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Rocky Mountain Ramblers Association

Trip Report
Trip Date:
4-May-2022
Activity:
Road bike
Trip name:
Turner Valley to Sandy McNabb Gate & a little bey.
Coordinator:
Bob
Report:

The weather at the start was not at all near to the forecast when the trip was loaded to the calendar - rather gray and cloudy with a bit of a chinook arch, and it was supposed to be mainly sunny and warmer. It was definitely not one of the coordinator's better days as he forgot his gloves for use on cooler days. Fortunately, it was not cool enough to require them. The wind was initially light from the southwest but still made the uphills into it challenging. About 1/2 to 2/3 of the way out (not far from the Anchor D turnoff road), the coordinator noticed his rear tire was rather low. After pumping it up a few rounds, it continued to remain soft. The next step was to replace the inner tube with a new one. This proved to be challenging as the tire didn't want to easily come off and the new inner tube was meant for a 26" wheel not 27" wheel. This was after the sales person at purchase had said it would work. After the inner tube replacement and tire was wrestled back on, the tire which is quite old had a bit of a bump when riding tested every time the wheel turned. We were unsure as to whether it was due to the condition of the tire or the seating of the inner tube inside the tire (possibly twisted while being installed). At this point, the coordinator decided to send the two ladies on, as they were slightly chilled, and to continue the trip while he tried to resolve the problem. Before they left, he indicated there was a high probability he would turn around, but if so would wait for their safe return to the cars. After some work on reseating the inner tube, the problem remained, so he turned around. It was a bumpy ride on the way back but the tire and new inner tube held air back to the cars, with an arrival time at the cars of 12:15pm.

Meanwhile, the ladies were battling an increasing headwind to the gated turnaround at Sandy McNabb campground turnoff. This slowed their progress such that they decided to have lunch there. The ride back was with a tailwind and Shirley indicated the wind was so strong that they were pushed along without much pedaling required on a number of road sections. As 1:30 approached the coordinator decided to take a drive out on the course to make sure everything was OK. He encountered them near the top of the hill leading into Turner Valley. It was decided right then and there to go for coffee after they were back at the cars. Both the Coyote Moon and the Black Diamond Bakery were closed so we opted for Tim Horton's in Black Diamond. We were able to catch up on each others activities during the separation and enjoyed some conversation on bike stuff, as well, while drinking our beverages.Shortly after we headed back to Calgary.

Thanks to Shirley and Inge for joining me and for being good sports about doing a self coordinated remainder of trip due to the coordinator's problems. The coordinator vows to visit the bike shop for a new tire and rectify all back wheel problems before the next trip!

No photos as you can well understand, due to bike problems.

Bob C/S