KVR Midway to Beaverdell

Day One -  Mile Zero
Midway to Beaverdell
72.5 km

True confessions.  I am always a little nervous and anxious before the start of a cycling holiday.  Do we have enough food?  Have we packed the right gear?  Are we fit enough?  Will I be able to keep up with Rob?  The list goes on....  However, mixed with the nerves and anticipation is also a sense of excitement.  A new route, new territory, new challenges, new people to meet and an adventure that we share together.  When all is said and done, with the first few spins of the peddles the nerves are behind me and the thrill of the adventure takes over!

One of our favourite things about travelling by bicycle is the opportunity to meet people.  It is curious how the bike seems to break down barriers and the most unlikely folk will approach us and share a story or two.  This trip is no exception.  The day before we set out on the trail we stopped by the Rock Creek Store to pick up detailed copies of the KVR trail map.  The maps have been developed by Kettle Valley Rail Trail Cycle tours and are an excellent resource. At the store, we had the privilege of chatting with Bernie, who not only sold us the maps and a few last minute provisions, but delighted in reviewing each leg of the trip with us.  Bernie is a wealth of knowledge, a lot of fun and a terrific advocate for the trail.

By the time we arrived at Mile 0 in Midway, we were too late to start cycling so we decided to grab a motel room and get an early start the next day.  We stopped by the Museum, which is the Trail Head, to register our car and ask for  accommodation recommendations.  The friendly locals immediately answered our questions and then invited us to the concert that night.  What a plan!  Unfortunately, we couldn't take part as the town motel was fully booked with concert goers. We were sent down the road to Greenwood.

Greenwood did not disappoint.  It is a treasure!  We booked ourselves in to the Greenwood Motel, where Sam took great care of us.  He shared his story of taking over the hotel, getting it up on the Internet and how Greenwood is now "bumping."  Sam sent us down the road to the historic Greenwood Salon.  Built in 1896, the Salon still features the original mouldings and bar....if these walls could talk.  We hadn't even pedalled a single km and we had already met a tour's worth of characters.

After a wonderful night's rest, we were ready to begin!  Mile 0 of the KVR.  What a thrill!  We stopped for a few pictures, met another group who were just beginning their tour, wished them well and set off.  I must say that the KVR surpassed our expectations.  The trail is well marked and well maintained.  The uphill grades Are gradual and the scenery is absolutely breathtaking.  We were surprised at the changing terrain.  From gravel roads, to loose gravel, sandy patches, skree and everything in between, the route kept you guessing.  At times, I felt like "loose gravel gremlins" were literally grabbing my tires and pulling me backwards.  At other times, we almost doubled our speed and "flew" along hard packed trail.  It seemed that just when we felt frustrated, wanting to get off and walk, the trail Gods came through and provided a reprieve.

Sitting by the creek, with the tent up and the sun setting, Rob and I reflected on our favourite part of the day and sections of trail.  One of my favourite sections was an area which had been devastated by a forest fire.  Hundreds of blackened trees stand tall, vivid reminders of Mother Nature's darker side.  Yet, among these trees, a few vibrant windflowers bravely grow.  It seems like a sign that the forest is going to be okay.   Rob enjoyed a stretch of trail through a canyon.  Waterfalls thundered beside us and massive rock walls towered over us.  Humbling to say the least.  Tomorrow we begin the climb towards Myra Canyon.....

Giggle of the Day:

At the Greenwood Salon we asked our server what he would recommend.  "Bison Burgers," he promptly replied.  Make that 2. Rob then requested a vinagrette dressing for his salad.  A few minutes later, when Rob was off taking pictures of the bar, the chef approached me.  She joked, "we don't have that city folk type of dressing here."  Before I said not to worry, our server ran down the street to an adjacent restaurant, triumphantly returning with Rob's dressing of choice.  Darn those "city folk!"