Day 60 - Englishtown to North Sydney (and beyond)

Englishtown to North Sydney
140 km, sunny
Ferry to Port-aux-basques (NFLD) overnight

Short version: lobster dinner at noon, odometre showed 10000km, ferry to Newfoundland, nine provinces down, new time zone.

Regular version.

Another lazy morning. I haven't slept well for the past two nights. The wheel is spinning but the hamster is dead. I left for Baddeck around 11 am, did a quick stop to Giant McAskill's Museum, then rode 30 km for a lobster lunch in Baddeck. Tasty. A glass of white wine and deserts (cherry pie, and ginger cake) was also at my table.

I took a quick jaunt in Alexandre Graham Bell Museum. Not much excitement there – bunch of plaques with stories, but I must say that he was an interesting fellow. The first Canadian flight was also here, in 1909.

After lunch, I continued South-West for another 30 k to take another cable ferry to the South shore of the body of water I was riding along. From there, it would be a 80 k ride North-East, to North Sydney. Maybe 90 minutes after leaving Baddeck, I just didn't feel right. Stomach was not sure what to do, fatigue was a bit there (yawning), and motivation was low. I just had to ride to get where I wanted to go. Luckily, after 90 minutes of feeling like that, with no bad reactions, I started to feel better. It could have been the lobster dinner, the water I was drinking, the past few days of less-than-needed sleep, or a combo of all. But, I must say that I dont think I'll have a tasty lobster dinner before a 100 k ride – not recommended.

My computer hit 9999.9 km, and I watched it go to 10000. I thought it would roll over to zero, but nope. That's cool. So, I am approximately at the 9830 km mark.

The pamphlet I had on the ferry said that it would leave around 23h30, but the departure is at 1 am. I just have to kill time in the meantime. I hope to get a nap somewhere before the departure. The sleeper cabins were all sold out, so I hope to be able to crash on the floor somewhere. The trip will be around 7 hours. I just took a shower at the ferry terminal, and now I just have to wait.

Let's talk about xCanada trips. There are many levels, and all of them are cool. Usually the departure is from Vancouver, some leave from Victoria, and then there's the odd one that leaves from Tofino. Final destinations are sometimes Toronto, a lot end up in Halifax, and the rest tend to finish in Newfoundland. Now, to get to St-John's, there's two ways: the short ferry (to Port-aux-basques), where you still have to drive through the province, and then the long ferry (15 hours?), which lands you around 60 k from St-Johns. Many folks take the long ferry and hike up to St-John's to complete their xCanada trip. But, I think if someone has the legs, the time, the money, and motivation, the short ferry should be taken. I feel it's more of an authentic xCanada trip. But, any xCanada trip is amazing, don't get me wrong. For me, there's only one way to do this, hence the route I am taking. That's all. I want to ride every single connecting inch, from coast to coast.

Interesting new way of crossing NFLD – some guy I spoke to said he knew this guy who would hop from one ferry to another, connecting all the little towns south on the island. On the map, you see a ferry route connecting those little towns. Cool.

So, by the time most of you read this, I'll be on the rock, and in a time zone that's 30 minutes off of all you guys. I guess they don't deserve a whole hour change.

Carole – your draw dropped? Do you mean your drawers dropped? JNS, you're on to me. I am in Kanata, and using photoshop to put myself in pics. I'm actually just eating pizza everyday, gaining weight. Tubby. As for bike riding with both hands – that's for sissies. No risk in that. Glad I entertain you folks. Matante Jocelyne, my buns might be firmer now, do you still want to grab a handful? (ok, I wont bother saying more on this).

Well, take it easy, and enjoy the start of the work-week. I'll be joining you in that mundane routine very soon. Odd to say, but I can't wait.

p