Mark Cycles The Pacific Coast: July 2013

Decided to travel up the Sunshine coast with Kathy for my first fully loaded camping trip, approximately 65km each way. Was feeling pretty good by the time we got to the ferry at Horseshoe Bay even with the constant rolling hills. The hills on the Sunshine coast were rolling as well and a bit bigger and steeper, and we both made the mistake of not stretching after the 40 minute ferry journey, could really feel all the gear on the back of the bike dragging me down on the uphills. Arrived with very tired legs to what was a really nice campsite, right on a beach with a nice hiker/biker area for $11 per party. Best thing was a big building with flushing toilets and hot showers, first time i've camped somewhere with such great facilities. Got set up and met Chris and Amanda, a couple out camping with their 3 and a half month old daughter. Raising her early to be a proper Canadian. Chris hooked us up with some beers which was much appreciated, the 5km or so back to the town of Sechelt to pick some up might have killed me. The Triangia mini stove I bought worked a dream to make some coffee when we arrived, and then a delicious if slightly odd dinner of sausage patties with stir fry vegetables cooked with coke zero. The ride home the next day was quite tough, and we both needed to take a break on a lot of the hills. Made it back with a good sense of satisfaction, and more confident that i'll be able to deal with long, consecutive days in the saddle.