XCAN Day 96 Final Day! Holyrood to Quidi Vidi, St. Johns

Distance:       52.81
Time:            2:11
Elevation:     589 m
Weather:      14-16 Overcast and drizzle at the end
Flats:            0

So this is it!  Woke up very early even though I knew we were not leaving until after 10 am at least.   Read and caught up on the blog a bit.

Greg woke up and went and got us coffees.  Then went down and sat on the deck.   Colette had to go and pick up the Pattersons and bring them back for breakfast so once they arrived we sat down for breakfast.

Penny and Mark arrived just as we sat down.  They have been touring Newfoundland for a couple of weeks and yesterday Penny ran the Huffin Puffin Marathon in St. Johns and came first in her age category!   Amazing lady!  So they joined us for coffee and Colette brought them a light plate as well.      They were picking up Greg and the luggage and taking it all to St Johns.  How nice!

Had a nice breakfast....finished in the room and readied to head out.  I started by going along the boardwalk to bypass the worksite along the road.  It was an easy ride and about 15Km out I met up with Dominic who was finishing his XCAN bike trip this week as well.  We had a good talk as we road along together.  He has done over 9000 km already on this trip.  He started by riding from Montreal to Toronto before going to the west coast and doing a lot of touring on Vancouver Island before heading east.  We took our time and talked quite a bit for the next 45 minutes.   It was nice to ride with him and learn about his experience on the road.  He was staying in Conception, so we wished each other well, congratulations and he told me to be safe for this last stretch...I left him there and headed up to the highway.

A nice easy ride on the highway.  I stopped to put on my rain jacket as it was starting to spit a bit and cooled down.  Just after that Nancy and Dave blew by me on the highway...I stopped and let them go.   I was in no hurry to finish.

From my last stop it was pretty well all downhill to St. Johns and you picked up a lot of speed but had to watch as the shoulders kind of disappeared in a few places.  Onto Water Street and winding up through the far end of town.   At Hill o Chips I actually got off my bike and finished by walking the hill as it was very steep and busy.   Up the hill and onto the road to Quidi Vidi, a small fishing port just over the hill from town.   I caught up to Nancy and Dave who were asking directions and then with one slight miscalculation we got on the right road to the water and Greg, Penny and Mark.

It was amazing coming around the corner and seeing them waiting there.  A quick tire dip and Greg broke open the Prosecco, (Long story about that one)  and it was done!!!  Wow.

A couple bottles were drank and we were joined by Sean on Christine from the ferry, who just happened to be touring Quidi Vidi when we finished.  So funny.

I accomplished my goal of riding EFI ( Every Friking Inch) across this amazing country.  I was lucky and other than a few bruises, I have been healthy and my body held up amazingly.

Here are my ride Stats.

Provinces:         10
Distance:           7816.4  km
Time :                331 hours
Elevation:          46744 m
Total Days:        96
Riding Days:     80
Rest Days:        16
Avg Km/Day:   97.7 km
Flats:                 Lots - I have to look that one up :)

Too many peanut butter and banana sandwiches.  Not quite one a day as I didn't eat a full one for lunch a lot of days, but enough that I don't think I want any more for a while!!

After everyone left...I took my time leaving Quidi Vidi.  A bit of time to reflect on being finished and wondering what was going to be next.

A short ride to the hotel where I was treated like royalty.  Too cute.  The manager asked if I would like some coffee sent up and when it arrived it was this amazing cheese and fruit and nut and chocolate platter.  Very nice not to have to go out for lunch!    Thank you Dustin for booking us in.  The hotel is wonderful with a great view and very luxurious after 3 months in the trailer.

A hot bath soak...changed the water 3 times...where I think 3 months worth of goop was finally soaked off my legs!  A short walk and then out for dinner with the group.

A short walk around very quiet Tuesday night St Johns and back to the hotel to bed.

I had so many texts, emails and comments from you all with congratulations!   Thank you so much for all your words along the way and at the end.    It has been another one of those journeys of a lifetime that I have been very fortunate to have had.  There have been so many highlights on this trip.  There was never a day that I wasn't excited to get on my bike and ride.  So thank you all for coming along with me!

A big big Hug and many many Thanks to Greg for everything he did for all of us as there wouldn't (almost wasn't) have been a trip without his generosity of purchasing the trailer (which is for sale if anyone is interested) and driving it both ways across Canada so we could fulfill our dreams!  I have asked Greg to do a follow up blog which he will get to soon.  But Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.  Our next adventure is yours to decide!
 
Time now to drive back to B.C. and get some time with my granddaughters and family!

Lots of Love   Heidi

XCAN Day 95 Argentia Ferry to Schooner Inn Holyrood

Distance:       86.21
Time:             3:08
Elevation:     743
Weather:      18-26  Perfect!!
Room:         Wonderful 10
Flats:           0

Woke up at 5 am thinking it was 6 and by the time I figured out what time it really was, I was wide awake.  Darn!   The crossing was very smooth.  A small bit of rolling as we went to bed but it was dead calm when we woke up.  At 2 am I woke and looked out the window and there was a lighthouse blinking off in the distance and some communities as you could tell with the glow from the lights.  Not quite sure what shore they were on.  Even looking at the map it is hard to tell.

We were up so we headed down to the snack bar for a coffee.   Dave came down a bit later.  Once the buffet opened up we headed for breakfast.   Tried to keep to my normal breakfast as much as possible...as it has been working for me for the past 90+ days.  On the ferry when they do an announcement it is very loud and in every room.  So those who thought they might want to sleep in do not!   The fellow working the buffet said they don't want anyone to sleep in and not be ready to unload.

We had another hour or so to wait so went and changed and packed up the bags.  Dave and I went down to the car deck when allowed and rode off.  Dave walked as he had Nancy's bike as well.  Greg and Nancy had the luggage so they had to wait for the shuttle to take them off the boat.  We all met at the terminal, Greg got on the bus and I headed off.  A quick stop to take a picture at the Welcome to Newfoundland sign and then up the hill.

 I stopped with the 2 other young riders at the tourist bureau just to make sure I got on the right road out of town.  The guys still hadn't decided what route they were taking or how many days to get to St John's.  Wished them a good ride and a good school year and headed off.

The highway was amazing.  First you followed along the North Arm through Danville and beautiful views.

Then you followed the river as you climbed up a bit to the higher land.  Up top it was very tundra like.

 Lots of "ponds" as they call them here and I kept my eyes open for moose but none were seen.  Very beautiful.  Ride was great.  Big shoulder and very quiet for the first 45 km.  Wonderful ride and it flew by!

At 45 km the junction with Hwy 1, the Trans Canada Highway, and it became a different story.  I stopped for a smoothie at the Tim Hortons/Gas Station/Convenience Store/Subway.  It was the busiest place I had seen in quite a while.  I stood in line and had a nice talk with a local fellow and a younger guy from Alberta who was just off the ferry.   The local guy was so nice but it was hard to understand him as he had a very strong accent.  He asked if I had seen a moose yet and said I might.  Lots around.  I told him I had seen the sign warning of accidents with moose and that there were 660 moose crashes last year.  He said that is an old sign and they have to replace it.  Had a bike discussion with the younger fellow and he said he hopes to do the XCan crossing one day.  Got my smoothie and the local fellow held the door open, wished me well and told me to take care and joked that if I drank that whole smoothie I would have to stop and go to the bathroom.  We laughed.  I had a piece of my bagel in the sunshine with my smoothie and was just finishing when Dave and Nancy and their friends arrived.

I headed off for the next half of the ride.  Road was still great but the traffic was like being in the city!!  I guess being the Monday and end of the long weekend people were heading home.  There were lots of cars parked along the side of the road with ATV trailers and Greg's van driver said they are all people who have cabins in the back woods and use their ATVs to go in.  Again the scenery was beautiful but it was so busy on the road it was harder to look around.

A few more small ups and downs and wonderful views and then the turn off to Holyrood and 6 km of downhill to The Schooner Inn.  The road was blocked off as the bank had sluffed and they had machines and supplies to fix it.  Being holiday Monday they were not working so Greg met me at the highway and we went through the worksite.

The B& B was so nice and quaint overlooking the bay.  We had a nice afternoon talking to Colette and sitting on the deck.  Perfect afternoon.

The bottom suites had some plumbing issues which Colette thinks was from the road work and so she had to do some cancelations as well as find another place for Nancy and Dave.  So she was a little stressed.  But it all worked out and she drove the Pattersons' luggage over to the other accommodations when they arrived.

Greg and I headed out for dinner at the only diner in town left open.  Yes we had fish and chips again!   I think if have eaten more chips on this trip than I have over the course of the past 10 years!!!  But they were good.  The diner was so busy that they ran out of food...but Nancy and Dave had eaten there earlier and just came back for salad so they were able to get in.  Walk back to the Schooner Inn and bedtime.

A rather relaxing day.  Onward.  Heidi

XCan Day 95 - Argentia ferry to Holyroo

Distance: 90.6 km

Time: 3:18

Speed: 27.3 km/hr

Weather: Perfect, sunny, warm, mostly tailwinds

Flats: 0

We disembarked from the ferry around 10am.  Cars and bikes are off first, then pedestrians. Because Nancy and I had a lot of luggage since we're are returning to the west coast from St. John's, we had to divide and conquer, Nancy handled the luggage while I got the bikes. A bit complicated since the bikes were let off directly onto the road but Nancy with the luggage was let off at the terminal...meaning I had a walk of about 1k with 2 bikes to make the connection with Nancy. Greg took our luggage on to Holyrood, thanks Greg, and we started the ride. It did not look good at the start, the wind was in our face and a couple of major hills but we made a turn after a few k and it became a pretty easy ride. We ran into a couple we met on the Gaspe Peninsula who were finishing their biking journey across Canada and had a nice chat at lunch with them after 45k. Then it was on to the TransCanada Hwy, a busy 4 lane road. The riding was easy because the shoulders were wide and smooth but not as enjoyable because of the traffic. Don't know if has been mentioned earlier but I have the worst cell phone in the world...affectionately known as my piece of sh** phone, and it died at the 75k mark, just when we needed it the most. A couple of calls to Heidi got us back on track and we made it to Holyrood OK but we weren't sure where the b&b only to find that the b&b we were staying at had plumbing problems and we had to move to other accommodation. It all worked out thanks to the host at the b&b. Last day tomorrow...yeah!

Cheers,

Dave and Nancy

XCAN Day 94 North Sydney and Ferry to Argentia

Distance:      6.09
Time:            15.05
Elevation:     38
Stateroom:   Nice
Weather:      Perfectly Beautiful
Flats:           0

Today was a easy relaxing day for Greg and I.  Just a few preparations to get ready for the few days on Newfoundland.  Nancy and Dave had more to do as they had to pack up their stuff to go to Newfoundland, Toronto and get their belongings pack for Greg to drop off in Nanoose.

It was a nice morning.  Greg filled up the truck with gas and around 11 we all headed to the Jane's pizza just across the highway for lunch.  Pizza was good...very cheesy.

A few more preparations and everything was packed away.  We moved the trailer over to the storage area of the RV park. Went for a bit of a walk and then sat an waited until it was time to ride down to the ferry.  Greg was taking a taxi with all the bags and was leaving just after us.

Checked in at the ferry and then sat and read and waited for 4 o'clock boarding time.  Greg got on a shuttle as a walk on, but the three bikers had to go on with the motorbikes.  There were 2 other young riders who rode from Thuro as they are heading back to school in St. Johns.  This was their first long ride and enjoying their time.

Once on the ferry we had to strap our bikes to something along the side of the ferry so they didn't fall over and were secure.  Once done I headed up to the cabin as Greg was already there.

A bit of reading, a walk around the ferry to get our bearings, a beautiful afternoon on the top deck.  Had a drink at the Mosquito Bar where we met a couple Sean and Christine and talked for a while.  Still full from the pizza we opted to eat a little later so we went to the room for a while.  We decided to do the buffet and were joined by Sean and Christine.  Dinner was good, a big selection.

Off to the cabin, to read and sleep.  Sleep did not come right away.  I was to anxious / melancholy  about the trip ending and thinking about upcoming events etc. etc..

But sleep did come!   Heidi

XCAN Day 93. Saint Peters to North Sydney NS

Distance:    108.14
Time:           4:34
Elevation:    1110
Weather:       11-29. Cool in the morning but nice later
Bathroom:   10
Flats:           0

Today was one of those days that you wanted to take your time and just enjoy where you are!
I certainly did that today.   The views were great, weather perfect and knowing there are only 2 days left of riding made me want to relish today!

I left camp around 8 ish and it was a beautiful morning.

The morning sunlight made the town look like  a painting.  

Watched the dark clouds from the lighthouse for a bit before I hit the Hwy.

I was lucky that there was only a very light mist when I was riding about 5 km in.  The road was wet from a storm that passed by so my feet got a bit damp.

I actually texted Greg and asked him to bring my rain jacket which he jettisoned out the truck window at me at about 40 km along. There was nowhere for him to stop and he had 5 cars lined up behind him.   It was so funny to see this bright yellow bundle land about 15 feet in front of me.  But the day was perfect so I didn't need to wear it...but better safe than sorry!

Nancy and Dave were not as lucky when they left camp and managed to hit a downpour.

We rode along Bras d'Or Lake for most of today.  It is a salt and freshwater lake which has open natural channels to the Ocean.

It is a Unesco Biosphere Reserve.  It is actually very beautiful along the lake so there was lots to look at.  

The road was good for most of today.  There was about 30 km with no shoulder but drivers were great again today.  Some people give a little honk a bit back so you know they are there.

Greg and I were able to stop for a bite at a small diner where he could pull off.  We had a second breakfast of eggs.  Back on the road my stomach was a little sore.  Not sure if it was the larger than usual food intake as I don's usually eat that much on the road, or the breakfast itself.  Anyway as you can see further on...I thought the ice cream cone would settle it down!

Nancy and Dave stopped at Rita's Tea Room and enjoyed the Rita MacNeil afternoon tea experience.  I didn't know about the tearoom...but Greg saw the sign that it was ahead and was going to stop...but the tearoom was about 200 M after the sign and the driveway was hidden so he was by it before he realized.  Oh well.   Another thing to come back for!

Greg headed off after our break and I settled in to the rest of the ride.  The first 55 km of riding today was quite rolly and a lot of ups then down etc.  There didn't seem to be much flat area.  The last 50ish was much flatter thus a much easier ride.   Once we hit Sydney I opted to take route 305 through the area which was a very quiet road.  It was nice to get off the highway.  Along the route I was out of the wind and it warmed up.  There was a little rise ahead and thought and Ice Cream would be a treat...and low and behold there was an Ice Cream place.

I have been talking the whole way about stopping for an ice cream especially after Mike stopped for one a long ways back.  So when I saw the cone on the roof...I knew it was fate and that I most likely would not have another chance before I have to stop eating (no riding)...so an Ice Cream was devoured.  

Dave and Nancy took the highway to the campsite which was quite a bit busier.

I checked out the Google Map route for bikes once I got to North Sydney. There were 3 choices.  A very rough dirt section of the Trans Canada Trail for about 5 km, the highway or through Sydney.   I opted to add on a few more km and ride along the waterfront through Sydney.  It was wonderful.   Another quiet road with fresh pavement.  Through town, past the ferry terminal and winding up the hill to the campsite to finish the day.  A wonderful ride.

I don't know if I have mentioned...that every day Greg watches me on the Find my Friend App and meets me at the end of the entrance to the campground or on the road to the campground.   Every day I look out when I am getting close and see this guy standing there waving me in.  Always makes me smile.   What a man!  I know he wishes he could have had a more active part of the ride.  Next time for sure!

At the campsite, we started with showers and laundry.  I did up the final talley for expenses and paid a few bills.  We repacked the back of the truck putting the Cervelo away as my Sworks is working beautifully.

Nancy and Dave continued packing that they started a few days ago as they are flying home.

We looked for places to eat and found the Black Spoon Bistro which was very good.

Panic Line!!  haha

 Back to camp and to bed.

Here's to the last few days!  Heidi

XCAN Day 91 Nimrod Park to Hyclass Campground Monastery NS

Distance:        84.85
Time:              3:35
Elevation:       617 m
Bathrooms:    7
Flats:              0

Day started of  a bit overcast but warm.   We started this morning with the arrival of the second tow truck to jump start the truck that Greg had left the key on the day before. He had called for a tow truck and it arrived at 9 the night before.  They hooked up the charger and it didn’t work. So of course Greg didn’t sleep much wondering the logistics of how to get things done and get to our next stop. Anyway the fellow who arrived this morning had the same charger.  Seems the guys last night had hooked the charger up to the auxiliary battery and not the starter battery. Truck started the fellow left and we packed to get on our way.

I started to leave and realized there was something wrong with my derailleur.

Seems the hanger got bent.  Maybe from the bike falling over. Anyway I couldn’t ride it and didn’t want to spend time trying to fix it so we dragged the Cervelo out of the back of the truck and set it up to ride.  We all brought our second bikes for this exact reason and I am the first to have to use it.  With only 4 days left of riding.   Not bad actually for all of us.

Nancy and Dave left camp before me but I caught up with them about 20 k in.  Seems they turned left out of the campsite and realized 3 km in that they were heading to Sherbrooke before they realized it. So they added on an extra 6 km just for fun!

There was only one hill today at 4% grade so it was fairly easy just a bit longer than we have had for a while.  But the down on the other side was nice!

According to Mr Google Maps At 38 km we had a right turn.  Onto 14 km of a dirt road.  It wasn’t great and even bumpier on my Cervelo without the suspension of my sworks bike.  But right got after the dirt road there was nice smooth pavement through a little town called Saint Andrews.  Nancy and Dave stopped for a snack.  Then a nice paved quiet road down to the highway which we were on for 15 km.  When we reached  the highway you could see the north coast of Nova Scotia. So we have traversed the mainland of Nova Scotia again.

Pink Roads

Looking at the map afterwards if that darn Mr Google has led us 400 m a little further along after 5 km on the dirt road we would have been on a nice paved road for the last 9 km.

Another 7 Km on quiet back road and we were at the Hyclass campground on the waterfront.

About an hour after we arrived it started to rain so we had great timing for our ride!   The rain didn’t last long but was off and on drizzle throughout the late afternoon.   Showers, a load of laundry and dinner by Heidi and Greg. Dave and Nancy watched a movie during the afternoon and we watched the same movie, a Hologram for a King after dinner. Then a bit of reading and lights out. Greg slept tonight!!

XCan Day 92 - Monanstery to Saint Peters NS

Distance: 71.4 km
Time: 3 hours
Speed: 23.76 km/hr
Ascent: 623 m
Weather: perfect for riding. Sunny but not too hot or humid
Bathroom Rating: 10. A provincial park.  Only downside is no laundry facilities.

We are on Cape Breton Island!  A bit of a shorter day but what it lacked in distance was made up for with elevation and headwinds.  So even though it was a bit cooler and not as humid, it was a tough day.  For the first 10 kms we were climbing - not steep but a constant uphill slog.  It was  pretty ride.  With the elevation gain we got some good views of lakes and river ways along with the ocean in spots.  We descended to sea level and crossed the causeway into Cape Breton where, all of a sudden the accents changed!  We have been told that Cape Bretoners consider themselves as Newfoundlanders who got lost on their way to Toronto.  Super friendly people!  Unfortunately, once we got in Cape Breton, we had to take the Trans Canada Highway which was busy but the shoulders were wide, the pavement was smooth and the hills were manageable.  Dave and I stopped for a late breakfast in Port Hawksbury while Heidi took her bike into town to get the rear derailer hanger straightened.  We then met Heidi and Greg, they were going out as we were going in to a bakery in Saint Peters. Then a final up hill climb to our campground and a great view of the ocean.  A good day! One more day in Nova Scotia before catching the ferry to Newfoundland!
Cheers,
Nancy and Dave