My Peanut Butter Bike Tour 2017

Day 69 - 29 Aug - Englishtown - 107kms    There is a definite wind-down atmosphere here! It was a short day today and everyone took their time to enjoy the incredible views! The Cabot Trail is hilly but very rideable.     We had one more mountain (Smokey) to climb today. It wasn't as high (366 meters) but, with all the climbing I did yesterday, it was a tough one! The descent was a little scary for me.     I met with Deb today! She retired before me and moved here to help her sister run the Colourtura Fine Art Gallery. The town was on my route for today so, all I had to do was stop and visit. It was good to see her again! She's happy and relaxed! The galley is amazing and the chocolates are yummy!     We had another ferry ride today. That makes eight altogether!    It's big ferry day tomorrow! We had to pack up all our things to leave in the truck. We only need a carry on for the ferry and the ride on Thursday.    Only two short rides left!

Day 68 - 28 Aug - Dingwall - 149kms    What a day! It started out very foggy and cold. The fog didn't burn off for quite some time. I was a little nervous that the drivers couldn't see me. I lost my rear light somewhere on the road but I found a little bike shop today and replaced it. I feel better now.    We were on the north Cabot Trail today! Wow! What a ride! There are three mountains,  the French (455 meters), MacKenzie (372 meters)  and the North Mountain (445 meters). They were so steep I don't know trucks were getting up and down without issues!    Even with the new cassette on my bike, I had a really tough time climbing. Those assents went on for kilometres! I found out later the grades were between 13% and 16%! Holy crap! It was no wonder  I had to stop every time my heart felt like it was jumping out of my chest!    The decents were super scary! I am not a confident decender at the best of times but today I actually had to stop and walk

Day 67 - 27 Aug - Lake Ainslie - 167kms    Wet day today! It rained until noon! I didn't think it would rain so I didn't have my heavy rain jacket with me! It's a good thing it wasn't cold.    We are starting to see more hills. The Cabot Trail begins tomorrow but today's ride was challenging. It took me most of the day to get to camp. The headwind was not helpful!    At kilometre 101 we crossed the Canso Causeway into Cape Breton. The sun was out and my clothes were dry but, my shoes were still soggy! I hate putting on wet shoes!    We're starting to see signs for the ferry to Newfoundland! We'll be there soon!    Tonight the campers at MacKinnon's Campground put on a potluck dinner for us! Apparently, they do this every year. It was so wonderful! The food and the socializing were fantastic! They are very welcoming people. We introduced ourselves and talked about why we were on this tour. It was a good night!

Day 66 - 26 Aug - Lower Barney's River - 129kms   Goodbye P.E.I.! Hello Nova Scotia! WOW! Only one province to go!   The day started out a little stressful! This was the last time my galley crew cooks and we had to catch the 11:15am ferry at Wood Islands. I didn't get to enjoy the ride because I thought I'd miss the ferry and I would have had to wait two hours for the next one! I did get there plenty of time, thank Heavens but, I would have liked to spend some time in Charlottetown. It really is interesting as it's the birth place of Confederation.     Now we start back with the hills! Our route for the next few days is the Cabot Trail. I've been told that it's super hilly! We haven't had hills since northern Ontario! I'm a little out of practice. At least I have the lighter bike with a different cassette more suitable for climbing!

Day 65 - 25 Aug - Cornwall - 87kms    Another day, another province! We arrived in P.E.I. By shuttle because they wouldn't let us ride across the 5 mile long Confederation bridge! We were disappointed but, apparently we would hold up traffic. It is quite impressive! The view from the bridge was stunning!    After exiting the bridge, we were immediately in farm country. There were fields and fields of potatoes all growing in red soil! I kept singing  🎼 Bud the Spud from the bright, red mud goin' down the highway smilin'. Those spuds are big on the back of Bud's rig from Prince Edward Island!    We rode into the little seaside town, Victoria, not far from the bridge. It has many of the original houses and stores. They are all colourfully  painted. So adorable! I stopped for coffee but, they didn't have decaf! Oh well, I know where there's a great place in St. John's!    We're off to catch yet another ferry tomorr

Day 64 - 24 Aug - Murray Beach - 148kms    No rain today! The weather was great for riding!     The route took us on many back roads that were parallel to the ocean . It's always nice to ride with few cars on the road.    Shediac is a vibrant seaside town. I had to stop at the information centre because it had some shops and the Big Lobster! How could you not stop to photo a big lobster! What fun!    Our camp is Murray Beach Provincial Park. It has a gorgeous beach! It was very relaxing sitting on the sandy beach before dinner.  You can see P.E.I. from  the beach!     I took photos of  the sunset it was spectacular!    We're off to P.E.I. tomorrow!     

Day 63 - 23 Aug - Saint Louis - Rest Day    Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me! It is really strange not to be with family and friends on my birthday!  I had a wonderful birthday dinner last night but it's just not the same when you don't have your family around you.    It's raining today. We would rather it rain on the rest day so we don't have to ride in it.    Saint Louis is a very small town two kilometres from camp. We rode down there so I could get a birthday decaf at Timmies! After getting a few things we needed, we went back to camp to hang out for the rest of the day.    We are off on our last segment of the tour tomorrow! PEI, Nova Scotia, and NFLD all in nine days! 

Day 62 - 22 Aug - Saint Louis - 149kms    We are zipping through New Brunswick! Today's 149k went by so fast! We only have a few long kilometre days left!     It was hot today. I drank st least six litres of gaterade and water. I've never had so much Gaterade in my life! I am partial to the blue stuff.    The bridge over the Miramichi was very high and under construction. We had to be careful crossing. The view of the river was great.    The group had a little birthday celebration for me tonight! It was very thoughtful. We had lobster from a Tour de Canada graduate. Apparently, he owns a lobster business here in Saint Louis and he provides fresh cooked lobster for the group every year! It was awesome!    Because I don't eat cake, we had birthday blueberries and strawberries with whip cream! Yum!    We also had some wine to make the meal complete. That meal was a keeper!