On the way to the train....

Here we go!!! After 2 days of madly packing we are actually ready to go. 2 1/2 years and here it is. Packing bicycles into boxes for transportation was a bit of an adventure. "Just turn the handlebars and remove the pedals" to quote the Via Rail box. Sure!!! I guess only bicycles built for children fit into their boxes. With a little work on the box, and a whole lot of "Tuk" tape, they slid right in.

As promised in the last posting, an official weigh-in took place. Sue's bike and gear = 92 pounds. Kevin's bike and gear = 106 pounds. (I knew that I did not want to know this information.)

A thank you to both family and friends who have been so supportive of us as we prepared for this adventure. Your well wishes have truly been "inspiring". Next posting probably sometime in the next 3 1/2 days on board the train. Washago here we come!!! Vancouver look out!!!

Kevin = 1 Sue = 0

Last Minute Scramble.....

With only 4 days until departure (Friday at 12:40 a.m.), the last minute scramble has begun. From training rides, to last minute bike details, to packing for the trip, to Blackberry issues, to dinner invitations (heck our social schedule in the last 2 weeks has been busier than for the last 10 years combined....maybe everyone considers them 'last suppers'), we have been busy. Hard to believe all the planning is finally coming together.

As can be seen in the latest picture, an awful lot of 'stuff' must go on the bikes. A weigh in is planned for today to see how much weight we will be carrying. Maybe this is a detail we should 'not' want to know. One last post will hopefully happen before departure.

Kevin=1 Sue=0

17 Days To Departure....

Everyone has been telling me I needed to update the blog so here it is. In the last 2 months lots has happened very little to do with our coming adventure. Preparation has continued, of course, to get away by the end of the month. A bad fall in our bush during Maple Syrup Season resulting in a sore knee and then a badly cut hand has slowed training but not stopped it. (Never thought I would say thank goodness for turbo-trainers).

Our training has now moved outside as the 3 feet of snow went away quickly (too quickly for Maple Syrup Season). Our bikes were missing in action for a period of time when they were in the "shop" for their final tune-up. Two new back wheels later and a complete cleaning and bearing check, they are now ready to go. (Dam near paid for a new bike!!!!) Still need to put the new rubber on them and do some test rides fully loaded. We are "really" looking forward to our coming "adventure" (a whole lot scared as well) and cannot believe it is only 17 days until it begins. Lots of things to wrap up before then!!!!

Kevin = 1 Sue = 0