Day 72 Argentia to St Johns 83 Miles

Well what a night and what a way to finish!

Last night TDC decided to book us into a camp site on the top of a hill and without any cover, one toilet between 28 blokes and no facilities at all to speak of. That would of course have been fine if it had not been for the strong winds that we put our tents up in and a forecast that predicted 80km/h gusts overnight.

Simo and I were already having problems trying to keep the tents up so we sweet talked the security guard into letting us use one of the offices to sleep in, we kept it quiet and just took down our tents and moved inside. We were having a good laugh at the expense of the others still trying to battle the elements.

At about 10pm though it got really windy and few tents started to come down. We were joined in the office by a steady stream of de-tented campers and the halls, toilets and offices were all utilised.

This morning was carnage across the site and people were just glad to have survived I think.

Having got over all the emotions of last night we set off quite early for the last ride of the trip. One benefit of the storm was we had a great tails wind for much of the ride which made it so much easier.

The first 40km were knocked off very quickly in just over an hour and then we pulled in for breakfast.

Breakfast was uneventful until another table erupted with laughter, it transpired the waitress had asked Randy if he wanted the Seniors rate for his breakfast, she thought he was 65 or older! Obviously the whole group consoled him in his moment of need and fiercely rebuked the waitress and none of his closest friends thought it was funny.

 

After breakfast we just knocked off the km's until we got to town where a larger group met up at a Tim Horton's. We then all moved off together and cycled the last few km into St Johns together. We paused at the Terry Fox memorial and then dipped our wheels in the harbour before heading to the top of Signal Hill for the finish line. The last climb was tough but we all made it and at the top there was great deal of relief and happiness as people congratulated each other for making the trip.

The first thing I did was to phone Zoe and then send a few texts to friends and family, it was a strange feeling stood there looking back over the town where we had come from and then looking East out to sea towards home. I was closer to home than to Vancouver and although I have had a fantastic time I will be glad to get on the plane home.

After a while at the top I rolled back down Signal Hill to our hotel, checked in and got my bike stripped down ready to put into the bike box. Tonight we have a dinner and drinks planned which I'm sure will be good laugh.

Tomorrow is just packing and flying so no blog.

In the meantime I must record a few thank-yous;

Firstly to Zoe for putting up with all the planning, training and of course the absence for the trip, I have missed you more than you can imagine and can't wait to see you on Tuesday.

To Lois, Matt, the outlaws and my parents for their support during the trip and to all the other family and friends who have sent messages during the trip.

To Randy and Tom (and the five star babes) for making the trip a fantastic one, friends for life I hope, even if Randy is apparently so much older than Tom and I. I hope Mrs Rogers Snr will forgive me for my tongue in cheek comments with time.

To all the other ”Dogs” and members of the tour who have all contributed to me having such a great time, you are always welcome at my door, well except for Kevin "The Dog" as his manners are terrible.

And finally one thought. As you will have read I recently lost my cousin Robbie to cancer. As I climbed Signal Hill I thought of Robbie and Linda, his mother, and how very lucky I was to be able to do what I have just done. I have thoroughly enjoyed my trip and I will enjoy the memories of it for many years to come.

Upwards and Homewards!!!

THE END.

Day 71 North Sydney to Argentia 266 Miles

All our fears regarding the weather seem to have come to nothing. We boarded at about 11pm, I had to strap my bike to a metal pillar which didn't impress me much as there wasn't much protection if the ship rolled about and then I went straight for the bunk having doped myself up with travel pills.

I hit the pillow and with the exception of the odd snorer in amongst the other 25 or so in the dormitory I slept well until about 3am when I awoke couldn't feel the boat moving at all and so went back to sleep. I woke again at 6am and got up and was pleased to note the floor wasn't moving at all. I popped outside and the sea was flat and the sun shining. After a quick photo I went back to bed and that was me until about 10am when I finally crawled out of my bunk again to find we were fog bound in a flat calm, quite a difference from 100mph winds and 25ft waves as predicted.

The ferry was quite old but comfortable, but the Internet signal was poor and despite others having a signal my mobile didn't want to play.

We disembarked on time and after a short delay unloading bikes, none of which had any damage thankfully we pedalled off into out 10th and final province of Newfoundland.

Tonights camp site is an RV site with not many facilities. I still can't get a mobile signal but I do have Internet access. It is on top of a hill in the middle of nowhere with no protection so lets hope the wind doesn't get up or it could be an interesting night!

So tonight is my last night under canvas, tomorrow I bin the tent and most of the trimmings so I don't have to cart them back to the UK then its a short 148km into St Johns, with a predicted strong tail wind hopefully and then its all over.

We have a dinner and karaoke planned for the last night plus a few speeches. I am hoping to get away early tomorrow and get to the hotel in time to strip and pack my bike before dinner then I have Monday to sort my bags before I fly home.


Onwards and Upwards!

Day 70 Englishtown to North Sydney 30 miles

A slow start today as we had loads of time on our hands. I had sorted my bags last night so it was just a case of packing the tent etc away and then get ready for a short ride to the ferry.

Last night was entertaining though for one of the group. Taso got up during the night to attend to a need and when he got back to his tent there was a Coyote outside his tent eating some rubbish off the floor. After a few seconds it made off but it put the wind up him a bit, and it was only 10feeet from my tent so I'm glad I hadn't got up!

We set off at about 9am and having turned left out of the camp we were greated by a short but stiff climb up to the main road and then a steady climb for another 5km or so up to the top of Kellys Mountain. The descent was good fun and I got overtaken by the local Police officer who tried to get me to ride on the hard shoulder, but I carried on as the shoulder was covered in rubbish and cracks in the tarmac and I didn't fancy that at 60km plus.

We crossed over the river and Tom had to go through the wringer again as it very high and narrow, not good for someone not good at heights.

After a quick breakfast snack we knocked off the remaining 25km in record time and found ourselves in the very small town of North Sydney with not a lot to do for about 12hours......so to the pub we went.

Some hours later, and after a visit tot he local library we hit the TDC rendezvous point got fed and then headed for the ferry terminal for a shower and air conditioning.

As I sit writing this we have another 3 or so hours before we board and the news is we should not get hit too hard by the Hurricane.

So today I finally crossed a continent on my bike. I can say that as Newfoundland is an island and not part of the continent as such, 7500km completed with just 148km to go until I have cycled through all 10 provinces of Canada.



Onwards and Upwards!

Day 68 Dingwall to Englishtown 65miles

After celebrating Randy's birthday with a Lobster dinner , courtesy of Tom I hit the sack early and very tired. Sadly my sleep was disturbed by the digger working in the tent a few yards away from me and after an our of trying to ignore the snoring I resorted to ear plugs before I was able to get back to sleep.

At about midnight I popped out to serve the call of nature and for the first time during the trip there was a clear sky and I was able to see the stars. There were so many more than I am used to seeing. It was amazing and I stood for a couple of minutes trying to work out which constellation was which before the Mozzies latched onto me and I had to head for cover.

The night was very warm and I awoke to a dry tent and steady SW breeze which meant headwind.

We moved out quite early, today was shorter than yesterday and only one major climb but we wanted to get it done before the heat got too bad. Almost as soon as we got out of camp we were climbing, not the gentle warm up we had all been looking for, but I just ground it out for a few km and then was treated to an 8km 6% descent which was great.

The first 40km or so was rolling with the odd steep ascent but then we got into a series of road works; over here they spray the roads to keep the dust down but that means that as you cycle through you get covered in a fine spray of mud which get everywhere and makes your bike and all your gear filthy.




After the road works we stopped for breakfast before the big climb and then set out again slightly worried about how the legs would hold out after yesterday.

We started the climb of Old Smokie, a famous Mountain in Canada and subject of songs and nursery rhymes over many years. Just as we got to the foothills the we swept round a large bend and the wind was behind us all the way tot he top. The climb was about 4/5km but it wasn't as steep as yesterday and with the wind we flew up tot he top. Coming down was great fun, sweeping bends and steep declines and at one point I turned into the wind and was almost knocked over.

Having dropped like a stone to the bottom I teamed up with Dan and Shirley as the rest of the ride was into a strong head/side wind which was hot and very drying. WE trundled on over more rolling country and then enjoyed a very brief rest as we got a ferry across the peninsular into Englishtown.

Englishtown is not a town, in fact its no more than a hamlet so we went straight to the camp where we have had to spend some time sorting bags ready for the ferry trip tomorrow. The plan is to get to into town for a dinner at 6pm load the bikes onto an new truck and then board the ferry at 11.30pm, we depart at 01.30 Sat Am. I checked with Z and we are hopeful the hurricane, or whats left of it may miss us.

Tomorrow is only 49km into North Sydney so should be a breeze.

Onwards and Upwards!

Day 68 Lake Ainslie to Dingwall 88 miles

WOW What a day!.

I woke about 5.30 and thought I'd grab another half an hours sleep. It started tor ain at 5.40am and by the time I'd got up and sorted my sleeping gear the tent was soaked. Breakfast was a mess as the rain kept starting and stopping and I couldn't make my mind up what to wear. I knew it was going to be a climbing day so I didn't want to wear my waterproofs but it was 80km until we started to climb so I didn't want to get wet and then freeze as we went up the mountains.

Thankfully the rain stopped as we were about to leave camp so I packed the waterproofs in the bag just in case. In fact I need not have bothered as the weather got better and better as the day went on but who was to know?

Tom and I were on our own to day as Randy (Birthday Boy) was on galley duty and Tim and Don were taking a short cut to North Sydney to avoid the mountains. We set up at a gentle pace as we knew it was going to be tough but after a few miles we got into our rhythm again and with a healthy tail wind were soon in Cheticamp come 80 along the road and having breakfast before the first big climb. The first part of todays ride was beautiful, it was like riding along the Cornish Coast with some Mountains to look at inland.

I have to admit I was a little nervous as everyone we have talked to about the Cabot Trail has told us whata difficult route it was so I headed out of Cheticamp with a little flutter in my stomach. When it came it was just like watching the Tour De France, one minute you're cycling along a flat valley the next you turn left and this mountain pass erupts out of nowhere. We started with what was described in the notes as a warm up, just 14% and about 1km long before it flattened a little . We got through that ok and then the road just kept climbing at anything from 8% to 12% for the next 9km. It was relentless and the sweat was dripping off me like never before but I got into a nice rhythm and just tapped it out all the way to the top.

I stopped to put some gear on at the top anticipating a descent but after another 2km and no descent I took them off again and just carried on. The notes told me we had another climb almost immediately but as I approached it the wind got behind me and I was coasting along up an 9% incline at about 34km/h. It was a fantastic feeling after such a tough climb. When the descent into Pleasant Bay came it was to say the least exhilarating. Switch back turns and steep descents, flat out along the straights then hard on the brakes to slow for the 180 degree bends, popping out to overtake cars and trying not to cross the centre line as you went around the hairpins in case you hit oncoming traffic.

 At the bottom we stopped for lunch and I had a lovely seafood dish then we headed out knowing the worst climb of the day was to come.








6 km down the road the worst climb I have ever been on started. We turned right and there in front of us was a 4km climb at 14% more or less straight up. I got started ok but for some reason just could not get into a rhythm like the first climbs.

I tried every trick I knew to try to get going but in the end had to settle for just grinding it out in my lowest gear. After 2.2km I was traveling at 5.1km/h and was so slow I was having trouble balancing so I stopped and tried starting again but to no avail. I decided to walk for a while to get my breath back and after 100m or so got back on but without much success and after another couple of attempts to get going decided to cut my losses and walk for a while. I think I walked for about 1.7km at about 4.8km/h just a fraction slower than I was when riding but I managed to get to a point where I could get back on and finish the climb.

At the top I was absolutely knackered, but the descent soon brought me to life again. I maxed out at about 77km/h as I shot down the mountainside straightening bends and hitting the apexes, it was brilliant.

The remaining 20km was just a case of getting to camp along the valley floor. I arrived in camp absolutely jiggered but it had been a great day, probably the most existing and most definitely the most difficult of the tour.

Tomorrow I think we have about 80miles to do with a slightly less difficult climb and then we had downhill back towards the dreaded Ferry trip...no news on Earl yet!

Oh and I saw a Moose today with a calf!!!


Onwards and Upwards!

Day 67 Cranberry Camp Ground to Lake Ainslie 103 miles

We got up extra early as we knew it was going to be hot so I was packing away the tent in the dark whilst being savaged by the blessed Mozzies. A quick bowl of porridge and a coffee and we were off.

A slightly smaller group today as Tom was on Galley duty and we had forgotten to tell One Sock about the early start and he wasn't ready in time. In the best traditions of the tour so far we decided to leave rather than wait for him!

We made our first stop of the day with just less than 500m completed as we passed a shop and some of the group filled up with goodies for the trip.

The first 45 km of the route was wonderful, rolling countryside in dawn calm conditions with very little traffic. It got a bit steeper after a few km but they were gentle gradients and perfect for a warm up in slightly cool conditions.

We rolled into Antigonish and stopped fro breakfast and then ploughed on as we knew we had a long way to go. We stayed on the highway which wasn't as picturesque but funnily enough because of several bits of road works the traffic was coming along in lumps and you got large sections of road where there was no traffic at all.

The wind started to turn against us though and we had to work quite hard at times to make headway.

Our lunch stop was at the Canso Causeway where we drove onto Cape Bretton, and then we turned head on into the wind for the next 60km or so. It was quite finicky though as one minute you were being blown sideways and then the next it was pushing you along, it must be the effects of the mountains as it was really inconsistent.

After a 50km slog we stopped for a milk shake at a local farmers market and then ploughed on directly into the wind for the last 14km into camp. I was knackered and so were most of the group.

Post tent erection and showers time is being dedicated to what should be the final wash of the trip, we have 4 riding days left and I have 4 sets of kit so emergencies allowing that should be it. I have every intention to start throwing our socks etc now that I am nearly finished; I dread to think what the customs officer at Heathrow might say if I was to carry some of my gear back to the UK.

Tomorrow is the”beast day” of the trip 140km (80 Miles) all hilly and two big climbs over 450m so should be a challenge. If the wind is in our faces it will be a long long day.





Other news is that Hurricane Earl is on its way North from the Caribbean, the remnants of it are forecast to arrive in Newfoundland on Friday, this coincides nicely with our departure on a 14 hour ferry trip at midnight on Friday, sounds interesting, watch this space for details.

Onwards and Upwards!

Day 66 Cornwall to Cranberry Camp Ground 72 miles

Today was my last breakfast duty but we didn't hang about. Because most people were up early to get on the road to catch the ferry we were able to pack up and hit the road at 7.40am, the earliest we have managed.

Don, Tim, Taso, One Sock and I set off quite gently as we didn't think we could cover the 74km to get to the ferry by 11am but after an hour we had covered 35km and so we decided to put the hammer down and go for it. Don was feeling too good, he has been suffering a little with a bad back but he got stuck in and we managed to make the ferry by the skin of out teeth.

The ferry trip lasted about 75mins and then we disembarked into our 9th province Nova Scotia. After the obligatory photo at the sign we just got going again and headed for New Glasgow for lunch.

The scenery today was reminiscent of the shield in Ontario with sweeping bends and hills with swampy woodlands and then open fields with various livestock.

You wont be surprised to know that most places, and it would seem people are named after Scottish places or people, most descend prom the Highland clearances of the 1700's and the potato famines in Ireland at about the same time which produced a rich Irish Scott mix that is fiercely protected. Even the Province flag is based upon the Soltaire.

As we were early we stopped for a pint and burger in an Irish pub, it was great to at least feel as if I was at home and the beer was good too.

We left the pub with about 30km to complete but it was really hot, I would guess into the low 30,s and after a liquid lunch it was a bit of a struggle to be honest.

The camp site is another beautiful one with my tent overlooking a lake (I think) and out in the open. There are a few of the dreaded Mozzys but not too many and As I type this I am sat in a nice breeze int eh shade drinking a bottle of crap Canadian beer watching tonight cook crew work on a vegetarian shepherds pie.

Tomorrow is a long day, 105 miles, and if its this hot that could be tough. Only 5 riding days left before I finish though so I should make the most of it as it will all be over sooner than I think.


Onwards and Upwards!