One thousand kilometres done – and much more fun today! Beautiful trail along the West Kettle River through pine groves and bright farm meadows with enough diversity to alleviate boredom.
Breakfast was eggs and bacon in our little cabin in Beaverdell, and we waited for the garage coffee shop to open at 9 to ensure a caffeine injection before the start.
For the first 15km or so we rolled along silently on pine needles on a single track next to exquisite farmlands. Tre trail here is reserved for cyclists, walkers and cross-country skiers and this point is brought home by boulders and chicanes to prevent ATV riders from contemplating it.
The river kept popping into view to keep us interested and one bend brought us to a spectacular whitewater gorge where otters played in the tumultuous waters.
We ran into only two other cyclists who politely held one of the many, many farm gates open for us. Other than that we passed no one except inhabitants of the lovely riverside RV parks and campgrounds across the water.
Another no-pub day meant lunch was fruit and a packet of chips at the charming Rock Creek station store before heading into farmers’ fields and following the river on into Midway.
Here we hit Mile Zero of the Kettle Valley Railroad Trail, which coincided with our thousandth kilometre on this little quest. We have followed the KVR for all of its 450km from Hope and felt a sense of completion to reach its source.
A charming railway museum beckoned but our chores were not done for the day – a quick shower and sore butts had to head off to drop the car 80km up the road in Christina Lake where we finish this four-day spin tomorrow.
A great wildlife day. Still no bears but in addition to the otters, we saw an eagle fly up with a large trout in his claws, plenty of marmots playing around a timber yard heading in to Midway, and so many butterflies and birds.
Dinner was at the diner of the Mile Zero Motel … complete with a carafe of nameless wine …
Total today 71km
Total so far: 1,001km!
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#thegreattrail
Trans Canada Epic 