Biking in Fernie

Tue 4th Oct. I thought I better not suggest another mountain hike to Doug today so instead thought we would check out part of the Trans Canada Cycle trail for my sister who is planning on doing it next year. Choose the 18.5 km route heading south from Fernie to Morrisey so we could check out the Grove of the world's oldest known black cottonwood trees. The trees were only discovered in 2003 and are thought to be upwards of 400 years old - most cottonwood only last about 150 years. Firstly we had a nice amble checking out the shops in the town centre - mainly biking/skiing shops and cafes. After lunch, and with it nicely warmed up - again a chilly start but such beautiful sunny day, we headed out on the trail which started from the Fernie Aquatic centre and was on single tracks (probably about grade 3) for a good portion - it was good fun biking most of it, but quite hard work. The track was closed in two places due to bridges being out - we did carry on and there were tracks made that did allow us to get over. We eventually got on to the forest road, but after helping a group of young male mountain bikers who had got there ute stuck in a ditch, we may have carried on the wrong road because it just went on and on, and after umming and ahhing whether we should tu.rn around we eventually came out at the Morrisey kiosk 28 kms later - only an extra 9.5 kms (and that is why I leave the navigating to Fiona when we do adventure races). We went back up the road we should had come down to find the trees but after 2 or so kms couldn't find them so decided we would go back to Morrisey to cross the bridge and bike home on the main road as we were both feeling tired and it was 5pm so a bit worried about daylight. Just before the bridge finally spotted a sign about the trees and since it was only a 1.5 km walk to go see them we did. The bike along the road was much easier, although it was surprisingly busy with a lot of trucks. Bike stats: 48.2 kms, active time 3 hrs 31, elevation loss/gain 516 m. Got back to the aquatic centre about 6, and thought a nice soak in the spa and a shower would be wonderful and it was only $5 for the Senior one of us, and $6 for me - we both managed to do a few lengths of swimming too. Thought about staying at the aquatic centre carpark for the night, then a train came along and we hightailed back to our favorite trailhead carpark. Steps: V 6020Read more