| Woke up at 5:00am and had breakfast of coffee, muffins and fruit. We
rode our bikes back to the high school where Brian, Ash, Mike and Bruce had
stayed, while Catherine shuttled our gear down. Morning was cloudy and cool,
but temperatures were pleasant. We unloaded our bags, grabbed one more
on-the-road banana, and headed north out of town. A few people stopped for
coffee, but Alan, Beth and I continued on north to Lynden. The restaurants
were too crowded to stop so we kept going north toward the border. We
paralleled the border for a couple of miles, the US road and Canadian roads
were only 15 feet or so apart with no fence between them. We passed by the
farmhouse and green house where a tunnel had been dug by some drug smugglers
(http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002393186_tunnel21m.html).
We arrived at the border crossing just before 8:00am, which it turns out
is the time it opens, and there was a line of about 100 bikes. We stopped
for a much needed restroom break (they opened at 8:00 as well!), then
crossed the border with no problems. It took longer to get the passport out
of my pack then to actually be checked through the border, they processed
all those cyclists very efficiently. The hills became more rolling as we
rode through farmland and past residences. The first rest stop at about mile
39 was great, delicious fresh local blueberries among the other food items.
Again we met up with most of the group here. More rolling hills followed the
rest stop, and we crossed the Fraser River on the
Albion Ferry (free), which was
interesting to watch as it navigated the current. The route became less
rural as it proceeded through some neighborhoods and along busier roads, and
we quickly arrived at the second rest stop in Port Moody, which comprised
not much except water and sani-cans. We got on the highway for a bit and as
I felt really strong I started to ride faster. Just after I pulled away both
Alan and Beth had flats, so but since I didn’t know that I just kept going,
ending up riding the rest of the way by myself. The route criss-crossed
through neighborhoods and along a couple of bikeways (not trails, but
streets for designated for bicycles to share with cars). On these bikeways
bicycles could go straight at intersections but cars had to turn. We rode
along the Inner Harbor waterfront for a bit, with incredible views of
Grouse
Mountain and the water activity. I arrived at the
Coast Plaza Hotel finish
line at 1:15pm, Brian arrived at soon after (his wife Maureen was there as
well) and Beth and Alan shortly after that. We stored our bikes in the
secure storage area and went inside for beer and burgers on the patio, an
event put on by the RSVP organizers.
After we all had arrived (Erin with her rental car), we shuttled our
bodies and bags to the
Empire Landmark Hotel where most of us were staying.
Alan and Beth came to my room to use the shower since they were staying at
Ash’s house in Burnaby tonight. I had a room on the 37th floor with an
incredible view of Stanley Park as well as both Inner and Outer Harbors.
Jessica Aronsen and Jeanette Thomas arrived, having driven up from Seattle.
After showers and a bit of rest we (Erin, me, Alan, Beth, Jessica, Jeanette,
Brian and Maureen) walked several blocks to the
Skytrain, which we took to Ash’s place. Ash picked us up at the train
station and drove us to his place, where his wife Pauline met us with beer,
wine, and a superb Indian meal. Ash had even setup a whiteboard for us with
instructions! We ate and ate and it was delicious, complete with wonderful
conversation with great friends. Also talked to Joe DeNapoli on the phone,
it was great to touch base with him again. We went back to the hotel via
Ash’s shuttle and the Skytrain, and arrived at 10:00 just in time to see the
Celebration of Light fireworks which were being shot off from a barge in
the Outer Harbor and from my room were at eye level. This was a spectacular
sight, but most couldn’t stay awake even for fireworks so headed to their
rooms. I went to bed once the show was over and again slept well.
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