Leaving for the Hills

Leaving Vancouver as the sun does its best to fight its way through the smoke clouds of the forest wild fires that are roaring away in the mountains

My plan today is to head for Whistler some 75 miles away.

I've studied the map and I'll take the coat route first avoiding route 99 which as far as I can see is a busy route.

This takes me through North Vancouver the place you go to live if you have a few dollars to spare. The route is very up and down coastal routes tend to be but is very pretty. I'm pulled over by what I can describe as a YMCA motor bike cop big mustache too and I think to myself I'm about to be searched again hey ho when in Canada. But no he tells me theirs a big group of cyclists coming through and to be aware of it. Numerous police bikes and cars later I'm surrounded by a 50 plus group of cyclists all pushing up a hill in their colour catching Lycra getting cheered at as they tackle the same hill as me the difference is the weight their carrying probably compares as much as my front lights hey ho it doesn't take long before their wobbling backsides bob away into the distance .
I take the sea to sky route 99 acclaimed to be a breathtaking sight. But unfortunately, due to the wild fires, I couldn't see the sea or the mountain ranges around me. I have to take their word for it.
I struggle today which I put down to jet lag and the noise of the traffic on route99. It's not a bike friendly route so much traffic big trucks and cars speeding way too fast. Yes, I do have my own lane but the noise is hard work I have to resort to my I music through my headphones to drive it out.


I finish the day with 3 pints and a bison burger in a side cafe with great friendly service listening to the sounds of, YMCA I will survive and dancing queen, I think I might have wandered into a gay bar, hey ho the beer is wonderful.