Pete (WS host) gave us a boost up to Kamloops from Hope.

It was a spontaneous offer and very gladly accepted by my mum. This way, we would be able to cross the Rockies via the Icefields parkway which, by all accounts, is meant to be stunning.

I had some reservations. Getting lift seemed to undermine the idea of cycling the whole way across North America. Not getting a lift would mean having to take the Trans-Canada Highway, a pretty busy road. Safe enough to ride on, but not really fun, and less stunning than icefields.

Ultimately, it was the wish to see the icefield which decided me. Who knows when I'll be able to come back to Canada, and it would be a shame to miss them when I'm this close.

I was glad later that we didn't have to cycle the c.200km from Hope to Kamloops when I looked out of the pickup's window: the road seemed pretty steep, with a narrow shoulder, and quite busy. Visibility was low. In short, it looked like rough going.

Luckily for us, once we crossed one of the passes, the weather shifted completely to a beautiful, sunny day. It's astonishing how the mountains separate out such micro-climates.

We set off in brilliant sunshine, and honestly, I haven't felt at all guilty about taking the lift since.