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Hey everyone,
We knew the road from Tofino to Port Alberni was going to be a killer, but we're happy to report that we came away with a solid time for our first day, on a REALLY tough road.
It was an emotional morning for us and our families as we set off. We first went to the docks where A-Channel took some video and did some interviews. They also followed us for the morning, and we'll be on the news at 6:30, so watch if you can! The firefighters escorted us out of town, and people were honking in support the whole way along. It ws great, and thanks to Dave Sprague for following us along through the tough stretches I'll describe.
There was an absolutely BRUTAL 40km stretch once we got past the Tofino-Ucluelet junction. 8-9% grade climb after 8-9% grade climb on a narrow winding road, with rain pouring down on us, huge trucks whiing by, and our optics completely fogged up. The worst was Hydro Hill. It was an unbelievably steep 80m climb that none of us made it up without walking at the end (though we tried hard). The steepest sections were 18%!!! Ridiculous. All the while, the videographer from A-Channel caught it on video...even when I lost my balance after unclipping to walk, and fell straight into a stream running alongside the road from all the rain. Everyone had a good laugh at that (hopefully he doesn't use that footage).
Following that brutal 40km stretch, even the longer climbs we had later seemed like (almost) nothing. We've all been told that stretch is one of the worst we'll see across the country, so it's nice to get through it so well on our first day. Loaded down with our gear and extra water and plenty of food due to the remoteness of the highway, we averaged 20km\hr on the day to log 115km...not too shabby at all.
Because we were wet, we thought about a hotel to dry everything out...but it was way too expensive and they wouldn't give us a deal. What more, this weirdo on drugs came up to us outside the hotel, talking complete gibberish, so we kept on going for another 5km to Sproat Lake Campground, where we've set up camp for the night, 15km short of Port Alberni (it was the closest campground around here). Tomorrow we'll be up early again for a long day to Saltspring Island to stay with Brian's grandparents, about a 140km day for us.
We're on our way!
Keith
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
7 comments:
Fabulous job boys - you did look great on the bikes as we passed by....and you are right, if you made it through that pass, nothing will stop you now.....unless it's the bear we passed on the side of the road!!!
Way to go! I drove that road on Sunday. Great perseverance!
Lache pas!
Michael
Hey Keith and other boys - I'm so impressed! KUTGW.
Kate (not anyone's parent) Marien
Allo from Montréal...
Thought of you on the 13th and new it was raining... but also knew that this would not stop you.
I'll keep reading and be sure to cheer you when you pass by Montreal and perhaps the Metis area if Judy and Michael invite me!
Cheers et continuez... nous sommes fiers de vous...
Diane (Chenevert)
Way to go, guys. We are all so proud of you - wish we could have seen those firefighters escorting you out of Tofino. What a great send-off. We'll keep following your journey - happy trails.
Jaime, Beth, Scott and Kaelyn McMillan, Montreal
Woooo! Go Team Go!
My friend and I were riding into Tofino and saw you being escorted by the fire trucks out and wondered what your cause was - glad to have found your blog! Yeah the Port Alberni-Tofino road is tough, we rode it the opposite direction on a Sunday (less trucks fortunately) but decided to bus it back the other direction where we spotted you again as the bus went by. Best of luck on your quest!
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