Day 7: Ferndale

Would you look at that.. Sunshine.

Brakes bled and some new pads this morning. Also a nice walk around Whitefish with our amazing host, David. Some coffee, pancakes, bacon, and then a mellow and pretty short day down to Ferndale. Camping at a place that trains sled dogs.

Tomorrow is a bigger one, and begins another stretch where cell service is unlikely. So until next time...

Oh hey, rain! Whitefish MT. Day 6.

That's pretty much it. 50 something miles in the cold rain today. In Whitefish at the house of a friend of a friend (David), who was awesome enough to take us in! Rumor is the weather will improve soon...

Today's quote of the day: "I haven't taken a picture on anything but food since blue lake." -Jennie (blue lake was 4 days ago)

Eureka. Also rain.

Stayed at a hostel in Fernie to take refuge from the rain. We met another cyclist there. She's riding across Canada west-east. Goodluck Anne if you read this!!

Left Fernie in the rain in the morning and made good time on dirt roads that were in pretty good shape. After a highway interlude we ate poutine bc we were almost out of Canada.

10 miles before the border USA welcomed us with open arms and sunshine!! Sunshine! From my sampling there is no sunshine in BC or Alberta.

At the border we took pictures for "hands up-the pose", a fundraising project you should check out on Facebook. They have a scavenger hunt each year and this year the Canadian border was on the list!

Now we are in Eureka. We're taking refuge in a motel with about 6 other divide riders bc the weather is supposed to get bad again tonight. Yay. We may get creative with our route tomorrow.

The beer is substantially better and cheaper in Montana. 

Going to the sun... Hoping for some sun...

Fernie

Today started off at a beautiful blue lake.

12 miles of fun dirt road before breakfast.

Big big tasty breakfast.

Then, 40 miles of Canadian highway with rain and headwind. Some solid mountain bike drafting got us to Fernie.

Went to bike shop to address some issues and were told there was a 5 day wait on repairs. (Needed chain stretch measured and a wheel trued a bit) went to second bike shop and got everything taken care of in <30 mins!! 

We're drying out at a hostel now, they have beer... We hear.

Hope to cross back into good ole USA tomorrow!

A little dangerous for photos on the highway. So here is the hostel wall.

Sparwood

Coal mining country.

20 mile road cruise to recover turned into cold rain and headwinds. 

20 more to Fernie now. Keeping our heads down in the crappy weather.

Elkford

We're in Elkford for breakfast. Taking our time and adjusting to the riding. First day was a cold, rainy, muddy mess. But then had our first trail magic as a super expensive lodge we stopped at offered to let us sleep in their employee hang out yurt! Very nice respite...

Everything from cruiser dirt roads to hike a bike steepness and snow. Spirits are high and about to eat a very large breakfast.

Rolling out

We roll out tomorrow morning. Anticipating 2 days to Elkford where we will post if we can find wifi.

The bikes are packed. Here is mine fully loaded with 3 days worth of food, a bunch of water, and all other necessities.

It is distressing that there is no room for beer.