FROM: Princeton Castle Resort, Princeton
TO: Best Western Sun Rise Inn, Osoyoos
LEG DEDICATED TO: Anita Schertenleib – Nancy’s training advisor, first aid guide and occasional riding partner, Anita doesn’t ride every day but that is a good thing because she would otherwise be impossible to keep up with. Her sound advice about hill climbing has been a great help, as have the magic little arnica pills she suggested for bruises and scrapes. Anita also helped get the media ball rolling in Switzerland, and that alone is worth a leg. We picked this one since it is in the mountains. They aren’t as long or as steep as she likes, but she’d love the scenery.
EXPECTATIONS: There are 3 small climbs that are between 1.8 and 3.8 kilometres long, with average grades between 2.4 and 3.9 %. The maximum pitch will be about 5 %, and that is at just about the end of this comparatively short day. With a long gradual descent to start our day and a nice downhill slope taking us into sunny Osoyoos, it will almost be like a day off. This is where the weather starts to get nice, historically at least – average temperatures for Osoyoos on June 8 are high 24° C and low 8°, although temperatures of up to 33 ° are not unheard of. The average low of 11 ° isn’t even too bad but the “mercury” sometimes drops to 3 ° at this time of year. On the bright side, the probability of rain is as close to 0 as you can get, and the likelihood that we will have a cloud-filled sky is also about 0%. The average wind is 7 km/h, with 3 to 18 km/hr being the range.
ELEVATION: start 651 m, highest 685 m, ascent 468 m, descent 831
DISTANCE: planned 116 km, actual _122____, lost > 5 km detour _______
SPEED: average __19.5__ , top (downhill) __54___ top (flats) _32______
WEATHER: rain _X____, temperature low _14____ temperature high __22__
headwind _25____, tailwind ________ other _____________
FLAT TIRE: Lori ______ Nancy __X___ other mechanical ______________
PROBLEMATIC ANIMAL: wild ____ domestic (dog) _______ human _____
We are having some problems updating this but will try again tomorrow We are on schedule though and had a lovely ride on the Old Hedley Road thanks to a suggestion from our bicycle muse. We also slept really well in a two-bedroom suite at the Princeton Castle Resort where we would have liked to stay at a little longer. A mean head wind of at least 25 km/hr and steep hills that Lori walked down meant we didn’t have terrific speeds but it was a very scenic route. The Spotted Lake was one of the day’s highlights. We also had an amazing dinner at the Best Western in Osoyoos. The fish and chips and clam chowder were wonderful. Now I am looking forward to jumping into one of the comfy-looking beds and sleeping until lunch. Or at least until 6.
Hi there,
I’m glad that “my leg” wasn’t too bad for you Lori, although you walked down. The next time you will be in Switzerland I’ll give you a downhill practise lesson. So you can see how much pleasure there is in going downhill when you are tired. Lori, you are just great!!! I’d never tackle such a ride without being able to enjoy going downhill. I wish you both all the best, a good tailwind and strong legs.
Anita
Hi Carol – the downhills were a little too steep for Lori. She walked down the last two hills! Sad eh? Thanks for your weather updates. We really appreciate them since we don’t always have a weather channel. A few isolated showers won’t be bad.
Hope you had a good day today and the downhills were what you expected and Osoyoos is sunny. 116km doesn’t seem like a short distance. Maybe when it’s downhill it’s okay. Looks like isolated showers tomorrow for all: Osoyoos (a.m.), Penticton (p.m.) and Kelowna (p.m.). The good thing is they are isolated and winds for all three are 5 – 10km/hr west to southwest. And Saturday in Kelowna looks great.
So safe riding tomorrow. And then a rest day!
Carol