Valemount

Leaving Blue River we set off for Valemount, the next town along the Yelllowhead Highway.  The scenery was spectacular and, unfortunately, so were the headwinds.  It was a long struggle to pedal up the hills and the wind meant that it was also a long struggle to pedal down the hills.  If we had stopped peddling altogether I think we would have gone backwards all the way to Blue River again.  

In this part of British Columbia there are no shops, services or anything in between the towns.  So we carry food and water for the day.  Today we were having blueberry bagels for lunch.  We carry bagels because they don't go stale.  In fact, bagels are actually stale when you buy them.  I've tried bagels all over the world and even freshly baked ones - they are always stale.  However, Susan made a great effort to make them more interesting by spreading on layers of cream cheese and jam.  They were certainly interesting but that's all I could really say about them without swearing and being unkind :)

Thankfully, the wind lessened mid afternoon and the last 24km was downhill and flat.  We flew into town and booked into the Super 8 Motel.  We then had a 2km walk to get some beer - essential carbohydrate intake.

The following day was another rest day.  We are ahead of schedule as our bookings for the hostel in Jasper and motels along the Icefield Parkway do not start until the 11th May.  Cycling in the Parkway is neither recommended nor generally possible before this time.  It's not uncommon for it to snow even in summer. 

Valemount is a lovely town surrounded by snow capped mountains.  Like most towns in the part of the world they are in transition and coming to terms with the decline of logging, the principal industry and source of employment.