Today is Day #22 of The Road To Valour

For today’s ride I am on my own

My hosts Tammy and Matt Adams and Glenn Gemperoa had provided very welcome hospitality. given the winds and the rain, Matt offered me their rental suite – I accepted and had a great night’s sleep.

Matt had decided that he would ride with me for a bit this morning, at least to the edge of Cochrane, which meant that he would lead me up the big hill!! And big it was. Small compared to the big mountain passes, but I had thought that I was beyond those big climbs — obviously not.

On our way to the climb, I developed a problem with one of my front panniers. One of the clips had basically fallen apart. I jury rigged a solution then we headed to Big Hill Cycles (appropriate name). The mechanic took a look at and quickly disengaged the clip and played with it for a moment, then put it back together. No Charge! Service! Then another staff members in the shop asked me for my card. Turns out that is a retired member of 3 Bn, PPCLI. We had a great chat about old military stuff.

Then up the hill and Matt and I parted ways. Shortly after that, as I was rolling along Hwy 1a I noticed a couple of motorcycle cops blocking side accesses to the highway. Then one pulled me over! He told me to just stay put. I asked what was going on. He said to wait — then told me that there was an escort. Who? Nobody special was his answer. He eventually told me that it was a training exercise. After about 20 motorcycles and cars passed, the entourage of 6 cars surrounded by more police cars approached with more lights flashing than on the Rockefeller Christmas tree. Unfortunately, when I grabbed for my phone to take a picture, he told me no photos.

The entourage (and my escort) took off and I continued my wind assisted trip to Calgary. Nothing much to report there except to say that it was nice not to have to deal with mountains.

When I arrived in Calgary, the confusion began. My computer directed me to follow a certain course, but the bike map that Matt gave me was pointing me in another direction. I kept with the computer’s directions – big mistake. After a while the route seemed to be taking me in a direction other than past the city centre. So the map. Trying to switch to the map posed it’s own set of problems as it clearly showed the multitude of bike trails, but unless you know the geography of Calgary and the streets (which were not well labelled) it was not easy to navigate. Ans Google Maps made life even worse as it several times it sent me along a specific route, then reversed it’t mind and sent me backwards (including a 160 m high hill)! Finally got a clear line on the direction, with the help of a Shout out.
I met up with Ian Harding, Bob’s son and the graphic artist behind my logo, in the Eau Claire area. We started riding towards Ian’s place, but decided to grab a coffee and a sticky bun. Perfect timing as the skies opened and the rains came with thunder an lightening. Made it to Ian’s home in light rain.

Riding The Road To Valour