Monday, August 30, 2010

Igniting our Imaginations in Ignace

SNM Day # 29         Sunday August 29

Still in an internet black hole on Sunday...hence the late posting.

Beautifully early start - when I was soaking wet on my run, I knew it was going to be a hot and humid one and it was!  Sunny, hot, windy, humid, hills and more hills - if you are guessing that this long mileage day took a bit longer than expected, you'd be right.  All the long days of training, particularly in and around Kelowna paid off today, as I shed a few pounds of sweat.  We passed through Dryden for a brief stop and then motored on.  If heaven has many rooms, I felt like we were rummaging through the drawers of many of these rooms today.


We have been meeting very few cyclists on the road but today was an exception.  Rob was going solo, traveling west to Vancouver - all the best to him on his travels. 

The Ignace sign was more than welcoming as I finished the day to ever-increasing winds.  I have already put in over 3,000 km running and cycling - a long way already with still a long way to go!

Our recently-plugged leaking tire was low again today and we were waiting for it to be fixed as we speak (or blog, as it were).  Now since I am with the A Team, well actually, the B Team (remember that we are with B + B), the time was spent wisely, if not brilliantly - we solved the hot water tank dilemma, fixed the BBQ, baked a pie (literally) in our BBQ, prepared tomorrow's lunch and finished off a crossword puzzle and cribbage tournament all while waiting for the mechanic / tow truck driver to return from his emergency tow. 

Ignace is home to the white otter.  Obviously, there are white otters somewhere around, or the town folks are just fond of short white long furry animals.  Clearly a trucking route, there was an unending parade of large, long haul trucks passing through the town, on the highway, probably through our campsite also.  


While we were stopped to eat lunch with some 50 km to go, a truck blew a back tire, spewing rubber everywhere on the highway.  A convoy was following and there was a lot of smoke and braking and very quick maneuvering.  If we had been 10 minutes later, it could have been a potentially very dangerous few minutes for our tour crew.  As it was, everyone was OK and it was just another day on the highway. Yesterday, I forgot to mention that we had see a car burnt to a crisp on the highway to the point where the brand was almost indistinguishable.  It must have been so hot that all the asphalt was literally melted and the car had sunk down into what looked like a little pit.  Quite spectacular - hope everyone was able to get out quickly and safely!

Tour sponsor of the day is Robert Hobbs - thanks again!

Cyclist tip of the day

The product e-load is an exceptionally good electrolyte formula for long days like today.  I have been known to be notoriously negligent when it comes to fluid management, particularly on runs and have paid the price with muscle cramps through the night.  Since using a well-designed fluid replacement formula and using it properly, I have not had a single problem.  I have been alternating bottles of water and full strength e-load and drinking every 15 - 20 minutes to the clock religiously, regardless of feeling of thirst.  

Random quote of the day


Change is not merely necessary to life, it is life
Alvin Toffler

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