- Today’s Distance (miles): 64
- Time in saddle: 5h 24
- Max/min temp (°c): 35°/8°
- Climb/descend (feet) : 3,572/3,592
- Calories used: 2,950
- Cafe time: 3h 36
After all this time spent planning and anticipating this day, I’ve finally started. I spent my last night as a nearly normal traveller having supper in the sun outside my motel room (the West Coast Motel, a great place with a gym and pool and highly recommended). The rest of the evening was quite strange, with so much on my mind I decided I needed a change of scene, so I put the tv on to find The Godfather, one of my favourite films, just starting on AMC. The next three hours flew by.
I got up at 5am to eat a big breakfast and drink a few cups of strong coffee, then I packed up the last few things and headed straight across town to Little Beach for the starting ceremony of dipping my back wheel in the Pacific Ocean. Everywhere was completely deserted, so the only witnesses are yourselves!
At 6am I set off, back through town and on to the Pacific Rim Highway. It was overcast, chilly, and as soon as I left town I entered what the locals told me they call a “falling fog”. I call it “falling rain”, but really it just drizzled. After the heat of the last day or so, I was actually quite relieved to have such familiar conditions for this day of long climbs and descents. I remembered to stop at the “Welcome to Ucluelet” cabin to get a vital uke pic! My new $10 bike helmet was great all day, a perfect fit and with a very useful visor in rain and hot sun.
As I made my way up through the mountains, I saw this sign, and thought “Gup Yaaah!”, which our Jacob, who is having a Gup Yaah of his own at the moment, has got all of us saying. I had to go in and investigate, and was glad I did. I met Kelly who lives up there with his wife from March to October running this Zip Line and Kayaking centre. He was so welcoming and let me have a peak around and pet his lovely dog, Hiccough. Should have asked how he got that name. If you’re out there Kelly, why not leave a comment and let us know!
The mountains were breathtaking, and once the sun was out, it was hard not to stop at every new stunning view:
It’s a Toblerone! Note the lack of cars. I hardly saw any all day, except when a slow RV went by, followed by a huge line of frustrated pick-up trucks. I got very welcome wide berths from pretty much everyone today.
Another shout-out to someone I met today, at a Rest Area by the river. Chris, who was driving to Tofino, and who told me he left the Army (stationed in Trondheim, Norway) for love. A great reason to do anything, I’m sure you’ll agree. Thanks for the company and all your interest Chris.
There are three entries for today’s Signs That Are Funny section (hurray!), the first two of which are connected:
To lose one shoe may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.
And lastly:
“Jimmy, NOOO!!!”
And now a couple of “What Is It, Sam?”s. As before, open to all-comers, unless you’re just making up silly names thinking that we won’t know. YOU WILL BE DISCOVERED. Thanks to all of you that passed on suggestions yesterday. Things are hotting up. I think there will have to be a packet of Minstrels for the most I-Ds over the next 3 months.
Leaves like a Hosta, but smaller.
And finally this little chap whom I nearly ran over. The same thing happened later in the day, but I didn’t get to my iphone in time.
By the time I got over the last summit, it was roastingly hot. The range of temperatures today, as you can see in the stats at the top of the page, was crazy. I saw a sign for Sproat Lake beach, and I thought “this old sproat is going in”.
I’m now at my campsite, Arrowvale Campground and about to make some supper in the hot evening sun. It’s great to have got this first day done, and all through the most stunning scenery.
Today’s Tune Stuck in Head Whilst Cycling: The Narrow Winding Road, sung to the tune of The Long and Winding Road, after seeing this sign early in the day. 
INCIDENTSᐧOFᐧTRAVEL 
What a fabulous first day! Thanks for sharing it with us. The bird is Stellar’s Jay, the BC provincial bird. I love their raucous call. And that might be a garter snake. Great photos and video.
Have a great second day – we’ll have a hearty meal ready for you.
Cheers, S
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Stewart, and also to Gill for her native wisdom yesterday. I’ll be an expert by August with your help! Looking forward to seeing you both later today – there’s just this darned first hill to get over….
LikeLike
And this just in from Susie “That was a white flower, a blue bird and a snake – any fool will tell you that. It’s not rocket salad.”
LikeLike
Wonderful! I can tell Im going to immensely enjoy this bike ride from the comfort of my armchair! Don’t know how easy it would be for you add a screenshot of your daily route on a map? Great start! Oh well, back to those Wagner excerpts for me 😦 Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great idea David! I’ll see if I can export the strava map each day….computer says no! Joke. Prob fine. Hope your armchair is comfy. B
LikeLike
So exciting to wake up this morning and find your blog. What a day, and what a place to swim. I love the way you weave all the contacts you make into the story of your journey. A long chain across Canada. Sleep tight.xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello muvver! The time difference is 8 hours, so it’s odd to blog when the UK is asleep (hopefully). Canada gets back to me first! All packed up here and nearly ready to go, 6.45am. Bxx
LikeLike
Was thinking of you on your first day yesterday Ben. Praying for safety and a marvelling at creation. From your photos I think we shall all be marvelling – it looks stunning!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Louise – it’s the scale of it that hits me most! Every mountain is high, and every river mighty! Don’t they do hills & streams?? Bx
LikeLike
I bet that swim was good. I’m hopeless at identifying things so no comments there. Long and winding road could make you weep, almost like tap dancing (which I think you won’t be doing). Told Oriel your helmet story and she said how fortunate – visor very good and necessary. And I guess you’re finding that. Wake refreshed.
xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Dad! Yes, I’ve been such a road bike type and visors are a no-no in that style-conscious world. It’s fun leaving that behind and to just be practical. I awoke raring to go, listening to such unfamiliar birdsong. Bxx
LikeLike
Wow, an amazing first day Ben! So glad all went well.
I was wondering whether you’d mind if I tagged my uncle, Earl Banks, who lives in Nova Scotia, in your posts. I think he would be most interested to follow your trip.
Sleep well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course not, the more the merrier. Thanks for your thoughts penny. Bx
LikeLike
Ben – what’s the link to your charity please? I’m thinking of sharing it with some friends and suggesting they could donate to that instead of buying me a birthday present. Would you be happy for me to share on my Facebook page the video of you in the courtyard at school playing your ukulele? Louise
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes of course I’d be happy for you to share it, but very unhappy at the thought of you not getting a birthday present! Here’s the link: http://justgiving.com/fundraising/Ben-Buckton?utm_id=25
LikeLike
Perhaps Log Dump Bridge got its name from early settlers playing Poo Sticks?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Jacob, I wish we were writing the blog together like in Holland. Perhaps you could “curate” the blog on one day? I’ll tell you the route, you make up the story. Interested? Dx
LikeLike
Ps do you mind if I try to post your brilliant map vid??
LikeLike
Haha go for it! And yes, I’d be extremely interested!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok. How about a prairie day,when probs nothing will happen anyway? Dx
LikeLike
Hoorah for you! Loving the calorie counter. I shall live through you, you will be getting (even more) fit for us all. Looks stunning. Loving your photos. Getting us very excited for seeing similar in August, though less arduously. If that’s a word.
Helen xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Helen! Great to hear from you. Did u know that I’ll be staying at David P’s place on Prince Edward Island? Crazy. Ps all made up words are welcome, but that’s a reveal one! Bx
LikeLike
Maybe that white flower IS a of some kind what do you think Sam?(after exams)
LikeLiked by 1 person
??? Mysterious.
LikeLike