July 26, 2019 – day 17

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FINALLY.

Castlegar is the start of the former Columbia and Western railway, now a multi-use recreation trail extending 150 km (95 miles) to Grand Forks.

I had camped close to Tim Horton’s for a QUICK JUMP in the morning.

… But decided to wait until 9am to get my front wheel checked.

The techie recommended I replace my bald original tire with the one he used 4 months Cairo to Capetown. I instantly concurred.

After the repairs made by Dave Adlard a few days earlier, my bike has never been better.

I visited the Waldie Island Trail before leaving town. David Thompson was here in 1811.

Off to the rail trail.

The Columbia and Western starts here at the 1968 Keenleyside Dam monument.

This really is lumber country.

I started using the dedicated Great Trail app.

The ride parallels the gorgeous, tranquil Columbia River.

As in Washington State, there are a lot of tunnels.

It was hour after hour of relentless 2% uphill grade until I reached the summit at Farron after 52km.

I’d actually run out of water in the hot sun. Until this gushing spring.

There’s Highway 3 overhead.

I crossed these kind of bridges, instead.

Finally Christina Lake came into view.

The town had no power for the second time in a few days. One lakeside gentleman offered me a Rickard’s Red in his yard as I waited on tourist information and grocery store to open.

I ended up wild camping. A nice spot. Perfect evening.

I was very tired, very happy after a long day.

Strava said it was 107 km.

I’d done 135 km and 130 km the two days prior, but those were much easier highway miles.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4-5 | 6-7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12-13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | info | video