So this little corner of eastern Alberta is definitely not prairies. Either that or the prairies are characterized by big rolling hills and boreal forest. We climbed an unexpected 700m in the 130km of cycling today.
Of course, the northerlies of yesterday swung around to the south east and were in our faces for all 130km.
It was a cold, damp start out of Smoky Lake with -2C and thick mist for the first three hours. Moisture on jackets, gloves and glasses froze and we struggled to see where we were going. We opted for paved highway in preference to sliding around on the Iron Horse trail which has been battered into thick, corrugated sand by ATVs and motorbikes. But the expansion joints in the road paving every 20m or so are huge fissures in the shoulder and the ugly shuddering rhythm of riding over them was with us most of the day.
The scenery was lovely though. Some fields, cows, horses, lots of lakes, enormous grasslands and boreal woodlands just turning for Fall.
Our first break was delicious French Toast at Kookie’s Kozy Kafe in Vilna, after 40km. It ended up being ill-advised for Bron, who crashed from the sugar high into a staggering heap after about 20km of solid climbing.
Lunch in St Paul was at Just Perfect Subs – where the interior of Coke memorabilia took us back about 40 years.
From there the last 25km to Elk point on sore butts felt like forever, but the sun had come out, we had snowgeese overhead and lovely forests on the never-ending hills.
We collapsed into the Hilltop Motel after our second biggest bike day ever. We have cycled 160km once before, but not on fully-loaded gravel bikes with panniers and into a headwind for the whole ride.
We dragged ourselves to Wally’s pub for an incredibly delicious meal and are gearing ourselves up for more of the same tomorrow.
Today’s distance: 130km
Total distance: 2,661km
#TransCanadaTrail
#Thegreattrail
Chilly start in thick mist 
Into the sunrise 
Frosted fields 
Trans Canada Epic 