Saturday, October 15, 2011

Addy and Grandma

We are now in Kelowna thoroughly enjoying our 9 month old granddaughter who is a real personality and I’m sure a future cyclist. Our cycling is sporadic with the changing temps but still possible with warmer clothes. After 4000 km of cycling Canada the “Sharpe” way and having one heck of a fabulous time doing what we love, we have decided to finish this blog as we slide back into home base for the winter. Our experience has provided us with much knowledge and a different perspective about this amazing country and about ourselves. Thank you for all your encouraging support, great comments and cycling wisdom. We look forward to continuing our cycling adventures in the New Year and hope you will want to follow along with us again or want to put the fun between your own legsJ

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Howwwwdy…we’re in Cowgry enjoying the incredible network of city cycle paths and routes through one of Canada’s most beautiful, fall riverfronts. We donned our warm clothes and cycled 57 km from NW area into the valley and to the heart of the city (MEC) through breezy, 12 degree hues of yellow leaves flurrying about us like snowflakes of winter to come. The golden fall splendor in the Bow River is a magnificent show of nature’s transition into winter. The paved multi-use paths and cycling routes were very well signed and used by 100’s of active minded people benefiting from outdoor activity, out of traffic and  buried in the middle of big city life. A very pleasurable ride. 

Tues Sept 27- Mon Oct 4, 2011

Sorry....no internet %-)
“On the Road Again…” Yup, weather changing and we need to start moving westward for Tom’s class reunion. Drove to Port Huron, Michigan, then to St Ignace next day where we squeaked in a late afternoon ride through charming village along shoreline of turquoise waters of Lake Huron. We happened upon local Tim Huskey’s turtle pond and paraphernalia yard which proved to be extremely interesting and such a chance occurrence as we decided to venture off the rumble stripped shouldered highway. Evenings are happening way too quickly now and the temperatures are much cooler here…must adjust schedule for fall riding. Thursday was another drive day filled with stunning scenery along Northern Michigan’s sand-duned shores into Hiawatha National and Ottawa National forests onto the most vibrant shades of red, rust and golden rolling hills of scenic highway #2. A rather brutally strong wind and rain storm in afternoon prevented us from riding today L…having saddle withdrawal… %-)

Friday the 30^th is another drive day inching across the map of North America, but because it is our 33^rd Anny we stopped early in the outdoor mecca world of northern Minnesota to celebrate with a 50k cycle on a clear, blue sky, cool 12 degree, and sunny day through Chippewa Forest along MiGiZe trail around Pike Lake. What a magnificent ride…the bikes glided through cornflake crisp fall leaves and pine carpeted paved paths amongst the sun beamed giants of the woods. For miles we were riding all alone taking pleasure in the beauty of nature…sooo perfect! We ventured onto the sandy Paul Bunyan State trail but my slicks were skidding out and making riding difficult so we picked up 2ndary highway to beautiful Cass Lake and toured the recreational fishing lodges and cabins along the shore. Superb ride!

Mon Oct 3
29 degrees in Big Sky Havre, North Dakota…unbelievably warm but a great chance to continue riding 40 km in our shorts; we have been driving like mad men last few days so a ride was really needed. A prairie plains area rich in farmlands and contrasting badlands with casino filled Havre in the railroad valley.