We will be leaving from Vancouver on or about May 10. We want to stay off the main highways across Canada (The Dreaded Trans Canada) for many reasons, particularily the poor road conditions for cycling and because of traffic. As a result, we have chosen the southern route across British Columbia on Hwy #3 despite the steeper climbs to the mountain passes. We will continue on Hwy #3 across Alberta to Medicine Hat joining the Trans Canada and continuing into Saskatchewan where we will drop down onto Hwy #13 and proceed into Manitoba. Through Manitoba we plan to take Hwy #2 to Winnipeg where we will hook back up with the Trans Canada into Ontario. At Kenora we plan to take Hwy #71 and then Hwy #11 to Thunder Bay where we will be forced back onto the Trans Canada again until we head for Manitoulan Island at Espanola. We will head down the Bruce Penninsula and into Southern Ontario winding our way to Ottawa by a series of less travelled County Roads. We will cross into Quebec and make our way north of Montreal and then down to the St. Lawrence River where we will follow secondary roads and as many bike paths as possible on the south side of the river. We will cut across the Gaspe Penninsula to Campbellton New Brunswick and follow the coast to the Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward Island. We will leave Prince Edward Island by the Woods Island Ferry to Nova Scotia. Depending on our "time" and maybe more importantly our "desire", we will ride the Cabot Trail around Cape Breton to North Sydney and the ferry to Port aux Basques Newfoundland and then the Trans Canada to St. John's.
The plan is to be very "fluid" and open to alterations as we go. We are doing this as a unique way to see our vast country and meet its unique people. If we get all the way to St. John's - "great", if not - "so be it". IT IS NOT NECESSARILY ABOUT THE DESTINATION ....IT IS ABOUT THE JOURNEY.
Kevin.
