Vancouver, BC to St. John's, NL
This spectacular road trip has been, for a long time, one of my major cycling goals. In 2004, I did some quite detailed planning, but never progressed things beyond that. In 2007, I wanted to take on a long distance cycling challenge and considered Canada again, but took the somewhat easier option instead and cycled 5,400 km, fully supported, crossing the US with Pactour. Hopefully, 2010 will be the year...
It's around 7,500 km from Vancouver to St. John's via the Trans-Canada Highway. I'll inevitably cycle a portion of this trunk route (through necessity in certain areas), although I'll want to take quieter roads where possible. This will add some extra distance to the journey, of course. I also intend cycling the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) through the Rockies, from Jasper to Banff, arguably the most scenic road in the world. This will be a significant detour, so my final route will be probably around 8,000 km.
8,000 km is quite a long way on a bicycle and to make sure this adventure is challenging enough, I'm going to be riding solo and unsupported, carrying all of my luggage and camping most nights. I hope to ride about 160 kilometres a day and complete the journey in about 60 days.
Although I'd consider myself a very experienced cyclist, I've never been cycletouring before. In fact, although I've spent a few nights under canvas in fairly harsh conditions (trekking in South America and Africa), I've never actually camped on my own before. I've never put up a tent nor taken one down, I've never lit a stove, I've never cooked a meal in a pot nor brewed up for tea. So, I'll need to put in some practice before next summer.
First though, I'll have to purchase some suitable equipment. I'll definitely need a touring bike as none of my racing bikes are up to the job. I'll need racks and panniers, a tent and camping gear. I've a lot to research, but fortunately, the internet is my friend! I'm currently busy sucking up and digesting all sorts of information to help me plan a successful cycling road trip...
2 comments:
Hi Shaun. I'm also planning on cycling across Canada this summer. However, I'm taking a completely diffferent route than you, so I probably won't see you on the road. But have a great trip.
Shaun, it's amazing that there are so many out there on the roads looking to ride across Canada in the summer of 2010. I, like Paul in the post before me, am planning a cross-Canada trip. The funny part of it is, that I likely will see you on the rad, unless you pass me in the Rockies. I'll be taking the southern route through Kamloops right to Banff. But aside from that, it looks like we'll be following much the same route. I'm leaving at the end of May and planning to take about 80 days, so hopefully we'll run into each other around Calgary...
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