Видео

@@ecocentrichomestead6783 Hello and thank you for watching our video! Yeah - we agreed that the TCH is NOT a road we wanted to travel either. In fact, we used it very little through the Prairies and country as a whole (except NFLD - that was a no choice route!). In Saskatchewan, we arrived on the 321 and took the 21 north to Leader. Then took the 32 to the 1 to Swift Current. That leg to Moose Jaw was the only section of the 1 we took. After Moose Jaw we took the 39 South to Weyburn then the 13/Red Coat Trail on to Winnipeg. We didn’t see the 1 again until just outside of Winnipeg for a wee bit. So, yes, we took it and wanted to not - but that section from Swift Current to Moose Jaw was necessary for us as we had some time-bound commitments to get to Moose Jaw and the alternate roads would have taken us a bit longer. All choices we were content with. We were happy to have stayed off it more than 95% of our journey! Thanks again for watching!!

Hello! Yes, we did, we didn’t know too much about it but read that it wanted fatter tires than we were running and, given our weight, may invite punctures. I’ve since seen the KVR on video and feel we could have done most of it but may have struggled with terrain on some - right or wrong we missed it - but certainly would like to experience it sometime in the future.

Merci Beaucoup!!

Thanks so much!!

Thanks for watching and sharing your kind words! Yes - off the beaten track can beat you up sometimes! But still worth it. As for the US - you nailed it - we all had pieces important to us to make the ride successful and one of us needed to stay off the 17 in N Ontario for safety reasons. So, we dipped south. As beautiful as the N Shore is, it is very dangerous as we learned when we got back to Sault Ste Marie and had to ride stretches of it tangling with trucks. One cyclist crossing the country was hit!! Happily she survived and after some convalescence, completed the ride. We’ll explain more in the next video. Thanks again for the support!

Thank you so much Ray! We're glad you enjoyed the videos! I have been distracted by too many things lately and am committed to finishing these films!! Looking forward to Manitoba too - we had a terrific time there ... though the roads were a bit dodgy - even Manitobans agreed!!! Glad this has sparked an interest in cycling touring for you - I hope we will one day see your own journey shared!! All the best (and thanks for the kick in the butt to get on the remaining films!).😃

@@N2L_Never2Late Btw, I noted one comment that asked about your decision to dip down and go through Minn, Wisc and the UP of Mich. Since we moved to Manitoba from Ontario 24 years ago, we've traveled Hwy 17 numerous times to visit family, and also Hwy #2 from Sault Ste. Marie. My initial ambition is to cycle to my hometown in Alliston some year soon, and I would whole-heartedly agree that the American route would be much preferable to the shoulders and in-frequent town along Hwy 17. Also looking forward to your video of that section.

@@rayvanderzaag1371 Thanks so much!! Yes - it IS dangerous and we wanted to honour the concerns of one of our riders who did not feel comfortable doing the 17. One of the cyclists we met crossing Canada took the 17 and was hit! Happily survived and finished the ride. Yet others say it was one of the best parts of their ride ... all to the comfort of the cyclist ... your ride will be your ride ... and it will be wonderful!!

@keithspangler4814 that is wonderful!!! Excited for you - curious what your route may be!? Great to read that you are spending that time out and about in such a beautiful space!!! Enjoy and wishing you tailwinds!!!

Hello @vikingcalibur3009 - thank you for watching our video! Yes - we did not do the North Shore of Superior in our ride. Each of us had our own asks of the group to make it across and one of us, having driven the 17 on the north shore many times, was not comfortable with the lack of shoulder and truck traffic on that stretch. It is notorious for close calls and worse for cyclists (one of the cross-Canada riders we met was hit on this stretch - happily, she survived). We experienced some of this hairy truck traffic on the 17 out of the Soo. So, we honoured that, as we honoured other elements important to our group members throughout the ride. The ride through the States was not preferable to being in Canada, but provided more road options eastward than the only option of the dangerous Hwy 17. So, we took it. It was fine - and we will be posting that part of the ride soon. It's a fair question - I hope this helps to understand our "why" of that route decision. Take care!

@@N2L_Never2Late Thank you for your response, that is completely understandable about the route that you took. Safety is always important especially on a bicycle vs vehicle. My wife also was hit by a vehicle earlier in her life, so she completely understands. Knowing this, I ride behind her and closer to the road. Making sure she doesn’t get hit again. It’s sad that there is not a better route and safer route option for cyclists on the 17. You guys made the best choice for the route given your experience and that lady that was hit on the 17. I would’ve made the same decision given the situation. Beautiful videos btw Stay safe out there. Happy cycling in 2024!!

@@vikingcalibur3009 Yikes! Your wife was hit! That is awful. Sorry to read that - yes, safety and honouring co-travellers is so important. Yes, we wish there was a better shoulder for the 17 but that may be a long time coming. Thank you for understanding our situation and being supportive! Your kind words about the videos are most appreciated - working on Manitoba now! I have to get going!! jeez! Take care!

Hello Sheryl! Thank you for your kind words and for sticking it through the episodes!! It's lovely to hear from fellow cyclists and their perspectives! We will certainly look into GASP! This year has been a bit difficult to get the rest of the films done - but I'm committed to have them done by Spring at the latest! Thanks again!

Hello @Soundchain101 - thank you for reaching out! Glad you enjoyed the video! I'm sorry for not responding sooner. To your questions: we began our ride on May 16, 2022 and completed it Sept 24, 2022 at Cape Spear, NFLD. We weren't out to set any records - just enjoy! As for your second question - unfortunately, we didn't post the route through BC (though it sit in RideWithGPS here: ridewithgps.com/users/3134325 and click on Rides at the bottom of the list. I have imported links to the rides through the other provinces in the notes section under each video and will continue to do so for the remaining videos/province. I hope it helps!

Hi! Thanks for reaching out! We did a general route across the country on RidewithGPS. We mostly followed it through BC but deviated more as we made our way across the country. Our key pieces were to stay off the Trans-Canada as much as possible - it worked out well! As we moved in we would look at potential routes the night before or over breakfast and just let the adventure take us sometimes!

Hey Rita! Yes we did!! Looking forward to finishing the videos too! I’m glad you enjoyed them!! Thanks for watching!!

Hi Jim! Honestly, we don't get your comment? Yes, sometimes we did 60/km per day, some times we did 100. In Sask we did 170 and 130 days, Manitoba we did 100's usually. The rest of the trip to the East coast we averaged 90's. In the East coast we consciously did 75's - but, again, don't really get your point? And not tenting in BC - yes, one of our crew was deathly afraid of bears in the spring so for BC we found Warmshowers and indoor accommodation - the rest of the trip was tenting mostly. Again, not sure of your points here but thanks for watching! Take care!

😄 Ha! Never too old either! We range in age from 56-59! We met people doing this ride who were much older than us! We found the older the rider the more likely they were to tour and not speed the experience! I hope you manage to make the journey in whatever way it unfolds for you!

Thank you so much! No question - we always felt like a "team" when riding together - sharing much along the way!

Hello! Thank you for your kind words! We found our rack at our bike shop - it is called "The Pizza Rack"! It is made by Specialized. It is a larger flat-top, shelf rack that was EXCELLENT for strapping all manner of things to it! Light weight and versatile! As for our bikes we LOVE LOVE LOVE them! The Sutras hold the road and the weight with ease. Little sway under load and wonderful handling. Gear ratios are perfect (though Michelle added some in Osoyoos as you saw in the video - but if you do - be sure to change out the derailleur for a longer one). Tough bike that will take you around the world if you want! Wishing you happy, safe travels!

much appreciated 🙏

Thank you so much!! Yes - we were just talking the other day about missing the big skies as well … and of course the people … always the good people here!!

@stapler40 … what a lovely thing to write! Thank you for the kind words - but more so, the incredible personal connection you shared here! I, too, wonder what your relative must have thought when confronted with such a profound change in scenery! It is individual moments and stories like this that make the fabric of our collective Canadian experience so rich. Thank you for sharing this here - I hope you find yourself in the Land of Living Skies one day soon - perhaps you’ll learn what that feeling was for your ancestor as you may feel similar things. Take care!!

Aw! Thank you so much!! I’m just working on Sask now and hope to have it finished soon!! I hope your dream of making this journey comes true!!

Hello Pablo!!! Thank you for your kind words! It was a lovely experience! Your own country is spectacular and we hope to travel there in the next few years! Likely by car and bring our bikes to access the amazing land you call home!! Can’t wait!! Hope you are well.

❤

Hello. We know Canada is in North America and the United Stares and Canada are but two of three countries tha occupy that continent. Very aware. Often, in Canada (and in Mexico) when referring to the United States, we often just say America as we often use the possessive “American” when speaking so the extension seems natural. Thanks for watching!

Yes! We certainly did - but spirits were undampened!

Thanks James!! Charlie and Ewen’s films are fantastic (and they cover WAY more ground!! 🤣

Hey Thomas! You are so right! Always subject to the elements - but always moving forward! Thanks for the support!

@ourretiredlife thank you! I’m looking forward to the same to see how it turns out! 😂

As always, so kind! Yes, a myriad of things that could bring some down … but when juxtaposed with the wonder of what you’re doing - the down doesn’t last long!!

Thank you so much! Yes - terrific people that couldn’t do enough to help!

Thank you Mike!! I'm looking forward to making it! Since coming home we have been very busy with many projects and I can't seem to get to making the remaining films - your kind words inspire me to get busy!! Alberta coming soon! All the best - Barry

Wow Brian! It’s tough that you’re in that situation - been to DRC and Uganda and had to lay low at times as well. Glad our journey gave some respite - hope you’re riding again soon!!

Hi Brian! Sorry to be so late to reply! Pan and Jeff had to make it to Calgary to fly to ottawa for their daughter’s graduation - amazing parents! - so we had to cut that bit of the journey on bike to ensure this - they flew back in a few days and we resumed from Banff - Michelle and Barry continued on Bike after dropping off at Lake Louise … more on that in the next video: Alberta!

Hi Chris!!! What a lovely comment!! I’m glad our travels took you back to your own!! Thank you for sharing that! I’m looking forward to finishing the videos of the other provinces soon! Take care!

Hey Agnieszka!! Great to hear from you!! Thanks for the kind words! I’m doing a short bit of contract work just now taking my time - I hope to have Alberta done early December then buckle down to get the rest done!! I think if you subscribe to it it will flag you when it is live? Hope you’re well!!

@@bazasmith I am subscribed! And I didn't get notified. But will make sure to check in the near future. Good luck ith the contract work.

Hey Beverley! Thank you for the kind comments!! Congratulations on your travels - BC is no joke to ride through - and such wonderful rewards for the effort!! Thanks for following along with us - glad to have you aboard virtually. Unfortunately, I find I don’t have time to craft the videos during the short stops we make so I’ve elected to do them all when I get back home in a few months - we will keep updating Instagram in the meantime - so we’ll do our best to keep our travels as current as we can until the videos can be properly completed!! Thanks again - and keep pedalling!

We have crossing Canada on our retirement radar for next summer, so we will be reading feverishly and enjoying the ride. 🙏

Thank you Vanessa!! We are excited for you! You will find it challenging and amazing all st once!! I don’t have time on the road to do these videos so I will finish them once I am done!! If there is anything we can help with - just ask!

Thank you so much Marilyn!! Glad you enjoyed it!!

Thanks so much!