Finally he did and I asked him why, after injuring someone he hadn’t stuck around to make sure that the person was alright. It was fun but I ended up going to the wharf and finding Charlie early. Thank you Dr Curtis Rytz. Whump, down go the biking shorts.Whip, up goes the bathing suit. Just before we landed on the Nova Scotia shores I went outside and let the wind whip the drowsiness out of me. Well, I sure hope she’s  still happy in the morning. We thought he was waving at someone else. If the next car had been going faster it would have driven right over him, but thankfully it was moving slowly and was able to stop in time. Overcast skies and a brisk chill wind. Pat and Sharon told us they had a downstairs bedroom and that we’d be welcome to stay with them. I can’t remember whole songs, only bits of them, and those parts reverberated in my head over and over and over again. My socks smell. Now she says she only married Mark because of his dad! His passion for adventure has driven him to climb both Kilimanjaro and Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal and he and his wife have also traversed Canada and all the way down through the Americas by bike! I know how he feels now. Feet…..how are you doing?  It rained during the night. Suzane and Mark were ready for us when we showed up at their home around 5:30, armed with a bottle of Argentinian Wine from A valley in Salta, a north western province of Argentina. Charlie and I discussed how unimpressed we’d be with a stop in Sydney if we were on a cruise. “Oh, she won’t be up until 10 or 11. In 3 months, we would cycle 7500km from Vancouver on the West coast to Halifax on the East across the second largest country in the world, a route chosen so that the prevailing winds would be behind us.   Lots of hills! Most of my years were spent just working, trying to stay afloat, trying to save a bit of money, going to school, raising my son, (now, that was not work! The music was good but secretly I’d been hoping that they’d sound more Rankin-ish. Mario began training by joining charity bike tours. Charlie wrote the number of kilometre we’d ridden on our (now former) cutting board and our motto, EFI, adopted from a CBC broadcast I’d heard about an 80 year old man who’d cycled from the most western point in Canada to the most eastern and also from the most northern part of Canada to the most southern. We made and ate our breakfast outside, chatting with the people who came over. Allow a minimum of two weeks though really three to four weeks woul… For four days we cycled through mountain scenery as if from a dream, with every corner bettering the last as we meandered past glaciers, lakes, forests, peaks. Another peaceful beautiful night. We didn’t need rain gear but we hàd it at hand. After dinner we walked up to the Templeton’s spacious, comfortable home. You’re the weak link. Â. Thanks to the friends we got to visit along the way: Traci and Rob, Sandra and John, Geri and Les. Confederation Trail on Prince Edward Island. We wandered through the downtown. We climbed it and then, there was another hill. She and Jol were going to Cape Breton on Saturday and we would meet up and collect it all then. As we had our lunch on a bench, who should walk by but that woman cyclist I’d met the day before. The sky was dark all day. We plunked ourselves down in the lounge beside Alan, a motorcyclist we’d met in the lineup to board. A few people stopped and asked us where we’d come from. We heard the occasional loud squawk and the thumping of tiny feet but no crying, no real fuss. We were very blessed to enjoy his hospitality in his home and we slept very well in an old wooden bed upstairs. We secured our bikes against the walls as well before we headed to our cabin. Now I’m just glad he’s not something that bites. We went right down to the harbour where there were ships moored.        54km, August 10, Day 80, NFL ferry in Argentia to Holyrood, Newfoundland. Food. This was where the restaurants,  lounge, shops, etc., were. I could have given Charlie a kick under the table.  Suzane had a part time job and was always happy to see a particular man. Charlie got stung on the wrist. Wherever possible, we will avoid the Trans Canada Highway, instead exploring back roads, gravel roads, bike paths and the Trans Canada Trail (renamed The Great Trail for no reasonable … As we were headed to our hosts home, Charlie in front, me tailing about 6 metres behind, a guy opened his car door directly in front of Charlie. He declined a hospital visit and we went on our way. I don’t like stained ceilings from leaky roofs, or slow, temperamental plumbing. Charlie rolled in and went inside, and I arrived about a minute later. He’d gotten lost despite his GPS and he found St Johns to be wild with activity. It was slow going on this beautiful morning. They have to get themselves ready before awakening their year old twins. ” …tout seul, comme une grande fille!” (Translates to “…by myself, like a big girl!”) A group of 4 people in their late, late 60’s or early 70’s were standing outside the information centre at Placentia. Yes, that would be great. We made and ate our breakfast on the stairs of the building beside the church and were ready to walk in at the top of the hour. Then last fall we started to think very seriously about it, realizing that if you don’t take hold of your dreams and make the effort to make them realities, they will remain as they are, dreams, vapours. Do you want to? We discussed our days. Dave, “The Wandering Canuck. Crossing into our second province, Alberta, we celebrated with a day off in Jasper, to enjoy the spectacular view from the top of the tramway on Whistlers Mountain overlooking Jasper National Park. Their daughter, Abbey, a redhead who inherited her flaming locks from both parents, is fluent in Japanese and is working as an OT in Halifax. I gently picked his soft little body off the tent with a piece of tissue paper and put him back outside. When Sue and Ken arrived we all had fish and chips, my last meal of this sort for the rest of this holiday. Mary Walsh frequents the Station House a few times a week. Vital MTB 7. That would be my eldest child; Sara. In the meantime we went for a swim a few kilometres away, again in crystal clear water under a bridge. We appreciate all that you did to help us on this journey. Signs on the chairs in the lounge read ” No sleeping allowed” which would make for a long and uncomfortable night. We left Tim’s fully fuelled and ambled  down the street. They have more than their fair share of superb multi-day bike trips in Canada. We went to Tim Hortons to look over the map and explore our options. Charlie was on his feet pretty quickly and I ran to help him, checking him out head to toe. Shut up head. Bike trail from NYC to Canada set to open by the end of the year. My water tastes weird. Even starting a family didn’t really slow down Team West, as they took their little daughter on a campervan road trip through the US National Parks. Tour du Canada is a club, a cross-Canada bike tour and a non-profit corporation. Hotels/motels/B&B’s are all totally booked up these days by vacationers. Dean found Nala on the side of the road while he was biking his way through Bosnia. Buildings are generally old and in need of TLC, or more. We stopped to chat for a while. The other, Chris,  had just finished his first summer of tree planting and he described it as” The worst experience I’ve ever had. This post includes some affiliate links. When he was done, we ate, rinsed our bowls and were on our way! We rode to a famous restaurant in these parts, a place called Chess’s, which is famous for, you guessed it, fish and chips. Alberta’s Icefields Parkway.   We ordered a lobster roll with chips to split.    99 km, August 3rd, 2017, Day 73, Charlottetown to the Pictou Rotary (and then to Meadowville),  Nova Scotia   80 km, August 2, 2017, Day 73, around Charlottetown ,  20km. We seem to be like magnets these days; anyone who has ever been on or thought of taking a bike trip comes over to tell us about their journeys. It’s just a tiny little place on the water’s edge with a long, long lineup. They have 4 kids all grown up and living independently, are semi-retired, exchanging their old jobs, (she as a day care provider, he as an engineer) for new responsibilities, renting out 2 Vancouver  and 1 Charlottetown homes with AirB&B. ... It’s enough just to mount a high-wheeled bicycle, let alone ride it across state or country. Often they are turning points, shifts in either our life circumstances or our attitudes. // 2020 Tours. With his studies in Geography and Master’s degree in development behind him, Chris set off to leave pretty much no mountain unclimbed. There was a gas station that sold baked goods, coffee, beer and everything else a person would need. The past few weeks almost every seaside town has been boasting about the Tall Ships. I have a heart of gratitude! We made dinner for Sharon and ourselves and had a very good time chatting. I wanted to look around the shops unhindered. The hospital was not far and when we got there, there was nobody in line up for blood work. We have very little as it is but really, we have what we need. Tour du Canada is a classic cross-Canada bicycle tour that has run annually since 1988. Construction began in 1992 and is scheduled to be completed by 2017, just in time for Canada's 150th anniversary. Bike Snob NYC (Tie) 9. I have wanted to bike across Canada since I was 22, ever since my brother, Kevin, and I cycled from Banff to Vancouver. We had said our goodbyes early to Mark and Suzane, leaving without eating.  I sang small parts of Rankin Family songs to myself all day. I was in and out of little places as I pleased. We made arrangements to meet 3 hours later. We and the tent would have been swept into the lake, I’m sure. They lined up for Charlie to photo. So began our life of eating as much food as possible; porridge for breakfast often followed by a full Canadian fry-up in a cafe within the first hour. I looked in the window.             Pumping, pumping, pumping…..                                            What about you thighs? You suggest the sand bar? But I do have to say, whether it’s nature or nurture, those kids are incredibly well behaved!  A huge turning point for me was when Charlie came into my life 13 years ago. I like it sorta, kinda, I think. The whole head raises at the push of a button and he told us how he slides down the bed until his feet and legs stick out the bottom.                                                                   Head? Then he has to clamber back up, only to slide down again. Now I just have to hope I won’t have to pee in the night. 4 talking about this. That was a joy and my total pleasure), going back to school, working, working, working…. We packed up our things from camping beside the manse. Gone were our days of watching what we ate - we were ‘forced’ to choose the highest calorie snack on the shelf and how we loved it! While we were standing there, I saw two women approaching, flowers and champagne in hand. He plays guitar and spoke of the big parties they used to host. Insert your own favourite F word in the middle. The EMS and police were very kind and professional. I’m hot……. It was jammed full with gummy, sugary treats. “Mind” and “blowing” are words that will come to mind along the 230-km … The day was slipping on.   One, the “If and When” was built by General Paton who planned on sailing around the world with his wife if he made it through the war. Such was the case today. We did … August 11, 2017, Day 82, Holyrood to Signal Hill, St. John’s, Newfoundland. He was having a great time. It was slow but sure. We made our lunch and as we were waiting another cross Canada cyclist pulled up. Headwinds, however, are a completely different kettle of fish making you sweat and work for every mile. We crossed Canada, our vast and amazing country by bicycle on our 10th wedding anniversary year and Canada’s 150th! We expressed our gratitude and rode off. Tragically he was killed in a car accident before he was able to realize that dream. So far over 87% of the trail is complete, and it already connects most of the major cities in Canada. Away we went, our bikes lighter as Maura had taken our excess gear. It had nothing to do with its colour or clarity, whether it’s “nose” was fruity or oakey or even if it was good! How much further can this hill be?                                  Calves, what about you? They were both affected by wanderlust and went to Toronto, he from “Down Under”, Lynn from England, where they met.  When he saw us he started waving madly.  My mom and I saw Rita in concert in Calgary probably 17 or so years ago. The motorcycles board first  and Charlie and I lined up behind them. I wanted to wander a bit today; just look in all the little shops, see what they had. Oh, and he loved to talk! This list is an attempt to highlight some of the best blogs about bicycle touring that can be found on the web. Cycle America provides a variety of supported bicycle trips. It’s huge, this thing. He’s not a fan of cities. The ground around it was either weedy or marshy. One of the women came over to me and, in French, asked me about our-ride. Yes, “comme une grande fille” I did it by myself. Eventually Jack moved to Afton and lived with his adoptive family in their crowded home.  He wrote down a lot of the quick things Pat said. He told us about the new bed Sharon insisted they buy. We sat inside and ordered Iceberg Beer from a local brewery. Two months ago I would have been way more upset about it. There were hourly fruit snacks, chocolate bars, ice cream and nuts. There was entertainment in the lounge and I just had to get up and dance with another woman, she clad totally in white. He asked us to stay another night and while we enjoyed his company, we really did have to go. ” E” stood for “every” and “I” stood for “inch”. After 800 miles swimming against the flow of the river, jumping up waterfalls and dodging bears, the salmon finally reach home, lay their eggs and die (no doubt from sheer exhaustion). We had lots of time and the air was warm, fresh and ocean-infused, the scenery, pretty but similar all along; many wildflowers and thick green foliage. Our fellow ferry-mates tooted and waved as we rolled away, in their same direction but much, much slower. We cycled on through the touristy towns of Banff and then Calgary, the cowboy capital of Canada. We were never sick, injured or in need of anything. Journal Directory. I don’t eat things like that often and Charlie, never, but I confess; I really like Maynards sour wine gums. She likes ‘er sleep.”   He’s so quick witted, he had us both laughing. We talked for hours. Anyway, we are snug and comfy in our cabin and sure of a good nights sleep.  Many people were swimming the canal. I barely noticed him, as you can tell. No way! Must have been a shortage of names that year……. Thank you Willy and Rebecca for your support during the coldest, soggiest part of the trip between Kenora and Thunder Bay. We are both a bit in awe, a little stunned that this is it! Rapha Blog 9.   Fantastic! Our ferry ride was 16 hours and undoubtedly food would be expensive onboard. We’ve yet to find otherwise. We felt like “the big boys” and Charlie rolled up right in amongst them, silly boy. Gulf Islands, BC biking – a fun way to explore the islands. I don’t like how the basements smell, how the windows don’t quite fit, how drafty and miserable they can be in the cold weather. There were lots of people there exploring the decks of these tall sailboats. I’d never have known they were tongues. Maura, our sister-in-law, married to Jol, drove up with two of her adult kids, Emily and Matthew. Canada is the second largest country in the world and you will find no fewer than 415,000 kilometres of paved blacktop to ride. This city would  be a challenge to bike! We soon learned that one day of headwind meant another day of tailwind would be coming along, so we tried looked for the positives, telling ourselves how fit we’ll be by the end! We spent a good part of the late morning, early afternoon talking downing cups of tea, raisin bread and cheese, talking, but mostly laughing. North Carolina, United States About Blog All the best cycling news, reviews, rumors and … We went to ask directions from the house beside the church and were invited to pitch our tent on the lawn. He also reported that he’d benefited from a great number of astounding and unexpected acts of kindness and generosity , he agreed that truck drivers are the best, and that Ontario  was not a great place to ride a bike. If you’re looking for a relatively flat biking route, then …   The inside, though, has been updated somewhat without jarring the ambience. Hard too, apparently. Sometimes as I’m climbing I do a little assessment. Bike Rumor. Bill Baggs Bikes and Baggs // 2019 Tours. Within the first week we would hit the huge intimidating Rocky Mountains with climbs up to 2000m. Charlie was knocked off balance, tried to recover and failed, landing on his back. Sydney, Cape Breton, has been home for them and their two children for 3 years now and they’re considering another move in the near future. Along the way, the weather varied by 40 degree extremes, with humidity making hills extremely tiring. They and their 4 kids had just gotten back from a camping trip.  When we got back we bought a canned Caesar for me and beer for my man and had some pretty darn good fish and chips. As promised, Alan was there on his motorcycle waiting for us. They gave us big hugs and started to take some pictures of us and of all of us together. ... A Long-Distance Cycling Community // 2021 Tours. God had his hand on us throughout the trip; of this I am sure. The TransCanada Trail on PEI is a great and wonderful trail, if you are prepared to take a long time to get to where you’re going. He said that he’d keep us on our usual schedule and there was no way we were going to leave without him cooking for us., So 6am we were up. It was from a local brewery ( they are springing up everywhere! ) The ferry from PEI to Caribou, Nova Scotia takes about 75 minutes. We shared the bubbly, hugged and just enjoyed the moment. We said our goodbyes and thank-yous to Chantal and Aria and went on our way. Now what? Truely professional drivers.                                             We’re holding tight. He’s taking business at a small religious university in Hamilton, Ontario , and he applauds the class sizes, saying that it gives him the opportunity to know the other students and the professors better and that it’s an atmosphere conducive to learning. Alan, aged 68, is an Australian. Charlie, though, had tears streaming down his face from laughter. Ken reminded me, that even though Charlie and I were together, I’d done every pedal stroke and had gotten across the country under my own steam. FAQ. I added another layer of clothing before we headed off. I am grateful for everything they did and for every blessing and good wish sent our way. Age, I think changes us a bit. Slow going gravel or hill after hill. Chris joined Travel Nation as a round the world specialist in 2011 and is also one of our Business Class consultants. So, did I did I do this on my own? It’s a lovely, classic old house.Â, Ian lived there with his parents until they died not many years ago. Whether you are cycling across Canada or just biking through a province or two, this guidebook presents detailed maps and all of the information that you need to explore the country by bicycle. I will….. Quebec is one of the best spots to enjoy an extended bike trip in Canada – largely because of their incomparable Green Route network. But I knew we’d been to where it was born! Province by Province routes. Today we were headed to Cape Breton Island. Nothing too killer though. I had tremendous help and support every step of the way!!!! Not in a derogatory manner, but in a kidding, lighthearted way. I’m a little leery of lobster. I don’t know if I’d ever do it again………and yet, it was the most amazing, the most incredible, summer I’ve ever had.”. There are 4  dressed bunk beds and a bathroom with a shower.  Linda (who we were not fortunate enough to meet as she was away) lived not far where she had lots of space. They’ve lived in Finland,  Aria’s homeland, Africa and in several different areas across Canada. Yesterday after  Mark and Suzane had invited us to stay, Charlie said “We’re going to have fun with them!” And we sure did! He jumped in wearing his underwear. Felix ran over to his guinea pigs and said ” You are NEVER going to Peru!” It was quite cute. When we got to the sign welcoming us to Cape Breton, we were held back by the rotation of the bridge. Quick, quick, unclip. Maybe that won’t happen…. “Oh yeah, there are some good singers around these parts”. He was and is the best man ever!  The First Nations dancer was from Afton, Nova Scotia. He stopped and asked us where we were headed tonight and told us he’d meet us there. Ahhh…….Â, Back to the hills. floors. “Around 6am”, replied Charlie. We were mutually delighted to see each other again as yesterday we had not even shared our names. Having loved this smaller trip, we wanted to try something a little bigger and decided on the ‘small’ country of Canada! At a craft/art store, Charlie saw work done by a former Mt A student. After the service we hung around a bit and talked with a few people. Pretty amazing, we thought. It was as far as I could get. We’d heard that they made the best French fries and lobster rolls in town. According to tradition, if/when that happens, the substitute dancer is “adopted” into the family. She’d have nothing to do with him, despite his repeated attempts to capture her attention. The shaking continued. I shudder to think of what would happen in any kind of emergency. Maybe she was “Mr Clean’s” partner. I might have to try that at home. These days were a highlight of our whole trip.  But given the choice between lobster and Alberta beef,  the beef wins hoofs down, every time. We usually are up and getting ready around then. “Well, it’s a bit early for us but I’ll be up making you a hot breakfast. We rode around a bit, then went to the very busy “Chip Shack”. Most of my years were spent just working, trying to stay afloat, trying to save a bit of money, going to … A little more complicated for me. However, we were crazy enough to attempt this feat by bicycle and it sparked the beginning of one of the greatest adventures of our life. This from our camping host, Dale, of “Chippin’ Dales” famous fish and chips. Our first week took us through Fraser Canyon, with quiet roads winding beside a stunning canyon created by the Fraser river. Reddit » Bicycle Touring. We just wanted it on record should a problem arise later in relation to this injury. His enthusiasm, even when things were tough never waned. But I know myself. The guy who “doored” him said, “Sorry , my bad” before he disappeared into the adjacent smoke shop. We passed Rearguard Falls, the furthest up-river destination for Salmon to swim and lay their eggs. You took us in to your homes and treated us like welcome family members. He started at university but is more suited to “hands on” work. The ferry rocks a bit and it’s tricky to keep a firm step but I danced anyway. Doable. Tomorrow we will ride to North Sydney and then take a 16 hour  ferry to Argentia, Newfoundland. He avoided answering, instead calling me a dick head. Create and find the best bike routes through Canada, the world’s second largest country, thanks to the bike route planner. Sorry  Carolynn and Ed that we changed our route and didn’t get to see you two. Finally I asked Charlie if he could go find something to do. Next, we prepared to cycle the Icefields Parkway, advertised as one of the most spectacular roads in the world. His head, fortunately helmeted, cracked hard against the pavement and the bike fell on top of him. His parents hope he’ll return to school to learn a trade and get his certificate. Anyway, this one was from “Spruce Tree Brewery” and it tasted just like a spruce tree. It was fun and we hope to see you again soon. Easy for Charlie. He, like I, prefers camping at a campground where there are showers, laundry facilities and other people. Rain was expected throughout the day, continuing into the night. She was standing a couple of feet from our table and I said, ” Your face seems familiar to me…?” (I know….it was a dumb thing to say.”) She replied, “How would I know what’s familiar to you.” Touché. Let’s go to this one since it’s starting in 20 minutes and we’re already here anyway. “What time are you usually up”, Pat asked us the day before. We stuck with the hills for an hour or so, then went back to try the gravel again. It was brisk on deck and black on the horizon.  We asked Sharon if we could at least make dinner for them and while Pat would have to have leftovers much later, we 3 could have dinner together. Landing in Vancouver we had a few days to get ready whilst staying at friends. All are Welcome.” We usually go to church on Sundays at home. I lost those fish tacos  and Newfie chips and iceberg beer on the side of her property about 4 feet from the tent. It was close to 11 pm and we went outside before retiring to our cabin. 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