Day 3 - Hope to Manning Park

Distance: 77.4 km
Average speed: 13.6 km/h
Riding time: 5 hours and 41 seconds
Campground: Mule Deer
Cumulative distance: 235.9 km

Our manual has said that this is the hardest day of the entire trip and once it has been completed we can be confident in being physically and mentally strong enough to make it through the rest of the way. Which is why Josianne chose to put all of her toiletries in the support vehicle for this one.

Good news, we did it! And with the sun out from behind the clouds for once.

Though it demanded our blood, sweat and tears we completed the 1300 m elevation climb. There were two major climbs of about fifteen kilometres separated by a flat section. Though both were gruelling, we found the first to be the hardest. This could be because we were used to hills by that point or we were numb to the pain.

Every downhill was met with relief because it gave us a break. Even a flat became a break. And a slight uphill. Basically anytime our thighs weren't burning was a break.

When we finally reached the summit of Allison Pass all there was was a measly little sign the size of a speed limit sign to greet us. But the kilometres of downhill that followed more than made up for it, as well as our campsite by the river.

The one thing we learned is that we need to eat more. That is always a good thing, right? PB&J bagels and power bars are t enough to fuel us during our seven hour bike ride.

We look forward to more downhills tomorrow though it means all our hard work is disappearing.