Shediac to Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island
Packed up our wet tents and on the road by 8:20. Just does not seem to matter how much practice we have, 'some of us just cannot get 'our' acts together in the morning. (And which two do you think I might be referring to...Sue...Eric...or maybe both)???
Our ride today was supposed to be an easy short ride to the bridge to PEI. Some things do not go as planned. Our 50km ride turned into 65 due to a road closure! Our forecast for light winds turned into a 'very strong' headwind for the last 20 km approach to the bridge.
We were shuttled across the bridge (bicycles are not allowed on the Confederation Bridge) and dropped off at the 'brand new' Gateway Village and PEI's 'huge' visitor centre. We watched a video on the building of the bridge, a 'brag fest' about a 'mega project' finished 'on time' and 'on budget'. Funny how they failed to brag about what that cost actually was!
We are staying at the Carleton Motel, 2 km from the bridge and are planning our extended 'holiday within a holiday' on PEI.
New Brunswick...a province of many 'surprises'. First and foremost how 'French' this province is. We had to keep reminding ourselves that we were not in Quebec. The area we rode through has French as its dominant language. Secondly, (and connected to the first) how many 'Acadian Flags' that were flying. The third thing would have to be the vast areas of 'nothingness' that we cycled through. Also, how hard hit New Brunswick has been by 'plant closures' mostly due to the collapse of the lumber industry. Cycling in the province is OK. The roads have some shoulders but are inconsistent. Goodbye New Brunswick (Province # 7) and hello Prince Edward Island. Daily Distance = 65.80 km. Time on the bikes = 4 hours 2 minutes. Average Speed = 16.31 km. Maximum Speed = 40.02 km. Wildlife Sightings = Great Blue Herons, Osprey, Black Backed Gull.
Kevin = 3, Sue = 0, Eric = 1.
