Lytton BC - 112 km

Riding time: 6hrs.
Total time on road 10.5 hrs

What a day! We are taking it as a huge accomplishment to conquer the 112 km stretch from Hope and Lytton. We are completely beat. However, the ride was almost undone before we had ridden our first leg...

While grabbing an ultra quick breakfast at McDonalds, one of the employees decided to move our bikes out of the way to wash some windows...while they were locked to themselves. When we came outside the locks had been rolled, twisted into the spokes and fenders. Casualties: my front tire needs truing, a bent spoke (that miraculously went back in place), jitters' fender bracket is damaged, and my front deraileur was out of alignment. Afer a bit of tinkering we decided to just hit the road and make the best of it. We just can't figure out why the employee wanted to clean the windows that badly.

Today was our first experience with the real hills and tunnels that we were told of. Many of our 112km ride was spent at 7km/hr up an 8% grade hill. It felt like the first incredibly grueling test of endurance for both of us. Even with the chilly mountain air we dropped our layers and sweat it out. And the 6 tunnels we had to navigate were interesting - we had a tiny walk-way to the side just wide enough for one person or bike.

We happened upon some truly strange finds today too - first an Elvis diner in the middle of a mountain hill, filled to the brim with memorabilia and very kind staff. Second, we discovered that BC has a desert! We are now in it, as it starts right around Lytton and grows to Kamloops. We can see snow tipped mountains behind us and dry, dusty shrubs ahead.

After several days on the road we agreed the best money we spent so far was on the waterproof jackets we have, called Wetskins. They were a big gamble - rolled up they still take one major compartment each (pants and top). What's more is they don't have armpit vents. However it's incredible how fast your body temperature drops when not active. The moment we dawn our Wetskins we get our temperature back, which has been incredibly helpful in this freak chilly weather BC is having.