Day 9 Canyon Hot Springs to Golden, BC – Friday June 29th, 2012 – 117 km

After a refreshing dip in the hot and warm pool last night everyone in the camp was charged and they were all smiles. After we came back, it started raining and it continued to rain this morning as well. Since we were on galley crew we were cooking pancakes, oatmeal and usual grub for a take away lunch. Everyone left camp early in anticipation of the numerous climbs and the fact that we will be moving an hour ahead as we change time zones… on a bike… exciting stuff. 

We were sweeping and we had no particular rush in stressing ourselves to go faster. I rode with Keith and Michael for most of the day. We started climbing towards the Rogers pass as soon as we got out of camp and boy it was endless… for almost 34 km. At about km 23, Michael spotted a black bear on the rail tracks that ran parallel to the highway. It was just fascinating to see a large creature like that in its natural surroundings, which we unfortunately invaded with our advancements in technology. A few pictures later we buzzed along high way 1 and I pulled in front alone, with music in my head and chanting in my heart I headed for the top. At km 30 and around 11.30 am I reached the summit and soon Keith and Michael followed. We took our pictures at the top with signs and headed for indoors as it was freezing cold and once you stop cycling, the sweat around body feels like air conditioning. I had a large load of French fries and some hot water to cool me down and stripped out of rain gear to let my body dry off from the sweat. 

Just as I was munching on the fries, I read the cue sheet that getting to Rogers pass was a warm up for the tougher set of (short) hills that were about to come. We quickly wrapped things up and filled our water bottles as this was our last stop to get refills, nothing from here on to Golden. We set out at 12.20 pm and started the climbs. Before the climbs though, there was the amazing descent back to the valley floor that raised my hair and attention to a level not met before. It was a long descent for around 6 kms through 5 tunnels (some without any lights and some winding that lasted 500m+) and I reached speeds of around 65km/h … concentration was the best I had since a long time. Then started the hills and we stopped for a few breaks at km 70 and then at 81. 

The last stretch, Trevor and I did together for a bit and then I got in my rhythm and did it on my own until Km 101. At that point the terrain was a bit more flat and I was able to maintain speeds of 25km/h.  I saw Keith and Michael and Trevor all of us rode in to Golden together. We spotted a dairy queen and we stopped for an ice-cream, I had Caramel milk shake (something something).  Just as we got out, weather cleared up and sun came out in its glory and we were met with some majestic views of kicking Horse River with the Canadian Rockies in the background. The vista and panorama took my breath away and with it all body ache from the climb. 

We changed our clocks ahead and were into camp at 4.45pm mountain time. Since my tent was still wet, I intended to get it dry before the forecasted rain tomorrow (a rest day). We set up camp, sorted my clothes for laundry and went for dinner (Penne salad, spaghetti with tomato sauce and fresh fruit for dessert). We decided to do a camp fire and so Michael and I ran to Sobeys to get some chips for some munching.  Everyone ended up having a late night and I went to bed around midnight. 

1st of the 9 tunnels on route today

First bear encounter - 100 m away... and wish to keep it that way

Enroute Rogers pass - cold, wet, rainy, gloomy, hilly... can't beat the view though

First views as we came in closer to Golden, BC

A good day all in all.

Day 71 and 72 - St Johns - Friday August 31st, 2012 -

We got up early and got ready for a ceremonial ride up signal hill and take pics and all that. I intended to ride up the hill, but then I didn't want to completely shatter my bike so ended up putting on runners and walked with my bike up. Good decision, because as i turned out of the parking lot i realized how steep it was and that it could have gotten ugly going up the hill.

Many went down to a pier/park to dip their wheels in the Atlantic, but i had to opt out as i didn't want to walk all the distance and riding was not an option. No regrets though as everyone was going to come up the hill for completing their ride. After a lots of pictures and heartfelt congratulatory hugs, we rode down back to hotel and got dressed for the good bye brunch. At this point i just wanted to stay together with the extendables (Michael, Keith, Ron, Justine and I) and savour the moments that we had and enjoy the last few hours of togetherness.We also learned that Trevor had taken a fall while coming down the signal hill and was badly bruised and had been taken to hospital. We got an update that he is OK and tests were done to make sure nothing was broken and they weren't missing any thing.


We departed in our respective rooms to freshen up and start packing. Ron and Keith were leaving today for their homes whereas Justine, Michael and I had rented a car and were planning to go whale watching. We bid Ron and Keith farewell and a few tearful hugs later we left as our van had arrived. Meeryn and Patrick also joined us for whale watching and everyone else went to do other things (packing, visiting town, meeeting friends and family.

The end is near...

or is it just a new beginning? whats the next trip?

View overlooking the St Johns harbour from the room

Day 70 - Englishtown to North Sydney to St Johns - Wednesday August 29th, 2012 - 42 km

our ferry wasn't until 10.30 pm so everyone hung around camp and cleaned their luggage. Tires thrown out, chairs thrown out and all other unwanted rubbish gathered over weeks being discarded.


We had Burritos for lunch and everyone started to leave for today's 40 km ride to North Sydney around 2 pm. I took a ride with Howard's wife to North Sydney and loaded my bike on top of the trailer. Once in town, i walked around town visited their waterfront, a local heritage museum, tim horton's and then got back to the ferry terminal where others had arrived.

We had a pasta salad for dinner and we boarded the ferry at 8.30 pm. Since we hadn't made any bookings on this ferry we did not get any cabins or bunk beds and ended up sleeping on the comfy chairs. We reached our destination early morning and I had waffles for breakfast and packed 2 extra muffins for breakfast on the road. Once out of the ferry i wanted to take a shower in the terminal but as i was leaving we got the news that the bus that is supposed to take us to St Johns has arrived and we started boarding. There were plenty of seats for everyone to have 2, so everyone got dispersed so that they can stretch and possibly sleep on 2 seats. I had thought of writing up other blog posts on the bus, but ended up having multiple naps. The terrain in New Foundland was surprisingly rocky and had some nice gradual climbs with vistas similar to the rockies.

We reached St Johns and checked in to Battery Hotel at around 7 pm. Everyone was tired and as we waited for the cube van and the trailer I (and others) took showers and freshened up. Initially we thought about going out for dinner but we didn't have our luggage yet so had to wait around and by that time it was already 9.30 and the pizza had arrived. Everyone looked tired but relaxed and they sat around the tables chatting, laughing and enjoying the last few hours together. This was the first time it hit me that the group will be disassembling in less than 24 hours.

I retired to bed around 10.20 pm as we had planned a ride up the signal hill tomorrow morning just a good ceremonial climb. 

Going up and down Kelly's Mountain

Van loaded up with bikes to NF

The van got a lot of attention while in the lineup to get on ferry

Rockier than i expected

Day 69 - Dingwall to Englishtown - Tuesday August 28th, 2012 - 108 km

Since my bike wasn't really fixed i was taking the truck to Englishtown. The plan today was to contact bike shops in Sydney, NS and see if they will be able to fix it up. I called the shop and they said that they would be able put a Dura ace crank arm and with the adaptor it would end up costing $450+. That was a tough pill to swallow but i was almost ready to go that route. As we got to Englishtown campground, i learned that our ferry that was to take us from North Sydney to Argentia has been cancelled due to mechanical troubles. That put on serious brakes on everyone's plans and dampened the moods.

Later in the evening the plan B was annoucned and it was decided that we will be taking another shorter ferry to Port aux basque (6hrs) and then get a bus ride all the way to St Johns. That was a bittersweet news for me as it would mean that i don't need to fix my bike in a hassle and can return to Toronto and take it to my bikeshop. Bitter, because it means that our cycling trip abruptly came to an end without any headsup. The circumstances were not in our control so we had no choice. With the news, Bob, Phil, Jack, Marg and Howard decided to end their journey and take a flight back home from Sydney instead of St Johns. We had a wonderful Spaghetti dinner prepared by Jack. I packed my extra belongings in garbage bags as tomorrow the Ryder truck will return back to Toronto and we will be moving our luggage in to a smaller cube van and trailer. I hung out in the recreational area in campground with others. Everyone was in a much more relaxed mood.

We celebrated Terry's b'day today as tomorrow everyone would be in different directions.

Day 68 - Lake Ainslie to Dingwall - Monday August 27th, 2012

Breakfast today was French toast and we were ready to leave at 8.0 am. Everyone was out of camp early as we were starting to climb the Cabot trail later in the day. My bike troubles started as soon as we got out of camp and from thereon, every 5 km I would have to stop, dismount clamp and tighten the crank arms so that i can keep on pedaling. Ron and Byron patiently rode with me as sweeps and helped me the whole day as much as they can. At km 45, my bike gave up on me and the crank arm literally came off as i was just starting to go up a hill. I was a little disappointed as the only alternative was to take the truck. We saw the truck and pulled it over. Ron and Byron insisted that i take Adam's mountain bike and still continue today's ride. I was very much interested in doing today's ride and agreed to it. We changed pedals and lowered seats and I confidently moved on.

I quickly realized that it was tough to switch gears and without using all of them it would be impossible to climb up 13% grades of North mountain. I stopped in Cheticamp to see if I can find the truck but we didn't find it. Byron noticed a bike store in Cheticamp and while Ron and Byron waited at Tim Horton's i went in to store to see my options. Andre at Velomax bike shop had just opened up last week and went out of his way to help me in any way possible. He offered me a ride to camp while he still tried to convince me that i can borrow one of the bikes in his shop and complete the day's ride. I was mentally tired and it would have been tough to arrange logistics of Adams bike.I passed the message to Ron and Byron and although they wanted to stay back to help me, i asked them to continue before it was too late.

At 5 pm, Andre wrapped up his bike shop and we embarked towards Dingwall. The Cabot trail is really beautiful and driving it wouldn't make you appreciate you its beauty. But today it just wasn't meant to be it seems. Just few km's before camp we saw Fred with Ron and Byron on road and we picked up Fred as he was pretty exhausted.

We got in to camp around 6.45 pm and all the riders brought their bike troubles to Andre who had a busy evening. I set up camp and spoke to people who mentioned that they had a real tough day.  I am extremely thankful to Andre who was the angel today and come to rescue. I wish him luck as he sets up his bike shop and travel/training rides in Cheticamp and on Cabot trail.

Here it goes

The images don't do justice to the fantastic views today

Some nice roads today as we entered the national park.

Day 67 - Lower Barney's River to Lake Ainslie - Sunday August 26th, 2012 - 172 km -

It was supposed to be a big day and after 20 km of climbing small hills along the coast, i realized that i can't shift in to my higher gear in front derailleur. We wanted to take our first stop in Antigonish and i thought i will stop there to find a bike shop. We stopped just outside of town and learned that there is no bike shop there. That's a bummer as i had realized that my bottom bracket was loose and my left crank arm wasn't staying in place which prevented the shifters to not shift gears. we stopped at a restaurant and i tightened my crank arm as a temporary fix.  We stopped at a cafe in Antigonish and i had a veggie bagel with hot chocolate and had second coffee. I also called the hotel in St John's to reserve an extra night.

Howard's family in east had arranged a lunch stop and it was at 97 km which was a perfect stop for some good munchies. We rode on the main highway 104 all the way as it had better shoulder and hopefully smoother grades. I didn't want to put much pressure on the crank arm and have it loose. We found Howard's place and it was much more grand reception that anyone anticipated. There was live music, his family, friends and neighbours had put on a wonderful barbeque lunch, with lots of fresh dips, fruits, Chocolate milk and tons of food. We had a good lunch and met up with Ron. From thereon, Ron Keith and I rode fast as they were cooking. There was lots of climbs and downs as promised and some great scenery along the way after the Canso Causeway.We joined Alan, Emily and Patrick who were pulling along at a nice speed. with nice tailwinds we rode about 33km/h all the way to our next stop.

We stopped just outside of camp in Whycogomagh and i had 1/2 L of chocolate milk and some chips. Ron and I rolled in to camp fast as I wanted to take a shower and fix my bike and get it checked by Mike. Once in camp, we learned that the camp owners and their neighbours had put on a potluck for us. We were pampered today with some great food and great scenery.

After dinner i learned that I had a broken crank arm and all the fixes were temporary. Tomorrow we start climbing the Cabot trail and i am little nervous that the bike might not take me all the way.

The first 40 kms

Live Music

Canso Causeway

Banana Stop

Simpsons fan

It was simply amazing the amount of work artist put in to it

MacKinnon's campground in Lake Ainslie was by far the most service oriented campground on the trip. Their washrooms had lightings better than a hotel.

Day 66 - Cornwall to Lower Barney's River - Saturday August 25th, 2012 - 120 km

Today we were crossing in to Nova Scotia and since Michael and Justine were on cooking duty we stayed back. Breakfast was pancakes, yoghurt, oatmeal and banana.

There was plenty of headwind today and since we ended up catching the 1.30 pm ferry instead of 11 am (which most of the group did). We crossed in to Nova Scotia and took a side trip to go in to Pictou to see the replica of the ship 'Hector' which brought first 200 Scottish immigrants to Canada. It was very small compared to the ship we just got off, which put things in to a different perspective.

We rode along and passed through Merigomish and at this point the rolling hills became a lot longer. There was one section of road which had much too gravel to be safe and my hands were numb for 5 km that we rode on it. We got in to camp at 5.50 pm and our camp notes said that it had the best sunset of the trip.

Dinner tonight was salad, vegetarian Sheppard pie with beef and mushroom sauce, Popsicle for dessert. Tomorrow is supposed to be a longer day (167 km) with lots of ups and down. We plan to leave at 7 am as Ron and Michael are cooking tomorrow. 

Another province down

Nova Scotia

Hector

The promised best sunset... it was indeed very beautiful

One dedicated photographer for a perfect shot