May 14, 2007.

Just hanging out in Duncan, buying supplies and taking in the fresh Vancouver Island air. It smells even sweeter than I remember. Oh, and working in the garden. I want one when I grow up.

Some people think of me as a trailblazer figuratively, but here I'm proving it literally as well.

May 13, 2007. Distance: 47.0 km, Odometer: 97.5 km
Goldstream Provincial Park - Duncan

The ride today was demanding. Since the airport, everyone who I spoke to warned me of the Malahat mountain along the way to Duncan. I wasn't sure what to expect. The uphill climb started early and was continuous. At one point the incline was so steady that I couldn't tell it was a hill, and I thought there was something wrong with my bike because I was sweating my balls off over my granny gear. When I unknowingly reached the summit, I pulled over to fix a problem with my rim and met a nice couple from Sudbury. When the lady told me I was in fact at the summit and that it would be down hill to Duncan, I almost kissed her. I might have if I wasn't caked with sweat. The views were amazing and made the arduous, self-esteeming shattering climb tolerable. I sang all the way down the other side of the mountain and into Duncan to meet with the family I lived with for 3 months while doing a Canada World Youth exchange. It's fantastic it be here.

May 12th, 2007. Distance: 50.5 km, Odometer: 50.5 km
Victoria Airport - Goldstream Provincial Park

My adventure started in the Timmins airport. My Dad and I arrived early, but not early enough as there was a line up. The bike was checked without a problem, but the ticket lady was obviously put out by the line up, and then with me having a bike box. She told us it would be $105 for the additional luggage. I thought bikes were $50 despite of my luggage, and told her so. I'm not sure what happened, but after my Dad offered to pay, she refused the money altogether! I couldn't understand it. Maybe she caught one of the news media I've been on recently and suddenly felt philanthropic.

Things brightened up when the guy at security was a buddy of mine from school and the gym, Brian. I had sent him, along with 130 of my closest friends, an 'event notice' on facebook.com letting him know I was raising money for the hospital. He and I started chatting and when I told him I was cycling across the country, he remembered the cause and gladly took out his wallet to fish for a donation. All of this while he was scanning my luggage for WMDs or whatever they look for. It makes me smile thinking about it and it made me glad to be from Timmins.
While in the air, it occurred to me, but very vaguely still, how huge Canada is. I mean, I was in an ultra fast plane and it took 4.5 hours to get to Vancouver. And that's just half way. I think cycling will provide the ultimate sense of Canada's magnitude. MAYBE, it's my complete vagueness of this sense that I've let myself do the trek! Thank God for my daftness, otherwise I may never leave the house.

The first day of riding was crazy. I cycled down to "Mile 0" of the Trans-Canada Highway where there was a busload of Asian tourists waiting. When the tour guide saw me, I guess he also saw an opportunity to show this clients something interesting, so he started asking me questions and translated what I said into Asian (Japanese maybe?). Well, the crowd just lost it. I'm not sure how many photo graphs were taken of me in front of that "Mile 0" sign, but it was lots. One of them asked if I was Terry Fox, and I said no. It was flattering, and I left the group waving and wishing me luck. Good times. I stayed in Goldstream Provincial Park, a park saturated with larger trees than I've ever seen, ever.

Mini Tour to Kettle Lakes Provinicial Park

Last weekend I had my first "shakedown". I'm not sure why we call a short trial tour a shakedown, but I guess it's because it's like shaking the tour foundation to see if there are any loose parts: literally (on your bike) and figuratively (with your planning and packing).

shakedown |ˌʃeɪkdaʊn| noun informal
• a test of a new product or model, esp. a vehicle or ship : the high-orbit shakedown of the lunar module had its merits | [as adj. ] the software is expected to enter its final shakedown phase by the middle of September.

This one was short: 50 kms out of town there is a provincial park which I stayed at for a night. It's closed but a friend said that I could get in easily and without hassle. The packing went great... Well, I mean I had enough room for all my stuff plus my biochemistry text book. However, and not surprisingly, I forgot a few important things:

- Utensils: I stirred my meals with a stick I found that I deemed 'relatively clean' and transferred my slop into a bottle to eat from.
- Measuring cup: thank god for Nalgene bottles.
- Tire pump (went back home to pick it up)
- ear plugs: a necessity when alone in the woods and every noise could be interpreted as a rabid monster out to get you.

Otherwise the trip went great. I had the entire provincial park to myself... Which was kinda weird at times. Every noise that was made were from animals or the wind. Most of the time, it was nothing, sometimes it was a moose watching me from the other side of the campground, or an anonymous animal getting out of the lake and running by my tent in the middle of the night. The ride back was less than perfect with heavy winds and rain. I got to try out my rain gear though and it kept me dry and warm magnificently.

Thanks to Kettle Lakes Park for their generous hospitality. If any of you read this, I left $8 under the side door for my stay.
(Days 'till departure: 11)

A Working Equipment List

The equipment list is currently as follows and will be updated as it becomes more complete.
Last Edit: June 11, 2007

Camping:
Gas stove: Dragonfly, MSR
(2) 650 ml gas container: MSR
Kitchen set: Blacklite, MSR. I sent home the pan to cut down on weight
Sleeping bag: MEC Phareo (-7C)
Sleeping pad: Big Agnes, insulated, self-inflated.
Tent: Hubba Hubba (that means you, ladies), MSR
Homemade tent footprint (improvised tarp)
Head lamp
Pocket knife
rope: 50'
Duct tape
camp soap
Tarp: 9' x 12', for cowering
toilet paper

Bicycle:
Devinci Caribou C2: w/ disc brakes
Rear and Front Racks: Journey, Axiom
Fenders
Front and Rear Panniers: Champlain, Axiom, with covers
Handlebar Bag: Radisson, Axiom
3 bottle cages
3 water bottles + 2 1L Nalgene bottles
Cycle computer
Helmet
Bike gloves
2 spare tubes
1 spare tire: TopContact, Continental
Pump/ tire gauge
bell

Misc:
Microfiber towel
Bungie cords
Nylon straps
12 W solar panel: Sent home!
Kodak DX4530 digital camera, 3 batteries, memory card, lenses, cord
Maps: of every province and major city
Backpack
iPod, headphones, charger
First Aid kit
Ayn Rand's "Altlas Shrugged"

Clothing:
2 pairs quick-dry pants/shorts
2 pairs biking shorts
1 pair rain pants
2 quick-dry t-shirts
2 quick-dry long sleeve shirts
1 fleece pullover
1 rain jacket, Goretex
1 pair bike shoes: Shimano SH-MT70
2 pair running socks
water-proof booties
long-johns: sent home in Alberta
tuque
Sandals
wool socks
2 pairs normal socks
2 pairs underwear

Food

On tour I usually have WAY too much food. I mean, I could live on the food I carry for days and days if I wanted to. Why do I do this? A few reasons. I don't like knowing that I don't have any food on me. Some people cycle without any and buy at their first opportunity. I feel safer knowing I could live for a while on my supplies if need be. Also, I like variety so I carry a wide assortment of snacks and meals. The cost is having to lug around a few kilos of pasta, oatmeal, trailmix, energy bars, etc.

Paul and the Art of Bicycle Maintenance

My buddy Paul was gracious enough to lend me his Friday afternoon and expertise to teach me about bike maintenance. I figure it'll come in handy and according to him, if I remember everything he said, and with the right tools, I'd never need to bring the bike in for another tune up again. I'm not sure I have that much faith in myself, but it's a nice thought.

We went through everything from changing a tire to tuning up the brakes and derailleurs, as well as more than a few of my brother's beers. Hey, it's a team effort! Team Phil!





This is me learning what a pedal is.











Paul, Bike Guru










The happiest day: When I used my Advanced Macro- economics (Romer) and Econo- metric Methods (Johnston, DiNardo) text books as a bike stand. They didn't work well, but it still brought a smile to my face.
(Days till Departure: 32)

Plan Developments and Equipment Acquiring

Some developments have come about recently. The newest is that I purchased my plane tickets. I will be arriving in Victoria, BC May 12th at noon. Exciting. I have yet to purchase return tickets and I devote the lack of eagerness to do so to my lack of confidence that I'll actually make it to my destination alive, or at least in a timely manner.

Another exciting development was the purchase of my sweeeeet touring bike. About a month ago my Dad and I went to T.O. for the weekend to check out the international bicycle convention. It was humongous! As well, it housed many different touring bikes, which was a treat because this style of bike is difficult to come by. By the end of the weekend, I was the proud owner of a 2007 Devinci Caribou C2 (photo is of 2006 model).

Hey, so what is a touring bike? Well, it's a lot like a road bike, but purposely heavier so that it has more of a presence while on the road. They have features enabling them to hold front and rear racks that hold panniers or saddlebags. The geometry of the frame is more relaxed so it's a more comfortable ride, important for logging many hours. The rims are usually a lot more solid so they can handle the weight of 70-100 lbs from the panniers. Touring bikes are very functional and are designed for long-term use; often used as commuting bikes in the off-season. There are other smaller differences, but mainly of personal preference.

So, lately I've been undergoing the wonderfully exciting task of equipping my new ride. You know, bike computer, lights, racks, fenders, helmet, bike gloves and shoes, etc. The kind folks down at Northern Sports (the only serious bike shop here) are starting to know me by name and word has caught on of my plans. When I have everything in order, I will be sure to post my equipment list.

As my list of "Items to be Purchased" becomes shorter and shorter, I feel a HUGE THANK YOU to my buddy Kevin Reinhardt is in order. He passed on to me the wisdom he gained from a similar trip last summer and for that, I'm grateful. Thanks duder. (Days till departure: 43)

I'm Still Alive and so is the Trip

Hi guys,
Ok, I know I haven't posted anything on here for, like, three months. Normally that would mean that I've fallen off the TransCanada Bicycle Tour wagon. But I really haven't. It's just that very little progress has been made, because with this adventure, progress is highly correlated with earnings, and I've been earning poorly. But that will change shortly and there'll be progress, and yes more posts.

I'm currently saving for a bike. Nope I don't have one yet. Well, I have a mountain bike, but I'm in the market for a touring bike. What else, oh, I'm training as well, but that's kinda boring.

I want to say a huge THANK YOU to my buddy Gary out east who set me up with a bunch of equipment before I left the Fax. Thanks to him, and our visits to MEC, most of my camping equipment has been purchased. I even slept out in my backyard on the 23rd of December. It was a good time, considering it was below 0C. You might think I'm crazy, and I probably am, but part of the painstaking training that I'm undergoing right now includes me sleeping in my sleeping bag every night. Yep. I figure, the better I can sleep with the sleeping gear I'll have on the trip, the better I'll sleep. Not that I'll have much difficulty getting to sleep after 8 to 10 hours of cycling...

I've been flirting with the idea of posting blogs while on the road and to do that effectively I'd bring my laptop and a solar panel with me. We'll see how that idea pans out, but I wouldn't be the first to do it. (Days till departure: 115)

Introduction to Phil's TransCanadian Bicycle Tour

Hi my name is Phil. On May 12th, 2007 I will begin on my TransCanada bicycle tour from Victoria, BC to St. John's, NF. As it stands, the route consists of, well... as much as 10,000 kms and as little as 5,000 kms. We'll see how things go once I'm on the road. Basically, I want to visit all of the provinces and many of my family and friends in Canada. The point of the tour is to do something remarkable and completely independently, hence I'm going solo. It combines the three C's that derive great pleasure in my life: Camping, Cycling and Canada. I plan to take as long as four months to do all of them and I will be documenting my plans and adventure as they arise. Thanks for reading! (Days till departure: 210)