Hello everyone
I had a good night sleeping in the bed and I still woke up at 5am but I went back to sleep. I had another hot bath and Best Western served a complimentary breakfast. I had 3 bowls of fruit loops.
I decided not to ride to the airport and take advantage of the room til check out time. I emptied 3 of the four panniers into the duffle bag and I was ready for the cab at 11am.
I find out my 2:20pm has been delayed til 4:30pm and they added another flight from Ottawa to Toronto and I also had to prepare the bike for cargo like taking off the pedals, turn in the front wheel, deflate the tires and bag it. I watched the men`s Wimbledon final with the Canadian. Most of the people there were watching. When boarding, I had to put my carry on with my laptop and camera inside on a cart which I didn`t want to do and we can pick up when landed in Ottawa. In Ottawa they told us the carry ons will be on the carousel. It was not. I went to baggage and that is when I found out the Ottawa to Toronto has been cancelled. I asked if the flight has been cancelled where is my bike and duffle bag and carry on. He went to the baggage area to locate the carry on and came back with the duffle bag. He said the bike is on the next plane out for Toronto and I have to go to tickets for a new boarding pass. As for the carry on, I had to fill out a card for missing luggage. AAAH. I went to tickets and he told me they have a hotel room overnight for your morning flight. I can`t stay overnight, I have to be at work for 4:30am. I was able to secure a 10:20pm flight to Toronto and asked to make sure the bike is on that flight and I checked in the duffle bag. I was curious how heavy the bag weighed and it was 32lbs. That was the minimum weight I was hauling each day on the bike. I get to Toronto at 11:45pm and as we were getting off the plane there was a page over the pa system announcing my name to report to the Air Canada desk. I get there and told me there aren`t any flights to London and they will drive me to a motel and fly me out the next morning. I told them I have to be at work tomorrow morning so the flight tomorrow is not good. They gave me food vouchers. I got the duffle bag but no bike and no carry on bag. I had to report the missing bike. Now I have to find a way to get to London. I went to Robert Q. and I missed the 11:30pm departure and the next one is 1:30am. I booked it with a direct ride to the house. So far I am missing the carry on and my bike and I will be home at 3:45am, enough time to say hi Hon, have some breakfast and take the truck to get to work by 4:35am which I did. What a day!
Hon called me at work and Air Canada called and they have the bike and the carry on which was inside the wrapped bike Don`t figure. They delivered later on in the day. Life is good. I can have good stories without riding a bike.
That is the end to another find journey and will keep you posted about next year`s ride
Mike
Monday 11 July 2016
Saturday 9 July 2016
Day 9-Sat July 9/16
Hello everyone
Today I have to make it to Charlottetown to book my flight back home. When I was leaving the campsite, I asked the front desk person how many kms. to Antigonish and she says don`t you know where you are, here we go by time and it is a half hr. car time which means 90 mins. by bike. That`s good to know the next time I`m in Nova Scotia.
I arrived in Antigonish and they are hosting the annual Highland games parade. I found a Tim Horton's and I had my breakfast meal. The weather is holding out as far is rain is concerned. I was talking to a gentleman and he was telling me he runs the annual Cabot Trail relay run. That is cool.
I am taking the scenic route along the Northcumberland Strait. This is called the sunrise trail. I am heading to the ferry at Caribou. Lots of nice houses along this route. I had to get on the Trans Canada for about 12 kms. and then exited to the ferry. I reached the ferry at 3:45 pm and missed the ferry by 1 hr. The next ferry is 6:15pm and will land at Woods Island at 7:30pm. It is 60 kms. to Charlottetown, so I know it will be a long day. I have already done 133 kms..I have prepared the bike with bike lights and wearing my nylon jacket so I don`t want to lose any time. I` m off and the sign says 59 kms. to Charlottetown. After about 5 kms. I was getting warm so I removed the jacket. By 8:45pm it was getting a little dark and I have only passed 1 motel at around 8:30 pm and that would put me too far from Charlottetown. At 9:15 pm I decided the first motel I see I am pulling over and calling it a night. At 9:45pm it is so dark I can`t see what is on the road and cars passing into my lane. I was getting a little nervous. At this time I was 21kms from Charlottetown and now there must be a motel coming up soon. It is now 10:30pm and I am crossing the bridge to Charlottetown. I stopped in Tim Horton`s and asked if there is a motel around here. Just down the road there is a Best Western. I ordered a BLT and a small hot choc. Life is good. I rode today 192kms.and the total ride is 1,210kms plus to the airport. I did not enjoy the last hour of riding and I feel very lucky nothing bad happened.
I`m on the phone with WestJet and the wait time is 30 mins. so I started a bath with the phone on speaker and I didn`t have to wait very long so I am talking while soaking. First bath in over a week. Life is good. All they had was a 6am flight so I tried Air Canada and I got a 2:20pm departure and arrive in London at 5:30pm. I can sleep in and have a nice breakfast and another bath.
This ride was a very challenging ride and I am glad it has come to an end. I have missed Hon and my family very much and thank you for all the nice comments. I will do tomorrow`s blog about the flight home soon.
I am in Charlottetown in a motel having a bath.
Today`s ride- 192 kms.- Total- 1,210kms.
Mike
.
Today I have to make it to Charlottetown to book my flight back home. When I was leaving the campsite, I asked the front desk person how many kms. to Antigonish and she says don`t you know where you are, here we go by time and it is a half hr. car time which means 90 mins. by bike. That`s good to know the next time I`m in Nova Scotia.
I arrived in Antigonish and they are hosting the annual Highland games parade. I found a Tim Horton's and I had my breakfast meal. The weather is holding out as far is rain is concerned. I was talking to a gentleman and he was telling me he runs the annual Cabot Trail relay run. That is cool.
I am taking the scenic route along the Northcumberland Strait. This is called the sunrise trail. I am heading to the ferry at Caribou. Lots of nice houses along this route. I had to get on the Trans Canada for about 12 kms. and then exited to the ferry. I reached the ferry at 3:45 pm and missed the ferry by 1 hr. The next ferry is 6:15pm and will land at Woods Island at 7:30pm. It is 60 kms. to Charlottetown, so I know it will be a long day. I have already done 133 kms..I have prepared the bike with bike lights and wearing my nylon jacket so I don`t want to lose any time. I` m off and the sign says 59 kms. to Charlottetown. After about 5 kms. I was getting warm so I removed the jacket. By 8:45pm it was getting a little dark and I have only passed 1 motel at around 8:30 pm and that would put me too far from Charlottetown. At 9:15 pm I decided the first motel I see I am pulling over and calling it a night. At 9:45pm it is so dark I can`t see what is on the road and cars passing into my lane. I was getting a little nervous. At this time I was 21kms from Charlottetown and now there must be a motel coming up soon. It is now 10:30pm and I am crossing the bridge to Charlottetown. I stopped in Tim Horton`s and asked if there is a motel around here. Just down the road there is a Best Western. I ordered a BLT and a small hot choc. Life is good. I rode today 192kms.and the total ride is 1,210kms plus to the airport. I did not enjoy the last hour of riding and I feel very lucky nothing bad happened.
I`m on the phone with WestJet and the wait time is 30 mins. so I started a bath with the phone on speaker and I didn`t have to wait very long so I am talking while soaking. First bath in over a week. Life is good. All they had was a 6am flight so I tried Air Canada and I got a 2:20pm departure and arrive in London at 5:30pm. I can sleep in and have a nice breakfast and another bath.
This ride was a very challenging ride and I am glad it has come to an end. I have missed Hon and my family very much and thank you for all the nice comments. I will do tomorrow`s blog about the flight home soon.
I am in Charlottetown in a motel having a bath.
Today`s ride- 192 kms.- Total- 1,210kms.
Mike
Friday 8 July 2016
Day 8-Fri. July 8/16
Hello everyone
I can`t believe one week ago today I started this ride and it is almost done. When coming back from the showers I noticed Ontario plates on a van and asked where are you from, she said London in the White oaks area. Wow. The weather is not good windy and huge dark clouds, a fall day. I want to try for Charlottetown on Sat.to fly home Sunday.
I had breakfast in Belle Cote right along the coast. I will be getting on Hwy. 19 at Margaree forks when The Cabot Trail and Hwy.19 meet. This route is called The Ceilidh trail. For most part it wasn`t that great. More inland until you come across a port town like Inverness, Mabou and Port Hood. I had lunch in Mabou and that will be it until I find a campsite. The trail is relatively flat with a few climbs which is nice.
I made it to the causeway and it is getting colder and more windy. I went in the information building to ask about the first campsite I will reach heading towards Antigonish. I am camping in Havre Boucher.
Today`s ride- 156 kms. Total- 1,018 kms.
I can`t believe one week ago today I started this ride and it is almost done. When coming back from the showers I noticed Ontario plates on a van and asked where are you from, she said London in the White oaks area. Wow. The weather is not good windy and huge dark clouds, a fall day. I want to try for Charlottetown on Sat.to fly home Sunday.
I had breakfast in Belle Cote right along the coast. I will be getting on Hwy. 19 at Margaree forks when The Cabot Trail and Hwy.19 meet. This route is called The Ceilidh trail. For most part it wasn`t that great. More inland until you come across a port town like Inverness, Mabou and Port Hood. I had lunch in Mabou and that will be it until I find a campsite. The trail is relatively flat with a few climbs which is nice.
I made it to the causeway and it is getting colder and more windy. I went in the information building to ask about the first campsite I will reach heading towards Antigonish. I am camping in Havre Boucher.
Today`s ride- 156 kms. Total- 1,018 kms.
Thursday 7 July 2016
Day 7- Thurs. July 7/16
Hello everyone.
I was told about the next two mts. I will face today. The one called the North is 532m in elevation, worse than Smokey, oh great! Another great morning and I am preparing to climb this Mt. I had to get some food in me and I forgot my chain lube and it needs it. I pulled into a bakery/hardware store. It is not to often you can buy some sandwiches and some chain lube in one store. Life is good. I can see in the distance the road going up the side of the mt. So here we go. I passed two lookouts and as I was passing them I was getting words of encouragement from people at the lookouts When I would come to a turn it was getting steeper. As I come to the last turn as I know after the climb I got off the seat. I rested for 20 mins. straddling the bike. After 3 tries I finally was able to get on the bike and finished the climb. The climb took me 65 mins.The North mountain is now the worst mountain climb over taking Smokey from yesterday`s ride. I learned a lot from that ride and for the next mt.I used the lookouts to rest. I am having lunch in Pleasant Bay at noontime not knowing Mackenzie Mt. is up ahead. The elevation not as high as the North Mt. and I used the two lookouts and it was not a problem. It was flat for awhile then I saw a sign French Mt. 542m. Oh no, but this was downhill. Going downhill after the North was pretty cool. I was reaching speeds of 60kms and more which I had to feather the brakes.
Lots of construction, twice I had to walk the bike and by 4:30pm, I have only pedalled 40kms. Cheticamp is another 40 kms. so I decided that will be my destination for day 7. The west side is so beautiful, I took a lot of pictures. I stopped in a bike repair store in Cheticamp to fix the front brake caliper.
Hi Hon I still can`t get any signal to call you and this campsite had to get rid of their payphone because the salt in the air was ruining the phone. I don`t know about that
I am having dinner and camping in Cheticamp
Today`s ride- 82kms. Total- 861 kms.
I was told about the next two mts. I will face today. The one called the North is 532m in elevation, worse than Smokey, oh great! Another great morning and I am preparing to climb this Mt. I had to get some food in me and I forgot my chain lube and it needs it. I pulled into a bakery/hardware store. It is not to often you can buy some sandwiches and some chain lube in one store. Life is good. I can see in the distance the road going up the side of the mt. So here we go. I passed two lookouts and as I was passing them I was getting words of encouragement from people at the lookouts When I would come to a turn it was getting steeper. As I come to the last turn as I know after the climb I got off the seat. I rested for 20 mins. straddling the bike. After 3 tries I finally was able to get on the bike and finished the climb. The climb took me 65 mins.The North mountain is now the worst mountain climb over taking Smokey from yesterday`s ride. I learned a lot from that ride and for the next mt.I used the lookouts to rest. I am having lunch in Pleasant Bay at noontime not knowing Mackenzie Mt. is up ahead. The elevation not as high as the North Mt. and I used the two lookouts and it was not a problem. It was flat for awhile then I saw a sign French Mt. 542m. Oh no, but this was downhill. Going downhill after the North was pretty cool. I was reaching speeds of 60kms and more which I had to feather the brakes.
Lots of construction, twice I had to walk the bike and by 4:30pm, I have only pedalled 40kms. Cheticamp is another 40 kms. so I decided that will be my destination for day 7. The west side is so beautiful, I took a lot of pictures. I stopped in a bike repair store in Cheticamp to fix the front brake caliper.
Hi Hon I still can`t get any signal to call you and this campsite had to get rid of their payphone because the salt in the air was ruining the phone. I don`t know about that
I am having dinner and camping in Cheticamp
Today`s ride- 82kms. Total- 861 kms.
Day 6- Wed.July 7/16
When I was setting up camp, I was joined by other cyclists who are doing The Cabot Trail but they have a support vehicle which means they don`t carry bags. I should try that.
It rained first thing in the morning so I didn`t get started til 9:30am. If there is a Tim Horton`s when I start I will have a small hot choc. with a blt on a multi grain bagel and two choc. timbits. That is all I need. Also I have been having wherever I stop for food I get the water bottles filled with ice and then I will fill the rest with g2. It is good.
I am now on The Cabot Trail and right away a hill. It is very pretty riding along the St. Annes channel and I have been looking for that guard rail where Lloyd`s daughter signed the year before. I couldn`t find it. AAAH. Having the camera on the aero bar is working really good, don`t have to get off the bike. While riding I saw this tall mt. and then I saw vehicles on the mt. and I said to myself do I have to climb that. I got off the bike, had a drink and getting myself focused. When I got to the base I checked the time to see how long this ride going to take. It was slow going and after each turn more elevation and finally after 27mins. I got to the top and there was a lookout and I just collapsed. People who were already there congratulated me and I asked if they could take a picture of me. I wrote on the guard rail worst hill ever. The name of the mt. is smokey. The previous worst hill ever was the hill going up to Lake Louise in 2011.
I had to pay a fee going through the Highlands National Park. I took my last break at 100kms. to reach campsite 44kms. in South Harbour. The weather is getting nasty and cold temp. and windy. I had to put on a long sleeve shirt and I should have worn my full gloves but I didn`t. As each hour went by I was wondering if I am going to make it. Just like day 2 it could have rained anytime, but it didn`t. I made it to the campsite and the people asked where did I start. I said Baddeck and they were shocked. I told them about Smokey and they said you know you climbed another mt. between Smokey and here. I didn't even realize they called that a mt. The lady had homemade chili and beer waiting for me after I setup the tent. I will be wearing jammies and socks in the sleeping bag.
Tonight I am camping at the Hideaway in South Harbour
Today`s ride- 137 kms. Total- 779 kms.
It rained first thing in the morning so I didn`t get started til 9:30am. If there is a Tim Horton`s when I start I will have a small hot choc. with a blt on a multi grain bagel and two choc. timbits. That is all I need. Also I have been having wherever I stop for food I get the water bottles filled with ice and then I will fill the rest with g2. It is good.
I am now on The Cabot Trail and right away a hill. It is very pretty riding along the St. Annes channel and I have been looking for that guard rail where Lloyd`s daughter signed the year before. I couldn`t find it. AAAH. Having the camera on the aero bar is working really good, don`t have to get off the bike. While riding I saw this tall mt. and then I saw vehicles on the mt. and I said to myself do I have to climb that. I got off the bike, had a drink and getting myself focused. When I got to the base I checked the time to see how long this ride going to take. It was slow going and after each turn more elevation and finally after 27mins. I got to the top and there was a lookout and I just collapsed. People who were already there congratulated me and I asked if they could take a picture of me. I wrote on the guard rail worst hill ever. The name of the mt. is smokey. The previous worst hill ever was the hill going up to Lake Louise in 2011.
I had to pay a fee going through the Highlands National Park. I took my last break at 100kms. to reach campsite 44kms. in South Harbour. The weather is getting nasty and cold temp. and windy. I had to put on a long sleeve shirt and I should have worn my full gloves but I didn`t. As each hour went by I was wondering if I am going to make it. Just like day 2 it could have rained anytime, but it didn`t. I made it to the campsite and the people asked where did I start. I said Baddeck and they were shocked. I told them about Smokey and they said you know you climbed another mt. between Smokey and here. I didn't even realize they called that a mt. The lady had homemade chili and beer waiting for me after I setup the tent. I will be wearing jammies and socks in the sleeping bag.
Tonight I am camping at the Hideaway in South Harbour
Today`s ride- 137 kms. Total- 779 kms.
Wednesday 6 July 2016
Day 5- Tues. July 5/2016
Hello everyone
When I came back to my campsite after all my Louisbourg stuff was done, the campsite next to me was occupied by a motorcyclist and during the night he snores loudly.
Black flies were really bad while packing the campsite. Weather is good and now I have changed my route. I would have to double back from Louisburg to Syndey but I also doubled back onto Hwy.4 just south of Portage onto Hwy. 316. This way I can reach Baddeck and not miss any of the Cabot trail. I had lunch in Eskasona and everybody there was really nice. This route follows the Bras Dor lake on the other side. It is very scenic, water everywhere. Up to this point , I have not been using the aero bars, too much shifting with all the hills and valleys. I went for a swim in Iona at the pier and then I had to take the ferry across at Little Narrows. Jogger running towards me on the shoulder and then he extended his arm to give me a high five as well as I and we made contact. I am now on the Trans Canada Hwy and this is good. I saw people with water jugs filling them with water from a pipe coming from the mountain side. They said it`s good drinking water and I had a good drink and it was very refreshing.
Here is the story of the day. While riding I saw something move out of the brush along the shoulder and it flew, I stopped and this bird flew not far and landed on a branch. It was a bald eagle., I got real close quietly and I got a real good picture. I still haven`t seen a moose or bear
Having dinner and camping in Baddeck.
Today`s ride- 150 kms. Total- 642 kms.
I am blogging Day 5 from Day 6 destination-South harbour
When I came back to my campsite after all my Louisbourg stuff was done, the campsite next to me was occupied by a motorcyclist and during the night he snores loudly.
Black flies were really bad while packing the campsite. Weather is good and now I have changed my route. I would have to double back from Louisburg to Syndey but I also doubled back onto Hwy.4 just south of Portage onto Hwy. 316. This way I can reach Baddeck and not miss any of the Cabot trail. I had lunch in Eskasona and everybody there was really nice. This route follows the Bras Dor lake on the other side. It is very scenic, water everywhere. Up to this point , I have not been using the aero bars, too much shifting with all the hills and valleys. I went for a swim in Iona at the pier and then I had to take the ferry across at Little Narrows. Jogger running towards me on the shoulder and then he extended his arm to give me a high five as well as I and we made contact. I am now on the Trans Canada Hwy and this is good. I saw people with water jugs filling them with water from a pipe coming from the mountain side. They said it`s good drinking water and I had a good drink and it was very refreshing.
Here is the story of the day. While riding I saw something move out of the brush along the shoulder and it flew, I stopped and this bird flew not far and landed on a branch. It was a bald eagle., I got real close quietly and I got a real good picture. I still haven`t seen a moose or bear
Having dinner and camping in Baddeck.
Today`s ride- 150 kms. Total- 642 kms.
I am blogging Day 5 from Day 6 destination-South harbour
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