Day Sixty Five - Lower Barneys River

After getting back to camp after a really filling diner I went to sleep quickly. In the morning a lot of people joined me and left camp by 6:45. There was a hot breakfast today which some ate but we should have skipped it because some of the cooking team did not make the 11:15 ferry.

We made it to the ferry with a half a hour to spare. John and I did the 73 kms in 3 hours despite the on and off headwind. On the ferry most grabbed something to eat at the cafeteria. It wasn't bad considering it was from a ferry. By the time we had finished eating and talked a bit the 1.5 hour ride was over and we off loaded our bikes from the ferry. 

We skipped going into Pictou to see the Hector. A replica of a ship that brought immigrants to Canada. There are a few of us that are happy to pass on the sightseeing and have more time at camp to rest. 

The last part of the ride we had a really nice tailwind and the terrain was rolling. We were able to make really good time and get to camp before most riders. Once there we did the usual. Matt and I made a trip to the office for ice cream. 

I spent the next couple of hours before diner with my feet up and falling in and out of consciousness. We are in the last stretch of days where we ride 9 days in a row with no days off. The day after tomorrow we ride the Cabot trail. 

Red soil of PEI at the campsite

Sunrise at campsite in PEI

Traditional pic at sign to 9th province, Nova Scotia

Day Sixty Four - Cornwall

The night was very quiet except for the blowing wind. The truck was packed up and everyone left camp by 7. There was a nice tailwind and we made good time as we travelled East. 

We got to the visitors pavilion on the south side of the Confederation bridge with more than enough time to catch the shuttle. There was a truck and trailer and a small bus that was used to shuttle the bikes and riders across. By 9 we were on the PEI side of the bridge. 

In PEI we took some time to takes pictures at the sign welcoming us to a new province. We left after we got our photos and headed toward Victoria. On the cue sheet it mentioned that it was a place to visit. 

We visited a chocolate shop and people enjoyed the different types of handmade chocolate. My favorite was the cinnamon and the lemon lime ones. After that we headed over to the restaurant to eat lunch. 

Arlen, John, and I took the transcanada because we wanted to get to camp asap. Our choice of route was not flat at all. There was some good climbs but equally good descents. For a short time we joined a grandfondo that was in progress. 

The campground wa nice. The road to the sites had PEI red soil on them. Once I set up my tent I went for a shower and did my laundry. Marie and Fred, family friends, offered to have me over at their house. 

Marie picked me up and we went to Swiss Chalet, my favorite, because Fred wasn't feeling well. After eating Marie took me for a tour of the city. We saw the building where confederation happened. 

Tomorrow we have to get up early to get a ferry at 11:15 but we have to bike 74 km to get there. 

Breakfast location in Victoria, PEI

Charlottetown waterfront trail

Location of the birth of Canada, Charlottetown PEI

Day Sixty Three - Murray Beach

Last night it poured. The rain was pounding down on my tent. My alarm went off but I reset it to later so that I didn't have to go out in the rain. It finally stopped at 6 or so.

I moved quickly to get my stuff out of the tent and into the truck. Once my tent was packed away I made my sandwiches and ate breakfast at the same time. 

At 7:45 Matt, Duncan, and I headed to Moncton. It wasn't on the cue sheet but I had arranged the day before to get a replacement wheel under warranty at Mike's Bike Shop. Matt needed to have his bottom bracket looked at and Duncan makes a point of going to every bike shop that we are near. 

It rained on and off for the whole morning. It wasn't a lot but enough to be wet. Not cold though. We took a two breaks at 30 and 60 km. google maps had the wrong location for the bike shop so we took a little extra time to find the new location. 

The bike shop took my bike into the shop immediately. I had called them yesterday and they had the new wheel ready to go. They also cleaned it and adjusted the derailures. We are on a 9 day stretch without a break so I better do it now. 

After the bike shop we headed back on route to the campsite. Matty got a flat and he got separated from Duncan and I. Later on after Duncan went ahead I met up with Matt again and we rode the rest of the away together. 

The campsite was at a provincial park. The site was on the shores of the Northumberland Straight. The sunset was stunning. A lot of us lined up our chairs to get a front row seat. The sun was bright pink as it touched the horizon.  After the sun had set the clouds made some very nice patterns. 

Everyone has to leave camp by 7 at get s shuttle to PEI tomorrow. 

Side trip to Moncton NB to replace rear wheel, again.

Sunset at campground in Murray Beach

First glimpses of the Confederation Bridge to PEI

Day Sixty Two - Rest Day Saint Louis de Kent

Last night we ate lobster which was provided by a past TdC rider. Thanks. It was a nice change from the regular meals. I find it frustrating to take so much time to get the meat out of the shell.  Still good though.

This morning a lot of people slept in. I left my tent at 9 after smelling eggs cooking. John cooked me perfect eggs over easy and I made toast for those that wanted it. 

The rest of the day I put my feet up and listened to Spotify. Some people went to the explored the nearby national park. Some went into town to do some grocery shopping and explore the town. 

During the day clouds threatened rain and at about 3 it started. We move under the picnic shelter and continued what we were doing. At 5 we headed over to a local seafood restaurant for diner. 

Day Sixty One - Saint Louis de Kent

The wind was very calm this morning. Last night I got a really good sleep partly because the campground is very quiet, no train whistles or highway noise. At 5:45 I was up to pack my stuff up before staring breakfast for the group.  Matt, Viki, and I prepared eggs to order with toast.

Sam and I were one of the last people to leave camp. In Bathurst we took a little time to ride around the city and rural area. Well really we took a wrong turn or turns and ended up adding 15 km to the planned 149. 

Approaching Mirimachi we had to cross a  large bridge. There was an alternate route around it but I don't think anyone took it. There was a side walk that was a foot or more above the bridge surface. There was no barrier between the sidewalk and the road. We road on the sidewalk and didn't have any problems with the wind. 

For lunch we had an extended lunch at Tim Hortons. They always have very good internet and air conditioning. I tried the new steak chipotle. I wanted to try it the other day but they were out. It was good but I like the chicken one yet. 

The rest of the ride was really uneventful. The scenery was also not anything special either. The only services past Miramichi was a restaurant that I learned some of our riders stopped at and said that the ice cream was good. 

Tomorrow is a rest day and I am looking forward to putting my feet up and taking it easy. 

Matt's tent requires 12 tent stakes

Bridge into Miramichi

Rarely scene phone booth at campground

Day Sixty - Petit Roche

Last night was very quiet at the campsite when people finally went to bed. I was hoping to go early because we are now in the Atlantic time zone. We had all set up our tents under the dense forest of pine trees. When I took my tent down it was very dry compared to when it is set up on grass.

Sam, Laura, Kerry, and I headed into Atholville to find a bike shop. We found one but had to wait for a hour in a Tim Hortons until it opened. When it did, Kerry purchased two new Ultegra rims as he was having problems with the bearings on the rear. He already is very fast and now it will be even harder to keep up to. 

We road the 100 km together until we reached camp. The route was rolling and there was a pretty strong headwind. Drafting really helped conserve energy or in my case allowed me to keep up to Kerry and Laura. We made a couple of quick stops but no extended relaxed lunch. 

Even though we didn't leave town until 11:30 we arrived at camp at 4. I had enough time to set up my tent, shower, and put a load of laundry in before it was time to cook diner. 

Diner was vegetarian pasta and bean salad but was suprisingly good and all seemed to enjoy it. 

Most of the tents that the riders set up were right on the waterfront. During the day it was really windy and I was wondering if it was going to rain. 

Kerry with his new Ultegra wheels from bike shop in Atholville

On the causeway in Charlo, NB

Salmon sculpture on Andrews St in Atholville

Day Fifty Nine - Atholville

Last night a lot of riders had problems sleeping because of the karaoke that was going on until 2 am. I am lucky not to have been effected too much. Ear plugs and noise cancelling head phones worked pretty well.

Despite the late night a lot of people left camp early. I left before Sam and when he caught up he was with Matt. We rode together for the day. 

Early on the cue sheet we weren't sure which way to turn but confirmed with my phone and it was correct. Parts of the road were obscured by fog on some downhill portions before we turned on the main highway. 

On the cue sheet said that today was a payback for yesterday. I'm not sure what that meant exactly. It wasn't too bad although the headwind was effecting others quite a bit. I found the day long and a little hit but not too bad.

At 67 km we stopped for lunch at  nice place that was at the top of a very steep hill. As we were leaving the town at Causapscal I passed a convenience store and thought that I should get some water but didn't. The cue sheet said the next town was the last place for services but when we got there everything was closed. 

At Routierville we went off course to drive over the beautiful covered bridge. It apparently had had some work on it lately to lift it higher above the river to prevent it from being washed away when the river is high. 

On the other side of the bridge we hoped to get some water but there was only an art gallery so we checked it out. The gentleman there was very nice and showed us his wife's art and the magazines that it had being published in. He offered to fill out bottles and we accepted. 

We continued on the route and stopped once more at a gas station to eat a couple of PBJ's and get a cold drink before we left Quebec. After that and before we crossed the bridge into New Brunswick we stopped at the Quebec sign and I got a picture at the sign because I didn't get one when we entered Quebec. Then crossed the bridge and got a picture with the New Brunswick sign. 

Morning fog after leaving campsite in St Damas, QC

Gallery tour guide in Routhierville, QC

Province number 8, New Brunswick