Transrockies Day 6

Day 6 Elkford to Crowsnest Pass 102.4km 2998m of climbing

Another shitty sleep. Sigh. We just don't seem to get a break with quiet spots to camp. Arguing at 1:45am in some site nearby. Assholes.

It's a cool morning, I overfilled my Camelback bladder and I am now soaked. Left Elkford via the highway and straight up a 5km paved climb. Steep grade. Exited to some neat singletrack, queue the logjam of riders as it's a little technical again. Cranked down what would be the first of a few very dusty fireroads (haven't said much about the weather, we've been lucky. Cool the first two days but little rain/snow. Warm and sunny for stages 4, 5 and 6). Fueled up and a renewed Niall towed me in his wake down the fireroad. Then we climbed. And climbed. And climbed some more. That was the story of the day, really.

After the second control station was a steep, dusty hike a bike that seemed to last forever. I was hot and tired from then on. did I mention the 33C heat? We cranked over the continental divide back into Alberta and flew down Race Horse pass. Fun downhill section. Saw some poor person crash hard in the video footage later that night.

The course overview the night before mentioned 3 "up and down" sections near the finish. These were silent death marches. The fun chatter of the peloton disappeared as dirty, sweaty faces concentrated on trying to finish the stage. I run out of water, but we're on the downhill section into Blairmore. I am so relieved at the end. I collapse and Dad grabs me a burger and we rest in the shade a moment.

They have us camped out right beside the railroad tracks. I mean so close the motorhome shakes when the train goes by. I'm in Hell. One more day....