An Epic Day in the saddle
This was going to be the big day. The cross country trek from Plaster Rock to Moncton via 108 E. This has been the “short cut” across the province rather than dip down along the Trans Canada. It saves you 60 to 70 k. The catch is you travel over rugged hills with absolutely nothing for 136 k. So we packed up, and to the shock of our lovely B&B hosts, we packed a lunch and headed off. Think of Peterson road for 120 k without any houses. Just road and trees. Hilly roads that put the Ontario Trans Canada to shame for road conditions. That was until the midway when we hit 5 k of washboard. Ouch. We got though it and made it to civilization on the other side in Renous. We realized that we over packed with food and fluid for our trek. Given the hills and the heat we had to reluctantly toss food overboard. Eight sandwichs was 6 too many and several went
to feed the local wild life. I even discarded much valued licorice in the quest for gram shaving. Licorice isn”t toxic to fauna is it?
The big surprise was Carolyn catching up with us, all the way from Ontario, to provide support and meet us at our Halifax destination. She had a cooler full of food. All is good
Back on the road, we decided that going north via Miramichi made more sense than Moncton. The skys opened and we road throgh rain until the clouds cleared for the last 20 k. One flat about 10 k before our finish topped off the epic ride. Bits of lobster claw in the flatted tire had me thinking that our flat was a desparate attempt to stop our inevitable Halifax meeting with several boiler bound crustaceans. You can’t stop us lobbies!
Our second longest ride of the tour at just under 270 k. Carolyn had more food waiting for us in Bouctouche The perfect end to a great day of riding. It sure beat Trans Canada riding. Given that we didn’t feel the pull of Moncton”s magnetic hill, we will leave the mud flats for another time
Off to the PEI bridge tomorrow morning and onto Pictou NS. The end is near friends, the end is near!
Sounds like and epic day! Thursday night got into some of that with rain, mud, mechanical at the bottom of the 11th Commandment with the bugs full on! Congrats on reaching the East Coast! Enjoy the Island! You guys are awesome!
…oh wow…you are soooo close to the end of your magnificent adventure !!!…we are very very impressed with your accomplishments…I am glad that Caer was able to catch up with you…Love and Hugs from the B-Ville Gang oxox
I can’t believe how much you guys have accomplished! Eventhough you encountered challenges along the way nothing seemed to discourage you, now look how far you’ve come! We’ll be cheering you on in Point Pleasant Park as you make your last trek into Halifax!
Love Brianna!