8,000 kms ACROSS THE CONTINENT - RIDE FOR RECOVERY
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TRIP JOURNAL
Arrived Cape Spear, Newfoundland on September 26, 2021 Funds raised to date $10,000
I have always wanted to ride across Canada, and what a better time to undertake this expedition than 2021, when international travel and cross-border excursions are restricted due to the COVID pandemic. A truly 100% all-Canadian adventure covering 8,000 kms and climbing 56,000 metres, from the furthest westerly coastal point to the furthest easterly point in Canada and touching every province - a ride across our continent. This expedition was special for me in another way in that my wife, Liz joined me by supporting the expedition in our camper van, enabling me to travel much lighter than on previous treks.
Once leaving our starting point in Prince Rupert, BC the 84-day expedition had numerous challenges. From the heat and forest fires in BC, the unexpected predominant easterly headwinds and bomb-site roads across the Prairies and the nightmare cycling conditions across the “Transport truck Grand Prix” route of highway 11 in northern Ontario. Days in the saddle were much longer than anticipated, including one memorable ride of 12 hours covering 170 kms into a raging headwind in Alberta. All of this was more than made up for by the tranquility of the Ottawa Valley, the eclectic nature of small-town Quebec, the ocean cycling routes of the Maritimes and the fun and characters in Newfoundland.
Memories include the warm welcome we received across the country, those rare tailwind days when 200 kms seemed no issue, the camper van challenges with repairs and waste hose disasters, the drivers with horn-tooting encouragement and the many laughs and absurd situations that unfolded along the way.
We have reached our fundraising goal of $10,000 for the Centre Wellington Community Foundation (CWCF). The Foundation has been a pillar of our community for a long time, providing funding for many worthy local initiatives, notably the CW COVID-19 Community Response Fund, which we have supported on this expedition. Some of the initiatives supported are; access to food, support for seniors, transportation, mental health and access to technology. 100% of the funds donated through my ride will go to support this response fund. The fund is still open, and donations can be made by clicking on the CWCF logo at the top of this page.