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July 24, 2008
Still Raining in Quebec | Cycle Across Canada
It's official! Most rain in Ontario and Quebec this summer since 1937!
I am now in Quebec staying a day in Montreal. I have been soaked through so many times, hard to remember what it was like to ride in the sunshine! At least the rain has stopped long enough each day for me to dry my tent!
Had a nice morning enjoying the cycle paths through Ottawa, but then spent the afternoon in real heavy rain finally making 191kms before a brief dry period enabled me to put up my tent, and then it rained most of the night
In front of Parliament - Stephen Harper did not come out and see me!
This could have been in Windsor, England
The Governor General's house
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Posted by Dave at 07:00 AM | Comments ()
July 19, 2008
More Ontario | Cycle Across Canada
I guess Ontario being the widest Province I will cross, it will get more photos! It seems that the large low pressure extending over the north gave very unsettled weather to eastern Ontario, and the centre of this low moved east about the same speed as me! I am getting quite accustomed to being wet, and putting on wet clothes in the morning - it has been too humid to get them dry overnight in my tent! Here are some pictures:
Mom and not so small baby moose! Steve took this one with his good camera!
These are 7 of the 8 riders that all came together our last night in Manitoba to camp near Rennie
While on the ferry to Prince Rupert, a young lady crew member spoke to me about her mother who likes cycling, and said she was planning a cross Canada ride this year. I met up again with Josef in Ignace and he arrived with Lauren who turned out to be that young lady's Mom! What a coincidence.
Lauren and Josef somewhere west of Thunder Bay.
Ontario really does go on forever!
This is me supporting our sponsor in my wet weather gear!
One of several hills in Horseshoe Valley west of Orillia. I didn't need rain to get me soaked riding up his hill - the perspiration drenched me head to toe! It was very humid.
I am receiving great support from Volkswagon Dealers en route who have been very generous in their support to the Lung Association.
This is Colin presenting me with a cheque for the Lung Association at Orillia Volkswagon
Posted by Dave at 04:19 PM | Comments ()
July 12, 2008
Ontario! | Cycle Across Canada
The prairies are finally behind me and after all that headwind we experienced 3 years ago, I had only ONE day of typical prairie westerly wind! On that day I made 201 kms. Heading east towards Elna, I saw a bear running down the bank towards the road, and on a collision course with me, so I slowed down and she ran across in front of me. As soon as she reached the other side of the road, she was followed by 3 (yes, three) cubs! When they found themselves out of the bush and on open pavement, they stopped infront of me and began to play. I braked hard not wishing to upset Momma bear, but she simply called, and they all ran off to join her!
Storm approaching near Ontario Border
As I approached the Ontario Border, the weather became very cloudy and the rains began! At a small roadside cafe in Elna MB I was joined by a succession of cyclists all heading East! As we pedaled into the campsite at Rennie, there were 8 of us! We were lucky that the campsite owner realised we were likely too late to get any food in town, so she phoned the Pizza place and got them to stay open for us - we all ate pizza for dinner.
I missed the bears, but finally found a deer that stayed long enough for a picture!
A white tailed deer (I think!)
And on to Ontario......
Ontario!
Crossed the border into Ontario, and the weather seemed to improve, and I had a sunny day to ride into Kenora. Some cross wind, but nothing to worry about. I was welcomed at the home of Don and Judy just North of the town, and had a great stay and wonderful food! Many thanks for that, and for the sandwiches and fruit "to go"! It was cloudy as I left, and by the the time I hade covered 20kms I was in very heavy rain with thunder and lightening all around!" I was hungry, but not wanting to stop as I knew I would freeze, but finally hunger overcame the cold and I stopped for Judy's sandwiches! By the time I reached Vermilion Bay I was thoroughly soaked through, so decided to opt for a dry motel! Next morning again rain and generally bad weather weather, so with the forecast being better for tomorrow, I stopped in Dryden where I am writing this at the library.
Dry tomorrow as I head for Thunder Bay - I hope!
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Posted by Dave at 01:46 PM | Comments ()
July 06, 2008
Prairies | Cycle Across Canada
Here is a long overdue update - finally edited to include photos!
Dave pedaled into Edmonton with cross winds from the South doing their best to blow him into the path of passing vehicles, and Maxine flew in as planned and we stayed with Chad and Laurie - many thanks for the stay!Before Maxine arrived, Laurie took me to the West Edmonton Mall:
Jo and Steve were not with me, so I didn't have to go on this monster!!
We set off for Wetaskawin in warmish weather, but raining. Had to ride back to the West some 25kms from Sherwood Park into the Prairie West wind! It got colder and colder, and by the time we reached WETaskawin, we were thoroughly soaked and freezing! Spent the evening with Maxine's brothers Don and Bernard and their wives Bev and Pat.
Next day off to Calgary, and towards evening discovered all motels were full, so kept pedaling for a day's total of 132kms to Airdre only to find the one motel with vacancies was in dire need of a thorough cleaning. We do not recommend The Horseman Inn in Airdrie! Just about ready to set up the tent at the roadside when we found a B&B - many thanks to "Apples and Angels" for a very pleasant stay! Next day to Calgary where our good friends Barry and Teena had booked us into a hotel - we were spoiled! Maxine spent the afternoon shopping for cycling shoes and clothes, Dave got introduced to the Calgary train system, and then dinner with Maxine's brother Harold.
Breakfast at the hotel with Barry and Teena, and then out of Calgary and heading East expecting those Westerly winds we fought against every day 3 years ago - they were nowhere to be found! Crosswinds and 38 degrees Celsius (That's 100 for our American readers!) The winds made sure we struggled again by shifting from South to Southeast, and then even going to Northeast!! We reached Bassano in time for their Rodeo Day Parade which we were invited to join:
Maxine leads the horse riders!
And we both rode with the decorated golf carts!
We went to this great cafe where the owners gave us free breakfast in appreciation of our Lung Association ride, so if any of our readers find themselves in Bassano, please support this restaurant!
Hunter Inn in Bassano
We continued cycling East on a very hot day with the temperature at 39 degrees in the shade and humid (USA 100!) Out on the highway with no shade and heat reflecting back from the pavement, Maxine got heat stroke, so from Suffield, she and her bicycle went ahead to Medicine Hat by taxi. The next day was just as hot about 35 degrees and again humid, and Maxine was still suffering from the previous day's heat, so we decided she should use Greyhound to Winnipeg, and meet me there.
Next day again hot, so it was the correct decision for Maxine. I soon met Joseph from Germany celebrating his retirement by cycling across Canada, but after a couple of days, his route went south from me, but we hope to meet again after Winnipeg. Here he is breaking camp:
This was in Moose Jaw
After Moose Jaw we said "Goodbye" and I figured I had better get moving, so one day I made 201 kms with my gear set stuck in the "low" range so my legs were going like pistons to maintain 30kph plus!! Went through Indian Head and took this photo of my Travel Bug companion:
Dilly Bug Bear meets Indian Head!
Maxine was kindly given the loan of a car from our friend Caroline in Winnipeg, and met me on the road with cool drinks and food! It was during this time that I got a flat rear tire, and in the process of removing the wheel, an axle nut fell off into the long grass - I couldn't find it! Must have gone down a gopher hole! Limped into Regina with the rear axle held by a vice clamp and cable ties! Now the real trouble began - discovered my bike has non-standard threads on the rear axle (FG 10.5 metric)! Finally found a similar nut (Sturmey Archer axle) at Dutch Cycle. But more to come! I had to over-tighten the axle nut opposite the vice clamp, so on Highway 2 South of Brandon, that nut slipped - stripped threads! So, Maxine had to drive me from Brandon to Winnipeg where I could not find another axle nut anywhere, so phoned Fred back at DutchCycle back in Regina, and he put 2 axle nuts on the Greyhound delivered to Winnipeg next day - bike fixed!! If any of our readers are in Regina and need a bicycle or bike gear, please support Fred at Dutch Cycle - 1336 Lorne St. Regina. Tel (306)522-0484 (dutchcycle@sasktel.net) Those guys were very, very helpful!
Now, maybe I can get some West winds to blow me into Ontario?!
Posted by Dave at 06:44 PM | Comments ()