On April 1, 2005 I set off across Canada on my bicycle. Or at least I'd planned to cross Canada. These pages are an account of that trip, as told through travelogs I sent to friends. I hope you enjoy the ride!


Fear

Hi,
Last night before I went to bed I was writing in my rough book about the fear I was feeling. The thought of riding the narrow shoulders around Lake Superior was terrifying me. I know that terror, and as I concluded in last night's writing, I have come to recognize such emotions as a good sign. You see, whenever I've faced that fear down, some great adventure always follows.

By time I went to sleep last night it was with the firm conviction that my upcoming ride would be one to remember. I would finally have something worth writing home about.

So, this morning I set out full of vim and vinegar, eager to get on with the show. The bright sunny day presented two obstacles, an obstinate north wind and heavy traffic. But I took it on. In less than a half hour I was 10K up the road, nearly to Ross Lake, well on my way.

But there was a problem. The traffic, in particular the transport traffic, was heavy. It wasn't slowing down either. And what's more, the shoulder of the road was less than a half a meter wide and butted into a soft gravel, lined by heavy cable wire strung to meter high posts.

At about 10 K several vehichles rushed by, giving me wind as they went. This was on top of a sudden northerly gust. I could hear a large semi behind me, letting out its engine break. As it came closer I began to feel its wind, on top of all the other wind.

I moved over as far right as I could. Blu and I were rolling at 20K an hour and I was trying to slow us down. It was difficult with all the churning. Between the gravel siding and the pavement at the edge of the road, there was about a one inch lip. Suddenly Blu's front tire caught on the lip. My handlebars jerked sideways towards the main part of the highway. For an instant I tried to right myself.

Then Blu's front wheel sank in the gravel and I was sent head over heals, across the crossbar and into the gravel, head first, landing on my forehead and face (at least i didn't land on the pretty part of my anatomy). I felt the gravel scrape into my face, and heard it scratch my helmet, I felt my left heel smash on the guide wire.

I lay there for a moment. My neck hurt, a good sign, at least it wasn't broken. My left knee also hurt, so did my lower lip, and my left eye. I could feel pain, I was okay.

Struggling to my feet I saw the transport pull over, along with a RV and a pick-up. The folks from the RV did some first aid, or handed me their first aid box. The guy in the pick-up kept talking to me, despite the fact I growled at him at first. The transport driver slowly made his way to me, bringing along some papers and another first aid kit.

I won't get into details but lets just say I have a good shiner of a black eye, a scraped knee, an apparent bone spur on my left heel, a scratch on my right shoulder, a cut up lower lip, a tiny bit of whiplash, and a bit of confusion.

Blu and BoB, appear to have both come through with flying colours and all parts functioning, despite having flipped somewhat and gotten themselves draped over the guide wire.

Not sure I want to take on that highway, much as I do want to cruise Lake Superior. Not sure what I'll do. I've already started looking into a ride past the bad section, maybe down past the Soo. I'd love to do this road but, after today, I have a pretty clear indication that it might be too dangerous and my fear, may not be warning me about an adventure, but about danger.

I'm going to rest up another day or two and let my body heal whilst I research my options. One thing is for sure, I want to continue, but I may have to do some hopping and skipping, or at least make some other move to insure I'm still around to talk about this adventure when its done.

Anyway, I had one thing right last night. I do have something to write home about.
Will


 
 

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