First milestone complete! I told many I must make it at least to Hope, and we’ll see how far I get after that. So I can turn back any time now, hmm…

May 4th was a slow start of what I expect will be a long string of camping nights. While packing my bike to leave dad’s house, my kick stand broke. A couple hours later at Langley MEC I had installed a new one and was back on the road. Met a few very interested people there, including a customer who cycled Canada before and very kindly offered to reach out to her many cyclist connections across the country about hosting me! Paula, the MEC worker who helped me, took my picture to post on Instagram. I guess I’m officially a MEC poster boy… As I left she wished me luck: “May the Fourth be with you.” Must be a big Star Trek fan or something. Apparently this was the day where people split their ring and middle fingers and say “May the Fourth be with you.” ;D

So a couple more errands later – travel insurance and SIM card for my emergency phone – I found myself still in Abbotsford at 6:30 with the heavens opening and The Weather Network app notifying me of a thunderstorm warning.

The idea of testing my tent-pitching skills in pouring rain while losing sunlight didn’t exactly tickle my fancy. So I set up camp in a farmer’s field (thanks to whoever the owner is!) just off the Whatcom road Hwy 1 exit while reminiscing of Teenage Cameron go-karting at Castle Fun Park.

I managed to keep my tent mostly dry and somewhat mud-free. The slugs were concerned I’d get lonely, so about 20 stuck on my tent for the night. A handful were even friendly enough to come inside with me!

May 5th:

Breakfast was deposited in two parts: quinoa salad with blueberries, dried cranberries, and chia seeds, and a turkey sandwich. Quinoa is a bit bland to say the least – good thing I made this “flavour kit” with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, chilli powder, curry powder, sriracha, BBQ sauce, and olive oil!

With Billy Talent’s “Rusted from the Rain” playing in the background, I cleaned and lubed my chain as breakfast was cooking. Now that song’s stuck in your head now. You’re welcome.

I hit the road with the goal of hitting Hope that day.

I got through Chilliwack by mid-afternoon via country roads, but not without a double-take thinking I made a wrong turn and ended up back on the Burnaby-Vancouver border:

Lunch consisted of more quinoa salad and a 1L chocolate milk – no, I didn’t drink all at once! From Rosedale I returned to the North side of the mighty Fraser River, where I hadn’t been since crossing the Port Mann two days earlier.

The Lougheed highway provided quite a nice ride despite light rain on average – mostly flat, very green, and minimal traffic. This completed my 95km day and carried me all the way to my target.

With Hope’s accommodation abundance, I settled for a campsite – much cheaper than a motel and they even had electricity!

Found a motel with public laundry to refresh my wet clothes, and after taking full advantage of the campsite’s hot showers I met Friends Alistair and Zoe for sushi dinner. Cozied up in my tent to blog for my beloved fans, and soon enough found my eyelids getting heavy!

All electronics charged, and ready for some elevation gains on the Coquihalla River Trail!