I have been in Vancouver for a few days now, reading up on some recent trip logs and refining the route i will take. This has enabled me to determine topography and actual climbs that i will be riding. Some are more than a little intimidating and impressive at the same time. I am feeling a little daunted and have some excited anticipation for the ride.

From accounts of othes, itseems that it will take me 8 days to cross BC. This, of course, depends on how well I manage the first few days given my fiteness (not what i had hoped given 6 weeks with my bike in and out of the shop) and my non-direct route. I will be riding through southern BC, avoiding the trans-Canada before heading north to Lake Louise and Banff via highway 93. This will provide some spectaular scenery — Parks Canada website for the Kootenay region.

Crossing the Continental Divide is going to be challenging, though exhillarating. I had considered riding via Revelstoke to cross Rogers and Kicking Horse passes, though am pretty certain i will take the southern route.

In reading some recent trip logs, i have come across reference again to the cyclsist who were hit in Manitoba. Along with ample accounts of the lack of shoulder on the Trans-Canada Highway, this confirmed plansto avoid this route. I have decided to head north-west from Calgary and ride to Winnipeg via Saskatoon to assist with this and also see a different part of the country.

All in all, I am excited and daunted by the weeks ahead... and being met in Winnipeg by someone...