Lakeside Selkirk Loop

By Rob Crowder, Nelson

The team couldn’t think of a better way to start day #5. We all woke up looking out onto beautiful Kootenay Lake from our comfy beds in the Nelson Prestige Hotel. We all felt so spoiled spending the night in such a nice hotel next to such breathtaking scenery. From the Prestige Lakeside hotel we were whisked off to breakfast at the Baptist Church. The Rotary and Lions provided us with a wonderful meal to get us started on our 80km trek through part of the Selkirk loop.

After breakfast we bussed out to the Balfour ferry landing which was the teams stopping point from the previous day. We hopped on the ferry and we were graciously greeted by the crew that operates the longest free ferry ride in the world. On board the boat the ferry riders showed great generosity and donated $768 which will help the little hearts that we ride for. After the ferry ride it was a short but steep ride over the mountain to the Crawford Bay Elementary School. We were met with cheers and clapping which is exactly what the riders needed to encourage them to pedal harder. For lunch Mike and Ivy from the Crawford Bay Lions club fed the crew some amazing Tacos which gave us the fuel we needed for the rolling hills on the east side of Kootenay lake.

After 75km of rolling hills and amazing scenery we landed at the Creston Overwaitea where Ron and Ellen had cake and goodies waiting for us. We had the honour and privilege to meet two of our ambassadors Laila and Zacharias. Looking at the two brave kids reminded me why I pedal so hard and fundraise as best I can. The two little hearts have faced more adversity than most will in a lifetime. What struck me most is how much they smiled and laughed the whole time we were with them. The families were so thankful for our support but it was really us that thanked them for coming out to remind us what all the hard work and long day’s on our bikes are all about.

Supper this evening was provided by the wonderful ladies of the Order of the Eastern Star. Spaghetti, salad, cake and fruit is just what we needed after spending a long day in the rolling hills.

Tonight the team gets treated once again with a private tour of the Kokanee brewery.

After a hard day the team won’t have any trouble getting to sleep. Our legs are tired and sore but we get to hop off our bikes and rest. The kids we help don’t get to simply “hop off and rest”. This makes us work harder and dig deep to make it through the gruelling days that have passed and the ones that are ahead.