WE ARE OFF!!!

Sunday, September 21, 2014

We were on the road by 9:00 am. but I will get back to today later.

Now for Saturday...a lot happened yesterday and most of it was good. After serving us breakfast, Nanc took us for our 'shakedown' ride. We rode part of our departure route up and across the 'Golden Ears' bridge and over to Fort Langley and back. 68 kms later we were back in Maple Ridge. A new bike speedometer was purchased for Sue as the old one (stressed by the bike shop that the old one was really old...)had an electronic hiccup, the first of our electronic issues for the day. After dinner we realized we had a computer problem that might make blogging more difficult...we will see.

Back to today's ride...Nanc again rode with us to the bridge where we sadly said our goodbyes. It was at this time that we realized we were truly beginning another adventure and the nerves temporarily 'kicked in'. The 'slog' up and over the bridge soon fixed that. It was a nice ride (hotter than we expected as the temperatures hit 27C) down(using the word 'down' loosely) to the border. The crossing was simple with only 2 questions asked. However, the guy was not very friendly and appeared like smiling would have hurt him. We had a short ride to Lynden and an even longer ride into, through, around, and back through Lynden again. We are set up in the 'elusive' Lynden/Bellingham KOA campground. We are able to watch ducks and geese puddling on the pond.

Again thanks to Nanc and Gashaw for your hospitality. We owe you 'again'. And Nanc, if you get yourself back to Ontario, you ARE coming on a tour with us!!!

Distance = 65.00km. Time On The Bikes = 4 hours 7 minutes. Average Speed = 15.78km. Maximum Speed = 57.11km. (I guess there must have been a good downhill!!!) Wildlife Sightings = Not much except horse farms.

View of the Golden Ear Peaks from the Golden Ears Bridge.

A Day To Get Ready

Friday, September 19, 2014

Today was all about trying to make sure all of our gear was ready to go. The bikes were put back together, a new mirror was installed, electronic devices charged and the laundry was done. We have our stuff spread all over the basement and one wonders how it will all go on the bikes for our Sunday morning departure.

We were treated to an authentic Ethiopian meal in New Westminister. Thanks guys!

If today had a downside it was that we were unable to go for a ride as it poured rain all day. I hope that is not an indication of what is to come. Tomorrow we will get on the bikes for a 'shakedown ride' we hope.

I do not seem to be as nervous this time as I was in 2010 when starting across Canada. I hope that 'confidence' does not come back to bite us in the ass!!!

A Day In The Mountains

Thursday, September 18, 2014

We were off from our campground by shortly after 6:30 am. To say the least we were the only people up and moving within the campground at such an hour.

For Sue we were entering new territory. She had never gone through the mountains on the Trans Canada. As a result we stopped at some of the historic sites as we drove, the first being the "spiral tunnels' and later the location of the 'Last Spike'. By the time we had reached Kamloops we had decided against the short cut (The Coquihalla Highway) and stayed on the old Trans Canada. It was new territory for both of us and there were many more tremendous views as we headed down through the Fraser River Gorge towards Hope.

We arrived in Maple Ridge at Nancy and Gashaws by 6:00 pm, another 12 hour plus day. The drive has been fun but we are glad it has ended.

Wildlife Sightings = Elk.

The Thompson River Valley.

Vast Spaces, Changes in Terrain, Changes in Scenery

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

We left the Travel Inn in Regina before 7:00 am (I had better not get too used to this) setting out on another long day. After more than 10 hours on the road we have arrived in Two Jacks Lakeside Campground in Banff National Park.

What a change in scenery we have experienced over the last 2 days. Leaving Dryden and entering 'flat Manitoba' was almost a welcome change...I know it should not matter...I am in a vehicle. As yesterday progressed and we entered Saskatchewan the terrain became somewhat hilly (not what most people believe about this province) and as we crossed into Alberta the terrain flattened out again despite the fact that we were gradually climbing towards the mountains. After leaving Calgary behind, the mountains appeared in all their glory. As I write this we are nicely tucked into the edge of the mountains. Every direction we look is another snow capped vista.

For those 'farmers' out there, 'despair not', your brethren in the West are in just as bad of shape as you without much wheat or canola harvested. Cash croppers in the Calgary area will have to wait until next year to harvest anything as the wheat crop was flattened by the snow storm of a couple of weeks ago.

Wildlife Sightings = Pronghorns, unidentified ducks (L.B.D.'s), White Pelicans, Snow geese.

And to copy our friend Pat's sign off...Life is good preparing supper while tucked into the mountains!

20 Steps From Our Campsite.

Reflecting Back...

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Yesterday's drive up and around Lake Superior was breathtaking at times and darn well boring at other times. The rock cuts and the magnificent views, however, more than made up for the 'vast nothingness' on the way to Dryden. It was a long day in the saddle...oh...I guess that is not true...it was along day in the truck...I am getting ahead of myself. The day did give us time to reflect upon our bicycle ride through the area in 2010. No wonder 'Cross Canada Cyclists' find this area so difficult and complain a lot about it. We knew it was 'hilly' but had forgotten just how difficult it was. Up and down all day. It is hard to believe that we actually climbed those hills day after day after day! Reflecting back, we must have been in great condition...if only that could be true for the start of this adventure...Oh well it is what it is...we will deal with what we have to deal with...still a little nervous!!!

We made it as far as Dryden last night where we stayed in a really nice, small, and I cannot stress enough, clean place called the Hide-Away Motel.

We were up and at it early again this morning...Sue's suggestion that we get up at 5:30 am...do not know what is going on...but I will take it. It has been another long day and we are presently 100 km from Regina where we plan to stop for the night.

Time in the saddle (truck) on Monday = 12 1/2 hours. Time in the truck today = 11 1/2 hours.

Wildlife sightings = lots of ducks too difficult to identify while flying by at 110km, Snow Geese.

For Those of You Who Understand...Always a Special Place For Us

The Adventure Begins... Sort of!!!

Monday, September 15, 2014

It is our second day on the road...sort of. We have travelled over 1000 kilometres...already. Let me explain. We had planned on an early Sunday morning departure but decided to get the adventure underway early, leaving home at 4:30 pm on Saturday. We travelled to Parry Sound where we stayed in the Knights Inn in downtown Parry Sound...rather seedy to say the least. Sunday we travelled as far as Agawa Bay Campground in Lake Superior Provincial Park just south of Wawa. And no, we are not on our bikes. They are nicely 'standing' in the back of the truck travelling 'much faster' than they would if we were on them.

It is Monday morning and we had a 6:30 am departure from the campground (really early for Sue). We are presently 'cruising' close to Marathon. And Oh, yes, we have already had a bike 'break down'. Well not really a 'break down' but have had a mirror 'snapped off' of my bike. We won't talk about how!!!

The adventure has begun.

The Beach at Agawa Bay Campground

Last Minute Scramble...Again!!!

Tuesday September 9, 2014

Since the last blog entry (Is that really more than a month ago? Where has the time gone?) lots has happened. Work is wrapped up...finally...customers are 'semi' happy...oh well the adventure must go on. From bicycle issues, furnace issues, trying to get the garden cleaned up between rain storms, and getting friends and family to help while we are gone, the scramble really has begun. Our basement looks like a disaster zone...yes more than usual! Our gear is spread all over the place. Hope we have everything.

Oh yes there is that thing called training...the necessary evil! Our training rides are pretty much complete. 1300 kilometers behind us...I sure hope that is enough. But like 4 years ago on our 'Cross Canada' ride we will take it easy for the first few days...some of our family think that we take it easy every day when we ride...right Colin?

5 Days to departure. I guess it is too late to back out now. Too many people know about the adventure and have the blog. The last minute planning is coming together.

We are looking forward to our adventure!!!