August 20, 2008
Newfoundland
For most of Atlantic Canada, this was the view seen by passing motorists - my home-made Volkswagon advert!!
Nice jacket, but unfortunately so much rain, it lost all its waterproof characteristics before Newfoundland, and I had to buy another!
Before heading for the Newfoundland Ferry, I found all these cormorants in the evening near Pictou, Nova Scotia, and then compare the photo the following morning when an intruder moved in!
All at rest
And then next morning, this was the sight:
Where have they all gone?
The culprit – a bald eagle!
A long wet ride for a few days to North Sydney and the ferry to Argentia. Ferry had engine problems, so it was “slow steaming” to Newfoundland where we arrived at 1am! Not wishing to cycle in the dark, I simply put up my tent at the side of the Terminal Building, and went to sleep! Next day set out in the rain and very heavy rain to St. John's.
I was very happy to see this sign!
Next day dawned bright and clear – my first day without rain for about three weeks! Here are a couple of views from the top of Signal Hill which I cycled up to the top!
A rare sight! St. John's on a clear day!
Looking south to Cape Spear and wondering if I can cycle out there?
I rode to cape Spear which involved three big hills totaling about 400 metres elevation!
Compare the following photo with the weather at the same spot on our first ride – see the entry for 13 May in 2005.
Back in St John's and the Terry Fox Memorial at Mile Zero.
Just to prove that me and bicycle made it to the top of Signal Hill (150 metres)
Last day in Newfoundland – fog en route to the Airport!
And that is the final entry for the 2008 cross Canada ride! And now for our next adventure ..... Watch this space!
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Posted by Dave at 02:49 PM | Comments ()
August 12, 2008
In the news - Cape Breton
Click this link to hear Dave on CBC radio and scroll down to Tuesday, August 12, 2008. "Cycling Canada. We meet Dave Livingstone, a 66 year-old B.C. man, who is cycling across Canada to campaign for clean air and also raising money for the Lung Association. Livingstone (runs 7:48)"
Since Leaving Ontario, Dave Livingstone has had to endure rainy weather and strong head winds
By Nancy King - Cape Breton Post
SYDNEY - A British Columbia man brought his cross-Canada cycling voyage campaigning for improved air quality to Cape Breton, Monday. Dave Livingstone is cycling across Canada in support of the Lung Association with a two-pronged message - by cycling to work people can help reduce traffic pollution and by switching to more fuel-efficient diesel vehicles they can immediately impact fossil fuel consumption. "The message is that I'm 66 - if at my age I can cycle all the way across Canada, then other people should be able to at least cycle to work, and stop burning fossil Fuels, and if you do have to use a car, buy a diesel," he said. Livingstone's interest in lung health and air quality stems from the death of his wife due to lung cancer. "That seemed a good cause to support," he said. He left home on May 27th and expects to wrap up his trek in Newfoundland next week. He has had to average about 140 kilometers cycled each day in order to complete his trip according to schedule. He also regularly takes part in a 200-kilometer bicycle ride organized by the British Columbia Lung Association. He noted that the lung Association not only supports research into lung disease, but also campaigns for cleaner air. He noted that he recently switched to a diesel Volkswagen Jetta and cut fuel consumption by more than 50 per cent. Since leaving Ontario, Livingstone has had to endure rainy weather and strong head winds. He was forced to stay in Fredericton for three days due to poor conditions, and it's made camping along the way less enjoyable. It's the second time Livingstone has made the trek - three years ago he was joined by his partner Maxine Bowen, who wasn't able to make the trip this year. "We flew to St. John's and cycled home, and it was 110 days, only 3 days with no head wind so I figured if I did it the other way around I'd have a tail wind," Livingstone said. "It didn't quite work out like that." As for what people he encounters make of his adventure, he admits some ask why he didn't tackle the challenge when he was younger. "They appreciate it, but they think I'm crazy." he said. Livingstone is updating his website www.bicycletrek.org - as he continues his journey.
Posted by Dave at 12:36 PM | Comments ()
August 07, 2008
Nova Scotia
Just to backtrack, here is my last photo before heading inland away from the St Lawrence Seaway which turned out to be my last fine day for quite a while!!
A nice day along the St Lawrence - Riviere du Loup in the distance!
Spent a very wet couple of days getting to the Confederation Bridge where cyclists are not allowed to cross, so we have to phone from the Information Centre for a transport vehicle (NB: In New Brunswick use exit 51 just before the Bridge) My bike was too big to fit their trailer, so had to go on the tandem clamp!
Confederation Bridge from the New Brunswick end
Over the Bridge and in more rain made my way across PEI via Charlottetown, and yes if you followed our 2005 entries, the "Naked Lady" is still there! (Follow the link and scroll down to June 16th!
Got a farewell rain soaking from PEI and went on the ferry across to Nova Scotia. As we crossed, I could see the big thunder clouds gathering over my route ahead, so just went into Pictou and stayed the night hoping for better weather next day....!?
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Posted by Dave at 03:05 PM | Comments ()
August 01, 2008
New Brunswick and Raining even more!
I had always wanted to cycle across the Pont du Quebec. Check out the width of the bike path - very eerie looking down through the girders to the water below!
Pont du Quebec
Time for a new set of tires! Had 3 flats in the past couple of weeks, and all in the rear tire
An all too common a scene - fixing a flat along the highway!
My tent appears so tiny compared to the big RV's in the campsites!
Typical campsite scene
It was very picturesque cycling along the St Lawrence Seaway north of Montreal.
My bike along the Seaway on a rare sunny day!
An interesting ride out of Quebec following Hwy 132 up to Riviere-du-Loup with tail winds I was able to cover a lot of ground. Once in Riviere-du-Loup the Hwy ends, and only route to Edmuntston is the Route 85 - a freeway and cyclists not permitted! There is a bike path, but gravel, so only alternative is to pedal fast along the 85 for about 8kms until it ends, and becomes the 185! (Since found out Rue Lafontaine to Rue Temiscouata in fact joins the 185! But, no signs in town!
Once in Edmunston the rains began again, and I spent a wet couple of days following the St John River to Fredericton. The last hour into Fredericton was in a torrential downpour with the water on the road up over my wheel rims! I went to a motel thoroughly soaked! Forecast for the next 4 days is more rain, so I guess it will be a wet ride to PEI!
Now there are wireless zones everywhere, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find internet cafes, and libraries don't allow USB plug-ins, so can't download photos! So, here in Fredericton the guys at Radical Edge Cycle and Ski are letting me use their computer while they fit new tires to my bike! So if you need bike stuff here, please support them!
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Posted by Dave at 07:35 AM | Comments ()