Great Divide Stage 46 to Canada!

Eureka, MT to Fernie, BC

Strava: 101.1 km, 988m, 5:13, 339 shifts, 67 kph max

Today was an exciting and fun day. We completed our crossing of the entire USA and rode a bit in British Columbia. We also hit the 4000 km milestone.

We packed up as usual in the morning then rode across the street to the Fire and Slice right at opening time, 8:00. We were the only customers but they made us great breakfasts. Then we took the back way around the airport 15 km to the Roosville port of entry into Canada. As we approached, the road came within 10 meters of Canada and the barrier was a tiny fence, the exact opposite of what we saw at Antelope Wells, so far away now.

We pulled into the line behind a tourist bus and a couple of cars but in less than five minutes we were up. The guy was polite and quick and then we were through. No big deal at all. The only question was, “Where’s your final destination?” We took photos at the Welcome to British Columbia sign, then headed up the highway.

We stopped at the service station the border guard recommended, “after about seven clicks.” We tested our phones; Wytze’s didn’t work so he used the WiFi to install a new eSIM. We had some snacks and drinks and headed on.

We didn’t take the first detour the route follows as it seemed too silly and the highway was uncrowded and easy. That saved a couple of km but then we took the second one, on small roads, a couple unpaved, very nice. We rejoined the highway at Elko and spied the Dairy on the other side. There was a big ice cream sign so we carefully blasted across the highway lanes and up an embankment for more snacks. I tried ordering what was on the sign, a giant triple cone, but the sign was for illustration purposes only. Large is two scoops. But when I saw what Large actually means here, I was glad! So huge and so good! We had siix grapefruit sodas and yam fries too. Two cyclists from our motel were already there and as we ate another half dozen arrived including three we knew from way back in Wyoming.

The last 30 km from Elko was on dirt, going up a valley, next to a river and a train track. Sometimes it was a big wide smooth road and sometimes not. There was a right turn halfway up onto a super steep skinny rocky trail. I was thanking my legs for getting so strong from over seven weeks of cycling as I climbed that one.  There were some dusty parts too, but all in all it was very scenic and fun.

We came out into Fernie, a town of 5000 that had been recommended by many people. We had booked an apartment but stopped downtown at a coffee shop first; check in time wasn’t until 16:00.

We rode over the bridge to West Fernie then the last few km. We found the place and it’s pretty luxurious. After showers it was soon time to ride back to town for our reservation at the wine bar Bramasole. We arrived and it was super nice. Our British waitress was able to make our decisions for us and bring us great salads, appetizers and pasta dishes. We started with a sparkling local rosé, then a local red, then a pear cider and finished with a round of port with our desserts – we ordered every dessert on the menu!