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 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 96: Boucherville to Louiseville

We said our extended goodbyes to our host family for the last few days and headed out on the trail once again. It felt good to be back on the bike, there is only so long that you can spend cooped up in an RV before fresh air is required...

Today was mostly flat with a assisting tailwind that pushed us along the river, on a bike path, past some beautiful old churches and towns.

We took a ferry across the St Lawrence at Sorel, had lunch on the other side, and then continued on the northern shore until Louiseville, which we made just as the torrential rain started to come down again.

The crew wanted to free camp in town but couldn't find a spot, so I found a campsite a little way out of town and subsidised the camping for the evening. The spot at the Marina was beautiful, but the noise from the nearby highway spoilt it somewhat.

The rain cleared enough for us to setup camp, but came down once again, and rained all night.

Distance: 103 km
Time: 4:45:16
Height gained/lost: 228m /-297m
Calories: 2975

Day 86: Kingston to Johnstown

With heavy legs Rob and I stumbled to the dining area at the motel and proceeded to devour everything in sight. Waffles and maple syrup, cereal and fruit, tea and coffee, fruit and muffins, even boiled eggs. We had it all.

Passing Gananoque I stopped at Rebecca's (a friend from London) brother's house to say hi and to checkout the veggie garden I have heard so much about. It is simply amazing.

From there I hit the 1000 Islands Parkway, which has a cycle path separate from the road. My legs where still very heavy and as the day got hotter, I got slower. I couldn't even spin a light gear for very long!

A chip truck around the next bend got my custom, and a cheeseburger, coke and chips later I was back on the path, energised, full of fuel. Suddenly I could ride again.
I stuck some tunes into my ears and was soon spinning along at a good pace.

Tonight I would be staying with a couple I met in a campsite in MacGregor, Manitoba. They mentioned that if I was passing through Johnstown I was welcome to stay. So, here I am, heading to Johnstown.

I arrived later than expected due to my slow start to the day, which was unfortunate as they wanted to show me the swimming hole up the road.
Nevertheless, Karen and Martii invited me in and cooked up a delicious BBQ with salads and rye bread for dinner.
Karen was heading out to a play, so Martii and I had the evening to ourselves.

Canada to USA bridge

Martii fired up the Plymouth parked in his driveway and we cruised the town, seeing the 'waterfront' and the Windmill brewery, then up to the swimming hole. This was an old lock that had been filled in, but was now perfect to swim in as the current from the St Lawrence river didn't impact it.

We got home in time for tea and a chat with Karen.

Distance: 114 km
Time: 5:20:23
Height gained/lost: 687m /-639m
Calories: 3428

The months Past and Future

Looking back over a summer spent in Cape Town, it is hard to believe that the time here is up. It feels like only yesterday that I arrived.

Since then there have been beach days galore; breakfast on the beach, drinks on the beach, sandcastles built on the beach, cricket on the beach...(you get the point).

When not at the beach I was out cycling, firstly prepping for the Cape Town Cycle Tour, which was blown out by strong winds, and secondly for my upcoming cycling trip to Canada.
Down time was spent poring over maps, making contact with Canadian friends, planning routes and alternative routes, and generally trying to learn as much about Canada as possible.

Lazy days in Kalk Bay, having late breakfasts, and lunches, whizzed by. Sunset drinks in Noordhoek, and feeds at the Food Market. Cuddles with my new niece, Skye, braais with family and friends, early morning running and cycling; each day was filled with activities.

Then the British contingent arrived. Thanks to all those that made the trip over to SA for various reasons, I am glad we managed to catch up and celebrate those things that needed celebrating.

Relaxing time away in the Cedarberg and Warmwaterberg hot springs was greatly appreciated, as my brain was saturated with all things Canadian.

Those were Months Past.
Now for Months Future.

A quick stopover in London to say helloooo to friends, watch a rugby tournament dressed as a Greek god, and to swap wheels. A carbon road bike for a full steel touring bike.
And to make sure my camping gear is in working order.
That's kinda important.

I have a long list of things to complete before my flight to Vancouver at the end of the month, and a fairly rammed social calendar to make things even more exciting.

***

The trip to South Africa has been amazing, and the trip to Canada, I can only imagine, should be as mind-blowing.
SO much lies in store in the next few months, I am quite excited to say the least.