this, he is fast asleep, exhausted.

The day started with a tough climb out of Boston Bar, followed by tight curves, and winding roads that included a 20km rise to the Jackass Summit. Bryan compared that to riding up the Outlook river hill non-stop for the 20km. I pulled over after the Tank Hill CPR underpass to record the waterfall and the road I had just navigated, and maybe to catch my breath. Shortly after, at 11:00 am, I closed Bryan`s 2.5 hour lead at the small but beautiful Gold Pan Provincial Park for a chili lunch and a walk beside the Frazer River. Water levels are at a record high, causing some flooding and lot of debris in the current. The Thompson and Frazer Rivers combine a little further along at Lytton where fires burned so much forest three years ago.

With all that time alone in the RV and perhaps because I have too much imagination, I noted that I was getting better acquainted with my driving companion, the RV, whom I have decided to call Mama Beast or Mama B for short. She is treating me well and provides a welcoming place for Bryan who enters cold and in need of food but leaves satisfied and warm, ready to take on the next leg. When he arrived in Cache Creek at 3pm after that 58km leg, he even had a nap for an hour.

Mama B and I like many of the same things. For example, passing lanes to shake the pushy ones behind us and signs that warn us to slow down. Oh wait, we are already at 80kmph since 100 is a bit too fast for comfort and neither of us has the oomph that we once had. No one seems to mind that we take our time and the semis accommodate us too. But I also have a better sense of where Mama B`s edges are and even drove around Cache Creek with her just to explore. As for parking,  I may back into the campsite next time but was happy to let Steven, a new friend, do it for me in Clinton. We also had a good visit that covered art, life and family.

Meanwhile, Bryan was back into the long climbs, gearing down the bike more than he thought he would have to on seemingly level roads. The view coming out of the Fraser Valley is an opening to ranch country. Pines on the lower hillsides had become more sparse in the desert around Cache Creek but now pastures and irrigation pivots dominated the landscape. Such a change in 40+ km!

I walked around the town of Clinton, enjoying its historic and artistic vibe while I waited for Bryan to arrive. This town must be the lilac capital of BC since there were large old fashioned shrubs everywhere, filling the air with their fragrance.  It was a chilly 7:30 pm when Bryan wheeled into the Gold Trail RV Park in need of a hot meal. Micheal, the campground owner and chef at the Road Kill Grill was happy to provide. The motto, `You kill it, we grill it`, reflects his sense of gruff humour but his barbeque ribs were fantastic.  After a grueling day of 160km, Bryan had certainly earned a good meal. Before he turned in for the night though, we shared a cup of coffee with another cyclist who was tenting close by. Another good visit, another connection, another good end to the day. We are getting into the rhythm of the trip!