tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76000075614323851152024-03-13T07:54:55.149-06:00 cycling cosmonautbowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.comBlogger795125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-42101295675853928442022-09-18T07:31:00.005-06:002022-09-18T13:35:01.986-06:00Porcupine Hills: 4 days of Up & Over<p>DAY 1 - Bring the Heat</p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXl94S6Fdp6IymXDpgikHyejpC2u4iNcDeUU4HT_tg1icIImqd_eFnAqu81Ilh4RK266OqDJo63JcDpfsFwSn1zECUpjQl8GV9ixJFoZZaCT8M34BmTFKFCWdIwSYqCpmoRpYEmsg5PTZSabzOEnjtm-zWNNj-mjTZAgb6BGblFL-q0zelHMXKUhA/s2297/948435D3-5A91-42C1-A350-0DC1BA164C47_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2297" data-original-width="1516" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXl94S6Fdp6IymXDpgikHyejpC2u4iNcDeUU4HT_tg1icIImqd_eFnAqu81Ilh4RK266OqDJo63JcDpfsFwSn1zECUpjQl8GV9ixJFoZZaCT8M34BmTFKFCWdIwSYqCpmoRpYEmsg5PTZSabzOEnjtm-zWNNj-mjTZAgb6BGblFL-q0zelHMXKUhA/s320/948435D3-5A91-42C1-A350-0DC1BA164C47_1_201_a.jpeg" width="211" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">artist rendering of mobile cosmodrome control module</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhtWmGsqgdSWyPOWkEKjQAmInfhICfFvyLuchHmuvq8FsH7dj4OOh0f1hjk2bctXUdhRGcrUThs0KiW_0rflD6V7hSUZB93KH4hdOHKAS9Xyeh0QUGAwXGczKs63Zd4NK4UMBhEGlBe2xYszrn5f59y-do0ZBdYTZWi84_ht6i57dtj7da6NB_kXi/s1484/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-09%20at%208.02.08%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="1484" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhtWmGsqgdSWyPOWkEKjQAmInfhICfFvyLuchHmuvq8FsH7dj4OOh0f1hjk2bctXUdhRGcrUThs0KiW_0rflD6V7hSUZB93KH4hdOHKAS9Xyeh0QUGAwXGczKs63Zd4NK4UMBhEGlBe2xYszrn5f59y-do0ZBdYTZWi84_ht6i57dtj7da6NB_kXi/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-09%20at%208.02.08%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>Cosmonauts Gary, Mark & Bob docked at the Willow Creek Launch Facility at 1301 hours on Friday, Sept 2. Bike loading preparations began immediately in 32 degree prairie heat. After 6 hands performed bungee cord adjustments on Gary's load, we set off on the first 65 kms leg. The landscape began to rise and fall as the wide Flying E gravel road pointed mostly west. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlihiyrCvr9JfWYbAYhR9PNScs8E2GiWlFTHrVNLR4D58KPCKfpWq977Crr0woRBlGtpNuNKEgzVTkcWcfa1E9XtDjeLKxgpc31JWiWIDXULQ0q1BZgXrMqYuyPYzPlToq84ZmDX35iqAwrg-3qtzm9bNe7jm0ls-47nN5YD9J8AUoDHh6cd9Mm3hK/s3024/8B501D99-124F-463C-89DD-12E7AC3FDD95.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlihiyrCvr9JfWYbAYhR9PNScs8E2GiWlFTHrVNLR4D58KPCKfpWq977Crr0woRBlGtpNuNKEgzVTkcWcfa1E9XtDjeLKxgpc31JWiWIDXULQ0q1BZgXrMqYuyPYzPlToq84ZmDX35iqAwrg-3qtzm9bNe7jm0ls-47nN5YD9J8AUoDHh6cd9Mm3hK/s320/8B501D99-124F-463C-89DD-12E7AC3FDD95.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULarJRtBPKqjvPnbPlEb4iRr-4IUud5uRUWNoYzGUWYWiL8Olx8I83hmzB32gSExtMVJHYm5o0TGTf1T7Smvw11Kg5zngenXBhW0DS9SKrlk00Gw1hP8CVeKSqkprnDsdW4TzOTHSVqC24BsAXlzdqnbsDSRBhRank8lgSGVXWJHA3xlAYPnwKd8c/s2966/IMG_4917.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1518" data-original-width="2966" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULarJRtBPKqjvPnbPlEb4iRr-4IUud5uRUWNoYzGUWYWiL8Olx8I83hmzB32gSExtMVJHYm5o0TGTf1T7Smvw11Kg5zngenXBhW0DS9SKrlk00Gw1hP8CVeKSqkprnDsdW4TzOTHSVqC24BsAXlzdqnbsDSRBhRank8lgSGVXWJHA3xlAYPnwKd8c/s320/IMG_4917.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Willow Creek basin</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A quick stop for water at Chain Lakes was a welcome relief from the relentless heat. Gary discovered that the soles of his 20 year old shoes had delaminated and were held on by the cleats only. Problem solving is one of Gary's specialities and he quickly tied his extra long laces around the soles of his shoe. Somehow he rode and walked all 4 days with this jury-rigged setup. </div><div style="text-align: left;">The heat of the day was upon us as we headed north on Highway 22 towards the next left turn into the hills. The high speed highway traffic was unnerving but the paved road surface was joyful. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LvtrZxleZwD4becWcDX4UtHq7k9phg-3AQoXnrUt-AoCSy_SAcQemsytPXrlPhccqmCTbg3UauLRIce3Ome5sihHy4NrxW9dKKua7tcn1hzmxy6NOWhTaEvHjl_iOXFZZ9XetyfPheJ_SiYVDnYhKIuXZZKN11x_V_KFn51mYJOYzMzcYrsGXrsd/s3024/6A40BCFD-D11C-48D0-B369-F2F39C6E18DE.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LvtrZxleZwD4becWcDX4UtHq7k9phg-3AQoXnrUt-AoCSy_SAcQemsytPXrlPhccqmCTbg3UauLRIce3Ome5sihHy4NrxW9dKKua7tcn1hzmxy6NOWhTaEvHjl_iOXFZZ9XetyfPheJ_SiYVDnYhKIuXZZKN11x_V_KFn51mYJOYzMzcYrsGXrsd/s320/6A40BCFD-D11C-48D0-B369-F2F39C6E18DE.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">altered bovine warning signage</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUOpgnTXd2Vba4JvCGpNcRjMQVKSKdPD0cRJKHBj2hBUyvJVqjGLUsM-54WeOQA1Vygeer0ElWvBF0BcC2owMc6--B4bKdZN4gPJSI-NWL3UY0e8HLeH4deaBJ1Y48PtXrVZ0LBtLaSNA1xPjN1kNqCIusnWQL5iiENP5AxYmz_GxXg3yUniiUDn-/s2996/IMG_4925.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1874" data-original-width="2996" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUOpgnTXd2Vba4JvCGpNcRjMQVKSKdPD0cRJKHBj2hBUyvJVqjGLUsM-54WeOQA1Vygeer0ElWvBF0BcC2owMc6--B4bKdZN4gPJSI-NWL3UY0e8HLeH4deaBJ1Y48PtXrVZ0LBtLaSNA1xPjN1kNqCIusnWQL5iiENP5AxYmz_GxXg3yUniiUDn-/s320/IMG_4925.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">A beautious shaft of heavenly light to distract the cosmonauts from the choking traffic dust<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At 1800 hours rush hour for RV and bikepacking campers began in earnest. A dead calm day, with 32C degree temperatures and recreational panic gripping all travellers on this road, conspired to make for challenging cycling conditions. The cosmonauts dispatched the 13 kms of rolling road (spiced with steep undulations) with alacrity. But it was an ugly hour of regular trailer traffic. We established base camp at Indian Graves, ate and slept soundly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiec988Vj5MiVibqcLQlWGOcoTxFLaZ5d-mI0P-JGBlrbSdI8Glmsi0vSiUMdA87XjzFESmj11b1BUYJorIV1iwPhO5hByxGsNq9MpAyYYkxqN885kpwQS_GI1teU0mAt_yfreQwHIZXeLnFrmcOx3XwUf6npWbwWJ1HP2HdfsPUT3AZE2OMhE9l-x4/s2114/0E419CE1-77D3-4A04-808A-BDA446F41706_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="2114" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiec988Vj5MiVibqcLQlWGOcoTxFLaZ5d-mI0P-JGBlrbSdI8Glmsi0vSiUMdA87XjzFESmj11b1BUYJorIV1iwPhO5hByxGsNq9MpAyYYkxqN885kpwQS_GI1teU0mAt_yfreQwHIZXeLnFrmcOx3XwUf6npWbwWJ1HP2HdfsPUT3AZE2OMhE9l-x4/s320/0E419CE1-77D3-4A04-808A-BDA446F41706_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">artist rendering of stuffing tent into stuff sack</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">DAY 2 - Mountain Madness</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9tLZRtj96qRyTce8cQ1lJ4l9YHrWY3AH0Xd1YrKAFhoqLIpuOCO2w1CTMSGq55A_wv-UMG2jPRECtwbN1fFgwbOWilgAu-_9uu45Gr6nv4t6oNMcR_auOIELJcaN8OmdaIjQErgcXj-m5ylC-ps9rwfMzAj1uRk_UvLG659Yr7-aKhNoPPWJddCe/s1564/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-09%20at%208.25.00%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="1564" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9tLZRtj96qRyTce8cQ1lJ4l9YHrWY3AH0Xd1YrKAFhoqLIpuOCO2w1CTMSGq55A_wv-UMG2jPRECtwbN1fFgwbOWilgAu-_9uu45Gr6nv4t6oNMcR_auOIELJcaN8OmdaIjQErgcXj-m5ylC-ps9rwfMzAj1uRk_UvLG659Yr7-aKhNoPPWJddCe/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-09%20at%208.25.00%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The next morning, the cosmonauts got off to a late start. Water needed to be filtered, shoes needed to be tied and oatmeal needed to be eaten. This leg of the journey began almost immediately with a steep and unrelenting climb. For some it was a brutally long walk uphill pushing a push bike. The scene at the top of the pass was stunning however. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pqt5rxRoidtvNZ03HtUEoVVoCa6J8i-rEYSgS_KqsN9aztCR7Bi6S9JYDV9oIQiwPytPex3oXGMSsb7AGMLDsLtd1QfAwZFPJffOIXRqQeVby3FJheNPWLDnE8smkLOGww1_fxvYjSQGgJOYhSZwF6qBpD3Z_GW26ZWr_eniF8vY56cqF5UUrBvn/s2745/IMG_4932.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2745" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pqt5rxRoidtvNZ03HtUEoVVoCa6J8i-rEYSgS_KqsN9aztCR7Bi6S9JYDV9oIQiwPytPex3oXGMSsb7AGMLDsLtd1QfAwZFPJffOIXRqQeVby3FJheNPWLDnE8smkLOGww1_fxvYjSQGgJOYhSZwF6qBpD3Z_GW26ZWr_eniF8vY56cqF5UUrBvn/s320/IMG_4932.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">looking east from Windy Peak</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-QxNMmeHPGbnt-JPwhb2icV2ot4NtdddsvXo9l6tlI3WveyGFyXbaX6fOSZnuwR_4nPyau8dXL2AXDspvMyZgVtoCZwLry4-dFxmhUTkmcAGpij3nFSmKnEkuzfsTKrRf6GXHupD66E__c-ZVxMvBM9GuyNDHiEBzasxYiAz-EmBNH2mNoWG6vwj/s2575/IMG_4934.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2575" data-original-width="2575" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-QxNMmeHPGbnt-JPwhb2icV2ot4NtdddsvXo9l6tlI3WveyGFyXbaX6fOSZnuwR_4nPyau8dXL2AXDspvMyZgVtoCZwLry4-dFxmhUTkmcAGpij3nFSmKnEkuzfsTKrRf6GXHupD66E__c-ZVxMvBM9GuyNDHiEBzasxYiAz-EmBNH2mNoWG6vwj/s320/IMG_4934.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cosmonaut Mark hydrates while Cosmonaut Gary rides away into the deep BG</div></div><p>Over the pass at Hailstone Butte, the road swept down. High speeds on all types and sizes of gravel were the order of the day. We stopped at Cataract Creek to filter water and drink mightily. Many have quenched their thirst here in the hopes of combatting the development of cloudy eyes. We pressed on to a logging road closed to traffic. The road began as double track smoothness and slowly disintegrated into bovine madness. The cosmonauts crossed deep creek cuts and navigated single track chewed to hell by cattle. The herd felt they were being herded and kept up a fear-filled 2 mile lope. Poor trail quality, fresh cow shit and dumb cattle became tedious and annoying.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykBn5rQJ-awJ8BrI3PkqZL2mf3vr-570Foaq1fkqg3sSjlRuDD5B4Y6d0kxs1sZcyG9WEW8dydbsUQrvuaCYX_mXALS_opj7p-q5xKTUDHZ-wv2Z5fi-UCZpe1cq3NxHBz-J2gQHaSKwDIWDugIkH4ByM1t_lAI7pxG0xNllmOMfQ3exZPoRfx0Oq/s3024/C30DA5D1-DFF5-4516-A701-22684068B366.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykBn5rQJ-awJ8BrI3PkqZL2mf3vr-570Foaq1fkqg3sSjlRuDD5B4Y6d0kxs1sZcyG9WEW8dydbsUQrvuaCYX_mXALS_opj7p-q5xKTUDHZ-wv2Z5fi-UCZpe1cq3NxHBz-J2gQHaSKwDIWDugIkH4ByM1t_lAI7pxG0xNllmOMfQ3exZPoRfx0Oq/s320/C30DA5D1-DFF5-4516-A701-22684068B366.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">spoor of a rabid dog like creature</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkCEnfmfd8XkTt9mUI4Y1YBn3treJIv4xjrt5LAUiUbutBjQMWueR-Qk_bgEtHeLoTyvCg9xDPGpzenPAQX5Ir3T6_-J6xzkaQnaIcg3-zAqeXZOR5xvugJpYy3if4i2Guwf3LbISUbxbhbe_4w15Jd0q9k3Q_FkXTF4vtvLzsLjT3y3vt1x5AyHu/s4032/2EC44C59-2543-4B6F-AEC9-447005EFCE63.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkCEnfmfd8XkTt9mUI4Y1YBn3treJIv4xjrt5LAUiUbutBjQMWueR-Qk_bgEtHeLoTyvCg9xDPGpzenPAQX5Ir3T6_-J6xzkaQnaIcg3-zAqeXZOR5xvugJpYy3if4i2Guwf3LbISUbxbhbe_4w15Jd0q9k3Q_FkXTF4vtvLzsLjT3y3vt1x5AyHu/s320/2EC44C59-2543-4B6F-AEC9-447005EFCE63.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">forest fire smoke obscuring Mt Farquhar (possibly)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As the light began to disappear, the cosmonauts decided to establish camp beside a 4 foot wide creek. After consulting various devices the moving water turned out to be a very small version of the Oldman River. We had crossed over into the Oldman drainage.</div><p>DAY 3 - Through the GAP to flatness</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznkmuyuFe_mkhAOC6TPHVwlJbkOlcQH9LwXfsNXKNCkbLEh0TklyfDXtvZuK-8qXYtHBuAAeGbeM9ETZSt0iZSrAIS5rq0nXgZFirJGcytgnGmTTX9dM3FZ4hn5Wo3ivu2YIIm5YC6iSuXBmeJlAgUwzT-VY9yRDVBCyv7qrWq9CNHn3oldlQUJPY/s1958/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-14%20at%208.28.17%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="1958" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznkmuyuFe_mkhAOC6TPHVwlJbkOlcQH9LwXfsNXKNCkbLEh0TklyfDXtvZuK-8qXYtHBuAAeGbeM9ETZSt0iZSrAIS5rq0nXgZFirJGcytgnGmTTX9dM3FZ4hn5Wo3ivu2YIIm5YC6iSuXBmeJlAgUwzT-VY9yRDVBCyv7qrWq9CNHn3oldlQUJPY/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-14%20at%208.28.17%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZizexSYe7eVUKK8MkpXXmEMiSe4DJEEDHA75lTL9fgOwKoPMTtR1RpWKAwnYHBt2RfpTT7ZfQy0nlJnzwKwoEyUxSW5tmBxp8a81ned0YMVDskJFYzDM_bY_IQIaiyReUfwrlFXPjh4kHyHVt4HwDPFRj7HdoOvyQq8xD49L0GddMDIiFf5kEMKHm/s3024/1BD98D28-91E4-494D-BA2B-60647505AF40.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZizexSYe7eVUKK8MkpXXmEMiSe4DJEEDHA75lTL9fgOwKoPMTtR1RpWKAwnYHBt2RfpTT7ZfQy0nlJnzwKwoEyUxSW5tmBxp8a81ned0YMVDskJFYzDM_bY_IQIaiyReUfwrlFXPjh4kHyHVt4HwDPFRj7HdoOvyQq8xD49L0GddMDIiFf5kEMKHm/s320/1BD98D28-91E4-494D-BA2B-60647505AF40.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Camp was struck and we were on the road at 1100 hours</div><div><br /></div><div>With the Oldman River on our right, we began a steady descent to Forestry Road 40. This was the easy day and although dusty and hot, it was a joy to follow the Oldman to the Gap. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBoFNssizIGCPHSOgDBqYcL38D8k2737b1aaTkmEUKYtfEk6RYzaZiZA9DupfMemtxjUNY7BnCcnCH7vKrI2aAR2_mRmddIyddTMmAXhEOUEtaRPwV15-jzb7Ps5-tX-SKNxIX6iOMi14vb4A9OGpFj1cEND9OPYFev2aFYr1ENg6X1He6Qhd4NZk/s4032/CBF45CF3-92B5-410E-94AC-2DCE3D21EA9F.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBoFNssizIGCPHSOgDBqYcL38D8k2737b1aaTkmEUKYtfEk6RYzaZiZA9DupfMemtxjUNY7BnCcnCH7vKrI2aAR2_mRmddIyddTMmAXhEOUEtaRPwV15-jzb7Ps5-tX-SKNxIX6iOMi14vb4A9OGpFj1cEND9OPYFev2aFYr1ENg6X1He6Qhd4NZk/s320/CBF45CF3-92B5-410E-94AC-2DCE3D21EA9F.heic" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cosmonauts with BC's Tornado Mountain in the BG</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrKcz7KuFkrdKaSl2z2yXkCHGybH6bj0goZtu46sF01GLogHNR-dmd_vb2nitKNhbrNSVd4ff3c6ZTFFMwAKDYs_4vdJquHfiYfkd2BeTcTSrMAXQzmC7_hJkYFCrwRhY40I7plr1cIJpnidp_9jGZ1k3fGCQk1s9b9PD5L82xichcyDHJ1FRg31r/s3088/F25BFB15-8B79-471F-9AC8-5A69790E5032.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrKcz7KuFkrdKaSl2z2yXkCHGybH6bj0goZtu46sF01GLogHNR-dmd_vb2nitKNhbrNSVd4ff3c6ZTFFMwAKDYs_4vdJquHfiYfkd2BeTcTSrMAXQzmC7_hJkYFCrwRhY40I7plr1cIJpnidp_9jGZ1k3fGCQk1s9b9PD5L82xichcyDHJ1FRg31r/s320/F25BFB15-8B79-471F-9AC8-5A69790E5032.heic" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">selfie at Oldman falls</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The Livingstone Gap was a breezy & dusty affair. RV and sightseeing traffic was steady. We rolled eastward to the MayCroft Campground. Situated on the banks of the Oldman beside Highway 22, the treeless site offered zero shade from the relentless sun. Picking my way down to the river's edge I witnessed a small snake swallowing a slightly larger fish gulp by gulp. Fascinating and disgusting in equal measure, the fish's outline was obvious when the snake swam away into the water. My much anticipated wash-up and foot soak was tempered somewhat by the reptilian luncheon I had witnessed. A windy night in an improperly staked tent followed. </div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_Ve2Xor2uqjRr-hsACHxuqV1kcyOKgbwCRSESx1P9ej_tRp43ba-ebJxO1g_o01BL3ntmpBlBWE3M7s1UYvvsEXpNNpPH9ixPCbAiwhKxVzHfnrneTDkMxBKZvyXkUwIwin_EZHAChHuFQwmoegFz0oE0ya_vQeOaqOaFdqe6JOY7AXfledelnCc/s3024/E8D02D60-C6D9-447D-A8E1-558A6A90F612.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_Ve2Xor2uqjRr-hsACHxuqV1kcyOKgbwCRSESx1P9ej_tRp43ba-ebJxO1g_o01BL3ntmpBlBWE3M7s1UYvvsEXpNNpPH9ixPCbAiwhKxVzHfnrneTDkMxBKZvyXkUwIwin_EZHAChHuFQwmoegFz0oE0ya_vQeOaqOaFdqe6JOY7AXfledelnCc/s320/E8D02D60-C6D9-447D-A8E1-558A6A90F612.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Maycroft view</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPVnjW7TC_KoEbNjfqBmphv31kqqZ_qa-QVP4wcM_FfIOYwKBn3Ym5a7nwreIpOO0JzSE38NaczVEr00u9NwAVkyNxbMB0zHqyJUuLscZChAha0tta3DxoWFbwZJvGDHEtVf4mFDM2dhTr0vt9sYmFtbv9FgeoM3tefCovbfan3oFtBkXmKHaZLu3/s3024/72CFC739-DBFE-4E98-BF43-E0ABAF66B988.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPVnjW7TC_KoEbNjfqBmphv31kqqZ_qa-QVP4wcM_FfIOYwKBn3Ym5a7nwreIpOO0JzSE38NaczVEr00u9NwAVkyNxbMB0zHqyJUuLscZChAha0tta3DxoWFbwZJvGDHEtVf4mFDM2dhTr0vt9sYmFtbv9FgeoM3tefCovbfan3oFtBkXmKHaZLu3/s320/72CFC739-DBFE-4E98-BF43-E0ABAF66B988.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN88Qd10paynLXINrpBE6l_qSpojDpfvxLhrBoiYIWfgdQzudEvU6SWy_3yeVBMXrBRu0vNeZMa-53fQlT1M38gDALRt5eTSBDBKgfKXJfTF4rVPpj00SXNxh_8ZMdgnqhT6ulA2dmweCFPNPiWylv6KX84ulYZdTZ_iylpSQl8VnNBN3qQ0xLl9Wm/s2231/7FA0501B-C768-4217-ADB1-F89120C37BE7_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="2231" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN88Qd10paynLXINrpBE6l_qSpojDpfvxLhrBoiYIWfgdQzudEvU6SWy_3yeVBMXrBRu0vNeZMa-53fQlT1M38gDALRt5eTSBDBKgfKXJfTF4rVPpj00SXNxh_8ZMdgnqhT6ulA2dmweCFPNPiWylv6KX84ulYZdTZ_iylpSQl8VnNBN3qQ0xLl9Wm/s320/7FA0501B-C768-4217-ADB1-F89120C37BE7_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oldman River looking west</div><p>DAY 4 - Over the Porcupine Spine</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6XuGUkAGpoBqdSKLNdKHQrjCrq-9kF6qEfK63k1RxIJZgXP-IvESIwF97b2qM06Jh-1JfVfMu9Y7YeWf5ZG9mAWQ9Bib82LTrfCNZxhP5z81DSQOHVzSCcN1gC_iZk7hEoj67Cm1acSAA8vCH7kUyE3LBbQf89_nwLQkycCxWHuvDhpRflzlHGuB/s1620/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-14%20at%208.33.30%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1620" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6XuGUkAGpoBqdSKLNdKHQrjCrq-9kF6qEfK63k1RxIJZgXP-IvESIwF97b2qM06Jh-1JfVfMu9Y7YeWf5ZG9mAWQ9Bib82LTrfCNZxhP5z81DSQOHVzSCcN1gC_iZk7hEoj67Cm1acSAA8vCH7kUyE3LBbQf89_nwLQkycCxWHuvDhpRflzlHGuB/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-14%20at%208.33.30%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>Waking up after a breezy night on the banks of the Oldman River at Maycroft, the party set a 0900 hrs launch goal. I ate a heroically named Cuban Coconut Beef with Rice (a dinner for breakfast -see Day 2). Mark and Gary enjoyed their more traditional oatmeal repasts. </p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-78BIh_YjT1u1NplLTEy2MzDvKtydDDpjYa3o67JJ2wSA59BF3V07uaofErxj402vjViUVr3ZJEdRQH7xlfWeicMykReZygmm6GDgIzoYOhY_ilQZC13Tt_a0OtQFqdpUhHIoD5tuiex8BLxgtZ6HSAnqnFitj4bQonvhDGY_GPZ8XF_b75tkuOxK/s4032/319F354C-4719-48CE-AA6B-3966302D7BCB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-78BIh_YjT1u1NplLTEy2MzDvKtydDDpjYa3o67JJ2wSA59BF3V07uaofErxj402vjViUVr3ZJEdRQH7xlfWeicMykReZygmm6GDgIzoYOhY_ilQZC13Tt_a0OtQFqdpUhHIoD5tuiex8BLxgtZ6HSAnqnFitj4bQonvhDGY_GPZ8XF_b75tkuOxK/s320/319F354C-4719-48CE-AA6B-3966302D7BCB.jpeg" width="320" /></a></p><p>The cosmonauts crossed the highway and headed east and north to the West Sharples Road. The spectacular views of mountains to the west and the Porcupine Hills to the east was a highlight of the trip. The lighter bags and the anticipation of the steep climb over the Porcupines lifted the spirits of the riders. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGzlYjb_7NeD1WdGxNJRKdOF6opsY5qSli1ANCRCw9mDccRHNWQloURt7RcVtaMoJV8CWSDnx2Uf2cNV07gglyp3jWHKEwHcGO1R1SIxn1S-aLNH-tPm4aP9WyFCkJIZti9nGa4CIx5spdhXwN4h8LfwRKGUJSBMkJKHehdMzNIHA9pcLt3g1ZFMM/s3024/0BEAB569-CB14-4F1C-B00A-7691D2DAD117.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGzlYjb_7NeD1WdGxNJRKdOF6opsY5qSli1ANCRCw9mDccRHNWQloURt7RcVtaMoJV8CWSDnx2Uf2cNV07gglyp3jWHKEwHcGO1R1SIxn1S-aLNH-tPm4aP9WyFCkJIZti9nGa4CIx5spdhXwN4h8LfwRKGUJSBMkJKHehdMzNIHA9pcLt3g1ZFMM/s320/0BEAB569-CB14-4F1C-B00A-7691D2DAD117.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the steady rise into the hills<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRIoyyyAwtk9j11Fgw3xPdBf-dBe4Y7Qffn5KnoZAS6ulQww-kXFxVurenBm67gZyLqadbKd5D8I5Xb_L4qpq-ceKXEwCMsbw_x_bF5ssIT_d1kE3qPNJO6VfRwso887RnPRiWt1s5BVJrnc1AZIDjblPdKVOvdiHNFCza7Fu6Bna748_L8W7XEyi/s4032/7B3100C5-B9D7-45C7-9ECB-AB060D38F1CC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRIoyyyAwtk9j11Fgw3xPdBf-dBe4Y7Qffn5KnoZAS6ulQww-kXFxVurenBm67gZyLqadbKd5D8I5Xb_L4qpq-ceKXEwCMsbw_x_bF5ssIT_d1kE3qPNJO6VfRwso887RnPRiWt1s5BVJrnc1AZIDjblPdKVOvdiHNFCza7Fu6Bna748_L8W7XEyi/s320/7B3100C5-B9D7-45C7-9ECB-AB060D38F1CC.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">looking west on West Sharples Road</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The climb over the hills had been dubbed Shit Kicker hill for its relentless rise (6% average, 11% at its steepest). The cosmonauts ground their way up through poplar, spruce and pine. The road wound its way past cattle and their fertilizer over 5 kilometres. We stopped for a bit of lunch and water before carrying on along the spine of the Porcupine to the descent back to the prairie. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyh7090UaY1BqL-aipNfkxmoGAlu6BGCGRwQACdkOfKNj6zUUvqBaCCnF92yw4gcXwSY_v_61PA8vx2BEEI3VbDyl1VKPYMajiFSdjeMg7KhOIDmNN79yDasGBCT3iQHbZ4cB_U2EpDpei4CC8QdUjwezxR6-hj_Qzazxlrg7Yc5uly-gR-2K9lqYX/s4032/655D0777-D87C-4DBB-BC26-7F0181E9E328.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyh7090UaY1BqL-aipNfkxmoGAlu6BGCGRwQACdkOfKNj6zUUvqBaCCnF92yw4gcXwSY_v_61PA8vx2BEEI3VbDyl1VKPYMajiFSdjeMg7KhOIDmNN79yDasGBCT3iQHbZ4cB_U2EpDpei4CC8QdUjwezxR6-hj_Qzazxlrg7Yc5uly-gR-2K9lqYX/s320/655D0777-D87C-4DBB-BC26-7F0181E9E328.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the east side of the Porcupines, the temperature was higher and the roads have been well tended with new deep gravel. The cosmonauts powered on returning to the mobile cosmodrome that was docked at the Willow Creek Campground. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0afYT9tpuPOgSttcFo7yNO9A0vUfJulU2Ppy8FTtnEnw0-fBOIMUoGFMo93GVd0R3xNDKEjLAs--x9Y0t1iDSm3hNq5ljB6nBjYkbrcc2jlspZ9WembAQwZvA6ZPLXdpewKvPLAMIT63cd7jfzBrXdu-lQjWEsVVf8MRj4eTOhmEl8Ys54SupqyE6/s3024/B1DB62B4-4204-42C4-BC38-B22D2AF02E14.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0afYT9tpuPOgSttcFo7yNO9A0vUfJulU2Ppy8FTtnEnw0-fBOIMUoGFMo93GVd0R3xNDKEjLAs--x9Y0t1iDSm3hNq5ljB6nBjYkbrcc2jlspZ9WembAQwZvA6ZPLXdpewKvPLAMIT63cd7jfzBrXdu-lQjWEsVVf8MRj4eTOhmEl8Ys54SupqyE6/s320/B1DB62B4-4204-42C4-BC38-B22D2AF02E14.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">old school house with caragana bower</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHdpWJtajdN_TkoFTalP1YVW3qN5MoR8i34N6VM1hWw00A5XsxUxGgHAG4Y_zUwN-y6sMT0P6l3mbism9D4FJEbUfmEpmjnAeJAn1ove1YtlWxOOtF3FI0FUKMe5DeH6jkw4z1zFmYo0NgPWAzWfQa45bZ8ZGSydwSKHYHdNW8KAfUCX3BTreOA7L/s2303/23C04EF4-BB0C-4AD7-A789-7570B943FE47_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1578" data-original-width="2303" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHdpWJtajdN_TkoFTalP1YVW3qN5MoR8i34N6VM1hWw00A5XsxUxGgHAG4Y_zUwN-y6sMT0P6l3mbism9D4FJEbUfmEpmjnAeJAn1ove1YtlWxOOtF3FI0FUKMe5DeH6jkw4z1zFmYo0NgPWAzWfQa45bZ8ZGSydwSKHYHdNW8KAfUCX3BTreOA7L/s320/23C04EF4-BB0C-4AD7-A789-7570B943FE47_1_201_a.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mark, Bob & Gary (left to right)</div><p><br /></p>bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-20489343950706035812022-07-30T08:05:00.004-06:002022-07-30T19:02:33.280-06:00The Range 22 - in brief<span style="font-size: medium;">On July 22, 2022 the mobile Cosmodrome was pressed into action for the third running of The Range, a 128km gravel race event. The team, Catherine, George and Bob drove down to Claresholm, AB to camp in the Centennial Campground. Handily, this happened to be the Start/Finish area for the race. Saturday was busy at the parking lot as many drivers of Audis. Mercedes, BMWs and lesser vehicular brands, laden with fresh gravel bike equipment, prepared for the 0900 hrs start. 230 riders took part in 2 distances, 80 kms and the full 128 test. </span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLUZjU8tQdlmghOTUlhGPJLN8bO8e1vY5lAQm4TfKpWklDlY4GQoMG1--Ar_l_JTP9RtbkNsV5BCpMi0rkPkmZKyYDZUjOdAetJ8G3kn9qlWpZaDJkj8HHRvtK1jEAEQIdWJuiE4LpPobUDiXnnjbORTw8DAfwePlEdZASgtEAnryKHb92NSg6Cmj/s1574/IMG_1409.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1574" data-original-width="1574" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLUZjU8tQdlmghOTUlhGPJLN8bO8e1vY5lAQm4TfKpWklDlY4GQoMG1--Ar_l_JTP9RtbkNsV5BCpMi0rkPkmZKyYDZUjOdAetJ8G3kn9qlWpZaDJkj8HHRvtK1jEAEQIdWJuiE4LpPobUDiXnnjbORTw8DAfwePlEdZASgtEAnryKHb92NSg6Cmj/s320/IMG_1409.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">the start</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large;">People quickly settled into their paces over the first 25 kms. I stopped for a natural break and a tree foto and was passed by at least 25 people. I knew I needed ride consevatively (slowly) to maintain my energy for the long road to come. At the suggestion of marathon and ultra-man contestants, I wore a camelback (2 liter water bladder on my back) as well as carried 1.5 litres on the bike. There was a water/feed station every 40 kms. I certainly used all the water over the middle 40 kms. Recent rains had made the grass lush and long. The temperature was not temperate. It was freaking hot. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbo3ftXu8aFAGOEugrPj6lwPI0NGldEbpp4Z5FP_EbvLiyN6YOUJrAYnmCli7XPrc_JoDRtysVeCnkrEPSAAMq7gfNQuHFnCr72qZZvHpbh407TZD6BzOLxW9QS31r5VgXjCHgf-nNKoKs3zfaDm2tltFx9XIW9RaDZjT20y5iwad8tJbLvp_pCv1H/s4032/0D2C1593-EAB1-4C25-9E1D-5290474A8644.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbo3ftXu8aFAGOEugrPj6lwPI0NGldEbpp4Z5FP_EbvLiyN6YOUJrAYnmCli7XPrc_JoDRtysVeCnkrEPSAAMq7gfNQuHFnCr72qZZvHpbh407TZD6BzOLxW9QS31r5VgXjCHgf-nNKoKs3zfaDm2tltFx9XIW9RaDZjT20y5iwad8tJbLvp_pCv1H/s320/0D2C1593-EAB1-4C25-9E1D-5290474A8644.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">dry section on the approach to the hills</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsqFZqcv2suBNqYobFJzgHAsbdFg4rGGidXxKLFIBI9k2cOZtMYNvR8IAsauiBwCNAx2OIdxfxDxg4lfPMeq5YrXuoplWho3Wyn4RJdDpriCvWSv45xEHV0pM15wnD_ky5CRUNkzOprmyb29XnUEzJ4eJR15E0LkcJYn1wucZKPefEaiAwuZN6m3g/s3024/BB4FB32C-FAA1-44DA-9080-79436E4C5AFC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsqFZqcv2suBNqYobFJzgHAsbdFg4rGGidXxKLFIBI9k2cOZtMYNvR8IAsauiBwCNAx2OIdxfxDxg4lfPMeq5YrXuoplWho3Wyn4RJdDpriCvWSv45xEHV0pM15wnD_ky5CRUNkzOprmyb29XnUEzJ4eJR15E0LkcJYn1wucZKPefEaiAwuZN6m3g/s320/BB4FB32C-FAA1-44DA-9080-79436E4C5AFC.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">one of 4 water crossings</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large;">There was a huge climb of 5 kms at 8 % which I and other back markers were forced to walk. I felt I could have ridden some of it but did not want to "burn all my matches" before the final 40kms. That climb probably added at least 1.25 hours to my time. Walking speed allowed hoards of horse flies to feast on exposed skin. They did not succeed taking any chunks out of me but not for lack of trying. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large;"> The course followed a ridge line with exits to East or West Sharples Creek road. Signs directed us to cross private land with breathtaking views and a crazy steep road climb and descent. The forest and frequent views of the valleys were stunning from what I could see through my perspiration infused glasses. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0q_OxYhO_EL3-Qu_wyGBxF38czFJdK2sL5yy_NVbYYoIV_wEIQ3X9SdXkzb4bE5TXp8hiNqX46ZjGWGUxcAMmqWaTIvA7GVPojzYA7INN1roJ7FbQakYNQ5eew47x0aVTiIvCkspSPThvB5iToBVRrCuwCCG-r22OZyHbgc8lFDck0ZA10f8yNrL/s4032/CCFB57A9-79D5-41DE-AF2D-B1F8BC7AA508.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0q_OxYhO_EL3-Qu_wyGBxF38czFJdK2sL5yy_NVbYYoIV_wEIQ3X9SdXkzb4bE5TXp8hiNqX46ZjGWGUxcAMmqWaTIvA7GVPojzYA7INN1roJ7FbQakYNQ5eew47x0aVTiIvCkspSPThvB5iToBVRrCuwCCG-r22OZyHbgc8lFDck0ZA10f8yNrL/s320/CCFB57A9-79D5-41DE-AF2D-B1F8BC7AA508.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ridge line road</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyBIFwx-ycyHJDoA2Tr7Gh8JzsChLxNCfWDnUex0fx4qB9EPFkOLSk-i2yDGoTnTKXtQ5vFig07UyGMrS--6g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">looking northwest</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;">I husbanded my resources for the final push home. I continued to ride slowly and steadily, narrowly beating the time cut by 3 minutes. Cyclists were required to cover 80 kms in 5 hours. If not, they/them are pulled from the race and they/them forgo the last feed station. I wasn't paying attention to the time so I was surprised it was such a close run thing. I wanted to take more snaps but I felt that, although I was not running last, I was awfully close to being the last rider on course. A red fox and a mountain blue bird showed themselves on a steep downhill section. The wild flowers were blooming but momentum overrode fotography</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>. </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjFtWDrU-vOtnugU00XZrCpf-InPN4e7pwYvbCfYn05ZCkvf9Gd7FjvNP9UMH1Ubeg7tnLuB3RkLWciz8sj1D7gDyALRZ6Z0xMODwAu-rB58KvZ7bA-IW2rIKZmXsSdue6QSv0kTul2NDqWmo1n7PIKckcS_HbSUJcfq252b6IpZzarJbikCneeRG/s1274/FDFD3F91-9C39-4919-BC66-4F35972EBF34_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="1274" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjFtWDrU-vOtnugU00XZrCpf-InPN4e7pwYvbCfYn05ZCkvf9Gd7FjvNP9UMH1Ubeg7tnLuB3RkLWciz8sj1D7gDyALRZ6Z0xMODwAu-rB58KvZ7bA-IW2rIKZmXsSdue6QSv0kTul2NDqWmo1n7PIKckcS_HbSUJcfq252b6IpZzarJbikCneeRG/s320/FDFD3F91-9C39-4919-BC66-4F35972EBF34_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXVm5JSYDs6mdpGuM30bKHWfKkRwtDgNZOJoSq0ZCGRLCkIsorDjg3V2irY1OrY8KtEap43tr6ZsEySi47LgePUNHdrvfVX8ARR9ZmqxLJP1IMsPBPgjMgbI_ZrcQNcgT8b8ZWwRu34E6xB8F_ykovpkyQMhvHSzKYPDts8ueUqYpsGwpJYhjMJin/s3024/869461C6-B5B4-47E4-A836-5C8441497E02.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXVm5JSYDs6mdpGuM30bKHWfKkRwtDgNZOJoSq0ZCGRLCkIsorDjg3V2irY1OrY8KtEap43tr6ZsEySi47LgePUNHdrvfVX8ARR9ZmqxLJP1IMsPBPgjMgbI_ZrcQNcgT8b8ZWwRu34E6xB8F_ykovpkyQMhvHSzKYPDts8ueUqYpsGwpJYhjMJin/s320/869461C6-B5B4-47E4-A836-5C8441497E02.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">the route cut across private land</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In hindsight, I may have stopped too often. I am hopeful that sentiment will be proven wrong when I see more fotographic results. I used my fone and a small MINOX 35mm camera. The analog fotos won't be available for a while. Over the last 3o kms, across the rolling, dry and windy prairie, I felt I had some reserves left to take the fight all the way home. In fact, the most heartening part of the day was passing 4 cyclists on those rolling roads. 3 of the people I passed were obviously cooked. They had dead eyes and uttered one syllable responses to my "Howsit going?". I gave one guy an energy bar. Perhaps they had not hydrated enough or not eaten sufficiently. I knew that look--I've had it and it ain't fun. The last guy I passed was faster on the smooth surfaces and bits of tarmac, but my power on gravel was superior in the end. I passed and dropped him like a pair of dirty underpants. That moment in itself was enough to justify the long walk up the 5 km hill. </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvNHFl5b3-Vu4FrGhCNHwwONjntuW7wKc3gmP7zqSN3bA7s85xAncNk-o3VypC8XD12R-jid67vo_UX7ASOEaimzL6q88IDP9EHAUo-lanxzqZvXcjA-4YaBJQQE1EOlcMFH8LIH3YpKYSehNqsOvpBN4UZx53eqGEjpVnvT9Mlc7ak_MwIc9uxHy/s4032/F7C71EBD-488B-4B6D-9CFB-955A79C7E7F0.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvNHFl5b3-Vu4FrGhCNHwwONjntuW7wKc3gmP7zqSN3bA7s85xAncNk-o3VypC8XD12R-jid67vo_UX7ASOEaimzL6q88IDP9EHAUo-lanxzqZvXcjA-4YaBJQQE1EOlcMFH8LIH3YpKYSehNqsOvpBN4UZx53eqGEjpVnvT9Mlc7ak_MwIc9uxHy/s320/F7C71EBD-488B-4B6D-9CFB-955A79C7E7F0.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">this cloud did not hang around for long</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I was surprised to arrive in 7 hours and 52 minutes (3.5 hours after the winner). My Garmin device read only 6 hours. I thought I had performed kind of fantastic speed until I realized that the Garmin records motion only when actually cycling. Walking speeds are not recorded. I received a hero's welcome from Catherine and George. I was a bit cross eyed, hungry and had endured some cramping in the last 10 kms. I am proud I finished all 128 gravel kms of The Range, enjoying some of the most beautiful scenery in Alberta along the way. </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2fLTZxW2k6MUvrj739qX0LDg146JHC7NKKtQL1LT2bCia41FQe5D2FSr8RReg80mfxtQE9yo_eLiKXL5MaaDL8JzcqOd_HuW5RwYWPyfxdmexNSvjZkzk0cE_TBSKNkguGpEP1QJoB0uVgMb82rxCEsQFxNPq2x-Zzqp69mE0pGs-ZmIy0bIzPVC/s2016/D0362C1E-BE6F-4817-B594-29C5D6B33235.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2fLTZxW2k6MUvrj739qX0LDg146JHC7NKKtQL1LT2bCia41FQe5D2FSr8RReg80mfxtQE9yo_eLiKXL5MaaDL8JzcqOd_HuW5RwYWPyfxdmexNSvjZkzk0cE_TBSKNkguGpEP1QJoB0uVgMb82rxCEsQFxNPq2x-Zzqp69mE0pGs-ZmIy0bIzPVC/w229-h305/D0362C1E-BE6F-4817-B594-29C5D6B33235.jpeg" width="229" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">done and completely dusted</span></div></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDTET8AMPU3R4JHWrCW2zZ8w5l7z3kbztff6niAJWwC-ZgHcz_w1G6GiDgF1u3kUk6eTSbD3fnki43XqGpRd_V_HMmoMxGOJONMI44VIvhxfbyHu55pH08wN19hOsnKXSVZAC32wO0VPeeuunD86CCVkB1pmInuEannJtgn7f7jeJN9eJzV6PZ9yr/s3431/9376EAF9-2D54-4D5B-B287-83E7AFD5DBBE_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2768" data-original-width="3431" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDTET8AMPU3R4JHWrCW2zZ8w5l7z3kbztff6niAJWwC-ZgHcz_w1G6GiDgF1u3kUk6eTSbD3fnki43XqGpRd_V_HMmoMxGOJONMI44VIvhxfbyHu55pH08wN19hOsnKXSVZAC32wO0VPeeuunD86CCVkB1pmInuEannJtgn7f7jeJN9eJzV6PZ9yr/s320/9376EAF9-2D54-4D5B-B287-83E7AFD5DBBE_1_201_a.heic" width="320" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">the overall winning cyclist walks her team's mascot on Sunday morning</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div>bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-83983460987110735092022-06-25T09:02:00.003-06:002022-06-25T09:14:02.916-06:00the Coal Loop Day 3 - Sprint to Hinton<p>The Wild Horse campsite, south of Cadomin, was a lovely place until big coal came in and reimagined the valley. The campsite is a nice place if you face west towards Jasper. Performing the sun salutation is still possible while gazing at piles of displaced rock and reworked landscape. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNTFFnc_3RAu6u4ZPmQ6G_pVanQA2-WXD48JpZuuD4Ff9rviz8Jf2NwNErZMq1qOg8-fU0hw3GrJUDGTDjp4gFseJE22YcnV2O2g_53PQyuMQEAIJfU0JUi9CnXkPrOhkvElOkCsq2uhRk7NtUCT-dNW2IbCzSHLhIEx5CDmOdJhIaGlD82kJXyhc/s3024/IMG_4363.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNTFFnc_3RAu6u4ZPmQ6G_pVanQA2-WXD48JpZuuD4Ff9rviz8Jf2NwNErZMq1qOg8-fU0hw3GrJUDGTDjp4gFseJE22YcnV2O2g_53PQyuMQEAIJfU0JUi9CnXkPrOhkvElOkCsq2uhRk7NtUCT-dNW2IbCzSHLhIEx5CDmOdJhIaGlD82kJXyhc/s320/IMG_4363.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The morning's temp was a brisk -3C</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeeVtVZ_1OhD7gRaaQfMWQyYfjvp-LU690n7x0qtI0Pn1ZJqHSAhN99C7CUcQenYZ-SPN2L6AZ3IafRbbgu36eQh9AhuGzYBc_oU_3f2w1D_UTmke8eMNaO2q_3kIlePIWJT4mY3QylwX72JZWI7jWrY5U7Gq1ameYJSvmwo_NDhYMNMGPwML0lTX/s3024/IMG_4357.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeeVtVZ_1OhD7gRaaQfMWQyYfjvp-LU690n7x0qtI0Pn1ZJqHSAhN99C7CUcQenYZ-SPN2L6AZ3IafRbbgu36eQh9AhuGzYBc_oU_3f2w1D_UTmke8eMNaO2q_3kIlePIWJT4mY3QylwX72JZWI7jWrY5U7Gq1ameYJSvmwo_NDhYMNMGPwML0lTX/s320/IMG_4357.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So yeah. It was cold</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My decision to drive the Gary wagon back to Hinton allowed Gary to rip up the road. Both Mark and Gary were unencumbered by camping loads making their bikes delightfully light. The last leg to Hinton from Cadomin is 60 kms with about 47 on pavement. I had lots of time to document the area. Unfortunately, the 35mm film I brought split in the cold while loading and I was left with ifone photography. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ovHkX9pGZkEPimzNOeG0Jr0X3B9cq-UpRVhCULu6aPrC8mIHT6L3aboFOk7gZ1j_IMNq54dc1sr7N8hcy7qr0-6tZHSPX-mgOy6FOWMiM3CYfwEQAwEWzbA7ZxFwx4jXnjHRYLe9-vaH3x7J0DmH-Uaiz5JS-4QT-2NsVZ3vC3FiBL1IlhrvNw9m/s3024/IMG_4369.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ovHkX9pGZkEPimzNOeG0Jr0X3B9cq-UpRVhCULu6aPrC8mIHT6L3aboFOk7gZ1j_IMNq54dc1sr7N8hcy7qr0-6tZHSPX-mgOy6FOWMiM3CYfwEQAwEWzbA7ZxFwx4jXnjHRYLe9-vaH3x7J0DmH-Uaiz5JS-4QT-2NsVZ3vC3FiBL1IlhrvNw9m/s320/IMG_4369.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Parallel roads for heavy truck transport (left) and recreation (right)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABvu388aJwqpLH0fWwgGFsH9q00SzlOlyyQOhnPyinF1pDwTtFnUJ-QsiBOVhHrtoi_4uofQYE0iGiJQ6seOXghoEvh21IvI6ZzRORN88ac6kazn6P6tKLoPfuwxyvUc0mjd8T6HcRfS1Oz8r2TLgDrDm0MxCYckVz1BTQ4ys-y6GCsJ-YNp45-nr/s3024/IMG_4362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABvu388aJwqpLH0fWwgGFsH9q00SzlOlyyQOhnPyinF1pDwTtFnUJ-QsiBOVhHrtoi_4uofQYE0iGiJQ6seOXghoEvh21IvI6ZzRORN88ac6kazn6P6tKLoPfuwxyvUc0mjd8T6HcRfS1Oz8r2TLgDrDm0MxCYckVz1BTQ4ys-y6GCsJ-YNp45-nr/s320/IMG_4362.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROP_YZYhzGGiwJ4t6ZfsScB_equjyRI-0fKsfJSuJu0bhd7Kakax8AED-lXYe0gYB6sEz3NMeqDYjaUzvM77sbcGmbYX5s-QCMaU25juk27lZe_l0AM459v17mfOPOR0GpIJ8TDPsDi04aIRtulynXWDo3Msgw2h9L7WzqGJQfGQFUg8iukxClqWu/s3024/IMG_4376.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROP_YZYhzGGiwJ4t6ZfsScB_equjyRI-0fKsfJSuJu0bhd7Kakax8AED-lXYe0gYB6sEz3NMeqDYjaUzvM77sbcGmbYX5s-QCMaU25juk27lZe_l0AM459v17mfOPOR0GpIJ8TDPsDi04aIRtulynXWDo3Msgw2h9L7WzqGJQfGQFUg8iukxClqWu/s320/IMG_4376.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">looking south from the edge of Cadomin hamlet </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Mark and Gary hit the gas on the exit from Cadomin. The Sunday traffic was minimal as churchgoers must have taken a different route to worship. We passed Luscar, a mine celebrating its 100th birthday. </span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXl01p39ATEbfB28yRhbb5D7rJzF6EXE15tqUtvHZ07DYDzs5kXMp4XtkG4tm1IVCZGnYlqn3ji2erB5imWbjJYGeSovpvW2tgCHNjf1zlbSdfuswhyyDQVC8rh7IDyKVqz5ZX_00Wqy6kHy7P7jQaf93zteYVTPDcKv3abrhj27wkpfWo6BKsDgjj/s4032/IMG_4392.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXl01p39ATEbfB28yRhbb5D7rJzF6EXE15tqUtvHZ07DYDzs5kXMp4XtkG4tm1IVCZGnYlqn3ji2erB5imWbjJYGeSovpvW2tgCHNjf1zlbSdfuswhyyDQVC8rh7IDyKVqz5ZX_00Wqy6kHy7P7jQaf93zteYVTPDcKv3abrhj27wkpfWo6BKsDgjj/s320/IMG_4392.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Luscar, AB in all its industrial splendour</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELei5rA6pUvN03xLXFL5qjVTTFBERBrw-07ADcXjwp2e9qC3DHFo99Q2WhubbasPYhwvL_3jfyHNklJ7983nNYfhKxO8LQvdyauIEG4NfHDmiAFpFF6C3vL4kbhNAhcxuHtfnWaTKGlLrdO0YhIxj6-sCrUICaSkAHfRsV-Xt2EWGzGkfjcN3tfsY/s2888/IMG_4394.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2888" data-original-width="2888" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELei5rA6pUvN03xLXFL5qjVTTFBERBrw-07ADcXjwp2e9qC3DHFo99Q2WhubbasPYhwvL_3jfyHNklJ7983nNYfhKxO8LQvdyauIEG4NfHDmiAFpFF6C3vL4kbhNAhcxuHtfnWaTKGlLrdO0YhIxj6-sCrUICaSkAHfRsV-Xt2EWGzGkfjcN3tfsY/s320/IMG_4394.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">the sky was angry that day but did not open </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRJbiwu6QSyLnI6PBEWo77tVjhI3CLfa-nuSmxntrvPANzezahgVN43uD0e0MQmCWHK9Pfs54aXbiQ9IO4W7t3UfmHjus_tIb32HHJHOvIZ4CkEX4d5c250Q8FqDKmFDuTQoSEGVXa22ra4nSZaHk331vY49Dp7US9hUnq255VG9GFIIwVxX2EcVa/s3024/IMG_4390.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRJbiwu6QSyLnI6PBEWo77tVjhI3CLfa-nuSmxntrvPANzezahgVN43uD0e0MQmCWHK9Pfs54aXbiQ9IO4W7t3UfmHjus_tIb32HHJHOvIZ4CkEX4d5c250Q8FqDKmFDuTQoSEGVXa22ra4nSZaHk331vY49Dp7US9hUnq255VG9GFIIwVxX2EcVa/s320/IMG_4390.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>One positive of the tremendous landscaping efforts after coal extraction is that many ungulates find grass to eat on the lovely new hills and in the delicate dales. There was little time for sight seeing however. The cyclists were highly motivated by the cold temperature and smooth roads. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRglu-6p41zKtm7pUsZoF2IyWgl-Jy5ZRoEyNOwkqrjaujXq3KhRwKuxWykd7AMlJNdpEYQgxFDAVqIriR9VxbVYxe0tLqUsIRHCAg59bJbTkHFFPUx8InDJcIIp-D-ql2QX1cyWLT5ahjAAKbUXmeVIhRlN8XlPEZZBbMnSs_wz1U8ISVR3BuHZm/s2630/IMG_4407.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2630" data-original-width="2630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRglu-6p41zKtm7pUsZoF2IyWgl-Jy5ZRoEyNOwkqrjaujXq3KhRwKuxWykd7AMlJNdpEYQgxFDAVqIriR9VxbVYxe0tLqUsIRHCAg59bJbTkHFFPUx8InDJcIIp-D-ql2QX1cyWLT5ahjAAKbUXmeVIhRlN8XlPEZZBbMnSs_wz1U8ISVR3BuHZm/s320/IMG_4407.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OXwscHAAw85x-VazGVQ92y8ilXglzVpMpytvGcATchp-hYOEXsKiytHeiFTj-yufTAQbkhi7FYVxMP-0mGb42cGzuBWYiwLa12HJ2276783sQbspsOqsRnDnUdxzx0U2kHcWs8u-Wexq3Ouwj3JoQPkj2xW5QNq3RVtf4_8MZqgpvb7zHI9pafeQ/s3024/IMG_4421.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OXwscHAAw85x-VazGVQ92y8ilXglzVpMpytvGcATchp-hYOEXsKiytHeiFTj-yufTAQbkhi7FYVxMP-0mGb42cGzuBWYiwLa12HJ2276783sQbspsOqsRnDnUdxzx0U2kHcWs8u-Wexq3Ouwj3JoQPkj2xW5QNq3RVtf4_8MZqgpvb7zHI9pafeQ/s320/IMG_4421.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have an ERRY CHRISTMAS!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And so ended the excursion around the Coal Loop. An epic pedal failure was salvaged by adopting a Drive & Bike-a-bit regimen. Gary got some riding between driving to campsites. I got to rest on day 3 and Mark got most of the pedalling he needed to maintain his training program. Important lessons were learned and noted:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Marshmallows are always popular with the kids but bring more than 4</li><li>Higher elevation snow conditions are variable at the end of May </li><li>Wild horses shit on communal piles</li><li>Kinder Kopjes are exhausting after 5 hours</li><li>Bring a warmer coat</li><li>GF coconut cookies are great travellers</li></ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeIdWCwbz-08ortIdn8ZNeg9U75yHFLQhYupc3DxYxIYuufhU2SS4xzPOLvOPgSkOpVQKoc6Cmp0wFAil6DUe6eX3YD6KcXCNqYoz399wVsx6fyk_MqtE1QdvKwn5IuWKgtwMgEUb6jEDpK7NQSWmQ5EuLZ9WLwdaecbL2AWMAldYtb_zjACSYx-P/s3024/IMG_4430.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeIdWCwbz-08ortIdn8ZNeg9U75yHFLQhYupc3DxYxIYuufhU2SS4xzPOLvOPgSkOpVQKoc6Cmp0wFAil6DUe6eX3YD6KcXCNqYoz399wVsx6fyk_MqtE1QdvKwn5IuWKgtwMgEUb6jEDpK7NQSWmQ5EuLZ9WLwdaecbL2AWMAldYtb_zjACSYx-P/s320/IMG_4430.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">a tempting road not taken</div></div>bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-74429415427020543772022-06-24T09:34:00.005-06:002022-06-25T07:44:53.299-06:00The Coal Loop Day 2 - the Cardinal divide.<p>With the previous evening's marshmallow festivities a distant memory, we started the day in sunshine and lollipops. Rolling out about 1030 hrs, we prepared ourselves for an 80 kms day over the Cardinal Divide.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswCdWH911_VzuHG5W02rcCIrIysnrgNS-1aj25tIQCOsFyU5587HTHeieuuKMZ0ieosuxf43DI9Gdf2jkd3ckDllHBEq0j_9WWbmHa018f3RKRw0Tyyn1pLn-iiNvnyjV3Ana540bSxyfeQFnp7hkiEsfUv6lcgkMEG48prVmsMJanp6Zvoe35RlO/s2413/IMG_4280.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2413" data-original-width="2413" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswCdWH911_VzuHG5W02rcCIrIysnrgNS-1aj25tIQCOsFyU5587HTHeieuuKMZ0ieosuxf43DI9Gdf2jkd3ckDllHBEq0j_9WWbmHa018f3RKRw0Tyyn1pLn-iiNvnyjV3Ana540bSxyfeQFnp7hkiEsfUv6lcgkMEG48prVmsMJanp6Zvoe35RlO/s320/IMG_4280.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJMGP16GM6sfJzyOTRa5Osa2p448zm96ClyG0mgUHLx-PL-jnZj3rTgvr4RDhVK6rFJajoib5FSDCbGv15p-DF5PDvxXJ2YE3rJmZ9hdnQqS_XHcmPvutYI63tHKMFB6hBjF-TmveOq_fyvbvG4t-RykZYlGuHKxVNY9AhKkOeuM-uRr8FepoO_Gi/s2035/IMG_4283.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2035" data-original-width="1337" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJMGP16GM6sfJzyOTRa5Osa2p448zm96ClyG0mgUHLx-PL-jnZj3rTgvr4RDhVK6rFJajoib5FSDCbGv15p-DF5PDvxXJ2YE3rJmZ9hdnQqS_XHcmPvutYI63tHKMFB6hBjF-TmveOq_fyvbvG4t-RykZYlGuHKxVNY9AhKkOeuM-uRr8FepoO_Gi/s320/IMG_4283.JPG" width="210" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mark and Gary at the start of the road to Smallboy Camp, an Alexis First Nation community who claim the Cardinal River valley as a natural area</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LmlQCAjhOWAjHlFv5DctwXN27iMhEdynmw-AJimdDOYD-YKl74gnWuCaVreA6jPZcui2uVsGJSlACxfS4-8g6XKs-uifsNijad3mVT9YtOOfPYvkGBMo3SD1VkgiAjKE1QuYMT1AwjiRj9D_kUmcCmY2kHEnN9Le3vGEXY6R2nRuJHksVZuc-qnw/s3024/IMG_4285.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LmlQCAjhOWAjHlFv5DctwXN27iMhEdynmw-AJimdDOYD-YKl74gnWuCaVreA6jPZcui2uVsGJSlACxfS4-8g6XKs-uifsNijad3mVT9YtOOfPYvkGBMo3SD1VkgiAjKE1QuYMT1AwjiRj9D_kUmcCmY2kHEnN9Le3vGEXY6R2nRuJHksVZuc-qnw/s320/IMG_4285.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycVjWiwhzdlF6FleFNHiqHXMLoo-i0XGelkkL7LaMSxomE1nZ68K_8Zo8-EMmeimX4uskn90RMyrVOpG6-U9cYRQLCcKK9KrdcqZCTkM1ox8vVhZAxx-_FqYeffoQCNjey_zl1dvI1Q5BbfZAevOLi6uRjNB9USfJOQFi54vfMNtiKVv-AM86_YGa/s3024/IMG_4287.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycVjWiwhzdlF6FleFNHiqHXMLoo-i0XGelkkL7LaMSxomE1nZ68K_8Zo8-EMmeimX4uskn90RMyrVOpG6-U9cYRQLCcKK9KrdcqZCTkM1ox8vVhZAxx-_FqYeffoQCNjey_zl1dvI1Q5BbfZAevOLi6uRjNB9USfJOQFi54vfMNtiKVv-AM86_YGa/s320/IMG_4287.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kinder kopjes (Dutch for baby head referring to the rock distribution)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Gary turned around after 25 kms to head back to his vehicle for the drive to the next campsite. He would eventually ride to from there to head us off at the pass. Mark and I continued over rolling foothills with the snow pack on the distant mountains always ahead of us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AMoP5QP73CxEvUonXK-dF1nq5ROM11vtos3oJbjuLLK12hcTzWmR0UGc_QcfylwOJcfCs7850fwx9zR51tiYKREp091tghUWUGY_ABBbuiPuTgUrVDvExGQbhXySKSlU-A9WEAE8UtaD1KKu_AznUwnEWoFOb4hItdK7qL7LtvfZXlq772-eMOsL/s3024/IMG_4286.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AMoP5QP73CxEvUonXK-dF1nq5ROM11vtos3oJbjuLLK12hcTzWmR0UGc_QcfylwOJcfCs7850fwx9zR51tiYKREp091tghUWUGY_ABBbuiPuTgUrVDvExGQbhXySKSlU-A9WEAE8UtaD1KKu_AznUwnEWoFOb4hItdK7qL7LtvfZXlq772-eMOsL/s320/IMG_4286.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3CIsbBG1AkeLnpmG5pinMoOZwFAm0SBXqKRLr32fmKXD9k7ieqq-bbjn_b9PMvRxfD5jRst4fpP8Ec-3jf-FgGb-4Uh-g53wn8q7EZQOtoKkZU3upLbexb1fhj83jtGiabiMQEBxUkuzvC_vm9rY5M7TU0d2dCeHE5gUm2YpwSD7TqdnQWkqpJ3Z/s3024/IMG_4299%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3CIsbBG1AkeLnpmG5pinMoOZwFAm0SBXqKRLr32fmKXD9k7ieqq-bbjn_b9PMvRxfD5jRst4fpP8Ec-3jf-FgGb-4Uh-g53wn8q7EZQOtoKkZU3upLbexb1fhj83jtGiabiMQEBxUkuzvC_vm9rY5M7TU0d2dCeHE5gUm2YpwSD7TqdnQWkqpJ3Z/s320/IMG_4299%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Accident scene reenactment / post lunch nap time on a pleasant grassy area.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">We picked our way along the ever deteriorating road headed NW, as it slowly becoming a horse and ATV trail. It was hard work. The surface was made up of rocks of various sizes that proved to be quite jarring to the hands and shoulders. We started to see hoof marks along the edges of the road; the first indications of the wild horse population we had heard of. The ride was smoother when following the horses' route. Of course they are smarter than us and would find the easiest way to travel. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggztnT8gfLzUpkQPTrKjjXsVtTb01cosqghbH1ZWO8VPRRkQtaPjo5cukgipYJJ737CW3IjnrsP7kvB1jFsmMGNl7SbVXtHef_T2tDW2OSgZ81c0j9PJOrppA5tzO3iFtwKjN2O1E2qZHa5KqYAldbhUDP7QGlHrQkR6bGpsNmqaJHICvVrJRVt5p/s1001/IMG_4310.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1001" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggztnT8gfLzUpkQPTrKjjXsVtTb01cosqghbH1ZWO8VPRRkQtaPjo5cukgipYJJ737CW3IjnrsP7kvB1jFsmMGNl7SbVXtHef_T2tDW2OSgZ81c0j9PJOrppA5tzO3iFtwKjN2O1E2qZHa5KqYAldbhUDP7QGlHrQkR6bGpsNmqaJHICvVrJRVt5p/s320/IMG_4310.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mustang with his family unit</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mark and I were in awe of the many large piles of horse shit on the road. We could not make sense of their size. The largest was 3 feet in diameter and 1.5 feet high. Much heated discussion resulted in a couple of theories. These feral horses could be eating an incredibly effective laxative OR they are 3 to 4 times larger than a normal horse. Initial contact with the family unit provoked the mustang to muster a short charge towards us. I stopped to allow the horses to clear the road. Before he moved off the mustang voided himself on an existing pile. Suddenly the pile size conundrum was resolved. The horses mark their territory by crapping on any handy pile of shit. This fact has been confirmed by Jeremy, Cosmonaut at the Forest Heights Cosmodrome whose experience with horses, both wild and tame, is legendary. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The slow and steady climb to the pass over Cardinal Divide ended when we met snow and the 3 km 12% incline. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22h7Uc5aa5IJse52jKUPLiHxGF6AImj929jnAz6ZuGdUBYNUbf7XtiGukUA4GJTASPdIW7RoF8RlCJuicDfwV7tAgoZilLOCHwx6iwqz50PQT2Awck9FSZrgTq1xZWW2UYerYrHrXpZPhnbx5-WYw-CFW6g2Ndo-U4oJYE46lPgOlovepoac5jeJd/s3024/IMG_4318.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22h7Uc5aa5IJse52jKUPLiHxGF6AImj929jnAz6ZuGdUBYNUbf7XtiGukUA4GJTASPdIW7RoF8RlCJuicDfwV7tAgoZilLOCHwx6iwqz50PQT2Awck9FSZrgTq1xZWW2UYerYrHrXpZPhnbx5-WYw-CFW6g2Ndo-U4oJYE46lPgOlovepoac5jeJd/s320/IMG_4318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvueiZsbv5M7AIz5kT0iDD9T57WdJE7d1nIJIoAtiIDvLhZJ93Nd0WjSg4o87J-SYsQNlvWglWrtDPNt3whl4e6lPX3dngAlNveZMQsHzHgGEfeE_paYFERAs5wE7gjs9kVVBAhQwbRP1lThnr3OiupX7OaKD_ZlpkVr2CLizQ57F65xXj1ScNDrC/s1197/Resized_20220528_171525.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1197" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvueiZsbv5M7AIz5kT0iDD9T57WdJE7d1nIJIoAtiIDvLhZJ93Nd0WjSg4o87J-SYsQNlvWglWrtDPNt3whl4e6lPX3dngAlNveZMQsHzHgGEfeE_paYFERAs5wE7gjs9kVVBAhQwbRP1lThnr3OiupX7OaKD_ZlpkVr2CLizQ57F65xXj1ScNDrC/s320/Resized_20220528_171525.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were lucky to follow an ATV track which had broken the trail before us</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The snow became deeper as we neared the top. I expected some snow but not the waist deep drifts we encountered. The view at the top was glorious. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCPYyECuWveg5VPM5LYvhMcaNss_q4_PbRsYED89y4Et1IzLkNwBuDwAFJuz_4rxy2oJvrLFjzus9znT0Wlzi9sXaFsdKzwPdxnfIB6gb3u5g7i02fiEmySNnBYnPEiLsBcshnyZiu4H0ckUuwhrvS550E0uD486U1ywbmBNW28fLtu74QUe4Hoaxt/s4032/IMG_4326.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCPYyECuWveg5VPM5LYvhMcaNss_q4_PbRsYED89y4Et1IzLkNwBuDwAFJuz_4rxy2oJvrLFjzus9znT0Wlzi9sXaFsdKzwPdxnfIB6gb3u5g7i02fiEmySNnBYnPEiLsBcshnyZiu4H0ckUuwhrvS550E0uD486U1ywbmBNW28fLtu74QUe4Hoaxt/s320/IMG_4326.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">plenty of snow at higher elevations</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMZNyetHrdeHpEvXXzuYREgq4KG61jorjAgO0Jj6PFDV7RntWMchBnwWNOXcZz2yLe_Cb1mUOUW-iy20XgLKeOQceZ0hHKZfm5tGrcbanYwV0uh2UBl2ZT1rcJgkFkAvqk-ZCF7OeCJB__mPNdv4gRF_g2CYrPs9PiZhM7Tqeq0-T-G-JiCXr00dF/s1190/IMG_4349.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1190" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMZNyetHrdeHpEvXXzuYREgq4KG61jorjAgO0Jj6PFDV7RntWMchBnwWNOXcZz2yLe_Cb1mUOUW-iy20XgLKeOQceZ0hHKZfm5tGrcbanYwV0uh2UBl2ZT1rcJgkFkAvqk-ZCF7OeCJB__mPNdv4gRF_g2CYrPs9PiZhM7Tqeq0-T-G-JiCXr00dF/s320/IMG_4349.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bob breaks trail</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXayZjjEUKdxdYY-qULp7l9BMvgzyrwVkuzMLEoaACXjpw87VNHgDKf5rfuXrb3VX_F6uDBM23PDGWZnnxlJQ7JbL93R-h3dwk2vBhz8WOODM2QglhN2iNEYS83OIqNfJ5we-wOxPf--iOJOPRJcvpkvbrfCzbKaB45w3ETZpNrBZPf5g2fSz27P1_/s3024/IMG_4329.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXayZjjEUKdxdYY-qULp7l9BMvgzyrwVkuzMLEoaACXjpw87VNHgDKf5rfuXrb3VX_F6uDBM23PDGWZnnxlJQ7JbL93R-h3dwk2vBhz8WOODM2QglhN2iNEYS83OIqNfJ5we-wOxPf--iOJOPRJcvpkvbrfCzbKaB45w3ETZpNrBZPf5g2fSz27P1_/s320/IMG_4329.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">front range with dramatical sky</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzP5uNX3jDVsa_2gNxI9eRbh0_7fZfxSuabimjt2QgKEAWsp6VRXMWaoqt6v27tDe9c516EnChmvelyuMpEwq6uRuuoSdg-PJtE8mcSpCu-I5YjO9kNDGUbG_dPBRGqiiHHCqZvEo0F9lnqpBxNiysrR2YV-wSRBBbqjhgdTJZ2qFfwfzGj8IO_yAF/s1753/IMG_4321.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1694" data-original-width="1753" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzP5uNX3jDVsa_2gNxI9eRbh0_7fZfxSuabimjt2QgKEAWsp6VRXMWaoqt6v27tDe9c516EnChmvelyuMpEwq6uRuuoSdg-PJtE8mcSpCu-I5YjO9kNDGUbG_dPBRGqiiHHCqZvEo0F9lnqpBxNiysrR2YV-wSRBBbqjhgdTJZ2qFfwfzGj8IO_yAF/s320/IMG_4321.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mark picks his way across the top of the pass</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Snow continued to obstruct the road heading down from the pass and we continued to hike-a-bike for 0.5 kms. We met Gary as he climbed up to meet us. He had ridden 14 kms from our camp at Wildhorse Creek. The industrialization of the Cadomin valley was evident almost immediately after crossing the divide. Coal mining had completely changed the once treed valley. Large sweeping smooth hills of displaced rock lined both sides of the road. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6DF6SjQ6txaBEVTJff8z66ngDEesEtvdWZOfzYlcpEidiwQdACcHLX0W7B4srePSzXOqHK4nNLEInkNVwUxpIUubSc5WBPsnJu4msHseDCKnYl0YMpHNAMlzlLKtgoO077j5pk2V19EbIRScMSM46MhmiTdf3YZbgzkb2INRKGzNeb3XffhpS8rm/s3024/IMG_4339.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6DF6SjQ6txaBEVTJff8z66ngDEesEtvdWZOfzYlcpEidiwQdACcHLX0W7B4srePSzXOqHK4nNLEInkNVwUxpIUubSc5WBPsnJu4msHseDCKnYl0YMpHNAMlzlLKtgoO077j5pk2V19EbIRScMSM46MhmiTdf3YZbgzkb2INRKGzNeb3XffhpS8rm/s320/IMG_4339.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">tunnel under the mining activity</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hP61QkFakoJ1v-0wIKHoX_xnzekqqYWrTeSTYl0SiLUWYy9AH25OI9UOJxbpcmJFK-mIKUoeQRZEh0xHnvWI2VV_Jp8VndLfrAm3oUL1h4m7_r4jfi09NHdCkZ04vfGU3da9oPBIjevARaGJinaWu3cpiOD3tN24vuXFDcSpG-YI57x1wcKPGSil/s3024/IMG_4342.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hP61QkFakoJ1v-0wIKHoX_xnzekqqYWrTeSTYl0SiLUWYy9AH25OI9UOJxbpcmJFK-mIKUoeQRZEh0xHnvWI2VV_Jp8VndLfrAm3oUL1h4m7_r4jfi09NHdCkZ04vfGU3da9oPBIjevARaGJinaWu3cpiOD3tN24vuXFDcSpG-YI57x1wcKPGSil/s320/IMG_4342.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">close to camp with wet feet and the warmth of success</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32yPS7ecRJ8mB82xBv2cX0xmABRUSb7YuB7pjCwiyv9l7qT8qPs7Nd7yc60RUlgB2_RfbAZxUXsBfpNuOYlanTC-BqpvhLIQFU_dbKepvbygG1FxvOxcMMU_r3yW6YI44d42AY1BYvqvDdEzlKqJ1VegjNCWWOJlG9iJ4Ftb_MsCIBx4ftzZR4f_H/s2877/IMG_4343.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2877" data-original-width="1768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32yPS7ecRJ8mB82xBv2cX0xmABRUSb7YuB7pjCwiyv9l7qT8qPs7Nd7yc60RUlgB2_RfbAZxUXsBfpNuOYlanTC-BqpvhLIQFU_dbKepvbygG1FxvOxcMMU_r3yW6YI44d42AY1BYvqvDdEzlKqJ1VegjNCWWOJlG9iJ4Ftb_MsCIBx4ftzZR4f_H/s320/IMG_4343.JPEG" width="197" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">fireside Mark</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With an arduous day 2 behind us, I made the decision to drive the vehicle back to Hinton. Gary and Mark would ride the last 60 kms mostly paved section sans baggage. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-803887509844893692022-06-15T11:31:00.004-06:002022-06-25T09:04:25.270-06:00The Coal Loop Day 1 - the Great Trunk Road<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1l1wQp-bw2ZYsY2pIl400ADHgtq7F0ip3xfvWs3ot7nu5heHO-L6w1yPJ0qM23gKLj3eit4hOn8h2d3GLS-_8ptF7dsBwwCD7EEop9pNNz-BAXTzOabgr8tK52LmMyGqJ1oaBFdJoTKAM167XCuMm7umPOlIC4gqvRyhgmiXzUqPVz22BcGy--JY/s1850/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-15%20at%2011.28.34%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="1850" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1l1wQp-bw2ZYsY2pIl400ADHgtq7F0ip3xfvWs3ot7nu5heHO-L6w1yPJ0qM23gKLj3eit4hOn8h2d3GLS-_8ptF7dsBwwCD7EEop9pNNz-BAXTzOabgr8tK52LmMyGqJ1oaBFdJoTKAM167XCuMm7umPOlIC4gqvRyhgmiXzUqPVz22BcGy--JY/w451-h291/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-15%20at%2011.28.34%20AM.png" width="451" /></a></div><p></p><p>At the end of May 2022, one very fit man, one fit pensioner and one semi-fit pensioner set off to ride the Coal Loop from Hinton to Hinton via the Cardinal Divide, a total of 248 kms over 3 days.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnXZCfVeP140ndXW_DjKaA6APQOIbA8Tu-OKnzirmhtPc6aMWltbq2mlqiTvXkUB04acH1gKuyiGooc01Jrv9CWi1fSoBMnh_qrtPsGrej7r1lasScHTuBcdBH-LgluRGiRfXB2W4M65isjyk5EyErhaJ5tuwRt2JaCQ3xQguM-aoX7BKVaqY2S48/s1669/HCH%205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="1669" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnXZCfVeP140ndXW_DjKaA6APQOIbA8Tu-OKnzirmhtPc6aMWltbq2mlqiTvXkUB04acH1gKuyiGooc01Jrv9CWi1fSoBMnh_qrtPsGrej7r1lasScHTuBcdBH-LgluRGiRfXB2W4M65isjyk5EyErhaJ5tuwRt2JaCQ3xQguM-aoX7BKVaqY2S48/w458-h305/HCH%205.jpg" width="458" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the road to Smallboy Camp<br /><br /><span style="text-align: left;">The load out for Hinton was bathed in Edmonton sunlight. The unload in Hinton was a dismal affair but the sun broke through on rollout. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQH3eFF3CnKxV2n8ov0ZGPPtA95kgQLIEQi49D8N22B4lAeg4bokMOyTQWMsQOxIAz72lJK9GQaLXEO0JLQpY5dpNxUtrmr7PGLvhv_bS5E_WpbTMv4VToSs1Io8ckuJH0cD-GmM-tswa3dj4x-63-IrAuLXkca0rvplRRMaAdG5cA8ikAe7K6c1NX/s1632/HCH%209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="1632" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQH3eFF3CnKxV2n8ov0ZGPPtA95kgQLIEQi49D8N22B4lAeg4bokMOyTQWMsQOxIAz72lJK9GQaLXEO0JLQpY5dpNxUtrmr7PGLvhv_bS5E_WpbTMv4VToSs1Io8ckuJH0cD-GmM-tswa3dj4x-63-IrAuLXkca0rvplRRMaAdG5cA8ikAe7K6c1NX/s320/HCH%209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">load out</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XXG_5ZwAu5KOvmr7zUXBcrkaQoP4d5uwsjGJDNh8wdquciHcYGBc7jcVrQbxsCydadWALwJmOxk-g9juz4yrR_J_8Wh4hb9TtpjWQcnJs-i4YHE9mGx2UAriT2K981pv1vh0FLBCiTHCiI8DqmoXQE_qRYKsI-mjrhAJaQ8SlN3AP4bn3bC6yHXg/s1622/HCH%2010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1622" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XXG_5ZwAu5KOvmr7zUXBcrkaQoP4d5uwsjGJDNh8wdquciHcYGBc7jcVrQbxsCydadWALwJmOxk-g9juz4yrR_J_8Wh4hb9TtpjWQcnJs-i4YHE9mGx2UAriT2K981pv1vh0FLBCiTHCiI8DqmoXQE_qRYKsI-mjrhAJaQ8SlN3AP4bn3bC6yHXg/s320/HCH%2010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">rain soaked bike prep in Hinton</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ple7n2n_Uson_weQjJe2eRdj3cyMOwCoGtuc7lHawnXTM7Dqvr5qPr8Ay5PYWFMl6NWjCcVfNhrRdgKZYsmGYCOmCPqaGPZPCReOqltArKEGOakcAFJHzjdjbYsuCm9xBA0xaBdVB6FjZukIkQYEwyL2i3n2-S5w3JuiwqNtyw2j4CrmY_6l4mqk/s1462/HCH%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1462" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ple7n2n_Uson_weQjJe2eRdj3cyMOwCoGtuc7lHawnXTM7Dqvr5qPr8Ay5PYWFMl6NWjCcVfNhrRdgKZYsmGYCOmCPqaGPZPCReOqltArKEGOakcAFJHzjdjbYsuCm9xBA0xaBdVB6FjZukIkQYEwyL2i3n2-S5w3JuiwqNtyw2j4CrmY_6l4mqk/s320/HCH%207.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the only bear I saw was a big one</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Departing Hinton at noon in broken sunshine, we quickly climbed out of town on Township Road 505A. Riding on a packed OTSO was a new experience. Handling was noticeably slower but beginning a descent allows gravity to bring joy. Uphill of course is a tedious endeavour. The early rolling gravel was a good warmup for the scheduled 100 km day. Unfortunately, Gary suffered a day ending calamity after a complete pedal fail at 25 kms. He got a ride back to Hinton with a backhoe operator to buy new pedals. Mark and I continued, knowing that Gary would drive his vehicle to the campsite and ride back up the route to meet us. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijlFPDbypLA0lFcE0J0McO9jg4UWjxY7vXnFkP0BLbc3EjoREzfeigApQwazoEtZBujvE7x7A_9Ya0oZk2JNtnS6NblfIOQJjBU6Hq_1f0aJ7Xpotyp7o4ILECoYBoIx0h90_a0t37fdRAk_I9CYdCNEAf0uv5t7D1SJkY1MAjjHx200wzawg1Y1U/s3024/IMG_4250.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijlFPDbypLA0lFcE0J0McO9jg4UWjxY7vXnFkP0BLbc3EjoREzfeigApQwazoEtZBujvE7x7A_9Ya0oZk2JNtnS6NblfIOQJjBU6Hq_1f0aJ7Xpotyp7o4ILECoYBoIx0h90_a0t37fdRAk_I9CYdCNEAf0uv5t7D1SJkY1MAjjHx200wzawg1Y1U/w320-h320/IMG_4250.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">all vehicles displayed excellent road etiquette</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5k5ay6_2xM0Cm5eFWvjQphH1BkDKlNWOCIXeRRz7eTR7sP3HDelk7poxR9Ep6Bd-4VIlazYQI59so-eYhEsm3x4XJEaiWhxt9tXc3vavfyr-KTHsEH9daxy1X-T_2g-BIQnQsMmY5Tx3q-MZ-kprxenAYlhdRokxmYFyKTAAhyvDO8L0ZT6j0plC8/s3024/IMG_4257.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5k5ay6_2xM0Cm5eFWvjQphH1BkDKlNWOCIXeRRz7eTR7sP3HDelk7poxR9Ep6Bd-4VIlazYQI59so-eYhEsm3x4XJEaiWhxt9tXc3vavfyr-KTHsEH9daxy1X-T_2g-BIQnQsMmY5Tx3q-MZ-kprxenAYlhdRokxmYFyKTAAhyvDO8L0ZT6j0plC8/w200-h200/IMG_4257.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gary loads his bike bound for Hinton</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mark and I made our way further into logging country along some up and down roads. All vehicles we met slowed down for us to reduce their dust trails, something I did not expect in rural Alberta. We crossed the Macleod River which flows into the Athabasca River at Whitecourt. It was evident that the snow had not begun to melt; the rivers and creeks were very low. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5UyvOSvjV8lWSAmsIm1I0PLbHYeMWACN0lmuN7fpwsYweRYYZDLOKYib1rRW3JkuN1LgLFidkg_-bwha7bZjZlpFt7rc6kGMMfvy-lPyKRRAD7sXJppQ7YrIdRyseL_OSePojaA8YHG1K-BPGJ6bPwhMltKniYYU37NCwe0oGSyVzopocx5lKsSy/s3024/IMG_4261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5UyvOSvjV8lWSAmsIm1I0PLbHYeMWACN0lmuN7fpwsYweRYYZDLOKYib1rRW3JkuN1LgLFidkg_-bwha7bZjZlpFt7rc6kGMMfvy-lPyKRRAD7sXJppQ7YrIdRyseL_OSePojaA8YHG1K-BPGJ6bPwhMltKniYYU37NCwe0oGSyVzopocx5lKsSy/s320/IMG_4261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">optimistic signage like this was ubiquitous en route</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygQ8KR5sjDtR_VozH7wn98aB9Ag8N-aBKffvEsyS110WF42mMnM4wfaKzlqGKxJTltqpbtWpDDRxi8D8q1tzHeSMOsV75Crh9bKZHQrb8tNTyoGF0aW1SlcCE41rhyvEv5HwgXHeJT6Iqvdsrz06vAPZIUnbOC1gLEZ_8Bb9BOHTCrT2l8FheRXxA/s3024/IMG_4259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygQ8KR5sjDtR_VozH7wn98aB9Ag8N-aBKffvEsyS110WF42mMnM4wfaKzlqGKxJTltqpbtWpDDRxi8D8q1tzHeSMOsV75Crh9bKZHQrb8tNTyoGF0aW1SlcCE41rhyvEv5HwgXHeJT6Iqvdsrz06vAPZIUnbOC1gLEZ_8Bb9BOHTCrT2l8FheRXxA/s320/IMG_4259.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Mcleod River</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Gary met us about 8 kms from the Pembina Flats campsite and rode with us on new flat pedals. It was good to get off the bike and eat hearty freeze dried bag food. I broke out 4 marshmallows for dessert which made a fine end to the day. Gary shared some firewater -- cinnamon flavoured whisky that was surprisingly tasty. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4_oZnyfYfe6Yiw4R_7jh5f34x2OvBu1rDKXky5ExTw2XrZkeel6hBH2QP4tls47xYUFzOWgH_uEvW0mO8IptmY59d1cVr1swY8qdmO0rwveOlR_DnbxAtpK1ANiWfF51t8yf_cMTq9gmjD_ijmGl3NX632eFBwt5tO6BSUB3grTomxb82jCm46m9/s3024/IMG_4277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4_oZnyfYfe6Yiw4R_7jh5f34x2OvBu1rDKXky5ExTw2XrZkeel6hBH2QP4tls47xYUFzOWgH_uEvW0mO8IptmY59d1cVr1swY8qdmO0rwveOlR_DnbxAtpK1ANiWfF51t8yf_cMTq9gmjD_ijmGl3NX632eFBwt5tO6BSUB3grTomxb82jCm46m9/s320/IMG_4277.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mark wished for more marshmallows. 4 was all I could safely transport without creating MASHmallows.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We slept well and prepared ourselves for Day 2 - the assault on the Cardinal Divide. </div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-69181250201621542402022-04-01T09:13:00.004-06:002022-04-01T09:56:46.204-06:00Announcing an actual WEBSITE<p>Abandoning all pretences of anonymity, Cycling Cosmonaut is proud to announce the opening of a <a href="https://bobvanschaik.ca" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> of photographic work by Bob van Schaik, owner/operator of the Westmount Cosmodrome.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-Dcmn4eGNJ_A3gBoCDrx0X-G6rtfHgI9006QyVFZjkyFPtZGOHxN-JIXZxwNm-lCM3X2W_TKle-XgYTTXplzzlmaqNqwDrxSwkrLCuzXqI-IR3fWIBfXiCjf-8NgkcIXgEVCCGq2HuzKbfPADujtKGqWtJTZKbdlcBZxso_2jQbRiwlLdY6BLWlrH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1582" data-original-width="2162" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-Dcmn4eGNJ_A3gBoCDrx0X-G6rtfHgI9006QyVFZjkyFPtZGOHxN-JIXZxwNm-lCM3X2W_TKle-XgYTTXplzzlmaqNqwDrxSwkrLCuzXqI-IR3fWIBfXiCjf-8NgkcIXgEVCCGq2HuzKbfPADujtKGqWtJTZKbdlcBZxso_2jQbRiwlLdY6BLWlrH=w527-h385" width="527" /></a></div><p></p>bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-87056293545310568622019-07-24T11:08:00.002-06:002019-07-24T11:10:56.141-06:00HL 88's Revolutionary Plywoodium Moto HelmetHL88 Manufactory now offers a moto helmet made of PLYWOODIUM, the 88th element on the periodic table. Known for its radioactive qualities, PLYWOODIUM resembles paper in its raw form. The special molding process means long wavy thick strands of PLYWOODIUM are pressed and shaped in proprietorial methods to the shape of your personal head (PHHT or Personal Head Helmet Technology).<br />
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The great innovation in using PLYWOODIUM for helmet manufacturing is its inherent radioactivity. Up to now, radioactive substances were thought to have adverse health consequences for all life forms. HL88 engineers have long argued against this theory and to show how safe PLYWOODIUM is, the new moto helmet comes with a 100% radioactive guarantee.<br />
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If you are still apprehensive, HL88 is offering a revolutionary face shield with each moto helmet. The face shield will block extraneous radiation from entering your face hole while maintaining the healthy radiation inside your helmet. The "WIN WIN" face shield comes free with each moto helmet ordered while quantities last. bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-16332806388408480062019-05-29T09:21:00.001-06:002022-04-01T09:06:57.549-06:00the EXPLAINER: Science Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P3K0QeMWZ20/XO6jYOr0tPI/AAAAAAAAJac/eYXX69LCTy0GkAuVdQhZKyMDEkXklsw2gCLcBGAs/s1600/Skeleton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="860" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P3K0QeMWZ20/XO6jYOr0tPI/AAAAAAAAJac/eYXX69LCTy0GkAuVdQhZKyMDEkXklsw2gCLcBGAs/s320/Skeleton.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
<br />bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-67124848082553234992019-02-07T08:40:00.002-07:002019-02-07T08:40:15.602-07:00Personal Drone Flight<div style="text-align: center;">
You can do this. Simply contact HL88 Manufactory for details. Send a modest sum and receive personalized instructions to turn yourself into a drone. </div>
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Act now to avoid disappointment. </div>
bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-3285942707833620942018-08-26T10:21:00.000-06:002018-08-26T10:34:34.244-06:00The Newbrook Observatory<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Replica of Sputnik 1 was the first satellite put up into space on October 7, 1957. Launched from the Baikinur COSMODROME, it was in orbit for 3 weeks. It was a 23 inch diameter polished sphere.</td></tr>
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from Wikipedia:<br />
The <b>Newbrook Observatory</b> (a designated historic building) was built in <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newbrook,_Alberta" title="Newbrook, Alberta">Newbrook, Alberta</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada" title="Canada">Canada</a> by the Stellar Physics Division of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_Observatory" title="Dominion Observatory">Dominion Observatory</a> and operated as a space observatory from 1952 until 1957 <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newbrook_Observatory#cite_note-1">[1]</a></sup> The observatory was equipped with a Super-Schmidt Meteor Camera, one of only six built by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PerkinElmer" title="PerkinElmer">Perkin-Elmer Company</a>
used to observe meteors. One of the observatory resident scientists,
Art Griffen, was the first in North America to photograph the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sputnik_1" title="Sputnik 1">Sputnik 1</a> satellite (less than a week after its launch).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tripod mount</td></tr>
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bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-61452367864720256082018-08-12T11:18:00.002-06:002018-08-12T11:18:50.303-06:00May Studio wall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-13659675383276064212018-08-12T11:15:00.002-06:002018-08-12T11:15:29.086-06:001933 lense - 2018 sensibilities<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cop Shoppe, Sherwood Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old versus new, Edmo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calgary infill with Jimmy</td></tr>
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<br />bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-20217419861713743762018-08-12T11:09:00.002-06:002018-08-12T11:09:54.152-06:00South Eastern Alberta - land of scapes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-63143752396560598172018-08-12T11:07:00.001-06:002018-08-12T11:07:24.749-06:00Field & Stream - Elk Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span id="goog_713194473"></span><span id="goog_713194474"></span><br />bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-36798293438722432442018-07-31T10:01:00.000-06:002018-07-31T10:18:20.747-06:00Waterton Trees<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pines in grass</td></tr>
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bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-65660171928150811832018-07-30T05:35:00.000-06:002018-07-30T07:09:54.718-06:00The road along the Eastern Slopes<div dir="auto">
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bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-79098625566885403632018-07-30T05:29:00.001-06:002018-07-30T07:10:39.385-06:00Forest for the trees<div>
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bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-10299575268294057202018-07-13T09:16:00.001-06:002018-07-13T09:27:52.357-06:00Eastern Slopes June 2018<div>
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bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-23157112202182551372018-05-23T11:08:00.001-06:002018-05-23T11:09:41.301-06:00Waterton Stills Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-45252275921972498992018-05-23T08:59:00.001-06:002018-05-23T11:09:56.509-06:00Waterton Stills One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-35615659096578811042018-04-18T13:09:00.001-06:002018-04-18T13:15:22.762-06:00Spring views of the ashes park<div>
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bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-52359471609261412662018-04-18T12:11:00.001-06:002018-04-18T13:02:45.198-06:00Garage 1<div>
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bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-1962681914157482682018-04-18T11:57:00.001-06:002018-04-18T11:59:02.439-06:00Life on the Avenue<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">woman & bull</td></tr>
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bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-17449358942029277052018-03-14T08:53:00.000-06:002018-03-14T08:53:01.204-06:001938 Leica fotos from 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Undercover cars, 2017</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eclipse through paper</td></tr>
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<br />bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7600007561432385115.post-63918070728694355592018-01-12T09:07:00.000-07:002018-01-12T09:07:00.114-07:00Another day in paradise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Minus 30 and lovin' every minute of it -- What was i thinking? <br />
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bowtie bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02840207140074066260noreply@blogger.com0