Day Sixty Eight - Englishtown

Last night a crazy storm rocked our camp. Most tents had been pitched in a clearing and were totally exposed to the storm. Most riders reported in the morning that their tent walls had been pushed inward. Some were afraid that they would be suffocated by their tent walls.

Viki had not secured her tent with all the pegs. During the night her tent kept moving around and she couldn't sleep well. She decided to sleep in the rec room. In the morning she couldn't find her tent. It was found in the trees. Today after the ride some people helped her duct tape up her fly to seal the wholes. 

My cooking group prepared pancakes. They were very good mainly because it was so cold and wet. People also commented on how good they thought the pancakes were. 

We left camp the latest ever at around 8:45. Sam and John joined me. We were really in no rush to do the 108 kms. It was lightly raining, overcast, and a little foggy. 

The first part of the ride was wet and rolling hills. The route was scenic with views of waves breaking on the red rocks of the shore. We stopped for lunch in Ingonish at a cafe that had very good baked goods and lunch and breakfast items. 

When lunch was over the sun was almost out and I decided to remove my wet weather clothing. There was only one more major climb after lunch. On the cue sheet there was warnings about the descent from that climb. 

The cue sheet was right. After a climb the downhill was steep with switch backs that forced us to reduce our descent speed. There was some very nice views of the coast while going down the hill. 

We met up with Viki and Matt just before we got to the causeway before the ferry. Sam and I picked up the pace and were averaging 50 kmph along the causeway. 

The ferry was extremely short. It was anchored to the shore on both sides. It was an odd configuration making me wonder why the don't make the ferry longer or increase the lengths of the ramps. 

After diner Bud briefed us on what is going on tomorrow. We are boarding a ferry to Newfoundland.  It is also a very short ride at 42 km. That also means that we can sleep in tomorrow a bit. 

Shoreline of Ingonish

Winding road of the Cabot Trail just past Ingonish Ferry

Englishtown cable ferry

Day Sixty Seven - Dingwall

Today we were leaving at 7 again because we are staring to ride on the Cabot Trail. As I was taking down my tent it was still dark enough to require a headlamp. I noticed the light of the full moon was reflecting off the lake. Also the eagle that I saw yesterday flew by over the lake.

As you can tell from my incoherent language I am totally spent and then some. I only hope to get this blog posting done before I fall to sleep. 

Sam, John, Arlen, and I started out riding together today. It was pretty easy going into Cheticamp at 70 km where we ate lunch. While there we met a couple from Montreal that was doing the Cabot Trail. They were very interested in learning about our adventure because they were thinking about also cycling across the country. 

Before we got to Cheticamp I had an issue with my bike. I noticed a rubbing noise and feared it was a broken spoke. It was not. My rear tire had unseated itself and my tube was between the rim and tire. Never had that before. And of course on one of the hardest days. Well it was an easy fix to deflate reseat and inflate the tire. 

After lunch the days ride really started. The first 70 km really a warm up for the three climbs we would be making. The first two before Pleasant Bay were challenging and very scenic. We took our time because we knew we had one more climb to go. The downhill portions were scary fast. Sam got up to 82 kmph and I was going faster than that. 

At pleasant bay we took a break. Once we started riding again we notice some soreness and fatigue but knew that we had the biggest climb of the day coming up. 

The climb was 14% slope for 4 km. which doesn't sound too bad. In reality I completed the hill using my easiest gear and riding zig zag across the road when there were no cars coming. 

My team prepared diner which was tuna something. We ate with our chairs in a row facing a spectacular view of the mountains and ocean. Amazing!

As I am in my tent writing this the sound of very loud thunder. Followed by a massive downpour of rain pelting my tent. I quickly left my tent to ensure that the fly was covering my tent properly. 

Today was a very good day. Very very beautiful scenery. Very very steep climbs and descents. 

Four more days left. :(

Sunrise on Lake Ainslie

Cabot Trail

Cabot Trail leading into Pleasant Bay

Supper time after a hard day on the Cabot Trail

Day Sixty Six - Lake Ainslie

Last night a group of us decided to leave at 7 and we did. We did not take the suggested route like the other riders did. We took highway 104 until we hit the 105 on the other way of the causeway.

We found out later the the route on the cue sheet had a bridge that was under construction and the 167 km day turned into 180+. We did 152 and did not feel that we missed much. 

John, Arlen, John, and I rode together the whole day. 

For diner at Lake Ainslie the people at the campground put a potluck on for us. The food was very good and we were all very thankful and full. 

Campsite in Lower Barney's River

John and family on his 50th birthday

Potluck from the generous people in the campground at Lake Ainslie

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.