Fredericton: Noble daughter of the forest
I have entered, for the first time in my life, the Atlantic time zone, having arrived in Fredericton, New Brunswick on Wednesday morning. The trip was uneventful. I spent so much time and energy packing my bike in one box and my panniers in another – making sure that the weights and dimensions were not [...]
At least my carpal tunnel is getting better
After almost three weeks at Easton, I’m back on the road again. However, I’m not on the road as originally planned.
The other day, I took a test ride to the local town of Greenwich (that the locals pronounce “GREEN-witch”), not a particularly hilly route, and I did it with no luggage. The round trip is [...]
Rediscovering Community
I arrived at Easton Mountain on the afternoon on Saturday, July 28, after a very pleasant and scenic ride from Albany, northward up the Hudson River valley. Easton Mountain is an “intentional community”, of sorts with an integrated operation that serves to generate income for, and participation in, the community, as well as to promote [...]
Off to an unstellar beginning
Day one of my trip, yesterday, brought me to the dumpy-but-sterile Howard Johnson’s in Jamaica, New York, chosen for the fact that it’s just a mile from Kennedy airport. Here’s the $125 view:
Today, I cycled north through Queens toward the Bronx. On the way, the bumpy Queens streets (rural Saskatchewan backroads are smoother) broke the [...]
It was either this or the Raelians
Despite being overly guarded about being seduced by cults, I have cast aside my principles and willingly signed up for what may be the biggest modern cult of them all: Facebook. I resisted for quite a while, but the number of friends and acquaintances who have opted to join have reached a critical mass of [...]
Flexibility is still key
Reporting my bike theft to the Toronto police is turning out to be difficult. Every time I call them, they claim to be ten hours behind and ask me to call the next day. I guess they are too busy out on the streets ticketing cyclists who are riding without a bell. Not that I [...]
When one door closes… (when did I become such an optimist?)
Well, I checked out the Visa “Purchase Protection” insurance that covers my bike for theft for 90 days. I bought the damn thing 99 days ago. If it had to be stolen, why not in Hamilton, where I would have expected it, and where I would still be in the claim window?
Oddly, I was recently [...]
Never underestimate the value of a good bike lock
Toronto (Sightseeing). July 08: DAY: 25.35km. ODO: 4,232km. AVS: 18.7km/h. MXS: 37.5km/h. ATM: 1:20:59.
Toronto (Sightseeing). July 09: DAY: 8.06km. ODO: 4,240km. AVS: 18.6km/h. MXS: 34.0km/h. ATM: 0:25:56.
I should have left on Thursday.
Last night, I went for dinner to Le Commensal, a vegetarian buffet off of Bloor. It’s a great place if you like to pay [...]
More Toronto news
Toronto (Sightseeing). July 05: DAY: 25.17km. ODO: 4,147km. AVS: 22.4km/h. MXS: 46.0km/h. ATM: 1:07:25.
Toronto (Sightseeing). July 06: DAY: 41.06km. ODO: 4,188km. AVS: 18.6km/h. MXS: 36.5km/h. ATM: 2:12:29.
Toronto (Sightseeing). July 07: DAY: 18.9km. ODO: 4,207km. AVS: 16.3km/h. MXS: 42.5km/h. ATM: 1:09:20.
Mostly I’m just hanging about town, reading, and wandering around the various neighbourhoods, interspersed with sessions [...]
Yes, still in Cowtown. I mean Hogtown. Whatever.
Toronto (Sightseeing). June 30: DAY: 21.74km. ODO: 4,015km. AVS: 19.2km/h. MXS: 37.0km/h. ATM: 1:07:41.
Toronto (Sightseeing). July 01: DAY: 35.80km. ODO: 4,051km. AVS: 15.5km/h. MXS: 33.0km/h. ATM: 2:18:05.
Toronto (Sightseeing). July 02: DAY: 9.28km. ODO: 4,060km. AVS: 16.6km/h. MXS: 30.0km/h. ATM: 0:33:23.
Toronto (Sightseeing). July 03: DAY: 26.70km. ODO: 4,087km. AVS: 23.1km/h. MXS: 43.0km/h. ATM: 1:09:15.
Toronto (Sightseeing). July [...]
Still in Toronto…
Toronto (Sightseeing). June 25: DAY: 0.00km. ODO: 3,993m. AVS: 0.0km/h. MXS: 0.0km/h. ATM: 0:00:00.
Toronto (Sightseeing). June 26: DAY: 0.00km. ODO: 3,993m. AVS: 0.0km/h. MXS: 0.0km/h. ATM: 0:00:00.
Toronto (Sightseeing). June 27: DAY: 0.00km. ODO: 3,993m. AVS: 0.0km/h. MXS: 0.0km/h. ATM: 0:00:00.
Toronto (Sightseeing). June 28: DAY: 0.00km. ODO: 3,993m. AVS: 0.0km/h. MXS: 0.0km/h. ATM: 0:00:00.
Toronto (Sightseeing). June [...]
Why bulls don’t ride bicycles
Millgrove to Toronto. DAY: 99.79km. ODO: 3,993km. AVS: 23.7km/h. MXS: 57.0km/h. ATM: 4:12:21.
As it is only about 75km to Toronto, I had a leisurely morning, and then departed at about 11am. What was I thinking? Thirty degrees and 1264% humidity, and I start cycling at midday. Naturally, rather than ride slowly and take regular shade [...]
Heather, Hamilton, and an air-conditioner
Millgrove (Sightseeing). DAY: 35.06km. ODO: 3,894km. AVS: 24.4km/h. MXS: 57.5km/h. ATM: 1:26:02.
The good thing about the Floridian in that he stays up late at night, and sleeps late in the morning, so I can generally count on some peace. I ate a leisurely breakfast of granola with fresh Ontario strawberries out in the sun, now [...]
The water is the least I have to worry about…
Sauble Falls to Walkerton. DAY: 89.47km. ODO: 3,648km. AVS: 20.5km/h. MXS: 58.0km/h. ATM: 4:21:05.
As I was about to depart Sauble Falls (at my usual early hour of 11:45am), I met three local cyclists out riding the peninsula, Colleen, Dave, and the Other Dave. After a brief chat, Colleen and Dave invited me to camp in [...]
Southern Ontario
South Baymouth to Sauble Falls. DAY: 93.63km. ODO: 3,559km. AVS: 21.9km/h. MXS: 48.0km/h. ATM: 4:15:52.
The ferry to the mainland, the MV Chi-Cheemaun, leaves South Baymouth at 11:10 and 15:50 every day, and I planned to catch the first one. I had breakfast and said goodbye to Noel (he was taking the afternoon ferry). It’s an [...]
Caucasian Givers?
Espinola to South Baymouth. DAY: 117.81km. ODO: 3,465km. AVS: 21.7km/h. MXS: 53.5km/h. ATM: 5:25:34.
There was no alarm clock in my room, and I suppose I was tired for only having had an intermittent sleep on the train the night before, for I slept like a rock, right until 9:00. After doing a much needed full [...]
Take it Easy – Take the Train
Winnipeg to Sudbury (Pt. 2), and Sudbury to Espinola. DAY: 108.13km. ODO: 3,347km. AVS: 23.4km/h. MXS: 57.5km/h. ATM: 4:36:31.
This train is clearly a union shop. I haven’t seen such a slothful lot of company representatives since the post office in the 70’s. The only exception is a young woman who is clearly new to the [...]
The Great Leap Forward
Winnipeg to Sudbury (Pt. 1). DAY: 0.00km. ODO: 3,239km. AVS: 0.00km/h. MXS: 0.00km/h. ATM: 0:00:00.
Although the weather seems to be improving, I have decided to cheat and take the train the 1,500km or so to Sudbury, as I have heard nothing but negativity about the Trans-Canada highway above Lake Superior, and I’m not feeling all [...]
Winnipeg
Gladstone to Winnipeg. DAY: 159.12km. ODO: 3,239km. AVS: 23.1km/h. MXS: 38.5km/h. ATM: 6:51:35.
[Text pending]
West Nile Tour, 2005
Wasagaming to Gladstone. DAY: 128.58km. ODO: 3,080km. AVS: 21.4km/h. MXS: 47.0km/h. ATM: 6:00:04.
Tired after a night of audible woodcutting, I set out once again. I travelled south to Minnedosa, passing through the valley of the Little Saskatchewan River (labelled on the CAA map as the “Minnedosa River”, for some reason). It was a tough climb [...]
