Dave & Maxine's Bicycle Treks for Life & Breath.: June 2005 Archives

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June 28, 2005

Bicycle Unfriendly!

North Bay Ontario - arriving from the east, we suddenly see a sign on the road "No Cycles"! No info, no directions! Ignore it!!

Maxine is busy doing laundry, so I have been tasked to ride into town and check the emails! It is very hot and humid, not sure which we prefer, this or cold and wet! We are taking Highway 17 along Lake Superior - less traffic we think, as there are no hard shoulders - an Ontario special!

If you are reading this around early July, it is Maxine's birthday 4th July! Back to get the laundry .....

Posted by Dave at 09:46 AM | Comments ()

June 26, 2005

Great Ontarians!

Alison from our previuous blog, phoned ahead to Kevin's brother Denis, who offered us space on the lawn and a BBQ dinner!

We reached their house in Pembroke where the BBQ was ready, and we met Suzie and baby Jack. Not only did they feed us in the evening, but got up at 6:30 am to cook us breakfast - many thanks, we really appreciated your hospitality!

On to Deep River, where during supermarket shopping we met RoseMarie Doliner who gave us donation for the Lung Assoc. and after that, no more towns for a long time, so camped by the roadside with a cold dinner! Next day saw us near Rothergen where, en route to a campsite, we were attacked by Deer flies - lots of bites before we covered ourselves in repellent! Lovely campsite by a lake with beaver swimming around. Next day we saw a tandem recline bike coming towards us - ridden by John Guy alone out from Saturna Island near home! John we hope you get tail winds in Newfoundland!

Posted by Dave at 10:41 AM | Comments ()

June 25, 2005

What's up?

Everyone knows what I am up to but I am craving the local gossip and news from friends and family. If I don't know you just tell me about your new adventure dream.

A couple of questions. What do you do in the prairies in the middle of a lightning storm? I would like to know how others cycled across Ottawa!!

Looking forward to Winnipeg.....just down the road :0 Maxine

Posted by Dave at 11:54 AM | Comments ()

PS and Fellow Bike Bloggers!

Happy Birthday Shirley, Wishing you loads of adventure for the year to come. Keep me posted.

Love Maxine

We would like to thank the fellow Bike Bloggers that have linked to us. And for those who we've missed, pleased drop us a line and we would be more than happy to link back to you. Thanks again! Originally posted 25 May 2005. These links now all transferred to our dedicated page on this site "Great Cycling Links" Dave - February 2008

Posted by Dave at 11:51 AM | Comments ()

Ottawa and West

A difficult ride from Montreal trying to find roads we were allowed to cycle along! Followed the Ottawa River to Ottawa and a great reception from Pete and Michele - thanks guys for a wonderful stay - difficult for us to leave you and get on those bikes again! Especially thanks for the Birthday dessert, and wonderful to meet up with Catherine, Seb and Helga - lots of memories from our Dubai days!

Changed Maxine's gear shifter after it gave weeks of increasing trouble, then more trouble finding roads to cycle on east of Ottawa! Again followed local advice and used old roads following the Ottawa River as far as Castleford where Jamie and Debbie allowed us to use their lawn for a campsite, a swim in their pool - and an evening meal! A hidden wasp nest revealed itself when a squadron of angry wasps attacked Maxine - 3 stings and one for Dave! It was more excitement than Maxine wanted at the end of the day!

Up early and at a lunch spot we met Alison Seely out training for a triathalon. She invited us to her home, where we met her husband Kevin, and three lovely children. A swim in the lake and a shower were really appreciated in this hot, humid weather! They are proving a great source of local knowledge for the best way west from here! Thanks a million for the stay!

The heat of the day has gone, and we are setting out for Pemboke and beyond!

Posted by Dave at 11:33 AM | Comments ()

June 19, 2005

Montreal

Yet another day of tail winds. It looked like we were off to Montreal but on day two, and the day we were hoping to arrive there, Dave had a flat.

So there we are soaking wet, between towns, and a flat to fix. A cyclist, Peter form Sydney, Down Under, was waiting in the entrance of a building waiting to see if he could get a room for the night, came out to say hello. He had had enough of the rain and wind for the day. We may see him in the future on Van Island. He and I chatted while poor Dave fixed the flat. When Dave was done and everything was packed back on the bike, I looked at his tire and asked if it should look like that. He looked again and we could see the tire separating away from the wall. Now we needed a whole new tire, not just a tube.

As luck would have it a very nice man came by and took Dave into town to buy a tire and drove him back while I waited with the bikes. By the time it was fixed we had lost a lot of cycling time so we had to stay in a motel for another night before reaching friends, Russell and Ulla's.

The next day we spent mostly trying to get through Montreal. The bike paths were magic but long. It was the grand tour and took about three hours.

Finally at our friends and rest and relaxation. They cooked a wonderful dinner served with a very nice wine! The company was fantastic and it is so nice to sit on a couch!!

The laundry is done, Dave is putting finishing touches on his bike. His brakes are gone, and the tire he bought before just limped us into town. So new tires, new brakes, new socks and we will go tour Montreal. Tomorrow we are off to Ottawa, there to spend time with friends Pete and Michele.

Wednesday is Dave's Birthday. It would be nice to share it with friends. It is also a full moon.....Hmmm...I wonder what awaits us.

Off to shop, until next time, think NE winds, :) Maxine

Posted by Dave at 07:58 AM | Comments ()

June 16, 2005

Photo No. 2 - West Maritimes to Quebec

By popular demand, here she is!

The nude from PEI (but it was too cold to get two nudes!!)

Maxine cooking canned stew (yuk!) under bug protection in New Brunswick

Riding fully loaded with our kit by the St Lawrence Seaway

Freewheeling "uphill" at Magnetic Hill, New Brunswick

Low Tide at Bay of Fundy

High Tide at Bay of Fundy

Wall Mural in Old Quebec City - spot the real person?!

Montreal Skyline

With Russell and Ula Siboo on Hillside Avenue, Pointe Claire

Posted by Dave at 07:26 PM | Comments ()

June 15, 2005

Would you believe it?

Yes, the weather was hot, but riding against the wind when it is hot seemed harder than when it was raining. Hot, sweaty, and very unlady like!!

We decided on a B&B for the night and while we were out having dinner, within the half hour, the wind whipped up and changed direction. Yeah!!.... but we were done for the day. The next morning we had a broken french/ english conversation with some other tenants in the house. They helped us do some french translations and gave a donation. Thanks Claude.

WE HAD TAIL WINDS!!! We rode for 136 k. that day. What a good feeling.

We met Francis who was just finishing up his 1 month trip and he said he travelled in the storm the day before and was kicking along at 40 k an hour not even noticing working at all. Hope all went well for you Francis.

Riding along the St. Laurence was spectacular and with the fires happening we had some very red sunsets. Bob, if only we had your camera.

We reached Levi soaking wet and jumped the ferry to Quebec City. Old Quebec which we are exploring today. Then off to Montreal tomorrow. It will take two to three days. Depending on the weather.

Kim, you would not believe how much I eat, how tired I am by 9:30 at night and how sore my butt is at the end of some days. Am I tired of doing this? Not a chance. It is a thrill. I will miss the Hornby trip though. Is Bob back and how is Georgina? Who is still there and is there news of who will be back next year? I guess you will be. By the way the shopping looks good here, Nancy.

Good to hear from you Nat. Email me.

Ryan, you out there? How are things. Give my Love to your granny.

Peace out, Maxine

Posted by Dave at 08:36 AM | Comments ()

Bonjour Quebec!

Police escort in Quebec!!

Just as we were leaving New Brunswick, we met a fellow cyclist on his way to the Francesville area of NB. So Guy, if you are reading this, we hope you arrived safely and all is working out for you!

We have to mention in passing our final night in New Brunswick! We left it too late to pitch camp, and as darkness was descending on us, we set up tent on a patch of grass beside a gas station that was closed. In the morning we were woken by a gaggle of geese wandering around, and found we were nicely camped in a field of goose droppings!

We entered Quebec against the by now familiar headwinds, and while struggling uphill to look for a lunch spot, we were invited into the home of Aline and Camile for cold water and water melon. A wonderful couple - many thanks! We continued on our way, only to find the road joined (without an exit) onto the Hwy 20 freeway on which bikes are not allowed! Next thing we know, a police cruiser with flashing blue and red lights is behind us, using his loudhailer to pull us over - never had that experience on a bike before!! Anyway, the Officer was very polite and friendly, understood our situation, and gave us a police escort 2 kms safely to the next exit!

Posted by Dave at 08:25 AM | Comments ()

June 09, 2005

Farewell New Brunswick

Great place to visit, with lots of wonderful people!

Here is another recommendation for anyone travelling this way! Just 35kms south of Grand Falls you will find on the TCH at exit 115 an Ultramar Gas Station called the Tobique One-Stop with a restauarant, showers and laundromat!! We are all cleaned up again, and ready for the road to Quebec!!

So a fond farewell to all those wonderful folk we met in new Brunswick!

Look for us later in Quebec!

Some wildlife stats for you: We have seen so far:- 2 moose, 2 rabbits, 1 bald eagle, 2 groundhogs, about 20 mosquitoes and 10,000 black flies!!

Posted by Dave at 11:56 AM | Comments ()

June 08, 2005

A First!

This is our first Blog sent from a bar!

Here we are in Florenceville, NB home of McCain's French Fries! We asked a lady who lives next to this pub if we could put our tent on her lawn, and she kindly agreed - thanks, Miriam. Had a great ribs supper in the Bootjack, and the two young ladies working there very kindly paid for our meal - mega thanks to Mista Monteith and Kirsten Everett! They were very sweet!

We are now in the Beaver Dam Pub drinking Ceasars - virgins of course!! We learned the hard way in Charlottetown that alcohol and long distance bike riding don't go together! Many thanks Pete for the hospitality, and we shall certainly recommend you to our followers!

Any of you folk reading this, please go into Florenceville as you travel the TCH - it is only just off the highway. The friendliest town we have encountered, have breakfast and Buckerhams, lunch at the Bootjack and dinner in the Beaver Dam!!

While we are feeling all mushy and gushy we would also like to thank our helpful tourist info gal at a little stop along the higway back in Woodstock. Heartfelt thanks to Faith Trizna for your donation!

Now, if we could just find a laundromat ..... !?

Posted by Dave at 05:08 PM | Comments ()

June 07, 2005

Off and Riding

After a good nights sleep we are off and riding again. We will have a shorter day as we spent too much time on the computer again. No worries. It gives the day a chance to warm up a bit.

We spent the night at City Motel which is just off the TCH on Hwy 101 in Fredericton. They gave us a break on the charge so we slept in comfort. Breakfast in bed was only $3.99. What a treat - try and stay there if you pass that way! Time is pressing on so until we find another computer we shall keep pedalling.

If anyone out there knows Mike Armstrong of Courtenay, Say hello and tell him Maxine wishes him a very Happy Birthday as I think it is his big 50. Treat him to a Lemon Heart!! I will have virgin drink and cheers to him. Can't seem to drink and ride as the body finds it too dehydrating.
Happy birthday Mike. Hope the wind is blowing the direction you would like!! Dave and I are riding against it at the moment.

It's been awhile so hello and love to my boys. Anyone out there, give them a hug for me.

Jo, I loved the profile of your belly and our new grandchild. You glow girl!!

Love to all, Maxine

Posted by Dave at 06:35 AM | Comments ()

June 06, 2005

New Habits

It appears we are creating a new habit of sleeping outside of a gas station off a highway and using their bathroom. All the necessities of home!! Hot running water and a flush toilet!

Still getting a bit cold at night but we are managing to cycle up some heat during the day. We spend a lot of time putting things on and stopping to take them off again. It will be nice when the REAL
summer hits.

We cycled past the wet lands on the way to Fredericton, NB and we had some awesome views. The best views were from the bridges we were not suppose to ride on. We ride up to them on the highway and they say no cyclists allowed due to high winds. Duh. Why not give us posted signs before that telling of alternate routes.

What could we do? Well they were wonderful to ride across and what a view. A bit windy when trucks went by but safe all the same. Just wish we could have stopped and taken a few pictures. We wound up in Fredericton for the night.

By the way, if anyone out there knows Steve Livingstone, give him a big Birthday hug for us. Happy birthday Steve!! Your Dad really wants to keep you busy with that winch he gave you. Have fun!!

Signing off, Love Maxine

Posted by Dave at 06:14 AM | Comments ()

June 03, 2005

Mainland and New Brunswick

After the fog and rain, we finally get some sunshine!

Before we get to the NB bit, here are some numbers for PEI and Nova Scotia:
NS 304 kms 2,446 metres Riding days 3
PEI 131 kms 926 metres Riding days 3 and whoever said PEI is flat was certainly not riding a bicycle!

As we were about to board the PEI ferry, we met Maude and Valerie from Quebec who were cycling to Newfoundland - we wish you two all the best of following winds across those Newfoundland hills!

PEI is certainly a pretty Island, and we enjoyed a stay of two nights in Charlottetown where we finally ate a Maritime Province lobster dinner! We also took in our first live music by watching on stage "Walking with Patsy Cline" and next night went to an "Off Broadway" type cinema to see "The Ballad of Jack and Rose"

The Confederation Bridge is truly an undertaking, and has to be travelled! No cyclists allowed, so we had to be shuttled across - only to find ourselves in the middle of nowhere with a 25 km ride against the wind to the nearest town! So late, we simply set our tent by the roadside in Port Elgin opposite friendly Murphy's Convenience who let us use their washroom! Many thanks.

Next day a breakfast at Quick Stop Takeout our breakfast was paid by Pete McKay and friends - many thanks to you all, and to the lady at the counter in Murphy's who gave a donation to the Lung Association!

Posted by Dave at 01:15 PM | Comments ()