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North America » Canada » Alberta » Jasper
September 14th 2008
Published: September 14th 2008
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Sharon:

We're in Jasper!

We rolled in (actually, cycled up) to the town of Jasper this morning (Day 6). We went extra far yesterday to make it to Snaring River campground, which to our great relief, as we were cycling down a less used mountain road as night set in, was an actual campsite. Unfortunately, despite our best attempts at being honest, we couldn't find any way to pay this morning so we're officially freeloading hippies.

Things have been great so far! Highway noise is the new silence and wind is my new biggest pet peeve, as it is ALWAYS in the wrong direction. We've cycled over 400km so far (plus 10km of cheating when it was getting dark and we got a ride to the next campground near Hinton from a nice man named Larry). Days 1-3 were characterized by approximately 15 flat tires (you think I'm exaggerating, but really I'm not). Other than that, our trusty 10 speeds have served us very, very well, despite the fact that they're each carrying about 75 extra pounds (in addition to us). We've been managing around 90-100 km per day (even when faced with monster hills that go on forever)

We've only had two injuries to speak of - Mike got his finger caught in his multitool and got a pretty sizeable blood blister and I've had to invest in a knee brace for my whiny right knee (knee braces really work!).

We spent the first three nights random camping (and the first night scared out of our minds, talking about calling our mums - we have since realized that our irrational fears cannot govern our entire trip). We stayed in a campsite near Hinton because that's where Larry dropped us off (trying to be honest, we left 10 dollars in the key box) and then stayed in a campsite again last night (nobody wants our money!).

Observations so far:

1) We see a lot of transport trucks. Modes of transporations (i.e. transport trucks) spend a huge majority of their time carrying around:
a) More modes of transportation
b) absolutely nothing
c) garbage

2) Transport truck drivers are generally extremly courteous, and almost always pull over to the next lane AND signal. RV drivers, however, I would like to have a word with.

3) People frequently urinate in bottles and throw them in the ditch (whoever is doing this, please stop - that's gross).

4) People also throw an awful lot of GREAT stuff in the ditch. I have a terrific pair of rain proof gloves that go up to my elbows courtesy of Air Liquide (I was happy when I found one, imagine my excitement when we spotted the second glove in the ditch), Mike found a hat (since discarded), we found all the bungee cords we could ask for, 25 cents, Mike found an awesome Canada bowtie for his bike, and we've seen numerous calculators. Unfortunately, we haven't quite figured out a use for these yet...

5) It costs the same amount for two peace-loving cyclists to enter Jasper National Park as it does for a diesel-spewing, engine-idling, road-hogging, stinking, fuming, RV and its eight sticky fingered, littering, Tim Hortons toting, occupants.... This makes me angry! Come on people!

6) I'd rather cycle straight up a mountain than into the wind on flat land any day.

7) I'm really tired of signs that say "Just 10 minutes ahead in Hinton," etc, when I know it really means an hour and a half ahead, if you get that far today.

8) I've eaten more cans of beans in the last six days than I have in my entire life (hey, they're good cold, low fat, high protein, lots of calcium - what more could you ask for?)

9) A camping stove would be a giant nuisance. I reeeally can't picture us finding a spot in the trees to set up the tent after a long day of cycling, setting up camp, blowing up the air mattresses, changing out of our spandex, and then moving 10-15 feet away from our tent to cook some rice in the cold. Nope, not going to happen. We much prefer to huddle in our sleeping bags over a can of Heinz beans (I like maple best, Mike likes tomatoe - it's a compromise)

10) This was the best decision ever!



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14th September 2008

MIKE!
I know your an illiterate ( i don't think thats how you spell it, so i guess i'm a hypocrite) hippie, but you gonna make an entry. Also, you gonna grow that hair of yours out? huh? and then when you return you can be hiary, dirty, beer drinkin, too much fun havin mike.....think about it
15th September 2008

Enjoy the ride
Hi Sharon and Mike. Sounds like you are having a wonderful experience. I am hoping I will get to see you when you get to Vancouver. Take care and I will think of you often. Love Auntie Pam

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