But I know myself. 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 … Thank you to all our “Warm Showers” hosts. Author and veteran cycle tourist Steve Langston shares his expert advice and a 72-day itinerary to get you prepared for your pannier-filled journey. You’re the weak link.   Good thing we did too because this deck is one that the local kids like to hang around as it’s the deck leading up to the store. It was such a comfort to stay with you in your RV and eat everything Rebecca put in front of us. We made our lunch and as we were waiting another cross Canada cyclist pulled up. At one downhill part I dismounted and walked my bike, it was so bad. Does that mean I have to do it all over again alone to be a big girl? I awoke several times during the night and heard the rain pounding outside. Quick, quick, unclip. Quebec is one of the best spots to enjoy an extended bike trip in Canada – largely because of their incomparable Green Route network. Charlie was knocked off balance, tried to recover and failed, landing on his back.    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 were off. Headwinds, however, are a completely different kettle of fish making you sweat and work for every mile. “Oh, she won’t be up until 10 or 11. Hopefully we will get to host them when they next travel through Calgary. I took the opportunity to call my dad to tell him where we were. You can go in and have one if you’d like.”. The weather remained overcast and Enviroment Canada confirmed our concerns. “Oh yeah, there are some good singers around these parts”.  Many people really struggle to get by. I added another layer of clothing before we headed off. He told us about the new bed Sharon insisted they buy. Allow a minimum of two weeks though really three to four weeks woul… We were hot,  the bugs were awful and we were covered in bites and scabs. Even though the ground was a bit damp, as was the air about us, the tent was quite dry. I shudder to think of what would happen in any kind of emergency. Some days, some moments in our lifetimes, are unforgettable. Immediately we faced an imposing hill. Charlie was cleaning and oiling our bike chains and I was packing my bike outside of Dutchie’s house. 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. Interestingly, we are hearing a lot of country and western music in this region. Sometimes they are due to unforeseen, unplanned, serendipitous or catastrophic events but often these memorable pinnacles have been planned, brooded over and then finally put into being by painstaking effort. He spent several years there and one time during a Sun Dance he was called upon to replace one of the dancers. We and the tent would have been swept into the lake, I’m sure. They both do and we learned so much about their families and jobs and animals and, and, and…. It was jammed full with gummy, sugary treats. 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. Thank you Lord. Travel The Great Trail of Canada Your Way. The circumstances have to be right, of course. There were hills to climb! Then two young guys pulled in, laughing and chattering. I’d biked throught the Rockies, across the prairies, through never-ending and challenging Ontario, hospitable Quebec  and the mainland Martimes, pretty PEI and now on this final ascent in Newfoundland, I’d be damned if I’d walk my bike up any part of this last formidable hill. That was a joy and my total pleasure), going back to school, working, working, working…. He talked about his wife, his  kids, (2 and 1 on the way), his work, the townhouse he rents and how he manages to make his money stretch working only seasonally. We did … Nice weather, this final day of cycling across Canada. // 2020 Tours. It’s huge, this thing. Whether you are looking for a place to hike, cycle, paddle, ride, cross-country ski or snowmobile, you can find an experience that resonates with you. Thanks for your words of encouragement. The shaking continued. I live in … Thank you Willy and Rebecca for your support during the coldest, soggiest part of the trip between Kenora and Thunder Bay. The ferry from PEI to Caribou, Nova Scotia takes about 75 minutes. Two months ago I would have been way more upset about it. He jumped in wearing his underwear. We usually are up and getting ready around then. Holyrood boasts a few places to eat and judging by the number of cars outside The Station House, that was the one to go to. Charlie was talking with one couple, Pat and Sharon Sutherland, and they asked where we were going to stay tonight. Once there we purchased food to make a salad and some things for lunch for the following day. Our next destination was a bike shop where Charlie had his brake pads changed and things tightened up after the accident yesterday. She converted an old schoolhouse into her home and then eventually into “Rita’s Teahouse”. I can’t remember whole songs, only bits of them, and those parts reverberated in my head over and over and over again. Â. “What time are you usually up”, Pat asked us the day before. A fine mist of rain with the looming prospect of a heavy downpour. We showered, then hung out a bit as Dale lamented his current love life and showed us pictures of his daughter and son, his properties, and his graduation pictures from years ago. 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. 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. Maybe it wasn’t that bad. His head, fortunately helmeted, cracked hard against the pavement and the bike fell on top of him. It’s a good one. Dad was in the Royal Canadien Navy so he knows what it’s like to be at sea. This adventure started as an off the cuff comment half a year ago as a way of … Rain was expected throughout the day, continuing into the night. After a lovely dinner we enjoyed some conversation in the living room before heading to the attic. It’s a lovely, classic old house.Â, Ian lived there with his parents until they died not many years ago. Phew! He started at university but is more suited to “hands on” work. We were headed into St John’s after camping on the edge of someone’s property on Butter Pot Road, Holyrood. She said that she’d enjoy someone else cooking for a  change. We felt like “the big boys” and Charlie rolled up right in amongst them, silly boy. So, when I meantioned that I wanted to do this, he took it on as his own ambition. Then, walking from across the field, Maura and Ian’s brother, Alex and his wife, Cheryl arrived. Some time after, Alan set off to the USA to motorcycle and on his return to Toronto, received a letter from Lynn saying that if he really wanted to see her again, she would be at Heathrow airport at such a date, and such a time. While it’s a fairly direct route, do plan to drive some of the scenic bi-ways so you see the country properly. In the meantime, our bikes were lighter and we were free! Rapha Blog 9. The family has a big ol’ dog named Murphy and 2 guinea pigs. Heading out of Vancouver, we initially followed the Trans Canadian Trail – at 22,000km it’s one of the longest cycle trail networks in the world. Can’t ask for better than that. I am grateful for everything they did and for every blessing and good wish sent our way. My socks smell. Tour du Canada is a club, a cross-Canada bike tour and a non-profit corporation. Signs on the chairs in the lounge read ” No sleeping allowed” which would make for a long and uncomfortable night. It was great to have some time with these elusive Hunters. 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. People are friendly. Nothing too killer though. That’s fine; we are outside most of the time anyway. An older man came out the front door and we chatted for a while. I’ve had it before but I wasn’t  sure just how much I like it. The ferry rocks a bit and it’s tricky to keep a firm step but I danced anyway. Best to get it dismantled and packed away before the rain starts.  These days are more leisurely as we have less than 100 km to do and 3 days to do them so we can putter a bit and certainly, we could sleep in for an extra hour. 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. Oh, ok, thanks anyway. 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). So, did I did I do this on my own? The ups and downs you experience whilst cycling these distances are extreme and vary, dependent on gradient, tiredness, weather, distance, and food (or lack of it). The other, Chris,  had just finished his first summer of tree planting and he described it as” The worst experience I’ve ever had. Every corner led to another jaw dropping sight, with classic views of high snow-capped peaks in the background, breathtakingly stunning turquoise lakes (created by glacial silt in the water) and fir tree forests. We pushed our way through that gravel. I could have given Charlie a kick under the table. We appreciate all that you did to help us on this journey.  When he saw us he started waving madly. We took it easy with shorter days of about 40km cycling, which meant we could enjoy the many walks just off the road. This route passes through the heart of the Canadian Rockies with views that you have to see to believe. An hour or so before we were expected by our “Warm Showers ” hosts, we reluctantly peeled ourselves off the plastic seats and headed to the grocery store. There was entertainment in the lounge and I just had to get up and dance with another woman, she clad totally in white. ... It’s enough just to mount a high-wheeled bicycle, let alone ride it across state or country. Eventually Jack moved to Afton and lived with his adoptive family in their crowded home. I like it sorta, kinda, I think. Insert your own favourite F word in the middle. The ferry was in a bit late, so our departure was delayed. So I don’t buy them……often. As the miles ticked by, the gradients increased through the Colombia Mountains into the foothills to the Rockies. You suggest the sand bar? His wife lives in Victoria, Australia and they face-time daily and he has a gps tracker. Charlie was on his feet pretty quickly and I ran to help him, checking him out head to toe.  I will email her and ask her for her blog site; she couldn’t remember it off hand.Â. More mundane tasks; we biked to North Sydney near where we were to catch the ferry and got groceries. Hotels/motels/B&B’s are all totally booked up these days by vacationers. Even the downtown area and boardwalks  where people disembark from cruise ships, itching to spend their money, are in shoddy shape. The 10 Best Motorcycle Rides in Canada is a cumulative snap shot of the best rides one can do on a motorcycle.   Lots of hills! No sign of him. He’s also super smart and while he often needs to be asked to please change his shirt, he’s practical, organized and visionary. We’ve been planning this for years and now it’s going to happen.          Suddenly there was a loud congratulatory call and Kathi Kalischuk appeared with Rocky, Kayla and Kayla’s two friends. I was shaking a bit as I climbed, not only from the effort, but also because of emotional overload. It was from a local brewery ( they are springing up everywhere! ) Now what? A few people stopped and asked us where we’d come from. Finally we were reaching our goal, completing our ultimate test. So far over 87% of the trail is complete, and it already connects most of the major cities in Canada. One of our main concerns was ‘what about the bears?’ On our first of many visits to the excellent Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC) we discussed various bear-protection options available to us, including choosing airtight food containers (to keep the smell of food from escaping), to a bar bell, to pepper spray, to flare guns and even guns with live ammunition. Along the way, you’ll see the Rocky Mountains and a variety of wildlife – including a wolf sanctuary. Rouleur Magazine Blog … Create and find the best bike routes through Canada, the world’s second largest country, thanks to the bike route planner. We crossed Canada, our vast and amazing country by bicycle on our 10th wedding anniversary year and Canada’s 150th! Thanks to the host’s we never even had the opportunity to meet who still gave us shelter for the night in their homes. Did you get a chance to cycle on the Trans-Canada Trail and is it a viable option for cyclists? Cycle Canada, The Veloforce Corporation is a Canadian owned and operated company. View my trails and route on Strava.  Linda (who we were not fortunate enough to meet as she was away) lived not far where she had lots of space. Inch it up, up. There are 4  dressed bunk beds and a bathroom with a shower. We planned on making and eating our breakfast down there and then checking out the watercraft. He was in and out in about 15 minutes. Maura and Pauline had prepared a lot of food; fresh home-made, hamburger buns, hamburger patties, potato salad, broccoli salad, bean salad, and apple crumble. This includes a series of National Park tours in the United States and Canada, an annual Pedal the Peaks Bicycle Challenge and a Coast-to-Coast cycling adventure from Seattle to Boston. They have more than their fair share of superb multi-day bike trips in Canada. She nodded and smiled, then told me she’d done the same trip last year, by herself, ” like a big girl!” Oh no! Adventure Cycling Organization, another bike-centric organization, has mapped more than 40,000 miles of routes specific to bicycle touring. Then he has to clamber back up, only to slide down again. She is Aline Berube from Rimouski, Quebec, and she did a solo bike ride across this vast country last year at the age of 69, “Seoul, comme une grande fille”. There’s not much to see and there’s nothing much that people would want to buy. 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