Hog Heaven, Mustard Attack, and a Boat Ride

Total miles : 518

I had a long haul from Qualicum Bay to Campbell River yesterday. The road was mostly in forest though there were sections that ran right along the seashore. I had a mild headwind that started to pick up more and more so by the time I got to Campbell River, it was really unpleasant and demoralizing. I stopped at a few fruit stands for fresh berries and cherries. In one of the towns I passed through, there was a Harley Davidson rally so I had to take a photo of Sam in Hog Heaven.




I got in about 68 miles and was pretty beat when I got into Campbell River. As I was riding through town on the bike lane, a minivan pulled up next to me a squirted me with two big squirts of yellow mustard. My whole side was covered as well as my bike and panniers. I was so surprised that I didn't think to get their license plate. In all my years of biking, nothing like this has ever happened to me. I was more annoyed than anything else since I now had to clean up the mess.

I kept going for another mile or so until the campground where I washed my clothes and cleaned up poor Sam with some paper towels and a gardenhose. When I finally got to my campsite, I met my neighbors, two Swiss boys and Wayne, a fishing guide. Wayne said he was taking the boys out in his boat to photograph some wildlife and asked me if I wanted to go. I've learned from experience not to pass up offers like this so I told them I would go too. This means that I will take the ferry on the third not the first as I had originally planned. With this headwind, getting three days to ride to Port Hardy is a lot more reasonable, anyway.

This morning, I packed up for a day on a boat and went down to the dock with Wayne and the boys. The boat wasn't much to look at, but did fine on our trip across the channel.



We pulled up close to an island and laid a herring out for the bald eagles. Sure enough, when we backed away, the eagles came in for their free meal. I got some great photos as we repeated the herring manouver several times. We then went to a pub for beer and fish and chips for lunch. Wayne also leads tours from Telegraph Cove and gave me the inside scoop on where to go in Alert Bay to buy some art from local native carvers.

The plan is now to get a long day in tomorrow which will leave two shorter days to Port Hardy allowing me some time in Alert Bay. Riding from here on will be quite different with towns much farther apart and a lot less comfort like ice cream, bakeries, and fruit stands. The road will get more rugged and the miles per day will be more with no real options for cutting a day short. I'm feeling strong and am ready for the challenge. Posts will be much more sporadic depending on wifi availability so you'll see nothing for several days and then will get several posts.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Lynn and Steve, send me an email about how your trip went along with photos. I'll give ya a call when I get the chance.
-- Post From My iPhone