St. George’s KVR – Day 4

So cold….

So very, very cold…

Awww, it’s not that bad.  After all, all we gotta do today is pack up, ride down the canyon, and hop on the bus for home.

Well, and clean up some trash.  Looks like one of the local hounds didn’t approve of the boys’ antics.

We still managed to get out of there pretty quick.

They were still slow enough for the guides to take a quick dip in the river, and honestly….it’s not as cold as usual.  Even with the frost last night and the flurries the night before, and it wasn’t as bad as usual.

Some more scenery in the canyon.

At last, Vermilion Forks.

The last two are for all the mothers of these darlings.

See?  They know how to do dishes now…

St. George’s KVR – Day 3

Wow.  It snowed last night, and a little bit this morning.  Nothing sticking, just really light flurries, but still….it’s May.  Kind of makes you excited to get up and race, doesn’t it?

Yup, it’s the infamous race day.  Complete with high intensity relay hand offs.

I’ll let you enjoy this sampling of the action without smartass comments. 

It was an awesome competition.  See saw action, but in the end my group lost by about 50 m.  I was reelin’ em in, but I just ran outta track.   The locals were amused, but then again, they’re easily amused.

As we are at Granite City, it’s time for a picturesque shot at sunset.  This is hands down the best campsite of the trip.

Plus, we get to do the tour of the ghost town and cemetery.  I think I actually caught a ghost in this shot.

Look how scared the boys are…

I like how they all start to huddle together as it gets darker.

Another low light shot of our camp, as the crew beds down for their last night out.

Of course, as is tradition, the guides stayed up a little later to celebrate another great trip.

St. George’s KVR – Day 2

Day 2 (or 3….we’ve already covered tis so I’m just gonna drop it for now), and we start off with a lovely descent into Princeton.

After a short break to fuel up on candy, we’re right back at it with the longest tunnel of the trip, followed by the first of several trestles.

This is probably the coolest section of the whole KVR.  The Tulameen Canyon is much quieter than the more famous Myra Canyon, and also is right at river level.  Fewer trestles, perhaps, but I like the flavour of this portion of the trail the best.

There are many cool points of interest in the first several kilometers, including another gazebo at Tulameenie Falls.  The curved tunnel is in the background.

The riding overall is much easier than yesterday, but there were a few notable sections.   This part is quite narrow and falling into the river.  Luckily, we didn’t lose anyone…this time.

Most of the time it was smooth sailing.  Although technically uphill the whole way, the surface is hard for most of the route so it’s not so slow.

From Coalmont to Tulameen, however, it’s very soft.  Combined with a stiff headwind and the uphill grade it made for some heavy pedaling.  The last 5km were as tough as the first 20!  I started to worry a little about the boys when I saw the vultures gathering nearby, but once again, we all made it.

Had to take a break and wait for stragglers at the infamous Tulameen Shoe Tree.

Here’s a typical bike that these guys bring.  That’s full rigid, with a lovely sheepskin seat cover.  Just some advice…the Peugot Attitude is not the most comfortable bike of the past…ever.

Soaking up some local culture at the Tulameen Trading Post.

We got to Otter Lake in the mid afternoon, so we took some time to play bikes and try out some new skills.  Here we’re answering the age old question, “If a tree falls in the forest, will some kid try to ride his bike on the log?”

…and we will finish with the traditional overbuilt campfire shot.