Day 5: Whistler BC

We eased into today at a leisurely pace. I was a little sad to leave Janet and Robb but it seemed like good karma to start the Trans Canada Adventure trail from thier doorstep. They are boat people and have sailed and raced across the Atlantic, facing challenges that make our trips seem like child's play. Anyway, it's not a competition and it was just lovely to spend time with them. Janpan, Robb, we wait for you in New Zealand.
We rode up the East coast of Vancouver Island, catching the ferry across from Nanaimo. Some lovely scenes on the crossing and the panorama pic is taken shortly before docking in horseshoe bay, north of Vancouver. We then had a brisk late afternoon ride up the sea to sky highway to Whistler. Being a keen mountain biker it was nice to pass through places like Squamish and of course end up here in Whistler, the Mecca of the mountain bike world. The scenery is stunning and it's easy to see why there are so many images of this part if the world in the magezines. You'll have to take my word for it as the road was not conducive to many photo stops.
Unknown to us Iron Man Canada took place here today and it was bedlam coming into town. Never mind. Tomorrow we head out beyond Pemberton into the wilderness. Both if us are now keen to get into some remote country and replace the sealed roads for some gravel. I hope we get some views as it is forecast to rain for the next few days.
Some of you might be wondering why we appear to be travelling so slowly, my good wife seems to be one! Dave and I had some rather hairy moments in the early part if our last trip and were keen not to make the same mistakes this time around. Jet lag and finding our feet again in a new country can lead to lost concentration and we don't want to cock-up our trip before we have even got going. Plus we were rightly keen to see the lovely people we have already connected with on this trip.
One new thing that we have on this trip is helmet intercoms. These have already proven themselves worth the money many times over (especially as Dave bought them). It certainly has taken a lot of stress out if navigation and shared decision making. Previously Dave would just disappear out of rear view mirrors and I'd be left wondering if I should turn back or not. Now I can just say what the f-k are you up to? Very useful. Plus we can wish each other cheery top of the mornings as we go along. Having said that it didnt stop Dave roaring up the wrong side of the road here in Whistler despite me shouting keep right! His stylish correction through the beautifully manicured centre island gardens was worth a round of applause. Janet's advice worked - if you are looking at the back of the street signs you are on the wrong side of the road!
Saw our first wildlife today. Two little deer just a hundred meters from Janet's house.
Just some pics from the ferry crossing. Me trying to look like a cross between Bono and Kermit. The others from Janet and Robbs forest hideaway.