Stage 32 Argentia, NL to St John’s, NL

July 7
131 km, 7 h 03m

The ferry ride from North Sydney to Argentia lasted 14 hours. Newfoundland is a piece of rock out there in the middle of the Atlantic.

And the wet weather did not abate. We arrived at the ferry terminal at about 7am. We rode in the rain until we arrived in St John’s at 3:30pm. I guess it makes up for the great weather we’ve been blessed with on the trip. My dad had one rain day and I’ve ridden a couple hours in showers in 32 riding days. Not bad.

The road rose and fell and the rain sometimes lashed our faces like hail. I almost ran over a dog as I descended trying to see through my rain soaked foggy sunglasses. There was one service station/restaurant along the way so we nickel and dimed our way on protein bars and granola bars. Fewer stops means earlier arrival.

My mom was waiting for us at the hotel. We were near bonking by the end of the ride and ripe ready for a hot shower. We celebrated our reunion and the end of our illustrious Tour de Canada with dinner at East Side Mario’s. Food tastes good.


Out in the rain I keep on walking
Out in the rain like the brokenhearted do
I could be wrong but that's where you'll find me
Out in the rain just looking for you.

Stage 31 Bras d’Or, NS to North Sydney, NS

July 6
24 km, 1 h 22 m

The Weather Channel has been our trusted friend on this journey. The goofy guy who is on weekday mornings has endeared himself to me. He loves his job.

Today we’re told to expect showers. We got to the ferry terminal just in time to avoid the rain. We meet another cyclist on his way to St John’s named Dick Loomer. His wife is the director of the Elektra Women’s Choir. My friend Holly sings in the choir, so I knew that they were going to be there. But to meet another cyclist from Vancouver- who knew?

By the time we were ready to load, the rain was coming down in earnest. On top of that, we had to wait about twenty minutes in the downpour. A foreshadowing of things to come?

Stage 30 Port Hastings, NS to Bras d’Or, NS

July 5
121 km, 5 h 19 m

Had a nice climb up Kelly’s Mountain. There was a tricky bridge to cross after the descent- no bike lane, just two way traffic and hopefully some common sense between drivers, should we all meet at the wrong time. We got across without incident.

We stayed at the Seal Island Hotel. Minutes from the ferry to Newfoundland. Promises of satellite television greeted us. It turned out to be six channels of sometime fuzzy reception. This doesn’t count as ‘satellite TV’. A friend once advised me to undercommit and overdeliver. Seal Island would do well to heed this advice.

Stage 29 Stellarton, NS to Port Hastings, NS

July 4
114 km, 5 h 37 m

Team Wiens is getting closer to the goal. Got over the Canso Causeway onto Cape Breton.

Stage 28 Charlottetown, PEI to Stellarton, NS

July 3
92 km, 4 h 17 m

I managed to get another blood donation lined up. Plasma in PEI makes for seven provinces donated in. Three left to go.

Then I blitzed out to the ferry at Wood Island. Wound up just past New Glasgow.


Smell.
Fresh air. Vehicle exhaust.
Hot food. Clean laundry.
Stinky jersey. Roadkill.

Day Off in Charlottetown

July 2

Had a most lethargic day off. Watched Wimbledon and U20 FIFA World Cup.

Then went out for lobster. Complete with bibs and claw crackers. Fun times.

Stage 27 Carleton, PEI to Charlottetown, PEI

July 1
65 km, 3 h 55 m

Happy Birthday, Canada. We had a leisurely ride into the Birthplace of Confederation, but more hills than we expected. Especially after the big fish lunch we stopped for.

Enjoyed the festivities- music and fireworks.