Friday, April 25, 2014

Day 12: Aaawwwww...

New rule - no more complaining. Weather is going to suck, rides are going to be challenging, and some days I just won't be motivated. But I'm pretty lucky to be able to do this trip, and today reminded me of that.

It was cool, sunny and dry. That's all I was asking of today - but it decided to over-deliver. I rode through the most beautiful landscape on a highway almost completely devoid of traffic.  It felt like I had the world to myself,  and I could have kept riding forever.  This was exactly as I imagined the trip when I started,  and I couldn't be more impressed with this country.

The other great part of today is that I finally got to get in some really nice climbs.  The elevation rose from 5m to 450m throughout the day over several climbs. Going into this ride I was concerned about Gracie's weight going uphill, but so far I'm loving the climbs.  I might not be saying that when I have to leave Hope BC next month,  but for now I feel pretty good about Gracie on the hills.

I put in a solid 134km today. I left Saint-Jean Port-Joli this morning, passed through Rivière-du-Loup, and I'm now about 45km from the New Brunswick border on highway 185. I would have kept going, but the sun was failing and with a lot of big trucks on this highway I need to be certain they can see me. I can't wait to go back out tomorrow!

Note - all of these pics were taken directly from the highway.












 Yes please!




 Rivière-du-Loup.



 I'm sure this town name makes perfect sense, but I found it amusing.


My bed for the night.

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