Tom and Ross Bike Across Canada

Hello fom all the folks in Chase, BC.You are all invited to visit and enjoy the Chase river falls, thr Thompson river, the grand views and good food. Very friendly people here. Valerie needed some dental attention. She called, made appointment, was seen, problem solved, and back at Chase Country Inn all within 2 hours. No charge!
Merritt is a great community but we were happy to be on our bikes and underway by 0501. Dressed for the promised 6 degrees only to find 9 plus. Throw in hills and we were soon prespiring. That was our undoing because with 45 minutes the temperature was dropping to reach 1 degree. The dry conditions and intermittent sunshine was welcome.
The Colquihella highway, #5, climbs for about 35 kmto summit out at about 1400 meters. This terrain is very different, behind are ths high costal mountains and now a more rolling terrain with much longer vistas and fewer trees. This creates an interesting optical illusion. Yesterday with the high mountains the road looked steeper than is reallt was but today with the long views and rolling hills the road appeared a lot more flat than it was. Our legs will attest to that.

This area would reward any artist and must truly be a gret place to live.
A short break after the summit and adjustment to clothing and underway for a downhill and level run into Kamloops some 60 km further. The last 6 km into the city of 75,000 is special. A brake checking station at the start gives a clue. It is a 6 degree downhill run with all the expected exits and traffic a city spplies. Flying along with the traffic at 60-70 kph, reading the pavement, the vehicles, the road signs (first visit), taking on my cell and counting my change made this seem more like a giant slolam ski race than a holiday for a senior citzen. Well almost a senior.
Through the city to Tim's for a great snack. Reward for 88 km in 150 minutes. Canada continues to fullfill its reputation, the scenery is wonderful, with rolling hills, the Thompson river and a city we will have to visit another time as today we wre moving on to Chase, another 78 km down highway #1.A road with shoulders as wide as Paul Anderson's and as smooth as Ricks dome. Good for us.
thw sounds os our trip are starting to dominate my thoughts. The sounds of rain on my helmet, a tire on the wet pavement, birds warning of our presence, the deer bounding along the road, (silence is perhaps my favorite sound), water roaring down steep rivers, eagles wings and many others. Contrasting so vividly with the roar of traffic, a mixturs that all cyclist learn to survive. A pickup truck, an 18 wheeler, a sport car, a Harley all have distintive melodies. Pounding music from the teenmobile, and the symphony of people living their lives at full throttle. Fun to hear the ants rn up your leg, while you sit on the side of the road, reting, obeying the commands of your legs "rest or pay the price"
Another fun day with no greater responsibilites and decisions than what to eat and what to explore next. What is around the next corner and over the next hill. We are going to have a look and will share it with you . Get your bike ready we are coming your way and we want to ride with you and share the excitement of discovery.
Hello to all the speedy ones, the grandchildren who will travel beyond our imaginations. Meanwhile I am content to drift across Canada, soaking up a spring and summer that only Canada can deliver.