Contemplating Canada.... Oh what a country!

When I started the journey back in June, I remember sitting at the Mile zero mark and thinking I was about to embark on an adventure of epic proportions and perhaps I wasn't ready... fit... or perhaps I was just insane for thinking it.

I remember sitting at Mile 0 in Victoria and looking at a map and starting to cry - then remembered not to look at the big picture but take it one day at a time. Low and behold that is what I ended up doing... looking at each day as a short (albeit often 150km or more ride from location to location).

Canada is such a beautiful county - not that I have to let most of you know - but I feel I must say something more along those lines.

British Columbia has the magnificent mountains and glacier fed lakes...
Alberta continues in the same regard with the Rockies rising even higher than the coastal moutains and then flattening out after Calgary into wonderous prairies that literally go on for days and days.... and on a bicycle they go even longer than that.
Saskatchewan taught me a lot about patience... and that beauty is sometimes WAY off in the distance with the sky from horizon to horizon. It was in Saskatchewan that I fought mosquitoes and learned how to spray and ride.
Manitoba continues with prairies and then lakes start coming into play and boreal forests - where deer flies and horse flies can make a man go insane.
Ontario was in a phrase "Yours to discover" lots of hills and trees in the north and using the Bike Rally to get me to Montreal was just perfect... friends for life - literally.
Quebec with the wide St. Lawrence river and an amazing Route Verte.
New Brunswick was the start of my Atlantic tour... the province I visited twice - lots of moose (yet I saw none). Many trees and the spectacular St. John river.
Prince Edward Island... what can I say... Anne of Green Gables was right... it is a place of kindred spirits.
Nova Scotia continued with more friendly people, a large blueberry, an amazing Halifax harbour and then Cape Breton - Mike I understand why this place has your soul...
Newfoundland so comfy, relaxed and encouraging the people truly are wonderful - everyone says hello to everyone, and going to Signal Hill and Cape Spear (most easterly point in North America was awesome).

Oh... forgot to mention... I hit 9500km in St. John's... only 500km more and I will be at 10,000km for the year... it will happen.

BTW - I posted another update below... thanks for reading:)

Day 51 - Argentia to Conception Bay South - the Ma/Pa tour continues

Argentia to Conception Bay South - Kelligrews (visiting Mr/Mrs. King)
i know that I've said this before but I am truly blessed to be fortunate enough to say that I have cycled across Canada (and to be afforded not only the time but the money to do so). Woke up in the B & B - oddly enough everyone has to make their own breakfast... but then again it was super reasonable at $65.00 for the night. The morning began with a steep hill to climb and then more hills and rock everywhere.

Newfoundland is definitely named correctly as the ROCK! So many rocks and beautiful pristine lakes everywhere. It occurred to me today how fortunate I have also been to meet such a wonderful group of people supporting me - obviously my family tops the list, as does the people reading this blog but then there are those that I don't really know - the people in cars that toot their horns as they pass and give me the thumbs up... they don't know me - but I guess they have me figured out when they see all the gear I'm towing with me. Today this happened about 5 times (each time I smiled and thought... I'm going to make it)... never did I ever doubt that fact, but I guess it reassured me of that fact.

Great day... amazing fish and chips from By Da Beach Restaurant... and great company - Mr and Mrs. King are wonderful people - so kindhearted (once again this is no surprise). Thanks Jason for letting your parents know that I was coming through the area.

Distance Traveled today: 110.64km
Distance Traveled in Canada:
Distance Traveled this year:

Day 50 - Welcome to the ROCK! Port Hawkesbury to Sydney and beyond 143.44km

It's hard to believe that I have finally made it to Newfoundland (aka the Rock). It was a LONG day but definitely glad that I did it all in one day. Woke up in Port Hawkesbury and after asking a few people I decided to take highway 104 and then route 4 toward Sydney. The ladies at the information centre said I should take the Trans Canada because of the wide shoulder, however myself I prefer to take quieter roads.

It was fantastic - I was on the south shore of the Bras d'Or Lake and the road was quite impressive. Nova Scotia must've been working on this road for the past few years as it has LOTS of new smooth asphalt. Anyway, why am I telling you that information (cuz it is late and I'm tired).

I kept taking pictures enroute and decided to stop at Rita's Tea Room for an iced tea and a piece of coconut cream pie. Apparently Rita McNeil drops by the tea room twice a week and even more often when she isn't touring. Earlier that morning Michael Ignatieff (leader of the Liberal party) had apparently dropped by the tea room. Also, Anne Murray apparently was there visiting Rita McNeil the week before. My waitress was impressed by my efforts and told me that she is a cancer survivor and her husband is currently undergoing treatments for prostate cancer... anyway, I guess I made an impression as she gave me a hug before I left.

My journey continued from one rolling hill to the next... finally I arrived in Sydney. The plan was to call Gwen Harwood (a former colleague of McMaster University)... silly me I copied the wrong phone number down and then needed to find a place with internet access, in order to be able to call her. I went to the Days Inn and used my wireless connection and figured out where she lived. The ride to her apartment continued to be hilly - it was GREAT to see a familiar friendly face, as well as that of her husband Scott and their friend James. We ate an awesome dinner and then chatted before heading to the North Sydney ferry terminal.

The ferry crossing from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland was rather smooth - I had booked a recliner on Deck 7, it was perfect... foot rest and all - I definitely was able to sleep and relax and enjoy my trip. Woke up at around 5:30am and went outside to see the sunrise on the Atlantic. Breathtaking scenary... so peaceful... allowed me an opportunity to reflect on my journey. Still hard to believe that I have traveled the length of Canada... the second largest country in the world. Anyway, will still be thinking about my journey as I make it to Mile 0 on the Trans Canada in St. John's.

Distance traveled from Port Hawkesbury to Ferndale, Newfoundland: 143.44km
Distance traveled in Canada: 6206.05km
Distance traveled this year: 9304.8km

Day 49 - Antigonish to Cape Breton - 53.25km

A quick day to get to Cape Breton. Another BEAUTIFUL day on the road. I was a bit emotional crossing the Canso Straight... as it hit me... I'm almost at the other end of Canada. A bit of a relief but at the same time I suppose I am conflicted because I'm not sure what I will be doing next... likely something exciting.

Anyway, short blog post because I've been posting my last week. Enjoy the pics and read lots!

Distance traveled today: 53.25km
Distance traveled in Canada: 6062.61km
Distance traveled this year: 9161.30km

Halifax to Antigonish - In one Day! Day 48 - 97.98km

Most people who know geography of Nova Scotia would realize that cycling from Halifax to Antigonish in one day would be quite the effort, well over 250km... so before many of you are super impressed you'll be pleased to learn that I was given a ride from Halifax to Truro and then cycled from Truro to Antigonish. Initially the plan was to cycle along the Eastern shore of Nova Scotia to Sherbrooke and then up to Antigonish, but I had heard that the road was long and curvy with heaps of logging trucks - so when Paul Collins offered me a lift up to Truro (as he was visiting his mother this weekend) I immediately accepted. I suppose I'm also really wanting to be home and the sooner that I make it to Cape Breton Island, the sooner that I will be on my way to Newfoundland.

Highlights:
- seeing a sign on the highway by Stewiacke describing the town as the halfway point between the equator and the North pole... this made me remember a similar sign in NZ
- meeting Riley and Hugh (more friends of Paul Wollasten) -seeing their daughter having fun making mud pies etc...
- pics above are of Alex, Hugh and Riley with me and Coletrain (?)
- other pic is of me and Paul Collins
- eating a McLobster at McDonald's - who knew?
- Another FANTASTIC day!

Distance traveled today: 97.98km
Distance traveled in Canada: 6009.36km
Distance traveled this year: 9108.15km

Halifax, Peggy's Cove and Lunenburg

Okay... so I know I haven't really been blogging while I have stayed in peoples places... or mentioning my visits to museums etc... but I feel I just need to post some of my pics from Peggy's Cove and Lunenburg. As well I had some fun exploring the Alexander Keiths Brewery (on a theatrical tour), the Maritime Museum, MEC (of course), the downtown, the piers... and so much more.

Hitting 9000km for the year - Truro to Halifax (120.57km) - Day 47

Leaving Truro for Halifax was AWESOME - as Bob had decided to join me for a bit of the journey... picture it - me on my heavy laden bicycle and Bob on his carbon fibre frame....sigh... Best moment was when we decided we'd try to catch another cyclist... and well I hate to brag but we did hold our own and almost caught him - had we not had a slight incline (hill) that made my average plummet.

Today was also another landmark day in cycling for me this year as I completed 9000km. Arriving in Halifax on the very busy route 7 - I am honestly amazed that they allow bicycles on some of these roads in Nova Scotia.

Highlights:
- cycling across the MacDonald Bridge (breathtaking views of Halifax Harbour - sadly no pics were taken as it is quite a busy thoroughfare).
- meeting a former cyclist who was injured years ago and told he would never walk again... yet he is able to walk - he can't ride his bicycle any longer... but still small gains.
- meeting Paul Wollaston's friend Paul Collins my host for the next few days (3 nights)... another remarkable person - generous, kind and despite what he says - an excellent cook
- having a celebratory glass of red wine with Paul - to acknowledge the completion of 9000km of cycling this year in Canada and New Zealand
- in short an amazing day

Distance traveled today: 120.57km
Distance traveled in Canada: 5911.38km
Distance traveled this year: 9010.17km