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| Day 6 - July 3 - Pritchard to Sicamous 103km |
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| I'm up at 4:45am as I hear the call of a rooster on a nearby farm. The cool morning air is a refreshing change from the uncomfortable heat of the past few days. With computer in hand, I stumble to the laundry room where I take a seat at the card table in the corner. I catch up on some email and read the latest news from home with great interest. Breaking the silence is the sound of tent zippers and the friendly chatter of cyclists emerging from their nylon homes. Since tomorrow is a rest day, everyone wants to get an early start because that means an early finish. As fun as it's been, it's just about time for a break. |
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| Jen & I leave camp by 7 with tires pumped, sunscreen on and sandwiches made. We cruise along Highway 1 toward Sicamous with several long, gradual hills. I feel energized today as if my legs run on solar power. I spin effortlessly up the hills and get a rush of excitement with each descent. This goes on for 60km until we stop at the Goldpanner's Coffee Shop for a hearty breakfast. We spark the curiosity of the locals with our lycra-clad selves. After a couple of ham, cheese and egg sandwiches with homefries, we're on the road again in no time. |
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| Just 15km later we reach Salmon Arm - another small town with very friendly people. Our water supply is running low, so we make a Tim Hortons stop for a refill. We also clarify our route maps by asking directions to Highway 97B. |
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| Once there, we decide to stay on Highway 1 because it saves us 10km. By this time of day - 1:00 in the afternoon - it's getting really hot. The highway is a series of gradual ups and downs for 28km which calls for frequent water breaks in the shade. When we're within 3km of the campsite, a Jeep Cherokee passes by in the slow lane. I hear some shouting and cheering, so I look up - only to see somebody mooning me out of the passenger side window. |
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| We pull into the campsite with a tremendous sense of accomplishment. We made it through the first week of the Tour without any major setbacks. Nothing can hinder my confidence at this stage; the day after tomorrow we begin again. |
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