Day 13 - Creston to Cranbrook, B.C.

Through the night I wake up several times to the sound of the rain, grateful to be in the RV.. The

My bike has had a nice wash. The rain at 5:30 am has stopped, just as I am getting my gear assembled. By 6:30, I’ve got everything on the bike & I’m ready to make my move. Today Brian is travelling back home and I won’t see him again for a bit.

The ride starts out with a goal to get to the Two Scoops ice cream shop in Yahk. This stop was recommended to me by some friends. I don’t care how early it is when I arrive, I’m going to have a big cone of peanut butter and chocolate (if they have it). Yahk is 30 km down the road and I make it there in great time. Devastatingly, Two Scoops is closed today! Rats! Another time I guess. I eat my sandwich.

Next destination is Moyie Lake. There are some interesting bits along the way:

• I see a sign for a motorcycle campground and wonder what makes it different from other campgrounds. I do not stop to find out - no need to disrupt a campground full of Hell’s Angels.

• I’m relieved to find that the animal warning sign for the corridor does not include bears (only moose, elk, and deer).

• I see one deer, but no elk, no moose.

• The time changes to Mountain time just before Moyie.

  
  
  

  

  

The day gets surprisingly hot. With great skill, I change my shirt (first short sleeve day) and take off my socks at a “Litter Barrel” pull out. This morning I opted to wear my long riding pants - unfortunately there is too is great of a risk to flash someone if I change these, so I endure my hot pants.

After powering through my water bottles, I need a refill at the 70 km mark - the Moyie gas station. I choose two bottles of Gatorade from their amazing Gatorade stock. At the checkout, the locals talk about the storm that is coming tonight. My ears perk up and I ask, “When is that storm expected to start?” The response, “Around 4:30 pm today”. It was 12:50 pm (I confirmed I had the correct time). There is not a cloud in the sky, but I have faith in the reliability of the weather forecast and leave with a renewed sense of urgency to get to Cranbrook! I also decide that as much as my tent might benefit from a good wash, I’m going to stay in a motel tonight.

Riding towards Cranbrook, my body seems to be falling short of how I need it to perform. I notice that I am stopping more often and I am restless in the saddle. The Gatorade (a new drink for me) is making my stomach feel achy. I decide that a break in the shade is necessary. I park my bike, take a bio break, stretch out my muscles, eat a bunch of gummy bears, and down a bottle of water. This little stop is exactly what I need to bring today’s ride home.

After a stop at the Info Centre to get a motel recommendation, I head into Cranbrook. It’s really hot and very busy! I’m keen to get off the road. I arrive at the recommended motel and ask if they have a ground floor room - the clerk says the last one has just been taken as I watch the last customer leave through the door. I ask about the logistics of getting stuff up the stairs and she “happens” to find a ground floor room, but it will cost more. “OK” I say. I ask to keep my bike in the room with me - she has to checks with her manager (who is on the other side of the door) and he says”no”, but I can put my bike in the store room that “does not lock, but LOOKS like it’s locked”. That’s not good enough for me. (I brace myself for some hardball.) I tell the clerk that I will need to go elsewhere…I ask if she could please ask her manager again (I explain the urgent nature of needing to stay with my bike). She begrudging asks again. THANKFULLY he obliges (on the condition that I don’t bang or scrape the doorframe or walls). I shower the clerk with gratitude (loud enough so the manager can hear) then I head off to my room that has a door frame all scraped up and in great need of a paint job.

After dinner of a burger and fries, I settle down and fall to sleep to the sound of thunder and rain outside my window.

Day 13 - May 26, 2026

Start Time: 6:30 am

Stop Time: 3:00 pm (2:00 without the time change)

KM Travelled: 107 km

Elevation: +936 m/ - 629 m

Special Stuff: The Value of the Local Chatter, Playing Hardball