Fredericton, NB

Well, I have made it to Fredericton. I think I left my kneecap somewhere back in Quebec though. I am quitting the bike riding here unfortunately. I still have a week to go of my vacation, so I have rented a car to get to Halifax so I can site see a bit, maybe do some hiking. The knee seems fine for walking activities.

Anyway, a bit dissapointing, but at least I made it this far.

Grand Falls, NB

So I have ridden a little over 1000 km now across Quebec and into New Brunswick. Unfortunately my knee started acting up about 250 km ago. Something different then before. The pain comes and goes, and is not debilitating like the injury a couple of years back. I am taking a day off here to rest, and then am going to try to get down to Saint John, by stretching the timeframe to 4 days of 80 km per day. From there I catch a ferry to Digby, and then 3 days of 80 km per day to Halifax. At that rate I have time to take one more day of rest (likely the day I catch the ferry).

Riding through Quebec was beautiful, however the hills are incredibly steep. There is no such thing as a cut or fill through the mountains, the roads just go straight up the sides. Downhill at 16% grade is a lot of fun, but somewhat scary as you hit 80 km/h with a loaded bike. Uphill is a knee grinder, which is what did me in.

New Brunswick so far is somewhat depressing. It appears that the main highway was rebuilt some time back, so the deserted road I take (I presume the old highway) is just a wasteland of abandoned gas stations, decrepit motels, and other closed businesses. Everything is for sale... probably really cheap. Grand Falls is the first place that I have been able to speak English to people in a while, and is somewhat more alive than the rest of the province that I have seen so far. Although I took a beer in a bar that had no one in it but me, the bartender, and a bored looking cook.

Well tomorrow is onward towards Fredricton. We shall see how that goes.

A wee bit extra.

Wednesday - Sep 5 - Biking 35 km, Hiking 5 km

Rode to work. Stopped at Brittania beach on the way home and went for a short hike/potluck supper with Dipna around Mud Lake. Finished the hike as it was getting dark, then rode the rest of the way home.

Final Century

Monday - Sep 3 - Biking 116 km

Rode up to Wakefield. Had a quick snack, then rode back through Gatineau Park up to the Champlain lookout. Feeling great. In the last seven days I have ridden 557 km. I feel ready for this trip now... leaving on Friday. This remainder of this week is going to be rest so this is probably the final entry until I get back.

It appears my knee is healed!

Final Weekend

Friday - Aug 31 - Biking 75 km

Rode to work. The boss kicked us out early so I rode to the base of the Pink Lake hill, and then looped home via the bike path. Rode down to Sharon's house and went to supper with her. Rode home much later.

Saturday - Sep 1 - Biking 146 km

Rode south to Burrits Rapids. Took the eastern side of the river after passing Kemptville. Stopped at the locks for a break. Rode up Dwyer Hill road all the way to Flewellyn, where the traffic was really annoying for some reason. Turned back towards Richmond at Stittsville, and a relief from the traffic. Then rode straight home from Richmond. Rode a couple errands around town in the afternoon.

Sunday - Sep 2 - Biking 69 km

Rode the Gatineau Park loop counter-clockwise. Rode down to Amber's house to borrow Rob's car to run some errands. Then rode some more errands on my way back home.

Weeks Total: Biking 510 km
Year to Date: Biking 7234 km, Hiking 58 km, Paddling 88 km, Skating 129 km, Skiing 187 km