Day 60 (August 31st)

St. John's, NF

I pedaled my bike to Quidi Vidi Village and then dragged it up and down rocks to Quidi Vidi Cove, where I dipped my tires in the water and ended my journey. Something between 7000-8000km I think. I still have to analyze my route to be certain.

Soon, I rolled back down to Water St. and Canary Cycles, where I removed my pedals and bought a bike box for the flight home. I walked back to the hotel and picked up some duct tape on the way. When I got back, I disassembled the bike, boxed it up and wrapped up my panniers.

I had a few hours to spare before my flight, and I used them to wander about in downtown St. John's.

Passing through airport security, a pretty woman informed me that I had been randomly selected for a secondary screening. I could choose to have either a full body pat-down or a hand swab (yes, I said swab...) to test for explosives. I decided to save myself for the missus, and chose the swab. I'm happy I did so, as it soon became apparent that they were using the old bait-and-switch tactic and that the pat-down would have been performed by some dude...

Taken just after dipping my tires at Quidi Vidi Cove. The Atlantic Ocean can be seen between the cliffs behind me.

This was taken from the window of my hotel room. It shows the narrow entrance to St. John's harbour and Signal Hill (on your left).

This is taken from a dock in the harbour. Really, I should have just dipped my tires here. Instead I dragged my bike up and down slippery rocks to dip it in Quidi Vidi Cove... risking almost certain death.

Day 59 (August 30th)

Antlantic Ocean (aboard a ferry) to St. John's, NF

The Blue Puttees docked in Argentia, NF at around 3 in the afternoon. There were about 120km to go to St. John's, and I was hoping to make it for nightfall.

Nichole, a cyclist from Australia (who'd been working in Banff for a while prior to her trip) whom I had met on the ferry ride and I rode together for some time. I was pushing for St. John's though, so we eventually separated as the day wore on.

A hunk of metal left me with a flat tire, but happily all the tire changing practice I've had this trip ensured that I was rolling again in no time.

I didn't make St. John's until well after dark, my safety lights were blinking away.

I rolled along the harbour and below signal hill, eventually finding my way to a pub.

Later, I decided to spend the night at a hotel, rather than in a tent.
I booked my flight home (sadly, I was out of time and wouldn't be able to spend more than a single night in the city). I intended to dip my tires in the waters of the Atlantic the following morning, ending my journey.

Yes, that is a guitar strapped to Nichole's bike.

Day 58 (August 29th)

North Sydney, NS to the Antlantic Ocean (aboard a ferry)

Hurricane Irene had arrived overnight, and I awoke to some strong winds and a light drizzle. By the time I had my tent down and all packed up, it was blowing something fierce indeed. I rode my bicycle down to the waterfront to read in the sun along the water. When I let my bike turn perpendicular to the wind I was almost knocked over. I walked my bike the rest of the way.

A lazy day. Ate. Drank. Read... Though I did do my laundry.

Towards night time, I wandered over to the ferry terminal, picked up my ticket, joined the four other cyclists in the queue and rolled aboard the Blue Puttees.

Day 57 (August 28th)

Whycocomagh to North Sydney, NS

I crawled out of my tent and into a dim and pleasant morning. I soon realized that I had zipped my sweater to my raincoat and that this would not do.

I snapped a few more pictures of the shore, and noticed that my camera released a bit of smoke anytime the flash went off. I ate and then packed up my tent.

There wasn't far to go today, so I very much took my time. Stopping for various foods and reading a great deal. I spent most of the day riding along the Bras d'Or Lake (really an inland sea).

Before long I was in North Sydney. I made a quick reconnaissance of the ferry terminal and a good spot to hide a tent before sitting down at a pleasant restaurant. After dark, I set up my tent in a well sheltered field near the North Sydney Coliseum.

Day 56 (August 27th)

Antigonish to Whycocomagh, NS

Before long I was crossing the Canso Causeway into Cape Breton. I stopped at a tourist information centre and was informed that the road I had intended to take would mean about 40km of muddy road because of construction and the recent rain... So I changed my route, sticking to the TransCanada Highway for most of the day.

I was ahead of schedule (as my ferry from North Sydney to Newfoundland would not be sailing until the evening of the 29th. As such, I spent a good deal of my day lounging about.

Near Whycocomagh, I found a secluded shoreline. I stopped for the day while the sun was still up, swam, ate, read, and watched the sandpipers hunt, and some crabs chase each other around. Eventually, I set up my tent and called it a night. Unfortunately, I snapped my cell phone in half so Shireen did not get her near-daily phone call...

A Mi'kmaq stop sign, near Whycocomagh.