28/09/2011 Day 35 Cycling Across Canada

Distance Traveled: N 44 15.355 W079 02.178 to Reaboro 49km

Money Spent: $15 for new tire Time cycling: 2 hours 47 minutes
Moving Average: 17.4km/h
Total Distance Traveled: 2357 km

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It rained a fair bit last night but thankfully I set up my tent and tarp properly anticipating rain for the night, my belongings and i stayed dry.
When I packed my things I munched down an apple and some granola bars for brekky.
Just down the road from where I camped I finally joined the Trans-Canadian Trail that went from this point all the way into Peterborough... no traffic, a tranquil trail with me and my bike. Sound good dosent it? Well, it wasnt the first 5km of this trail because it was partially flooded with puddles and where there was no water it was either coarse rock or sand neither of which are too good for cycling. Because of all the rock after the painful first 5 km I managed to puncture my front tire; luckily where this happened was right beside a side road with a little bit of traffic going by. Because I didnt know where I was (even my GPS didnt list any of the towns about) I ripped off the wheel and started to repair the issue but found out I had a problem, or as it so happens i couldnt find my pump, I must have lost somewhere over the last week... fuck! It seemed the only option I had was to hitchhike – now, trying to hitchhike with a broken bike on the side of the road I thought would be easy you know because people would feel sorry that your means of transportation is ruined; well, its not easy to hitch this way, all I wanted to do was ask directions to the nearest town and weasel my way into convincing them to give me a ride. This took a good 45 minutes to find out there was a town less than a kilometre up the road – unfortunately I wasnt able to get a ride but seeing as it was only 1 km away I decided to walk with all my stuff loaded on my bike with my front rim scraping on the gravel.
When I made it to a residential area I asked for advice on where to get a pump, someone was kind enough to offer me theirs at around the corner at their place.
This is where I had another issue, the pump would not fit the valve...arrgg!
I ran about the neighbourhood and asked a bunch of people – seemed like no body worked in this town – and finally found a pump that would fit. After several attempts of fixing the puncture I finally got it sorted where Frank and Dorothy kindly gave me a pack lunch to take with me. :)
I got back on my bicycle and found a road headed towards Peterbourgh running parallel to the trail. I passed through a town called Lindsay where I went to Canadian Tire to pick up a new tube. Looking at my wheel in the store I realized too that pushing my bike up a hill, fully loaded with a flat front wasnt such a wise idea – I ruined the tire...
I had to replace that too. The workers at the store where truly ecstatic to meet me and didnt charge me for the repair nor the tube. What I paid for was a new tire setting me back $15. Craig, Angus and Staff at Canadian Tire, thanks so much! I hope that picture you took of me gets into the local newspaper.;)
Having such a 'fun-filled' day I wanted to call it quits and as the forecast was predicting rain I looked at the warm-showers list and found a couple 15 km down the road who were willing to host me.
Again I stayed away from the Trans-Canadian Trail and made my way to Steve and Marnies farm in a quant little hamlet where I was invited into their home with a nice cold beer. Relief at last!
Steve and Marnie fed me a lovely dinner and I continued to chat away joking, telling them my stories and my adventures around the world. Before we knew it, it was getting late and was time for bed.

Repairing my tire on Frank and Dorothy’s driveway

Craig, Angus and I at Canadian Tire in Lindsay, ON

27/09/2011 Day 34 Cycling Across Canada

Distance Traveled: Downtown Toronto to Old Service road **N 44 15.355 W079 02.178** 105km
Money Spent: $14 for groceries
Time cycling: 5 hours 41 minutes
Moving Average: 18km/h
Total Distance Traveled: 2308 km

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After a week off from cycling I didnt have the issues I had before arriving in toronto, my legs were not aching and the tendon above my right heel didnt hurt anymore.
Seeing my Mum and Dad was fantastic and I had a lot of fun with Gary and Gail, along with seeing Willow but to get back on the road today once more gave me a exhilarating rush.
But to get out of the City was a pain, partly because I used the directions that Google Maps gave me to get to Peterborough. The route to get to Peterborough from downtown Toronto had over 100 turns but I didnt have a bike map of the city and this was the only thing I could gather up before departing Willows place.
Using these directions certainly was interesting because it took me down some random unpaved side roads which although bumpy got me off the very small shoulder highways and the traffic.
Now that I have seen Mum and Dad I no longer have a deadline for this trip, meaning I can take my time and enjoy as much as I can, perhaps even use that fishing rod that Halee's Dad gave me. Actually I cant say I dont have a deadline because winter is coming and its going to get cold... speaking about the change in seasons, the leaves are certainly changing colour into beautiful shades of red and orange – so as long as things dont turn white, im all good.
Where I camped for the evening down a old unused service road I heard some unusual noises from nearby animals, lets hope they dont bother me during the night.

Picking apples… throwing up worm infested apples to knock down tasty ones.

The season is changing – these pics dont do the colours justice

Dinner for the night! dosent look too bad does it?

Niagara Falls

 

What a Panoramic!!!!

Time in Toronto 21/09/2011 – 26/09/2011

Distance Traveled: 20km along Lakeshore to downtown Toronto (Bathurst St)
Total Distance Traveled: 2203km

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For those who care about the route and terrain profile 20km west of Downtown Toronto

The five days I spent with Mum, Dad, Gary and Gail was fantastic fun, we managed to squeeze in quite a lot of activities and sight-seeing, one obviously being Niagara Falls. IM not going to say much about the falls because below are some of the panoramics I put together that came out great.
One of the main things ive missed after being away from home for so long is Mum's cooking, finally after over 5 years my taste-buds got their fix, I learnt some new dishes that I can cook as the experience of working with mum in a kitchen cant be beaten. Everyone says their mum's cooking is the best...I can honestly say MY mum's cooking is better than the best.

I have missed my folks over the past couple of years and it was awesome to see them again but to answer the question I am always asked: Dont you miss home? Not really, I enjoy travelling and seeing the world, and as most people say: Do it whilst your young.

Saying goodbye to Mum and Dad at the airport wasnt emotional but Im thinking when will be the next time ill be seeing them... another 6 years? We will have to wait and see... just dont let me keep you in suspense.
After saying goodbye to my folks Gary was kind enough to drive me south closer to the downtown area where I was meeting Willow – an old friend who I met in Barcelona 4 years before, I caught up with her 2 years ago last time I was in Toronto but this time I was staying with her for a day, or as it turns out 2 nights. Gary dropped me at the lake beach where i followed the bike paths to the center of Toronto, it was a beautiful day out and the cycling around the area was like no other dedicated bike paths and beautiful views of the city, breathtaking.
Catching up with Willow was fun as she worked at a hostel down the road from where she lived, Ive mentioned before I love the social scene of hostels, but rarely stay in them in North America because of the price but just going there for drinks was great as I met a bunch of travelers and shared some of my stories.
Later this same evening we went to another bar but seemed full of pretentious assholes – I wont go into it but I preferred the hostel scene.
The next day was a hangover day were Willow and I watched several films.
I tried to catch up with Ben who I worked with treeplanting this year but I missed a message from him and our plans fell though – sorry buddy.
It was a good week of relaxing, seeing my folks,lots of drinking and a whole heap of fun. But time to move on... Ottawa is next and I should be there in a couple of days.

In and around Niagara Falls with Mum, Dad, Gary and Gail.

Gary and Gails Family.

More Family pics

Random Pics around Toronto

Cycling towards the downtown area of Toronto

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

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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

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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

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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