Day 13: To Telkwa

July 12, 2007

The morning was totally sunny. Low temperature was a warm 15C (60F). I got on the road at 10 after oiling and wiping the chain. Leaving Hazelton was a 120 meter climb. Then rolling hills following the Bulkley River upstream. It's a tributary of the Skeena river.

This guy was riding from Pennsylvania to Alaska.

I stopped in the little village of Moricetown for lunch and spent $25 at the cafe. Then I spent some time visiting the various river overlooks in the area.

Unfortunately there were few views of the river after lunch. The highway stays in the forest.

20 km before Smithers a valley opens up and I saw the first evidence of agriculture since leaving Vancouver Island.

First evidence of agriculture I've seen in many days.

10km before Smithers I turned off the highway to have a swim at nearby Kathlynn lake. It was very refreshing on such a hot day. The high temperature was 32C (90F) with moderate humidity.

A welcome lake for swimming on an unusually hot day.

I stocked up on groceries in Smithers but otherwise just blew through town. Then on to the little town of Telkwa. I stopped at the riverside RV park 2 km past town but they don't allow tent camping. So I backtracked and took the turnoff to Tyhee Lake Provincial Park which is 2 km off the highway up a big hill. I got a $20 tent site and noticed that the campground doesn't have showers. But down at the beach house I noticed they DO have a pay shower. So I showered and washed clothes there.

I had a tailwind all day making the warm weather seem even more warm. But the terrain was fairly moderate. Mosquitoes were only a problem at dusk. It was nice to get some relief from the mosquitoes. Black flies seem to be gone but I still have many oozing black fly bites from previous days.

Distance: 90.0 km / 56.3 mi

Climbing: 777 m / 2565 ft

Average speed: 13.6 km/h / 8.5 mph

Maximum speed: 59.7 km/h / 37.3 mph

Today's ride: 90 km (56 miles)
Total: 981 km (609 miles)

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