Home at last

Greetings,

I write you from the comfort of my bedroom. It took
being apart for a long time for me to realize just how
comfortable my bedroom really is. I've never felt such
a sense of relief as I did upon my return home.

I'd like to thank everyone for taking the time to read
these little notes. I hope you enjoyed reading them as
much as I enjoyed writing them.

I'd like especially to thank everyone who took the
time to write me back. I can't tell you just how much
it meant to hear from people while out on the road.

On behalf of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, thank
you to everyone who pledged support. Your moneys have
gone to a worthy cause.

I've learnt a lot in the past month and a half; about
biking, about Canada and especially about myself. I'm
glad you've all been here to share it with me. I
sincerely thank you all, just for being all of you.
:-)

Until I've sorted through 908 pictures,

-Dan

Day #A lot

Greetings everyone,

I writing, having just returned from Cape Spear; the
Easternmost point in North America. Firstly; the view
from here is incredible. Newfoundland did not
disappoint in its promise of beauty. Much like Cape
Breton Island, it's a collage of all things beautiful
in Canada. There are huge, rolling hills, shining blue
lakes, great open fields and of course, a good view of
the Atlantic.

Despite all the affirmatives, I'm left with a curious
feeling: the lack a new destination. For the past 42
days, I've always had another step to take. A new
town, new region, new province. Now, here I am at the
edge of Canada; mission accomplished.

That said; I'm sore, tired, mentally exhausted and
quite ready to rejoin my friends and family in
Toronto. So from here, I'll spend one rousing night
with friends in St. John's and by Wednesday afternoon,
I'll be hurtling towards home, not far from the speed
of sound.

It's been a wild ride.

Until next time,

-Dan

Day #How long has this been going on?

Wow!

Wow.

Thank you everyone for the support. Now let me tell you about my week. :-)

I saw the Royal Regiment of Canada (Toronto) Band play in Quebec City on Saturday afternoon. I spent the rest of the evening and the following day making my way to Degelis, PQ; about 25km from New Brunswick.

I rode persistently despite a forceful headwind into Edmunston the next morning. There, I met Ed. Ed is the organizer of an amazing a event. 165 members of the Christian Reformed Church have biked from Vancouver and are arriving in Halifax tomorrow in celebration of the church's 100th anniversary in Canada. Ed, along with several bikers I met that day, invited me to stay with them for the night. Check them out: http://www.seatosea.org

I rode through the pouring rain with 6 of them to Florenceville, NB (French Fry capital of the world) where I shared an arena floor with 150 other cyclists. I joined them for another day to Fredericton where I shared a gymnasium floor with the same group after feasting like a king. Spending two days with the group was inspiring to say the least. The camaraderie and dedication was mind-blowing.

Parting with the group thereafter, I rode through Moncton and stayed in Shediac, NB. Yesterday, I had hoped to ride from end to end of P.E.I. and land back in Nova Scotia. Unfortunately, I suffered three flat tires and missed the last ferry by 6 minutes - SIX MINUTES! With some luck, I was invited by the port groundskeeper - who happens to be a former Toronto bike courier - to stay the night at his house.

I'm writing from New Glasgow, waiting for a mechanic to replace my very recently broken chain. My hopes to make the Newfoundland ferry by 3:30pm have been dashed. The next ferry is Monday morning so I'm left with a few days to kick around in Nova Scotia. Today, the weather is beautiful; a nice change from the past four days of rain.

I've got lots of new photos to share. With any luck, I'll put some up tonight. Regardless, I'll be home in less than a week and there will be a wealth of photos for you to see.

Until next time,

-Dan

Day #30something

Hi Everybody,

I'm taking a break for dinner (and a critical bike repair) in Quebec City.

I think I've been discussing my lack of bike problems too much recently. My first day out of Ottawa, I flattened a tire in a big pothole. My second day, I somehow tore a spoke right out of my rear rim. The wheel is now more ovular than I like. Today, my rear shifter stopped working properly. Luckily, there's a highly acclaimed Italian bike mechanic in Quebec City who is currently tending to my wealth of problems.

Otherwise, the riding has been wonderful. I could not ask for better roads or weather conditions. That's supposed to change come Monday, but hopefully I'll race the clouds to the East Coast.

I'm starting to get the "home stretch" vibe, but it's getting lonely out here. I've exhausted my supply of friends/family to stay with. Responses to emails are very much encouraged from here on in.

Until Fredericton,

-Dan

Day #29

Greetings,

If, after looking at the attached picture, you need me to tell you where I am, you`re in trouble.

I left Sault Ste. Marie head first into a strong and fierce wind from the East. Later, I learnt that the only time such a wind blows is during or preceding fowl weather. Low and behold, the next morning, I awoke to the sound of raindrops on my tent. I rode the first few hours of the day against the same wind, now accompanied by pouring rain. As though the draft from passing logging trucks wasn`t bad enough on it`s own, when it rains, the draft carries a tidal wave with it. Nonetheless, I survived to tell the tale.

It took me until well after dark to get to Sudbury. Fortunately, the weather had calmed significantly by dusk. I stayed at the downtown Days Inn to facilitate a total dehydration of my gear.

I rode an easy 130km (I can`t believe I`m saying that) to North Bay the next day. I was met by a dear friend with whom I spent the proceeding 24 hours. It was a necessary recharge.

A 5pm start from North Bay brought me slightly beyond Mattawa to a rest area where I made camp. The ride was nearly as hilly as some parts of Lake Superior, but the wind was finally at my back.

With an early start, I made a long comfortable day out of 200km to Renfrew where I camped behind an abandoned Canadian Tire building. I stopped in several small, delightful towns along the Ottawa River. This was one of the prettiest regions I`ve traversed thus far.

I arrived at my mom`s cousin`s house in Ottawa around 12:30 on Tuesday. An early arrival made for a leisurely tour of our nation`s capital; something I very much enjoyed. Seeing the heart of our Country after travelling across so much of it proved to be an emotional experience.
I`m shooting for Montreal tomorrow, but apparently there are notorious, prevailing winds through the rest of the Ottawa Valley. We`ll see how it goes.

Until next time,

-Dan

"If you think things can't get worse it's probably only because you lack sufficient imagination."

Day #24

Hi Everybody,

I've finished the worst of the Great Canadian Shield.
I arrived in Sault Ste. Marie yesterday. I'm writing
from a terminal in the main branch of the SSM Public
Library. Regrettably, I've only got another three
minutes to type.

The last few days have been say the least. The hills
give British Columbia a run for its money.

Today is rainy but I'll bear through it. It's supposed
to clear up by the weekend.

Day #18

Greetings, enthusiasts!

I'm writing to you from a Days Inn suite in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Let me tell you of my adventures in getting here.

I last wrote from Winnipeg on Tuesday night. Wednesday went just as planned. I rode a hard and fast 225km to Kenora, Ontario - home sweet home. My plan was to ride another 450km to Thunder Bay by Friday night in order to meet my dad who had driven up from Toronto with a friend.

I awoke to a cold and rainy Thursday and after a mere 30km, it had become very clear that my health was not improving. Coughing, shivering and conceding to common sense, I determined that for my own good, I should take enough time off to mend my health. I rode another 62km to Vermillion Bay, where I ate dinner and took an overnight Greyhound to Thunder Bay.

I've pretty much slept steadily since my arrival on Friday morning and I'm feeling much better. As tempted as I am to take the bus back to Vermillion Bay and start from where I left off, cost and time prohibit me from doing so. So tomorrow morning, I resume course across Ontario.

I'm still crossing my fingers for a full recovery from this congestion of the lungs, so I'm going to take it easy on the kilometrage for the week.

Until next time,

"I spent a week in Thunder Bay one day." - My dad

-Dan

Day #15

Hi Everybody!

I've arrived in a town that's so big, I can't actually see from one end to the other. I also hear aeroplanes taking off and landing. Why... it must be Winnipeg!

My pace has slowed a little. I took it easy for one day for personal health. That is, I rode a mere 50km to the nearest hospital. Why? you ask. That's right folks; I've got bronchitis!

I did a long haul from Regina to Whitewood where I had some delicious Sakatoonberry pie. The next day, I biked to the Moosomin Hospital where a doctor prescribed me antibiotics and a good night's sleep. I stayed at the ever-charming Moosomin Inn. It was right on budget; $44.95 per night. Yesterday, I rode 225km from Moosomin to Carberry and today, 170km from there to Winnipeg.

Pedals and tire in need of repair, I stopped at a bike shop of good fortune. I held the door for a retired couple who were bringing in their bikes. After telling them my story, they offered to house and feed me for the night. So here I am, in their basement stuffed full of quiche and home made waffles (with whipped cream and berries.)

It'll only be a matter of days before I'm back in the land which is mine to discover. I'm looking forward to hills again, although the prairie is not as flat as you'd think. At least the number of trees has drastically increased since I entered Manitoba.

Until next time,

Remember: What doesn't kill you will only hurt a lot.

-Dan

Day #12

Hi Everybody,

I'm writing from a pay terminal at London Drugs in Regina, SK. It's pretty hot outside today (not unlike yesterday) so it's a relief to be in an air-conditioned environment.

After riding 650km in the past three days in order to make up for my pace in the rockies, I treated myself to a motel room here in Regina. It was basically the most decrepit place I could find; priced at a mere $41.95 per night. AND they served free coffee in the morning. :-)

Contrary to what most people think about Saskatchewan, it's not really that flat. Hills are plentiful and while not steep, they're long. I've found myself riding uphill for whole kilometres quite regularly. Granted, - to quote Blood, Sweat and Tears - "What goes up, must come down." Riding downhill for whole kilometres is a nice treat.

I've also been quite blessed to have not had any terrible head winds thus far. Most of the time, the wind seems to be crossing me while giving me a slight push forward. Whenever they're right behind me, cruising at 40km/hr becomes no problem at all. When I face them however, maintaining 20km/hr is a struggle.

Alas, it's time to bear another day of hot riding. I might take it easy on the kilometreage though. I've met two other people doing the same trip as me, but taking it much slower. I'm starting to feel foolish.

Until next time,

Remember - Life's a journey, not a destination.

-Dan

Day #7

Hello from Alberta!

I'm getting ready for a comfy night's sleep at my mom's cousin's house in the south end of Calgary.

Needless to say, I'm finished with Rockie Mountains. Since my last email in Kamloops, I've biked to and over Roger's Pass (1330m) and Kicking Horse Pass (1640m) with a brief return to 650m in between. The hills were treacherous but worth every expended calorie.

Last night, I stayed just outside of Lake Louise and woke up to a 12 degree mountain morning. It was brisk, but I survived. It was an easy 90km downhill to Canmore and it was mostly flat from there to Calgary.

I'm excited about the next thousand kilometers. Apparently there are all of two hills, neither more than 100 meters in length. Hopefully I'll see lots of crops.

I'm not sure when I'll write again; perhaps a cafe in Regina. If all goes well at the Mac store in Calgary tomorrow, I'll send some pictures with my next message. I've seen some really funny road signs. :-)

Until then, hope with me that the wind is at my back. I've got a plan involving tent poles, a jacket and wind propulsion.

-Dan

Day #3

Hi everybody!

I'm in Kamloops at the home of a friend from high school.

It's a treat to have had a shower and just as much a real bed, but I'll not be getting used to that. I think my next potential bed is in Calgary.

British Columbia is hilly. Don't let anyone fool you. Riding has been hard work, but worth it just for the scenery. This place is really beautiful. So far I've been through farms, forested mountains, desert mountains and now I'm along side a gorgeous mountain lake.

I've had three meals of Macaroni with Frank's Hot Sauce and I'm not sick of it yet. Let's see how long that lasts. I've also had a couple bowls of porridge and probably 4 cheeseburgers by now. Today's was particularly tasty. Key's Diner in Savona is a real hot spot. I highly recommend.

But for now, off to bed.

-Dan

Arrival Day

Hi everybody,

Despite a desperately late check-in, a flat tire, a
lost air pump and near total disorientation in the
city of Vancouver, I've successfully made it to my
friend of a friend's house at UBC for the night. It's
all down hill from here :)

I'll pick up a new pump first thing in the morning and
will shortly thereafter be on my way up(hill.)

Until Kamloops,

-Dan