Hope in bici

This was one very slow ride, as aside from the last kilometer or two, it was pretty much all uphill in the rain. Getting out of Hope was a climb on a very busy highway, which combines as both BC Highways 5 and 3 (and maybe National Highway 1 as well). Eventually, after a few kilometers, we exited the main highway onto Highway 3 and were overjoyed by the much lower level of traffic. (There was still more traffic and noise than we would have liked, but by comparison, it was much much better.) Throughout the entire ride today, there was good road shoulder, though at times on the latter part of the climbing, the shoulder could have been a little wider. Due to low-hanging clouds, we couldn't see to much of the scenery, but what we could see was wonderful.

Roll out from mountain-ringed Hope and head west through forests and river valleys toward the farm fields of Chilliwack. This is a big day: about 134 km with serious climbing (around 3,300 m) and a high point near 1,400 m. Expect lots of gravel and mixed surfaces, mostly quiet roads, tracks, and cycleways. Views come with effort, and services can be sparse between towns, so stock up. Finish with an easier run into the Fraser Valley and a well-earned bite in Chilliwack.