Stats List

Well, what can I say, it's been an interesting (and very expensive) 60 days. I just wanted to thank the thousands of followers who gave me all the mental support needed to get across Canada from coast to coast. OK, maybe less than a thousand. OK, less than 11. Anyway,  I will spend a little time going back to previous posts and fixing some of the spelling errors ( yes I suck at spelling, writing too) And adding wordage (I just invented that word). Also, I will input more photos. I have many photos to choose from.

I found it very difficult to marry Cycling and Blogging but in hindsight, I'm glad that I took the time. I learned a lot and will hopefully apply this knowledge to future trips.

I have put together a list of stats...

This compilation of numbers and names describe my trip.

(the important stuff is accurate, alas, some of the other stuff may not be entirely right) 

Total Riding Distance --------------------------------------8083 km

Point to Point Dist. ------------------------------------------7737km

Avg. daily ride. -----------------------------------------------133.4 km

Total Saddle Time -------------------------------------------372 hours (15.5 days)

Trip Duration -------------------------------------------------64 Days

Ride Duration -------------------------------------------------58 Days (6 rest days)

Longest Day --------------------------------------------------224 km. 12 hours (day 42)

Shortest Day --------------------------------------------------31 km. Last Day 

Tenting ---------------------------------------------------------24 Days

Moteling -------------------------------------------------------35 Days

Free Stay ------------------------------------------------------4 Days

Hostel ----------------------------------------------------------1 Day

Ferry ------------------------------------------------------------ 4 (5 if you count my move to Van. Isl.)

Sightings :

ANIMALS : Black Bear, Elk, Moose, Raptors, Seagulls, Blackbirds,Cats, Dogs, Psycho Bird

                    Roadkill- many souls  

Other Bike Tourists: --------------------------------------10 (probably a few more)

Harleys ----------------------------------------------------26,000

The Awfuls : ( Nasty stuff only)         Loses :

                                                                  

                                                                2 Flats, 1 shoe, 1 knife, 1 Heart Monitor. Grrrr.    

Hills: ---- 4                                             1 pair of cycling gloves

Motels - -3

Camp - --2

Humans - 5

Weather - 7 Days

Road - ----5 Days

PROVINCE RATINGS :                                                                                                                

BC. Amazing/Great

AL. Awesome

SA. Huge, Boring

Man. Crappy as Hell

ON. Brutal

NB.

PEI. Both N/A

NS. Lovely

NL.  Awesome/Awful

Best province...       Quebec

Worst....                                   Ontario 

( Manitoba lost to Ontario because it is a much shorter ride. Ontario was endless )

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HWC enjoys the safe environment of the LSCR, North Vancouver

UPDATE !!

Highwaycat rides again. 

Yes, Shirley, HWY Cat, me, and a couple special guests share the Oregon tarmac this summer.

Stay tuned...  

Highwaycat on Westjet

Day 64.4,  Marriotte Hotel - Vancouver Int. Airport, YVR
Sunday July 24, 2011
Despite consuming copious amounts of Ale with Highwaycat on the eve of my departure, I found myself up and about the next morning at a fine hour. I was worried that my panniers would have a rough ride with Westjet. Using the last few feet of "Gorilla Tape", I secured scraps of cardboard from my Molson Canadian box MOLSON to the back of each bag in order to cover the aluminum and steel mounting hardware. Initially, I was going to remove the hardware altogether. Unfortunately, I had packed my tools with my bike and had used up all the packing tape, so I couldn't open the box. AAAAARRRGGHHH !
This was a stressful morning. I paid for my stay and headed to my cab, I totally forgot about the $100.00 gift card that Kerry gave me back in May. The main reason for staying at this Hotel. In hindsight, I should have presented the card when I arrived. Too scatterbrained when checking out. Pissmeoff !
My taxi driver had a strong Newfy accent and was a treat to listen to. He cheered me up a bit. A road running race was gearing up up this morning. People scurrying about with race bibs studiously affixed to their T- shirts. I felt the energy. It's bin a while since I've done a running race. There's a strange feeling that I experience the moments leading up to a race. It's unexplainable, but is vivid and is always the same, weird. I don't have running shoes with me anyway.
After arriving at St. John's Int. Airport, I said goodbye to my driver and headed to the Dreaded Baggage/Check in line up.  Westjet nailed me hard on the Bike. They allow you 2 free carry on bags and one checked bag under 50 lbs. The 2nd checked bag is $20.00, the 3rd extra is $ 50.00 (my bike) and another $ 50.00 because it's oversize. I was anticipating this, so, I didn't "Go Apeshit" and injure everyone in a 20 foot radious. Highwaycat, however was steaming, it wrecks her fur.
I had to bring my "oversize bike" to the oversize area for scanning. The girl working there told me that I might have to open the box. I think that she could feel the rise in temperature as the idea of opening this box created a potential anger management overload in my core. The girl and the X Ray guy just stood quiet and motionless as my brain did the "spinny wheel thingy" I put the box on the conveyor belt and was very relieved to see it fit through the scanner with 1 inch to spare.
The flight to Calgary is around 5:48. I managed OK, but my connecting flight left me little time for Dancing and "Tom Foolery" I was feeling a bit depressed as my trip was truly over and I was returning to a very plain uneventful life. Then I turned on my mini seat TV. The final day of the "Tour De France" was on !! Awesome ! Cadel Evans (the oldest rider) of Australia would win, leaving Andy and Frank Shleck from Luxemberg to take 2nd and 3 rd.
Vive Le Tour !

Protecting the mounting hardware on my panniers for transit...

Ready to ditch this shit. A sad moment. HWC is devestated.

Westjet Baggage guy. Let's call him Chad. What a Goof !

All I see in my head when I think of the $120.00 baggage fee is Chad's rectangular head.

It's not his fault, but he is in my front line of attack. 

No, you ride with me and other humans. Shirley needs alone-time.

Highwaycat approved view

Westjet's Nav system

Cloud farm.

A fine product placement pic

The greenery of Richmond

Fraser River... almost home...

...the Crazies invade YVR (Van Airport)

My ride, Tanya, HWC, and I grab lunch downtown Granville St. 

No, we can't start over...

Whale of a Time !

Day 64.3,  Full Day at the Marriotte
Sat July 23, 2011
This was a day filled with change. The sun was out all day, amazing !!  Most sun I've seen since landing on this rock. Dark desolate rock of doom and despair.
I decided to book a boat tour with one of several fine companies in town. Obrien's Whale and Bird Tours based out of Bay Bulls (30 min. from the city) Seeing as I Didn't feel like riding, I ordered up myself a shuttle to get me there. $25.00 well spent. It was a bloody treat to sit back and enjoy the ride. The shuttle was 75 % full and was alive with the sounds of happy people. Highwaycat can tell a fine joke, but it gets tiresome.The driver kept us entertained and versed on the history of this predominantly Irish route. After cycling 8000 km, I was happy with this little road trip. After boarding one of their several vessels I found myself on the top deck ready for whale action. A two hour ride into "Witless Bay" where we played hide and seek with a Humpback and also an amazing collection of birds  at Gull Island. They own the island, I've never seen so many birds in one area. The Puffin is an odd clumsy bird above water, but is a superhero underwater.puffin Many species hang out here including different types of sea gulls and a bird similar to the Penguin. And others. Not  a big showing of Puffins today. sob
The host was very energetic and a talented musician. He kept us informed and sang songs of the land. I gave him a break as I told him some of my stories, I think that he was happy to sit and listen instead of being the full time entertainer. I didn't say much, but it was a nice little break for him.
A great outing indeed !
Once back at the hotel, I had to pack Shirley for the flight. I had picked up a box for $5.00 at "Canary Cycles" earlier. Funny, I don't remember ever paying a bike shop for an empty cardboard box before. Hmmm.  I asked for a large box, but what I got was a small mountain bike box. There are people who listen, there are people who don't, and there are people who just don't give a shit.  I took a while to get Shirley to fit, including both racks, fenders, shoes,water bottles,  helmet and tools.
After taping up the box,  I realized that I needed the bike tools to remove the hardware from my panniers for shipping. (they were in the box) Many swear words came to mind, but didn't materialize. I Duck Taped cardboard to the aluminum and metal mounting brackets on to the panniers to protect them from the riggors of airport baggage goons.
A somber evening of reflection as the morning to come brings a silver-winged  demon.
The end is near...

View from tour bus. Irish country

Obrien's Whale & Bird Tours, Witless Bay

Our boat...

Momma Mermaid

Our cool host who can sing a mean Newfy Note. The older guys in red wanted HWC for an Evil Experiment of some sort. I arrested them, and they walked the plank. Fools !

Henry the Humpback...

Majestic beast

Gull Island

Should've bin called "Bird Island", there are so many birds here. It's noisy as hell, amazing.

Planet Bird

A great village, but not for "Trick or Treating"

A sad predicament for Surly Shirley. Sorry girl ! You were so amazingly good to me ! 

Naked and helpless.

Shirley's sarcoffecuss...

No No No !, When I say "40 foot", I'm talking about the wave height. Not how far you can walk in 3.7 minutes. You don't really walk anyway. I grab and throw you, and I can throw you at least 60 feet (with a stone strapped to your back)

Mission Accomplished . "Didn't George Bush say that Too?"

  

MMMMM...MARRIOTTE HOTEL

Day 64.2  Battery Hotel - Marriotte Hotel 
Friday July 22, 2011
A short ride down a very steep hill. The Marriotte is a hotel on the main drag of St. John's. Duckworth Street in fact. My good buddy Kerry P. M. gave me a Marriotte discount card to put towards a high class stay. My room wasn't ready, but they were able to store my large panniers so I could roll around town load free. I checked out Fort Amherst. An old historic site at the end of a narrow windy road on the opposite side of the harbour. A cool place for a cannon and a lighthouse. I really enjoyed this side trip.

I also took in some fine live music at Harbourside Park. A nice non-stressed afternoon indeed.
Once back at the Hotel, Highwaycat and I got organized while Shirley took a snooze. I paid a little extra for a "harbour view". Unfortunately, they put me on the 1st floor giving me an ant view of the sidewalk and a construction site. Being on the 1st floor gives me a separate entrance. Otherwise, if people see me enter through the main entrance, they might get scared I guess. I was pissed at first, but mellowed out .
Thanks again Billy for the help !

I didn't go in as I was pressed for time. Actually HWC is afraid of trains and Shirley cant go inside.
  

A lovely Park

WW1 Artillery to protect the park from Riff Raff. Doesnt seem to be working...

View from the South side of harbour. That white bldg. on top is the Battery Hotel

Highwaycat loves the fishy smell of the Atlantic. She wants her own fishing vessel. Dream on foolish cat 

Besides, I can't be bothered making a fishing hat that small.

Doesn't look the slightest bit like Vancouver. Nice.

Cabot Tower on the right

Small village on route to Fort Amherst... I stalked that couple all the way up and back, heh, heh, heh

 The road narrows...

Would've loved to hike to "Cape Spear"

It probably wasn't this nice and bright back in the 1700's...

Perhaps it was pink and orange.

It's nasty down there.

Neat little village

Some cosmetic landscaping

No, we can't go in there

Is Walt home ?

Local Newfy Live music at Harbourside Park steps from my Hotel.  Nice change from Metal playlists on my "Nano" Look at that guy picking burrs out of that girl's hair.  How romantic... sigh...

Inside the Marriotte. I get 3 phones (one beside the toilet) Fridge. coffee maker, microwave, a nice desk for lap top stuff. A bathroom bigger than my apartment and some great organizeable closet/cubby hole deally. This room is obviously designed for a handicapped person. Which I am. My view is of  a constuction site and anything that appears on the industrial area sidewalk. Oh well.  Scam. At least I'm downtown, which is awesome as I can finally walk to things.    

"Yeah I'de like to order a Large 'Super Newfy' with thin crust please ."

          

BATTERY !!!!

Day 64.1, Pippy Park - the Battery Hotel
Thurs, July 21, 2011
I started the day with my default spiel. Wake up stiff as a cramping hamstring,  mill about aimlessly till I can achieve BM. Then, roll on down to Tim Hortons (injury free) for some wake up science. I'm more of a Starbucks guy, but this will certainly do fine. No "Double Double" though. I prefer real Joe, not candy ! It's nice to know that the journey is done and I can just veg - out now.
When I returned, it was time to pack up, and get ready for the big city. I purged some stuff to free up space and lighten my load a bit.  Cleaned out my fuel canisters and tossed that wrecked spare tire that I've bin lugging around since BC for no bloody reason. I almost tossed my Whisperlite stove. Piece of crap !. Couldn't do it, sentimental value I guess. I have many fond curse-laden memories. (I did an overhaul on it at the start of my trip to no avail)) I ditched my banged up cheap camp pots and remaining canned food. (Left the food out for recycling through someone else's gut). Forgot to ditch my useless "Therma-Rest" mattress. No wonder I didn't enjoy camping; cooking and sleeping were impossible.
A short, yet crumby ride through the old streets of St. John's. I rolled around taking pics of the colourful neighbourhoods and some historic sites. I found another "Mile Zero" site that was more central and also a "Mile 1" I guess the original site was being fazed out. This one is better, but not overly exciting.
The ride up to Battery Hotel was steep, but short. Saw a few local runners and cyclists doing the climb.
This Hotel tries to be upper class but it is in need of repair. " Just a Three Dressed up as a Nine" (Trooper) Canadian 70's rockers
 http://youtu.be/u3uH-vamqJg
It's ok, I have an awesome view of the Harbour and downtown.
HWC is so excited that she peed on the hardwood. Or did I just spill more "Nector of the Gods".

A section of map from the lovely ladies at the Tourist Info Ce.

Heritage Bldg. "Where is everybody ??"

HWC wasn't impressed at all

Lovely...Lovely

Government House security...

Spot the cat...

Back to Terry's Mile 0 with a full load and HWC.. She was pissed that I didn't bring her the first time.

HWC on Dog head, Harbourview Park

And on Human Head...

...And guitar.

Can't forget the fiddle

The other "Mile 0".  New Gower ST...

Trapper John's "Screech House". Sadly, I didn't get Screeched.

Alley cat entertainment

Cool alley

Beer and Lunch. Nice

OK

A very cool place for souvenirs...

Street scene

Look for shots like this in the Canadian TV series "Republic of Doyle"

Doyle

Cool bike route (Full suspension Mt.)

War. What is it good for...

That monstrous white beast is the Battery Hotel. My next stop.

Yup. Home

You are gonna fly. Now, get in there ! 

I'm to do what ?

We make things smaller now.

Much anticipated St. John's home # 2

Looks like an evil hospital, not a Hotel. Is that Stephen King over there ?

Waiting for my room

View from my window

Call me Gunner, darl'in !

Wall art in my room...

My last TV pic was "Scarface". "Conan" seemed appropriate this time.