Lugares de interés (POIs) del Mapa
1: Hope
Bicycles are not permitted on the no. 1 hwy out of Vancouver because of heavy traffic therefore I had to take an alternate route which is hwy 7 to Hope BC. I cycled 168 kms to Hope at the end of the Fraser Valley.
Más sobre Hope2: Princeton
Cycled from Princeton to Penticton - 135 kms. Ran into some thunder showers . Cycled part of the way with other cyclists training for the Penticton Ironman.
Más sobre Princeton4: Sicamous
Cycled 197 kms to Sicamous.
July 3rd Leaving Sicamous BC heading for the Rogers Pass. I started cycling in the rain and finished in the rain at the top of The Rogers Pass - Elevation 1330 meters. Overall it was a good day for cycling except for the last hour when it deluged. I was cold, wet and hungry at the end of this 140 Km segment. Fortunately, my wife had a nice hotel booked right at the top of the Pass and a warm bath/shower set me straight in no time and got me ready for the next day.
Más sobre Sicamous5: Rogers Pass
July 4th. Left the Rogers Pass and it was still raining lightly. However, when I got down the other side the weather started to brighten up and the sun came out. I cycled to Lake Louise 180 kms approximately 8 hours on the road. It was at this point my wife drove on home to Calgary and I stayed at a beautiful hostel in Lake Louise. During my stay I ran into a Dutch Gentleman who is cycling from the tip of Alaska to the tip of South America. A distance of approx 30,000 kms. He is taking 18 months to complete this trip. Makes my journey seem miniscule......
Más sobre Rogers Pass6: Lake Louise
July 5th. Left Lake Louise at 6.45 AM. The temperature was barely above zero. I was pretty cold and thought my fingers would freeze. However, when I got to Banff I was starting to warm up. I rushed through Banff at the thought of getting a hot Double Double at Tim Hortons in Canmore, where I had my first break after 75 kms. I would have made better progress but ran into some east wind which is unusual as the prevailing winds go from west to east. This put me back a half hour getting into Calgary where I arrived in at 3.30 PM and 180 kms later.
Más sobre Lake Louise7: Calgary
Arrived in Calgary at 3.30 PM.
Friday July 6th - Yahoo time in Calgary for the 100th celebration of the Calgary Stampede. I am taking a short break with my family until Monday to rest up before heading into the Prairies. From here on I will not have the support from my Long Suffering Wife Mary. I am hoping to cycle early in the mornings to avoid what is expected to be extreme heat in the prairies. It is imperative that I drink lots of liquids during this leg of the journey. No wine or beer for me.......
Más sobre Calgary8: Brooks
July 9th. Sean left Calgary at 5.40am en-route to his next leg of his journey across Canada. He cycled to Brooks Alberta which is 190 kms in extreme heat but made it on schedule. Met another cyclist named Simon and spent some time traveling with him. Good company for each other.
He was sad leaving his family behind and a bit nervous about taking on the rest of the journey alone.
Mary
Más sobre Brooks9: Maple Creek
July 10th Sean had an early start again this morning 5.40AM and biked 210 kms from Brooks Alberta to Maple Creek Saskatchewan. This was supposed to be the finish for his third day and he made it in 2 . Feeling okay considering it is 34 degrees there. Tomorrow will be a shorter ride, only 140kms
Mary
Más sobre Maple Creek10: Chaplin
July11 Sean made it to a Small town in saskatchewan called Chaplin today - 226 kms. He just kept on going as it was too early to stop in Swift Current...... Hope he doesn't get burnt out. If he makes it to Regina tomorrow he will be two days ahead of schedule. He just can't wait to get this trip done.....Mary
Más sobre Chaplin11: Regina
July 12th. Sean made it to Regina today and this makes him 2 days ahead of schedule. He hopes to be in Winnipeg next Monday where he will rest for three days with his cousin.
Sweltering heat through the prairies.....
Stayed in a hostel where he met 3 guys traveling from Ireland. Won't get too much sleep tonight!!!!
Mary
Más sobre Regina12: Whitewood
Friday July 13th. Sean is still going strong. Did 174 kms today to a small town called Whitewwod Saskatchewan.
He was saying that all the truck drivers along the way are very courteous, driving out into the next lane to pass him.
He passed a guy today who was dressed up as a knight riding a horse... He heard that he is going all the way to Victoria... Apart from him sweating profusely, not fair on the poor horse.
Mary
Más sobre Whitewood13: Carberry
Saturday July 14th. Sean cycled 235 kms today and made it to a small town called Carbery. It was a fairly rough ride with headwinds. He cycled for 13 hours.
Met a guy from Quebec who was walking from Victoria to Newfoundland..... Thought Sean was a bit crazy!!!!!!
Más sobre Carberry14: Winnipeg
Sunday July 15th. Well, you won't believe it, but Sean made it to Winnipeg this afternoon and this makes him 3 days ahead of schedule. He cycled, since he left Calgary, 1,330 kms in 7 days straight. This completes the second leg of his journey. He is thrilled to be in Winnipeg and is having 3 days rest with his cousin Gearoid. Soooo proud of him.
Mary
Más sobre Winnipeg15: Kenora
July 19. Left Winnipeg 6am and arrived at Kenora, Ontario at 4pm, 210 kms. Stiff South wind with 28°C temp. The landscape is beautiful. Lots of lakes and hills.
Más sobre Kenora17: Upsala
July 21. Today was a great biking day. I made it 218 kms from Dryden to Upsala, Ontario.That's 60 kms more than I had planned on for the day. I had a good tailwind and was able to cover a lot of ground. The day started off with a flat tire and so delayed my 6:00 am start until 7:30. After getting on the road things went quite well. It was 28 degrees and a lot less humid. Just a lovely day. I met a man who was walking across Canada pushing his belongings in a 3 wheel stroller. Sunday I will bike the 145 km to Thunderbay and then call it a day. I need to get a new tire for the bike.
Más sobre Upsala18: Schreiber
Monday July 23rd. Arrived in a small town called Schreiber in Ontario. Cycled 204 kms - lots of hills but beautiful scenery. Have to stress here again that the truck drivers are great. They give me lots of room.
Más sobre Schreiber19: White River
Tuesday July 24th. Cycled 184 kms today to another small town in Ontario called White River.
Should make Sault St Marie by Thursday night. Going to take a day or two off here.
So far I have cycled 3,450 kms since I left Vancouver.
Más sobre White River20: Sault Ste Marie
Thursday. July 26th. Didn't have much energy today after yesterday. Made it to Sault Ste Marie which was a mere 65 kms. Finished around noon and decided to take a rest. Will also make tomorrow a rest day.
I am now 2/3 of the way in my journey across this wonderful country. I think 14 more days of cycling should do it. Woohoo.....
Wednesday July 25th. This was a very long tough day. Had to cycle 255 kms before I could find a place to stay for the night. Cycled for 14 hrs and 10 of those hrs it rained. On the bright side I met another cyclist Dave who is also cycling across Canada. He is only 22 and doing it for Cystic Fibrosis. Nice to have a bit of company along the way.
Más sobre Sault Ste Marie21: Blind River
Saturday July 28th. - after a nice days rest yesterday I cycled 145 kms to a town called Blind River which is on Lake Huron. Very pretty. A good day and weather was really nice.
Más sobre Blind River22: Sudbury
Sunday July 29th. Made it 170 km from Blind River to Sudbury. There was a good tailwind and although it was a hot day again, the ride went very well. The scenery is beautiful along the North Channel of Lake Huron. Passed through Algoma Mills, Spragge, and Serpent River before finishing the day in Sudbury. Monday hoping to be in Mattawa at the end of the day.
Más sobre Sudbury23: Mattawa
Monday July 30th.Had an interesting day today. Left Sudbury at 6 AM and cycled for 3 hrs. Took a break and noticed one of my bike bags was missing.... Met a lovely lady named Kathy Smith who owns a gas station in Sturgeon Falls who very kindly offered to drive me back to look for it. Found it. Thank you so much Kathy.
This set me back 2 hrs, so it was late when I arrived in Mattawa 195 kms later. Checked into a lovely motel called Valois which I got for free. Very nice of them.
Más sobre Mattawa24: Cobden
Tuesday July 31: Went form Mattawa to Cobden today 182 kms. There were lots of hill in the first part of the day and lots of rain in the second part! I passed through Chalk River, Petawawa. I met an American cyclist going the opposite direction. He said he was heading to Denver. Pulled into Cobden thoroughly soaked and I managed to get the last hotel room in the city. (There is just one hotel) On to Ottawa tomorrow for a few days rest and to meet Fred Cappuccino. Bonnie is in India for now so I won't be able to meet with her.
Más sobre Cobden25: Ottawa
Wednesday Augus 1st. Biked from Cobden to Ottawa 125kms. Had to take Old Highway 17 at Arnprior as cycling is not allowed on the 417 which is partially a gravel road:-( I went through a town called Carp where I lost my bearings. Fortunately I met another cyclist, Dena, who helped me get back on track by using Google Maps. A short time later I was at the outskirts of Ottawa. Arrived at Beth and Kerry's home in Ottawa early in the afternoon where I was welcomed, made feel at home, and treated royally. After supper we did the tourist thing driving around downtown Ottawa, sight seeing. We saw the Parliment buildings, Prime Ministers residence, Rideau Canal and many other places of interest. Tomorrow I will be going to Fred and Bonnie Cappuccino's home, founders of Child Haven International, near Maxville.
Más sobre Ottawa26: Montreal
Saturday August 4th. Speaking to Sean by phone Saturday evening ...Sean biked 11hr in very hot weather, fighting strong headwinds making it to his destination, Pointe-Claire Montreal around 6 p.m.
Más sobre Montreal27: Trois Rivières
Monday August 6th. Sean was able to recover on Sunday from his gruelling Saturday ride from Ottawa that took 11 hours in high heat, humidity and with a strong headwind. After supper and a shower, he rallied Saturday evening to enjoy meeting Mary, Nancy Graham and Nancy Schmidt, Paul & Susan and Susan Czarnocki and Lois. He was very grateful for the maps provided by John Schmidt and the good advice of Paul and Susan as he planned his route across Montreal Island and on to Trois Rivières.
He decided to remain here for Sunday, which was a rainy day in Montreal, but we went to the service at the Unitarian Church of Montreal in the morning and he met many people who know and support Child Haven, and another avid cyclist too! We also toured the city - so he could see some of its many attractions before cycling out of town.
Lunch was poutine in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, and supper was in a pub in Pointe Claire Village - all of which he enjoyed and devoured! Paul Sullivan arrived at 6:15 am. today and accompanied Sean through the bike paths to the Old Port. I have a photo of them ready to leave.
Sean phoned me this evening to say he arrived safely and in good shape in Trois Rivières. He had another cycling partner too - a man who is cycling from Montreal to Rimouski. They were challenged in that Sean doesn't speak French and the other man doesn't speak English, but they were happy to ride together and are even staying in the same motel tonight. Bikes are their common language!
Sheila
Más sobre Trois Rivières28: Quebec City
Tuesday August 7. It was a good day for riding. I did 125 km. Beautiful views along the St Lawrence. Pleasant biking today, fairly flat and a few rolling hills.
Made it to Quebec City and will meet my wife Mary tonight. She is flying in to support me for the last leg of the journey to Halifax. She will carry my bags and drive a car along side of me through the Maritimes.
Still cycling with the Frenchman I met. We don't have a lot of words between us as he doesn't speak English and I don't speak French, but it is great to share the road with him.
Más sobre Quebec City29: Rivieres du Loup
Wednesday August 8th. Left Quebec city today heading for Rivieres du Loup. Caught the ferry across the St Lawrence to the South Shore. There was a beautiful view of the Chateau Frontenac from the ferry. By the time we got across it was late morning and Rivière du Loup was 190 kms away. Some beautiful cycle paths out of the city that got us onto route 132 East. It was a great day riding as we had a tail wind to our backs. We stopped at Montmagny for lunch and this is where I said goodbye to my friend Peter from Laval whom I have been riding with for the past few days. It was a beautiful countryside to ride through along the South shore of the St Lawrence.
Finally arrived at 7 pm after another long day on the road.
Más sobre Rivieres du Loup30: Grand Falls
Thursday August 9th. Rivieres-Du-Loup to Grand Falls New Brunswick today. 191 kms. It was another good day for cycling with a nice tailwind. However there were lots of hills also and the promise of more tomorrow as I head for Fredericton. Beautiful pastoral countryside with gently rolling hills. Great roads in NB with wide smooth cycling shoulders. These past 2 days the cycling has been made easy for me with the assistance from my wife Mary to carry my panniers and take care of my nutrition needs and also for her moral support in assisting the completion of this cross Canada bicycle odyssey.
Más sobre Grand Falls31: Frederiction
Friday August 10th. I Started off the day with my second flat tire of the whole trip just 5 kms out the road and it was just starting to rain. This set me back 2 hours. However, despite the rain which cleared up after a few hours I made it to Fredericton which is 210 kms by 5.30 in the evening.
I will be crossing into Nova Scotia tomorrow, hoping to reach Sackville and then Halifax late Sunday evening to dip my bicycle and feet into the Atlantic Ocean.
Más sobre Frederiction32: Sackville
Saturday August 11th. Just about there..... 1 more day in the saddle... Cycled to Sackville 201 kms with a little bit of headwind. It was raining lightly in the morning when I left and it cleared after about an hour but the skies were heavy and overcast for most of the day. However, except for a few light mists, I luckily escaped rain for the rest of the day. The roads and shoulders in New Brunswick have been excellent. Almost in Nova Scotia. I am determined to reach Halifax tomorrow by hook or by crook to end this 6 week odyssey on the saddle.
Más sobre Sackville33: Halifax
Sunday August 12th. The eagle has landed..... I left Sackville at 6.30 this morning. The weather was grey and overcast with a Light fog. I was excited a about my last day in the saddle but not the 214 kms ahead of me. However, I persevered and as the hours passed the kms got shorter. I narrowly avoided several showers but never really got wet. My wife Mary met me at several locations along the way and provided me with nourishment as well as moral support. I finally crossed the McDonald bridge into Halifax at 5.30 PM. I dipped my foot and the bike into Halifax harbour and felt relieved to have this gargantuan journey behind me. It's also nice that I can give this a big X off my bucket list.
I would like to thank all the people for their moral support and also their financial support for Child Haven.
I would especially like to thank my family and my Long Suffering Wife for their patience and support during this arduous journey and futile attempt at self-destruction......
Más sobre Halifax