20/09/2011 Day 27 Cycling Across Canada

Distance Traveled: Outskirts of Barrie ***N 44 18.890 W079 43.543*** to Brampton 75km
Money Spent: $8 for coffee's and snacks and $20 for a round of drinks waiting for Mum and Dad at the airport.
Time cycling: 3 hours 26 minutes
Moving Average: 21.8km/h
Total Distance Traveled: 2183 km

View Larger Map

Okies, im writing this a few days after this day so I dont remember too much, althoguh not much happened whilst cycling the 75 km to Brampton; waking up in a field beside a quad trail where I slept last night wasnt so unusual for me so when I packed my things and ate breakfast in the sun whilst all my rain gear was dring I hit the road via a church toilet where I “unloaded” a bit of weight.
I asked a bunch of people at some coffee stops for the best directions to get to Brampton and people were more than willing to help and listen to some of my stories.
It was a beautiful day out and I enjoyed the relatively flat roads into Toronto. It seemed I didn’t have an issue with time because Mum and Dad were arriiving at the airport at 7. I was going to see them at the airport with my bike but apparently it was difficult to get there because of the major highways leading into the airport, them not allowing bicycles on the shoulders. Instead I met with the family who we were going to be staying with early enough so I could join them to the airport to see in Mum and Dad.
Gary and Gail were great, Gary picked me and my bicycle up from Brampton and took me back to theirs for me to have a bite to eat and have a quick shower before going to the airport.
My anticipation to see Mum and Dad again after so many years was almost overwhelming, looking at all the faces that came through the arrival doors wondering whether I would recognize them – maybe that is an exaggeration but it did cross my mind after waiting and staring for almost an hour.
Although Mum and Dad expected it I surprised them from around a pillar I was hiding behind. In all honesty Mum and Dad really have not changed; it was good seeing them again and catching up over a few duty free spirits my folks bought at the airport.
Im going to summarize the next couple of days that I spend with mum and dad because it makes my life easier not having to do this everyday – till then im going to try and get my parents to spoil me with good food and alcohol. :)

Cycling Towards Brampton – an actual bike path… no more narrow shoulders for me!

Waiting for Mum and Dad at the terminal. Sorry no pics of the reunion… more up in a couple of days.

19/09/2011 Day 26 Cycling Across Canada

Distance Traveled: Football field to the outskirts of Barrie - 40km cycling and 40km in a Van.

Money Spent: $13 for food and coffee's
Time cycling: 2 hours 20 minutes
Moving Average: ???
Total Distance Traveled: 2108 km

View Larger Map

Today was an interesting day where I could no longer cycle on the highway because it had changed to a multi lane freeway so I had to take the back roads towards Toronto.
Cycling into the afternoon the cloud layer above became progressively more dense making it darker and darker until not surprisingly started raining and it would not let up. The winds were not on my side either where they were directly from the South.
For the second time this trip someone offered me a ride, Cathy a very lovely , talkative woman wanting to introduce me to her daughter, insisted to throw my bike into the back of her van and take me further down the road into Barrie where I headed straight to the library to use the internet and try and get in contact with anyone on the warm-showers list or people listed on couch-surfing website; I had left it at the last moment and sadly I did not get a reply.
Asking for directions to the Library a woman invited me into her house and fed me some soup and sandwiches, do I really give off the vibe that I am in dire need of food? I am skinny and often tired from cycling all day – maybe this is how people perceive me or it could be you kind hearted Canadians just happy to help either way, a decent eat for me.
So, it was getting close to dark and I had no where to stay, I had the option to stay in a shelter as recommended by a woman at the Library but I passed on the offer and pushed my pedals down the road to the edge of town where I found a convenient spot where I could hang my tarp up in some trees to get out of the rain – hopefully it stays up for the night and I dont wake up soaking wet.
Oh, tomorrow I get to see my folks for the first time in 5 years, I would surprise them at the airport but it seems easier to meet them at where they are staying tomorrow evening. I was suppose to show up a day after but this way it is more fun. Obviously ill post this after I surprise them.

18/09/2011 Day 25 Cycling Across Canada

Distance Traveled: Wawa to 25km south on Hwy 17 then to the outskirts of Toronto 725km

Money Spent: $5 for Subway and $10 for truckstop goodies.
Time cycling: 1 hours 30 min
Moving Average: 15.2km/h
Total Distance Traveled: 2068 km

View Larger Map

Sleeping in the corner of the parking lot of the information center of Wawa wasnt all that bad, but I suppose wherever Ive slept for the past couple of weeks havent really been all that bad.
I hopped over to the information center to see if I could charge a bunch of my electrical things where Nancy who worked there was more than happy to help me, we chatted for a while before I headed into town to grab some breakfast at Subway, here I met a group of Swedes where I got to unload my Swedish on them asking what is called snus; essentially snus is Swedish tabacco in a teabag that you tuck under your lip giving you that nicotine hit – great stuff and one of the guys was kind enough to give me one – I miss that stuff from Sweden.
Anyways I made my way to Canadian Tire to buy a new seat for my bike in the hopes I could make this cycling trip a little more comfortable. I found and paid for a large touring seat that looked comfortable enough and after using the tools from the shop and attaching it to my bike I then cycled around for no more than 2 minutes before this seat felt like it was tearing me a new asshole. Obviously I returned it right away and got my money back.
I checked the weather for the day and the forecast predicted rain for the evening and very strong headwinds all day.
Reluctantly I set off into the oncoming winds into Lake Superior National Park.
I only cycled for an hour and a half and averaging 15km/h when I put together some sandwiches in a pull off area. Here I met a trucker named Peter who offered me a ride in the direction I needed... this came as a very nice surprise because I need to be in Toronto on the 21^st and that was the way he was headed. Peter had never picked up a hitch hiker although I wasnt hitch hiking he offered me the ride. My years hitch hiking I have never been picked up by truckers – so I suppose this is my lucky break.
I suppose I was incredibly lucky to have met him there because like I said before I needed a ride anyway and this also means I didnt need to box my bike and sit in another greyhound bus for several hours saving me around $100.
Riding with Peter was good fun, we shared the same interests and he was a good laugh too... he took me a little over 700km towards Toronto about 150km from the city where I could spend the next couple of days just having a relaxed day of cycling before Mum and Dad show up.
In return for the ride, Peter expressed interest in the breathalyzer I found earlier on this trip so I gave it to him – saves me from carrying it around.
The only issue I have now is that Highway 400 does not allow bikes on the shoulder meaning I have to now take the backroads through farmland to make it to the city.
I camped on a football field when I arrived there at 1am.
Thanks for the ride Peter

The bike seat i bought from Canadian Tire

Fixing my bike to the Tray of the truck, Peters truck

The views of Highway 1 around Lake superior

Peter and I

17/09/2011 Day 24 Cycling Across Canada

Distance Traveled: 15 km from White River to the information centre in Wawa 112km
Money Spent: $6 for more stove fuel
Time cycling: 6 hours 10 min
Moving Average: 18.1km/h
Total Distance Traveled: 2043 km

View Larger Map

I did pick a good spot to camp last night as the warm morning sun woke me although I was camped on bits of broken asphalt so it wasnt comfortable to find a good laying position.
Anyways I got back on the road and it was nice that the sun was out, I stopped at White River to stock up on some more stove fuel and to use the internet to contact Mum and Dad in England – just to let them know what my plans are on how and when ill be arriving in Toronto in a couple of days.
My plan now is only to cycle to Sault Ste. Marie then either hitch hike with the bike from there to Toronto but if that does not work ill just get on the Greyhound bus again.
One thing I have noticed about Ontario is that there are a shitload or should I say piss-load of bottles filled with piss in the ditches beside the highway, maybe it has something to do with truckers not having the time to get a toilet break but to be honest its pretty disgusting.
I was up against plenty of headwind today and this really ruins my mood to the point where I almost gave up and called it a day after only cycling 50km, im putting in so much more effort when going downhill when normally I would be just coasting – no effort required.
I arrived at the town of Wawa which is a dead spot if you were ever to hitchhike from here – people just would not pick you up.
I went to the visitor center and spoke to some girls from the town asking them for a place I could pitch my tent and be hidden away... the girls suggest right there in the corner of the visitor center parking lot so I took their recommendation. I chatted to Laurie, Michelle and Malinda for a little while but they returned soon after with some food and hot chocolate from Tim Hortons. Now, I swear I did not ask for any type of gratuity – it was just a friendly gesture. So thank you girls :)

1000km mark in Ontario!

The Goose in Wawa

The girls i met at the info Center who shouted me dinner! :)

View of Sunset from Information Center in Wawa

16/09/2011 Day 23 Cycling Across Canada

Distance Traveled: Somewhere down the Trans-Canadian Highway ***N 48 48.220 W086 46.722*** to Further East 15 km from White River ***N 48 39.634 W085 27.504*** 116km
Money Spent: $0 but found $40 in a pair of socks – Frank, if your reading this, that really wasn’t necessary, nice gesture though - next time I pass through Thunder Bay Ill have to do something nice for you!
Time cycling: 6 hours 02 min
Moving Average: 19.1km/h
Total Distance Traveled: 1931 km

View Larger Map

So much for having an early start, it was freezing last night and the sun didnt hit my tent till after 9. Painstakingly cold I managed to hop out of my sleeping bag and tent to find my bike and tent covered in frost, even the water in the bottle I left outside had frozen.
Despite the fact I left pretty much all my gear on my bike to get an early start it took the longest time for me to warm up enough to get going.
I was struggling whilst cycling, not enjoying the cycle trip what-so-ever. The ups were achingly steep and the downhills too frosty to enjoy.
It wasnt until after midday where I had a break just outside of Marathon where the weather warmed up and where I met some young bikers crossing the country that got me a little bit more enthusiastic about cycling.
Also Tabatha who worked at the hotel helped me out with connecting to the Wi-Fi and also a very friendly girl to chat to.
Looking at the road map there is no way I can make it to even Sudbury before the 20^th so it looks like ill have to get a bus from Sault Ste. Marie to Toronto... this way I can enjoy this cycle trip with being too stressed about seeing mum and dad in less than a week.
My average went from 16km/h to 19km/h within an hour after this break and again I started to enjoy the ride apart of course from my sore ass and aching legs.
As the sun was going down I found a rocky but ok place to camp for the night where hopefully the sun will be heating things up as it rises in the morning.

Where i camped behind some road work machinery, and you can see all the frost over my stuff.

A small glimpse of Lake Superior and its surroundings, with me being blinded by the sun.

Me, Jordan and CJ at a truck stop

Camping another night…. when was the last time i had a shower?

15/09/2011 Day 22 Cycling Across Canada

Distance Traveled: Schreiber to... I dunno? But somewhere down the Trans-Canadian Highway ***N 48 48.220 W086 46.722*** 51km
Money Spent: $20 for all you can eat Chinese food and $2.50 for some bread
Time cycling: 2 hours 55 min
Moving Average: 17.5km/h
Total Distance Traveled: 1815 km

View Larger Map

My god were my legs in pain when I woke this morning, I stumbled out of my tent to take a piss almost falling face first into the deck were I was camped behind Franks mates place.
The winds were crazy this morning too – looking around I was hoping it was coming from the West but the way I saw it it looked like it was coming in from all directions.
I suppose the winds didnt really matter when not cycling on the roads because I spent all of the morning putting together these blog posts along with repairing a few things on my bike.
I didnt get out of Schreiber till after 3 and only cycled 15 km to the next town where I waited for an Asian restaurant to open the doors for an all you can eat buffet. The food was excellent and I even snuck in a snap-lock container that I jam-packed with my leftovers; Hey, don't judge me! I just dont like food wasted.
Last time I ate an all-you-can-eat buffet when cycling I left the place unable to move, thankfully I didnt put myself in this state this time but it was still a pathetic days cycle, only accomplishing 51km...whoop. All that effort to do more than 200km yesterday just ruined me today, you can see my average is well below normal at 17.5km/h – im just too tired and my legs cant handle it.
Well, tomorrow I'm going to get up at the crack of dawn and see how far I can get, we will see.

Me after the all-you-can-eat Chinese food…

Another example of a HDR image – i love this technique.

14/09/2011 Day 21 Cycling Across Canada

Distance Traveled: Thunder Bay to Schreiber 207.5km

Money Spent: $10 for pizza with Heath
Time cycling: 10 hours 58 min
Moving Average: 18.9km/h
Total Distance Traveled: 1764 km

View Larger Map

Today was by far one of the hardest days I have ever cycled, I had everything from crazy strong headwinds to hail, rain and even some flurries of snow.
On top of this I had to cover 200km + kilometers to make it from Franks place in Thunder Bay to his friends place in Schreiber where I would hopefully be getting a place to sleep inside as the forecast mentioned it was going to get down to -3 degrees Celsius.
Its a shame I have no way to log the temperature for the days cycling as today the temperature fluctuated incredibly, especially in the late afternoon where my cycle-computer read -.--°C but it was easily between 1 and 3 degrees.
Today was also the first day on this trip where I met another cyclist headed in the same direction; Heath who I joined for pizza started in Victoria, BC and was making it as far as Prince Edward Island. This is the same route I was taking but seeing the weather as I did today I think I’m not getting as far as Quebec City, I reckon ill save the rest of Canada for another trip where the weather is more predictable and warm.
I was sitting on my bike seat peddling away for 11 hours today with only 2 hours of stopping time – it was harsh but I made it, although I arrived several hours into the night – mum, you wouldnt be happy with me – cycling along the Trans Canadian Highway just with a dimming headlamp with a depleting battery, without a tail light, on slick wet roads, cold and being blinded by the high beams of the oncoming traffic. It was a frightening experience but for some reason or another I enjoyed it; it was frightening but also different.
Thankfully for me I and also to keep mum happy I met some caravaners on the side of the road who just lit up a joint and got chatting for me for a little while and made the effort to remove their tail light from one of their bikes and give it to me, something I certainly needed at this time of night as it was pitch black.

I arrived at Larry's place at... actually I have no idea as all my time telling devices are set to different time zones across Canada and I couldnt be bothered to figure it out because I was freezing cold and delusional from exhasting myself all day, but lets just say it was late.
I knocked on Larry's door but there was no answer, Frank told me if he was not home I could camp in his backyard – uncomfortably damp and cold I managed to pitch my tent get my stove started and make some tea and some noodles – throwing in all the leftovers I had handy, it kept me warm and put me to sleep right away.

Frank and I in Thunder Bay

Cycling out of Thunder Bay… All the road works making things a little difficult.

Meeting Heath, as you can see he is cycling with a lot less gear, hence him making haste

Meeting Martin and Judy who would pick me up if they saw me again to give me a ride to toronto.

As the sun was setting.

A great example of a HDR image – now my desktop wallpaper.

13/09/2011 Day 20 Cycling Across Canada

Distance Traveled: Upsala to Thunder Bay 149km
Money Spent: $10 for brekky at a truckstop
Time cycling: 6 hours 41 min
Moving Average: 22.3km/h
Total Distance Traveled: 1556.5 km

View Larger Map

I'm so glad that I was able to sleep in the camper because it seemed to be a very cold night, frost lightly blanketed the grass and an instant chill hit me as soon as I walked out of the camper.
Before I mounted my bike I had a very good breakfast to munch down whilst sorting out a place to stay in Thunder Bay using the website 'warm-showers'.
After graciously thanking everyone at the restaurant I hit the road, it was still chilly but for the first couple of hours I had a fantastic tail wind heading down an arrow straight road towards Thunder Bay, I was in cruise control for the majority of it just drifting off in my own mind, replaying films in my head, thinking of photoshop ideas to pass the time.
Whilst cycling along I was stopped by a truck offering me drinks and food – YAY, more free shit. The two guys that hopped out (Scott and RP) they worked for the support crew for a group of cyclist crossing the country for a charity to raise funds for kids with cancer. They had literally a truck load of food that they were willing to give away to me for, get this, absolutely nothing. I can honestly say I got over $100 worth of energy bars, candy and gels, fruit, canned goods, Nutella, PB&J, Chocolate milk even some meatballs in tomato sauce that were leftovers from the previous night – SCORE!!!
Scott and RP invited me to where the cyclists would be camping for the night outside the mall in Thunder Bay, that was still 50km away so with a happy grin of chocolate milk on my face I gunned it along the highway to meet them.
I had an idea in my head soon after thinking I could participate in the event to cycle with the others, surely I was up to shape and I could have used the support vehicles to keep hold of my belongings covering some extra distance meaning I could meet with mum and dad in Toronto without having to get some other means of transportation.
The cyclists supporting the charity were wearing full-on one piece spandex suits with bicycles that you could lift with one finger. Me on the other hand am generally shirtless with swim shorts with a bicycle loaded with gear that most people cant even lift off the ground.

Oh, thats the other thing, these cyclists dont have to bring anything on their bikes other than their bottle of water! everything they own the support crew carry, they even have a masseuse on the team. WTF! i want cycling across Canada to be this easy.
I would have loved to have joined the event but when meeting with Scott he told me it wasnt possible. Oh, well.
A little bit disappointed I made my way to Frank Pollari's place who I organized to stay with through 'warm-showers' and along the highway I found a coin purse with a whole $2.78 in there – ill take that :)
Frank and his girlfriend Marcy were like all warm-showers hosts were very hospitable and great people. Frank and I got along very well sharing stories of travelling over a few beers and a lovely pasta dish Marcy cooked up for me. I had a much needed shower and after some emailing and internet stuff I went to bed.
Frank and Marcy were people I would have loved to spend more time with but I have to deadline to meet my parents in a week and I have to get cycling; hopefully I will see them somewhere down the track.

Leaving the Truckstop and where i spent the night in a Camper

Dead straight road, where i stopped for my second breakfast – also maybe the last time zone ill be crossing for this trip but it all depends on how far i cycle across the country.

Does this mean its all downhill from here? nope, I was hopeful though

HDR’s of some things i saw along the way – I’m still working on my tone mapping skills

Scott and Rp giving me all the food – what great guys!

Almost at Thunder Bay

At the city limits

Cant see much from these photos but these guys get everything they need,