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!

Day 65 Murray Beach to Cornwall 50 miles

Best laid plans went to pieces today. Last night we decided as we only had a short trip today we would have a lie in and then head for the shuttle over the bridge into PEI (Prince Edward Island). It failed for a number of reasons; firstly the tent flappers who got up at 5.30 woke me up, then the call of nature prevented me going back to sleep and then having finally given in and got up, when we got to the shuttle bus it turned out to be nearly 2 hours before we could get across the bridge.

Having finally got onto the shuttle we were whipped across the bridge only to find when we unloaded the bikes that I had a flat rear tyre. The boys helped me chage it and then we wnet for lunch, chowder again but when in the home of seasfood why not!


After lunch we set off across PEI, our 8th province out of 10,which is known for Anne of Green Gables and red potatoes. We didn't see Anne but there lots of potatoes.


We stopped briefly at Victoria for a rest and then headed fro camp getting in at about 3pm. The camp site is great with a view to kill for across open river/estuary and out to sea. I was able to catch up with Z who has been busy decorating the conservatory and then I had to get to work on the bike repairing a few tubes and tyres in preparation for the three days of mountains ahead.


I am feeling a bit sore at the moment, for the last 10 days or so my back has been very stiff and for some reason my left thigh has decided to hurt when I stand up climbing, I hope this is not a sign of things to come because the next ¾ days are going to be tough, but as Z said remember you're on holiday some of us are still working.


Dinner tonight was Corn and seafood chowder, very nice although the bread was out of date!


Tomorrow is another mixed day with 72 miles to cover either side of a ferry ride. We enter our 9th province, Nova Scotia, tomorrow. The notes say it should be the best sunset view of the trip.

Sorry No Photos tonight Laptop issues.


Onwards and Upwards!

Day 64 St Louis De Kent to Murray Beach 91 miles

Our rest day finished in style with a tremendous pot luck dinner. As the TDC staff had locked anything edible that wasn't in a can away we all brought stuff from the local shop and I opened one of the cans of chilli from the truck added some hot dogs and warmed it up.

As you will see from the photo the Chilli didn't look much and in truth it didn't taste like much either but we had a good laugh over dinner.

Sadly for the first time of the tour the pressure of the trip got to one or two of the group during dinner and after a long discussion regarding the benefits or otherwise of breaking in a pace line and pedalling down hill Randy and Tom fell out. It was like watching an old married couple having a barny, aided and abetted by the odd supportive comment from the rest of the group, but if anyone out there ever wants to cheese Randy off, tell him he's a poor decision maker and if you want to upset Tom tell him he doesn't ride a pace line properly.


It was fantastic fun just slowly winding them both up to the point where there was nowhere to go but the use of expletives, I have to say I was very proud of the way the group worked together to achieve the end results.

After dinner Tom rang Randy's wife and complained that Randy wasn't being very nice to him and worse than that I had apparently sided with Randy which wasn't fair, so could she have a word with him and straighten him out. A short while later Randy got a call! I hadn't laughed so much for ages.

Today dawned with broken cloud and a good forecast, the local Mozzy population had obviously found out we were about and were out in force so we hurried breakfast.

After only a few km we had our first incident when one of the group was very late with a signal and Tom ran into a hole in the road which caused a slow pinch flat. Unlike previous experiences the group all rushed to help Tom with his tyre change; well almost all, as Randy took time out to think about life and reflect upon the previous evening.

We soon had him back on the road and we rolled along into the town of Bouctouche where we stumbled across a farmers market complete with a band and nick-nack stores. We spent half an hour or so filling up on cake and I bought a bracelet for Georgia.

Our next stop was an enforced one as we had to walk across a newly constructed bridge and as we got to the other side we stood and watched at least 100 motorbikes rumble past. They were on a ride out from our next town where they were having a weekend rally, it was quite impressive.

A couple of km along the road we were into Shediac, home of the giant Lobster,where we stopped for Seafood Chowder. The chowder was wonderful, the best of the trip so far, with loads of seafood in it and a portion of fries to go with it.

After lunch we just got into a rhythm and knocked off the miles as we headed for camp, we had to carry our bikes across another dismantled bridge about 10km from camp and we arrived in camp at about 4pm.

Tonights camp is located on the coast overlooking the sea and across to Prince Edward Island, our 8th province which we will visit tomorrow, it is a beautiful site and I have a beautiful view from the tent.

The weather is apparently set fair and the forecast is for 25/26 degrees and high humidity tomorrow so it should be a great days cycling and its only about 50 miles plus a shuttle trip across a long bridge.

Onwards and Upwards!

Day 63 St Louis De Kent Rest Day

Last night dinner was pretty good, we each had a Lobster and a couple of bean salad type side dishes follwed by Bill Brandy soaked Bananas so all in all a good meal.

After dinner we lit our first real fire of the trip and few of sat round and chewed the fat over a few drinks but after an hour or so the weather turned wet again and I headed for bed.

Friday dawned clear and warm but with the threat of showers, I slept in until about 8am and then got up as a group was headed for breakfast just up the road. We all piled into a local Motel and pretty much demolished their buffet breakfast but it was nice to be able to sit and eat and have luxuries such as toast for a change.

After breakfast Kelly and I had one last attempt at fixing the lap top but unfortunately it was to no avail so we have admitted defeat and I will try to resolve issues upon my return to the UK.

I have given the bike chain assembly a good clean and oil this morning, it was making some weird and wonderful noises by the end of yesterdays ride. After a short test ride to the local Coop to buy food it seems to have been cured.

The rest of the day has been spent catching up with family, swimming in the camp site pool and resting, I am knackered after the last 6 days. I don't know why I feel so tired, maybe the faster days and head winds took more out of me than I thought, but today has been a really lazy day and my body is telling me that is what it needs.

Tomorrow we start the last push, as many are calling it, with no more days off until we get to St Johns on Sept 5th. There are 600 miles to go, most of which should be on reasonable terrain but there are a couple of tough climbing days ahead on the Cabot trail. Thankfully the weather appears to be set fair. Mentally I think a lot of us are just keen to get the miles done and finish, it has been a most wonderful time and I have met some fantastic new friends but it feels at times as if we have been at it for ever and it will be great to get to St Johns and hop on the flight home.

Dinner tonight will be a pot luck affair as most of the dogs have been into town and bought various bits and pieces to share, I dread to think what combinations we will deliver but it will all be eaten.

Onwards and Upwards!

Day 62 Petit Rocher to St Lois De Kent 92 miles

Having caught up with Z on Skype on Wed evening (Thanks to Tom for loaning my his lap top.) I returned to camp to find a small revolution in play, there were many unhappy campers complaining about the food again. We had been treated to vegetarian rice again! What TDC don't seem to realise is that even if your change the name of the dish if you put the same ingredients in each time its the same meal. Its hard on the cooking crew but probably reflective of how TDC treat us.

After dinner Tim, Don, Tom, Randy and I threw together a clam chowder. Tim had bought Clams and Mussels and between us we managed to turn out quite a nice chowder, supplemented by Tom's cheese and biscuits and a couple of pies, one meat and one raisin. All in all not a bad effort for a bunch of kitchen shy blokes. What was my contribution I hear you ask? Well Randy and I helped with some of the cooking and then ate it, not a bad contribution if you ask me.

As we were finishing up it started to spit with rain and so we dived for the tents. It rained on and off all night and I awoke to a dark, we put the clocks forwards an hour yesterday, damp and soggy campsite. It was quite glum this morning as everyone knew it was going to be a long day and the drizzle wasn't going to help much.

After breakfast Don, Tim, Randy, Tom, One Sock and I headed out and just got on with it. We were wrapped up in our waterproofs which kept most of the wet out but the trouble is they can't dissipate the heat and perspiration we athletes generate so you get soaked inside anyway.

We stopped for coffee at “Rotten Ronnie's” as McDonald's has become known and I had a chat with some local gents about the trip. They asked me to thank the Queen on behalf of the Canadian people for inventing ice hockey all those years ago. Just as well really or they wouldn't have had anything to talk about or do in the winter if we hadn't.

After the break the weather slowly improved and we knocked off another 70km or so before we stopped for lunch and a change of clothes. Tom was really pleased as he had to cycle across a huge bridge, he is not good at heights but he managed it and only cheesed off one passing motorist by refusing to move to the edge of the road.

With waterproofs removed Tim, Tom and I knocked off the last 50km in short order, although I was about knackered at the end and was grateful to arrive at camp. I quickly set up the tent to try to give it as long as possible to dry and then hit the laundry and washrooms.

Tonight we are having Lobster, we are spread betting on how much Lobster we actually get but never the less it is lobster.

There are no photos for today as I forgot my camera.

Tomorrow is a rest Day which will give me a chance to get up to date with washing and packing ready for the hectic last 9 days or so of the trip.

Onwards and Upwards!

Day 61 Atholville to Petit Rocher 60 miles

I awoke relatively warm and despite the loss of the hour the campsite was quite perky, perhaps because they knew it was only a short ride of 60 miles today.

We broke camp relatively late at about 7.45 and headed into town for a picture with a giant trout as the area and river is famous for its fly fishing.

After we left Campbelltown the route meandered along the Matapela River, it was relatively flat but there was one 13% climb, just after coffee, at the top of which we met two of last years tourists, who, surprise surprise, were not complimentary of the tour and we discussed all the same issues about food and dirt that I have already documented.

The rest of the ride was quite pleasant except for a long patch of roadworks where the road was very rough, it certainly makes your eyes water after a few Km!

About midday I finally got a mobile signal and I was able to catch up with Z.

The down side of having a signal was that I got the very bad news that my cousin Robbie had finally lost his battle with cancer and passed away this morning. I've spent a while today thinking of the good times we had as kids at Xmas ,on holiday together and how brave he was in his fight.

At times like this you feel a long way from home but I know that the family will look after Lynn and although I wont be able to get to the funeral my thoughts will be with the family on the day.

Tomorrow is our last day in this run, about 80 miles I think and then we are due a rest day on Friday.


Onwards and Upwards!

Day 60 St Damase to Atholville 90 miles

Another freezing night with a chorus of snorers and then at 5am the local chain saw gang turned up and started warming their saws up, what an absolute pleasure that was!

Having got up and grumpily got sorted I moved out of camp with Randy in a cold mist. Tom was on kitchen duty so we left him behind; we had arranged to meet Dona and Tim at the entrance but they had gone on ahead so we just hit the road.

It was damp and cold and visibility was not good which made the experience of turning onto what we would call a “B” road even more interesting as we hurtled down hills into the oblivion wondering firstly where does the road go and secondly where are the holes on the road?

After about 30 mins we caught up Don etc and thanked them in the traditional manner for waiting for us, we then cycled on together whilst they cowered full of remorse until the mist began to clear and one sock (recently renamed three socks after an official complaint) lead the way.

We stopped for a break at a McDonald's and then shortly after resuming Serge came upon us and joined our group. Serge is one of the strongest riders and I have wanted to cycle with him for some time. I plonked myself on his wheel and we made off over the horizon. The roads were rough but we were flying along compared to my usual pace and I was feeling quite good.


About 80km into the day we stopped for Blueberry Pie and then we set off on what was to be the fastest 40km I have ever ridden. Serge got us up to speed and then we just rotated the lead for 40km up and down, mostly down, the valley bottom road. It was brilliant but I had to work really hard to keep up the pace, especially uphill but it did evidence how much fitter I am today compared to 9 weeks a,go.

As we arrived in Matapedia, I was on my last legs but I had managed to cover 40km in just over an hour much faster than I have every ridden before.

We stopped for a drink, joined by Trevor, then took the last 20km of the day easy, crossing into our 7th Province of New Brunswick.

We arrived in camp early, in fact we were first in, and so I was showered and tented before many got in, useful as I was cooking again tonight, swapping with Trevor.

Dinner went well, chicken curry and as the clocks have moved froward an hour today we are about to get to bed.

A great day but my only frustration was no mobile signal and no Internet, lets hope for both tomorrow.

Onwards and Upwards!