Bob

I'd like to introduce Bob. I found him online using a website for outdoors people and he agreed to meet in Vancouver and cycle across Canada with me. Today we went for a short ride around Campbell River. He is quiet but happy to follow along and promised to be a gentleman and carry my bag (I just took a small backpack today as I didn't want to scare him off with my baggage).

Campbell River is a really nice spot and Laura's family have been incredibly hospitable. Yesterday we checked out a chainsaw carving competition. 

Chainsawing carving competition (Campbell River).

Chainsawing carving competition (Campbell River).

Bob (Yak trailer).

Tourists for a day

After paying to camp for the first time on our trip (we were in a national park!!) we decided to be tourists for a day. Laura had never driven the Icefields Parkway and I will never get bored of the stunning landscape, jagged peaks, bright blue lakes and tumbling waterfalls. 

We saw more touring cyclists today than we had seen all trip. I am not sure they were all cycling across Canada, we considered driving slowly beside them so I could interview them but decided just to count the ones who had at least 2 panniers. 

Arriving in Jasper having successfully dodged RV's and battled Japanese tourists for the best photo op's we realized we hadn't had any ice-cream since leaving Ottawa so we rectified that before pressing on for Mt Robson. 

We continued south on Hwy 5 down to Clearwater and Wells Gray Provincial Park and onto Kamloops, stopping south of there for the night and some doggy love at Kingmik's summer sled dog kennel.

The final leg took us through Lillooet and for a stretch along the Fraser River which was stunning. After a quick stop at MEC in North Vancouver to pick up my bike trailer we hit the ferry to Nanaimo. 

I feel like we have seen a lot in 6 days, in a way I don't want it to end but I guess I need to get cycling. 

Moraine Lake.

Peyto Lake.

Mt Robson.

Grasslands and Badlands

I really enjoyed my first time in the Prairies, the openness and big skies although I can see how the wind will make a big difference to the cycling experience. We scoped out a few possible routes, I was interested to see the conditions of Hwy 1 and the Red Coat Trail which runs parallel but to the south. 

We didn't make too many stops but took a couple of significant detours down to Grasslands National Park and Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. Grasslands was a really interesting landscape and we saw a few majestic bison, lots of cheeky prairie dogs and a number of interesting birds.

Today we crossed into Alberta and went through Drumheller which was stunning. I was considering cycling through here and I am so grateful to have done it in the car as the scenic route travels up and down a number of canyons. 

Finally the soundtrack to this road trip has become The Arrogant Worms, Laura introduced them to me in Northern Ontario and when we get tired we play their songs. I am going to have to try and get some of them onto my phone as I think they will make a good pick me up during a long, hard day in the saddle, particularly my favorite 'I am cow'.

Bison grazing (Grasslands National Park).

Bison grazing (Grasslands National Park).

Worlds largest dinosaur (Drumheller).

Horseshoe Canyon (Drumheller).

Out of Ontario

We made it out of Ontario in 2 days, 2100km that will take me 3 weeks to ride on my way back!! I hope I can be as much of a cycling machine as Laura is driving!! We have also seen 7 touring cyclists, the first one in a Tim's in Nipigon, I couldn't resist a quick chat to see how he was doing, what route he had taken etc. He had a trailer like I will use which he said has been awesome but he was pretty tired and lonely after a windy ride across the Prairies. It has been great to check out some of the road conditions (I still haven't decided whether to take the main highway or quieter roads in some spots) but a bit daunting to see long stretches of nothing between small towns. 

Packed and ready to go on an adventure

Tomorrow morning I start heading west to Vancouver Island with my good friend Laura. The neat part of this summer adventure is I get two cross Canada experiences, first by car, then by bike. I think I am ready, I wasn't back in Ottawa long but I managed to buy some last minute bits and pieces, pack and cram a few more things in my storage unit!!

Sorry to those folks I didn't get chance to see, it was rather hectic, thanks to those I did catch up with. I have also managed to squeeze in a few rides in the last couple of days, Gatineau Park and the Tour de Mississippi Mills, I am feeling somewhat unprepared but will start slow and enjoy staying with a number of people in BC.

I plan to spend the first week of July on Vancouver Island, getting used to the trailer, putting a few more miles in and most importantly staying with some friends I haven't seen in a while. I will then spend a day or two in Vancouver because I love that city and my very good friend Jennifer is there. This would mean leaving Vancouver July 10/11th. I hope to be back in 2 months, I estimate 50 days of biking and close to 6000km.

Have a great summer wherever you are and whatever you are up to!!

Who, what, why, when.......

Who...
Hi my name is Lucy, although originally from England I have been living in Ottawa, Canada's capital city for 7 years. I have been fortunate to travel to both coasts with work and the Rockies several times for summer mountaineering camps with the Ottawa section of the Alpine Club of Canada.

I fell in love with Canada pretty quickly and earlier this year became a Canadian citizen. When a good friend invited me to join her on a week long road trip to Vancouver Island I thought it would be a good way to see some more of the country especially the Prairies. I was planning to fly back to house-sit her place and work in Ottawa for the summer, then she suggested we would have room for my bike if I wanted to ride back!! The seed was planted.

What...
Cycling from Vancouver Island to Ottawa, definitely not by the shortest route, taking the opportunity to visit a number of people I haven't seen in a while and stopping where I feel like it. I shall be riding solo with a small trailer and taking the slow road back.

Why...
Because I can.... I am between jobs, houses, cars, all those things that make a 2 month cycle trip more difficult to pull off. I cycle but I would not describe myself as a cyclist. For three summers during university I worked as a postman, riding around delivering the mail and I loved it. I have always enjoyed any kind of biking and often biked to get around only learning to drive in my late 20's.

When...
Starting in July on Vancouver Island, taking in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. Hoping to be back in Ottawa by early / mid September.

The blog
Friends have suggested I write a blog in the past but I didn't think I had a particularly interesting life and questioned who would want to read about my adventures. However if nothing else this blog will allow my parents to track my progress!! I will try my best to post every couple of days, power and wi-fi allowing and post some pics.