- Yesterday morning, the wildfire smoke had gotten worse, and neither highway had reopened. I decided that waiting for things to improve was a fool’s errand – instead, my best bet was to hitch a ride on the freeway to Merritt, where I could resume my route on back highways
- It only took 20-30 minutes with my thumb out before a kind soul felt pity on me – thanks Rick! The drive over the mountains went quickly, with Rick telling me the history of the highway, tidbits about his work as a geologist, and how Albertans are terrible drivers.
- After getting dropped off on the outskirts of Merritt, I rode into town to get a snack – ate at a cool cafe that served Bannock, a type of Native American fry bread. However, when I left the cafe, the smoke was so bad that there was ash all over my bike. I decided to play it safe and get yet another cheap motel, as the forecast said the air would be better in the morning.
- The air was not better in the morning. At this point, there was nothing left to do but strap on the N-95 mask I had bought for this scenario and head out of town. Riding with the mask wasn’t too bad, since the road was fairly flat – it only got tough when I hit a 500 for climb.
- The stretch from Merritt up to Kamloops didn’t really have any services for about 40 miles. Without the smoke I think it would have been a great ride – mostly high desert valleys with the occasional lake. I saw 4 bald eagles – one very close (but I didn’t have my phone out, so no pic).
- I had a bit of a tailwind and was making pretty good time until my first flat. I patched that, but upon reinflating the tire I heard another hiss – a new hole right next to the patch. New patch, reinflate, hiss again! New hole next to the new patch! I knew it wasn’t the tire, and after I inspected closer, I realized my rim tape – the tape in a wheel that protects the tube from the spoke holes – had shifted, leaving just enough hole exposed to allow the tube to rub and leak. Another new patch, and I took down the road – only 7 miles to the campsite. 2.5 miles away, and another flat! Same problem, different spot. That patch failed just as I rolled into the campsite (I rushed and used those dumb sticker patches that never work). At the site, I patched yet again, only to have THAT patch fail! I gave up, and put in a new tube. So far that is holding. Tomorrow I’ll try to get my wheel re-taped in Kamloops. But 6 flats in one day ties the bikebums record that Megan Books set way back in 2005! The good news is I didn’t lose my mind, and am now fed and showered, lying in my tent as the wind rustles the trees. Phew
Not many pics from the last few days – the smoke really hindered the views
