Day 111: Riverview to PEI

We thanked Brad for the hospitality and cruised down into Moncton, stopping at Tim Horton's for the usual. Aaron and I parted ways today, he was heading down the 6 towards Halifax, I was heading towards PEI via Shediac.

I stopped at Mike's bike shop and purchased a cheap tyre in case my worn front tyre decided to quit on me.

I arrived in Shediac, saw the world's biggest lobster and then took the 955 all the way to the Confederation Bridge. Headwind all the way made it a tough ride, but the scenery was lovely. Smelling the sea again after months inland was amazing.

I eventually made it to the bridge and got the free shuttle across. No bikes are allowed on the bridge.
Jane and Dennis, from earlier in BC, met me and drove me to their lovely house in Summerside.

Beer, steak and salad for dinner, what a treat!

Distance: 112 km
Time: 5:19:15
Height gained/lost: 544m /-547m
Calories: 3363

Day 110: Coles Island to Riverview

It all comes to a grinding halt.

We had a slow start from the golf course/campsite this morning and headed towards Moncton, taking the 112 all the way. It was a quiet road this morning with a gentle tailwind, so we were making good progress through the rolling countryside.

PING
Brrrrrrrrrtttttttttttt,
and then the sound of a derailleur being sucked into a wheel.

Stopping, I spun round to see what Aaron was up to, and saw him grinding to a halt.

As soon as I had heard the PING I knew he had broken anther spoke, and this in turn had hooked onto the derailleur and sucked it into the wheel.
This was a game changer.

We dragged the wounded bike off the road and set about assessing the damage. It didn't look good for Aaron. He stripped the rear wheel and then removed the derailleur and tried to straighten it as best he could. This was where the rail pins we collected previously came into play; they were the perfect hammer.

While Aaron was beating metal, I spoke to a lady at the house near us, and she said her brother may be able to help as she was just leaving. His name was Brad and immediately offered Aaron a lift, bike and all, into the nearest town to get to a bike shop. The offer was extended to me but I wanted to ride the whole way.

Once Aaron's bike was packed into the car, I cycled off, trying to regain the momentum we had earlier in the day.

The road stayed quiet all day, as did the rolling hills. It felt as though I was constantly riding up a hill but there was never any downhill. I was eventually rewarded with a downhill, and the view from the top of the hill was amazing. Forests and farms as far as the eye could see, with a river running through it all.

I stopped at the petrol station outside Salisbury and messaged Aaron. He replied, telling me to come to Brad's house, as lobster and shrimp had been purchased, and that we were staying there tonight.

Amazing.

I arrived at Brad's house a few moments after them. They had been to Shediac to buy seafood, and to the bike shop to get Aaron's wheel sorted.

I was knackered, it had been a taxing day on the bike.

Distance: 83.7 km
Time: 3:47:20
Height gained/lost: 500m /-481m
Calories: 2586

Day 109: Fredericton to Coles Island

Hot and rolling.

Up early on a very quiet and misty morning, rolled out of the park to some very strange looks. Breakfast at Timmies then out along the 105 towards Moncton. We stayed on this road for a while, then would have options once we arrived at Jemseg.

Once again, the road we were on ran to a dead-end, with Google saying the path certainly existed. Nevertheless, Aaron and I explored the possibility of another path over the river. None existed, so we backtracked a few kilometres until we could cut across onto the Trans-Canada Highway.

Aah, bittersweet memories came flooding back as we spun along the shoulder, massive trucks hurtling past us at warp speed. The bridge over the river had a sign stating that bicycles were forbidden, but as we had no other option, we carried on pedalling. Jemseg, and lunch, awaited us on the other side.
Aaron had to fix a (yet another) broken spoke on his rear wheel too.

We had Donair's for lunch (Google them) and they hit the spot. Much water was consumed as it was now a rather toasty day.

A guy in the parking lot gave us directions along the river to a nice campsite, and the road would be quiet as well. Thanking him, we set off along this new route, and were soon climbing up little rolling hills. Around every corner, a new summit appeared, but no respite was offered. If we're doing all this climbing, surely there is a descent on offer?
What descents there were were paltry, hardly any whoops were hollered. Sad.

We soon saw the sign to the TNT Campground ahead, and we rolled in, hot and sweaty and ready for a swim in the river.
The river water was very warm, and felt great on tired legs. We even got a free "Garra Rufa" pedicure. While we were sitting in the river, little fish swam up and nibbled us, getting between our toes. It was hard not to twitch violently as it was quite ticklish!

A rather intense game of washer, or ring, toss was happening up near the office, so we popped in for a quick look. I think some of the players may have been at provincial level as they missed nothing.

Bed time was calling, so we headed back to the tents and crashed out.

Yet another interesting day on the bike.

Distance: 104 km
Time: 4:49:20
Height gained/lost: 625m /-600m
Calories: 3245

Day 108: Millville to Fredericton

Jazz baby!

Fact: Millville is home to the world's largest maple leaf.

The bike abuse continued today, except there was treasure on the trail to keep our minds and bodies focused. Riding on the rail trail meant that there were rail spikes, the pins used to keep the rail in place, scattered on the path. The railway was covered in the late 50's and the constant traffic on it is exposing the underlying treasures. Aaron and I each collected a few pins as mementos. (Little did we know that these would come in handy later.)

About 25km down the path I realised I had left one of my water bottles on the sink at Andrew's house. "Bother" said Kevin. Oh well, another bottle will need to be purchased.

Thankfully the trail was mostly downhill today, but my tired legs and the sandy and rocky trail surface made it as tiresome as a 100km road ride.
We cycled the last 15km into Fredericton on the cycle path, then stopped at Picaroons brewery for a well earned local pint.
While enjoying this pint, my phone buzzed. It was Andrew.

Andrew: "Where are you?"
Kevin: "In Picaroon's."
Andrew: "Stay there, Tiffany is on her way to you with your water bottle."
Kevin: "....."

Tiffany, Andrew's wife, was coming in Fredericton, and had brought my water bottle with her, and hand delivered it to me in the pub. What service!
I thanked her, and just like that, she was gone. I couldn't wipe the smile from my face, what good fortune to have my bottle back...

We left Picaroons, cycled over the river and had lunch at the Snooty Fox, the bar staff insisting we park our loaded bikes inside the bar! We had a cruisy afternoon listening to the music from the Harvester Jazz Festival, while we supped local beers from a few establishments.

Once the sun had set and darkness had set in, we headed out to Odell Park and pitched our tents just off the main path. Hopefully nobody minds.

Distance: 64.7 km
Time: 3:42:31
Height gained/lost: 608m /-752m
Calories: 1998

Day 107: Perth-Andover to Millville

Trust Google?

We did, and paid for it. Not that the detour we took was sketchy or anything, but we did an extra 15km's up a forestry road that went nowhere! And it was hot.

Today started like any other. A phone alarm would go off, get snoozed, ring again. We would get up, have breakfast, pack the tents and wheel out in a very lazy manner.
We had slept well last night, the campsite was quiet and the sun didn't come up until a bit later as we were behind a hill.
While eating breakfast I watched a fledgling Bald Eagle get fed by its mother, a majestic bird.

We were on the rail trail again this morning, and it was somewhat better than yesterday's stage. Smooth gravel all the way into Bristol, where we stopped for mid-morning tea/coffee. In these small towns, the elderly seem to gather in the Tim Horton's and discuss everything. There are no secrets in these small towns.

After Bristol, we rolled into Hartford, home to the world's longest covered bridge. Aaron and I rode it twice, once over the river and again to come back.
By now the sun was beating down, so we stopped in the shade of a tree and grabbed a bite to eat. From here onward, the road would kick up a little, so we wanted to be fuelled for the afternoon.

Trusting the map Google had supplied us, we spun down the road, and then headed up a forestry trail. We climbed higher and higher and then, suddenly, reached a dead end.
The trail just stopped.

We back-tracked and headed out on the 104, good old Pole Hill Road.
What an experience.
The road surface was a patchwork of fifty shades of grey, each shade covering, hopefully, a pothole. Some potholes were fresh and hadn't been covered, so our eyes had to be watching for the danger.

Our destination didn't seem to be getting any closer, so we reassessed the situation and decided we would try our luck in Millville.
Speaking to a farmer just outside of town, he said Millville wasn't worth the effort, and that we should push on.
Non-cyclists have a warped sense of what a cyclist needs from a town. We need simple supplies and fresh water, a place to sleep, and that is pretty much it.
When we arrived in Millville, it had all of the above, so we decided to try and pitch tents in the church yard.
While we were deciding this, a guy walking his dog approached and so we asked if it would be OK to camp in the church. He said yes and then said, "Why don't you come and stay with me, I have two spare bedrooms?"

Aaron and I looked at each other and nodded in agreement. This was perfect. We could shower and have a good sleep. We wheeled our bikes to the house, dumped our bags in our respective rooms and went down to the kitchen to talk to Andrew. He was busy replacing the windows in the house, so it was a bit a mess, a light layer of sawdust covering most of the lounge area.

Chicken soup and bread for dinner. Winner. Andrew's wife (she was at work) said he should make us granola bars for the morning, so he did that while we ate dinner.
Andrew then started telling us all the places we need to go in Halifax, as he had spent loads of time there. The list of places grew and grew, and soon we had days mapped out.

Our eyes were starting to droop, so we said our goodnight's and headed upstairs.

Once again, hospitality is found where none is to be expected.

Distance: 111 km
Time: 5:48:46
Height gained/lost: 999m /-956m
Calories: 3513

Day 105: Edmunston to Perth-Andover

Moving on.

It was a cold night last night, colder than other nights I have had, there was even a touch of frost on my panniers. A sign that summer is nearly over.

When we eventually moved out from Walmart, I was agitated and wanted to ride hard. We had a tailwind and I wanted to take full advantage, getting as far down the road as possible today.
As a result, I cycled off the front of the group, and when I turned to see where they were, they were not in sight. I decided to keep going as I felt strong, and not long later Aaron joined me, puffing.

Stephen and Aaron had ridden off the front as well, Matt and Amy not up to the pace today, possibly tired from the past few days? Aaron had decided to join me while Stephen went back to Matt and Amy and rode with them.
Unfortunately that was to be the last time we rode together.

Aaron and I made epic headway, taking turns on the front and resting and recovering while at the back. It was a flat day and we cruised. We stopped at Saint Leonard for a bite to eat and a water bottle refill (it was a hot day) then headed for Grand Falls. We were on the 144, and the US was just over the river from us all day.

From Grand Falls we got back onto the 'cycle path' and proceeded to batter and bash and skid our bikes along the path, in the shade thankfully, but at the mercy of the dodgy surface. We were both feeling really strong and before long wound our way into Perth-Andover and found the food van.

Here we discovered the tastiest onion rings in the world. They looked like donuts and tasted like donuts, but were filled with onion! Mmm.
And if there is one thing that needs to follow an onion ring, it's a pint , or 2, of local beer. We parked up outside the Railcar Brewery and went in, increasing the number of people in the building from 2 to 4, and sat down. The other 2 people were the owners.

We got chatting and sank a few local beers. Mitch, the owner, was telling us about the history of the building and the company, and before long had ordered us chicken wings for dinner, on the house! Top man!

Camping was at the Baird's Memorial Campground, open but not. Mitch had said that the owners wouldn't be in until at least 2pm the following day, but the site was open and available.
Yet another free camp and lovely local knowledge. I am loving the small town feeling.

Unexpected delights

Distance: 110 km
Time: 5:11:14
Height gained/lost: 753m /-825m
Calories: 3526

Sun setting on an amazing day

Day 104: Cabano to Edmunston

I woke to the patter of feet going past the tent this morning.
Runner's feet.

Caught in the act.

I got up and packed the tent and had a breakfast of tea and cereal, and leftover pizza. It was touch and go for a moment as I caught Webber going in for the last slice!

Stephen and Aaron headed off early to find a Timmies for the usual coffee fix, so Matt, Amy and I took a relaxed ride through and met them a little later.
We were back on the trail today, riding along the lake. Fall is now in full swing, so the maple trees are turning an amazing shade of orange then red. It is beautiful, like nothing I have ever seen before.

Amy, Matt and Stephen

We crossed the border into New Brunswick at lunchtime, so stopped for a bite to eat in the shade of a Lancaster. For some reason we were all tired again today, so the afternoon session took a little while to get underway.

We rolled into Edmunston in the late afternoon, and stocked up on food at the Atlantic Superstore. Due to a communication error, I bought food to cook while the others bought ready-made meals, and ate at the store.

Lancaster at New Brunswick border

I packed the food into my bags and headed down the road to the Walmart where we would be camping for the night.
A few RV's were already there when I arrived, so I didn't feel too bad unpacking and setting up my stove. I must admit I may have looked a little out of place, sitting on the sidewalk, barefoot, beer in hand, cooking rice and not a care in the world.

Le Petit Sault beers

I also needed some time to myself after riding in a group for the last few days. I seem to have lost the adventurous spirit as I was just following and not thinking for myself. Maybe it was time for me to move on, alone.

Camping, or glamping, at the Walmart's has been easy. Each store has Wifi, washrooms inside and a huge patch of grass outside. It's as though it was meant for camping!

Distance: 69 km
Time: 3:48:49
Height gained/lost: 574m /-608m
Calories: 2117

Glamping at Walmart