Posted by Nadine & Mark in Read the first two chapters of Nadine & Mark’s epic Maritime cycling adventure here (1) & here (2)!
Today’s word of the day: RAIN (see how many times I can use it in one post)!
It’s raining, it’s pouring!
We woke up to rain. A lot of rain. This is normally the type of day that makes me cancel a planned bike ride, or even *gasps* take the bus into work. You really don’t have that luxury on an organized tour, even one as relaxed as this one. Regardless of the conditions, you have to keep moving.
We learned quickly enough that the Bay of Fundy has its own micro climate. Threats of a tropical depression were inundating the weather forecasts and the thought of three solid days of rain left the group in a rather defeated state. Mark became known as the weatherman (being somewhat attached to a Blackberry device), luckily everyone was able to tell the difference between the message and the messenger.
Given the grim forecast, we were happy that the tour supports two accommodation options – camping or/and indoor (B&B or hotel). You can flip between them anytime you wish (so long as they haven’t packed up the van for the day! Mark decided to book us a room for the night – at least we’d be able to dry the tent. Forecast for the night: RAIN. Surprise!
The day – I’m singing in the rain, just singing in the rain!
Start: Fundy National Park, New Brunswick
End: Amherst, Nova Scotia
Distance: 160km (biked – 50km)
Weather: Raining cats and dogs.
I’m okay with getting caught in rain or foul weather if I’ve already started a ride, but I found that setting off in a torrential downpour to be very difficult.
Our rain gear was next to useless. If you wish to share the name/brand of your favorite foul weather gear with me – I’d be very grateful. I’m in serious search of something that will keep my feet reasonably dry.
The Failing Piece of Equipment
We rode from Fundy to the Hopewell Rocks, which are a pretty popular tourist attraction in New Brunswick. None of us saw the rocks, but apparently they’re pretty impressive. As you can see from the pictures found on the tourism site.
Without getting into a lot of gory details (and there are many that you don’t want to read and I don’t want to relive) our 160km ride had a shuttle service offered between Hopewell Rocks and Dorchester, which would trim off about 50 kms. Everyone opted for the short ride. And, by the time we arrived in Dorchester, most of us suffering (certainly) from the early onset of hypothermia, dishing out an extra ten dollars for a lift to Amherst proved to be a really good investment.
The glitch
Because we, as a group, opted to drive to Amherst, it threw a nasty wrench in the tour organizers’ plans to shuttle the bikes and the bags. The bikes arrived about an hour after we did, but the bags didn’t show up until 10:00pm. A good six hours later.
Only one person did the full 160km – Mike – but I’m certain he would have done it had it snowed. He’s pretty hardcore about his cycling! The stretch of road between Hopewell Rocks and Dorchester was busy and involved a few kilometers on the Trans Canada Highway. …Checking…Nope, not on the list of fun things to do.
The days are what they are; you have to take the good with the bad. This wasn’t a great day, but you know, we were still out there, riding our bikes. So that – in itself – makes it a good day ïŠ.
Hi Nadine,
Great posts! You really know how to capture your cycling adventures – and keep us reading.
Where to next year???
Helen
Thanks, Helen
Next year – one tour in Quebec and one in PEI – but it’s still early in the planning stages…
Nadine – stay tuned for Philippe’s upcoming posts as he is planning to do a mini-Quebec tour.
L
Will do! We’ve driven through Quebec so many times I’ve lost count, and often see signs for the cycling trails – looking forward to see what he’s got planned!
Nadine:
Love the first 3 posts. I’m getting nostalgic. Where are the rest of them? Having trouble locating them…I wear neoprine booties over my cycling shoes. My feet stay dry for longer but I won’t say they’re absolutely dry at the end of the day. What I did on this trip was…I brought two pairs of cycling shoes with me! So the day after Day 3, I wore the 2nd pair. Cheated~
Ar!!
Are you back? How’d it go?
Glad you’re enjoying the posts, they’re certainly slanted towards my perspective of the adventure
The remaining posts (5 to 9) are in various stages of writing, editing & transferring from scribbles at the back of the day’s maps
I do believe that Day 4 is going to be posted soon; however, Les (cyclemania) & Helen are heading over to Holland for a cycling holiday. I’m not certain if he’ll have time to post it before leaving.
re: extra cycling shoes – that was smart!
Nadine
Guilt has taken hold of me Nadine. No promises… But I will try and get your latest post up prior to our departure for the Netherlands (I have been told that saying Holland is so passe!)
Les
Guilt? No worries at all, I’m sure you’re busy with packing & all!
But…but..Holland is so much easier to spell!