Training Log Archive: revy

Weekend paddle adventure required a ride back home so I drove to the ferry and left the truck there. Lots of early morning boaters out launching at the ferry dock as the PP doc is closed still. Nice and quiet ride - got passed by ferry traffic early on (which was half a dozen cars) then no vehicles until closer to town. The chip seal is getting better but still nicer to ride on the old pavement. Recent sweeping meant this was easy enough to do for the most part.

Paddling down the Columbia from home to the ferry has been on my bucket list for some time. Thought I would do it in one day on my surf ski but with my days of AR paddle training seemingly behind me that option wasn't high on the list anymore. An overnight paddle on the SUPs was the choice instead. The river below Revelstoke is now part of Upper Arrow Lake which fluctuates seasonally due to the dam near Castlegar. Previously Upper Arrow Lake extended to about Arrowhead. The valley north of there was flooded in the early 60's with the loss of valuable farmland and some big cedars. When the water is low the river still follows the original channel so you get some idea of what things might have looked like. The best time to go in terms of faster current in the river is in April but early May is probably the best compromise of weather, greenery and flow. A few weeks later and the water level will have probably risen several feet.

We had good moving water for about 10-12km and then a slight push for another several km. Beyond that river channel is essentially part of the lake. Lots of people out enjoying the flats along the river just south of town (8 Mile, 10 Mile and 12 Mile are all common locations people go to hang out) though these people were mainly motorized (4x4s, dirt bikers and beach goers). For the most part groups were small. I didn't realize you can get a truck pretty much all the way to Mulvehill. We had a slight headwind for the last hour of the paddle which slowed us down. We camped just before the Alkolkolex on a nice spur of land just below the cliffs on that side of the shore. Had a nice fireworks show from Blanket across the water. Not sure who was setting them off as the park is still closed - maybe staff?

Easy afternoon run with Courtney. She complained it was too hot - it was 20 degrees. I thought we needed to start getting acclimatized for summer:)

Truck needed to go back to the dealer for the airbag sensor repair. This was going to take most of the day so took my bike again (road this time). Sean came along and we went to Armstrong using Back Enderby road. I'd never ridden this and thought it was a great mainly due to the low traffic (and nice riding too). Continued past Armstrong to Otter Lake and then St Anne loop (another new road for me). Back via Enderby and Grandview Bench. Easy pace conducive to talking and felt good until the last half an hour.

Nelles Ranch horse trails and back on Tantrum. I got some extra exercise cutting several down trees.

Hwt 23N with Jeff on my road bike.

Aim was to ride the lower Mac trails but so many people out that we went exploring FLowdown and Tantrum instead. Some fairly large snow patches and couldn't go very fair on Flowdown. Tantrum was in better shape (thoguh lots of tdebris and some trees down). Only saw a few people though.

Ran from beyond the airport back home. Mainly followed the river - in many spots the vehicle track is rather deep which wasn't easy running. A bit cool and blustery but not too bad. Energy wasn't the greatest today.

Downstream from the boat launch to the truck. Some light class 1 rapids to deal with at the moment.