FINAL ROUTE

 The pre-ride took place Friday May 29 through Saturday May 30. A little more traffic on the early Friday with commuters. The Fraser Canyon was reasonably quiet on both the Friday and Saturday. Wind was in our favor on Friday and not in our favour on the Saturday return. Beautiful scenery throughout; the river, the trains, the full moon on the return from Cache Creek to Spences Bridge. Accommodation is nothing less than fantastic……..for those who have just ridden 350km and are thinking of one thing and that is sleep. Each cabin has a separate bedroom with a total of 3 beds in the cabin. 2 beds in the bedroom, one in the common area. Very basic but acceptable. Did I mention the trains? For those train lovers, this is the ride. The economy must be OK…..lots of goods being transported. Saw a first and that was 2 trains headed in the same direction, east, just east of Mission, on the twinned tracks. The tracks you cross just east of Mission. These 2 trains were just ripping along beside each other.

The route did have some road construction on it, though we were never held up that long or inconvenienced otherwise. Of note:

Widening of Hwy 7 in the Whonnock area

Rock scaling on Hwy 7 just west of Hope

Road resurfacing near Lytton

Bridge work nearing Spences Bridge

The construction signs have four legs and are often gray.  They are difficult to see, especially at night.

There are also some sections with nasty shoulder conditions in the canyon, but the lighter traffic made it easier to avoid most of this. Shoulder conditions were worse in the southbound direction.  Overnight riders take care! The ride back in from west of Deroche started to get busy. Between Mission and Maple Ridge was quite busy and the westbound shoulder west of Mission has gravel debris (not enjoyable).

I apologize for the kicker right near the end of route along River Rd, but it takes you off the Lougheed Highway and is much more enjoyable especially after just spending a few hours on Highway 7.

SERVICES

Beyond Hope services are few and far between.  The Alpine Canyon Restaurant is temporarily closed so fill your bottles and stock up in Boston Bar. The next place to get food and water is Spences Bridge. Petro Canada in Cache Creek closes at 10pm. Cache Creek A&W 24 hours.

DROP BAG INFORMATION

Please bring your drop bag to the start. The Acacia Grove Cabins (overnight control) will be staffed, likely as you pass through Spences Bridge on your way north. If for some reason it is not staffed on the way north, the Log Cabin Pub is off route perhaps 100m (just ahead of the Acacia Grove cabins) and has food. Go to the cabins first though. At the overnight control, your drop bags will be available. Food will be available, dinner and breakfast.

Finish control is unstaffed. Ensure anything you need for ride end (CAR KEYS MOST IMPORTANT) are on your person when you leave the staffed control. You can connect with Keith (contact info provided in good to go email) to arrange drop bag pick up.

 If you haven't booked a cabin contact http://www.acacia-rvpark-cabins.com/