Day #308 Spring onto Your Cycles

Now that warmer, sunnier days of spring-time bless us, do as Sarah, Mary Esta and Corinne are doing, grab a friend or two, hop on a bicycle, and pedal away.
If your kids have gone off to college/university, they've probably left one in the shed. Don't worry. They wouldn't be caught dead on it now. They'll get something trendier, faster, if they keep cycling.
You can see in this picture how easy it is: a helmet, a light jacket, running shoes (or sandals if like me), and a camera.
Tell your dog to stay home (ignore the hang-dog look and NEVER feel guilty - he'll love you just as much when you return).
You may, instead, have your dog run beside you, especially if you live near to or drive to a trail first, and the dog is in good condition.
Whichever - simply lean back and enjoy the views.
Karen

Day #309 Poison Ivy (picture later)

Now that springtime is bringing on new growth, much of that new growth will be poison ivy.
It seems that the higher CO2 levels are the perfect environment for it; one that it loves and thrives in. There are fields of it in Prince Edward County. Look through Sandbanks Provincial Park, Pt. Petre, The Millenium Trail, roadsides, conservation areas, and you'll see an extraordinary amount of it now.
Not only that, the toxin it now produces, thanks to global warming, is said to be stronger, more toxic than ever.
For those of you, like myself, who are sensitive, or super-sensitive, here are words of caution: as soon as you come back from hiking where poison ivy may have brushed against you, take the Sunlight dish soap with you into the shower. Lather yourself with it first, and then rinse off in cool water.
Launder your clothes right away, and, yes, you can effectively use the same soap.
Rinse off your shoes/boots in tepid or cool water, and wipe with a cloth dipped in the same - Sunlight dish soap.
Perhaps even rub down your bike.
Be sure to shampoo the dog in cool water afterward, too, and no harm to using some of the same soap treatment.
You might even want to rub down the car seats and steering wheel and your keys.
Whenever I get poison ivy, it is like having the flue for 2 weeks with 3rd degree burns as though I'd lain my hand, or whatever, flat on a hot stove. My face, when effected, blows up like a balloon, and I am no longer recognizable.
So you can understand my concern.
Even getting close enough to take this picture was extremely difficult and worrisome.
In spring, the leaves start out very red but by summer they are as green as any plant. The leaves always look wilted, though, and the cluster of 3 hangs down, droopy, like a plant needing water.
On most trees, the leaves are such that if you fold them in half, the edges of the two halves are identical. Think of the Canadian flag.
With poison ivy, you will see that one leaf may be smooth on one side or have one point, while the other side of the leaf may have one, two or three nibs/points. The leaves are never concentric.
Ontario Parks are nature parks so when you go swimming at places like Sandbanks, in some areas customers are actually wading through poison ivy growing perhaps a foot high or more on the sandy pathways.
Now, when you swim, it washes off in the cool water but when you head for home again ... well, you know the rest. There are no signs 'Warning: Poison Ivy' because there is simply acres of the stuff. In some areas, it has covered woodland trails among the pines.
The next time you hear a politician complain about the high cost of health care, remind them of poison ivy in Ontario parks and how very much it costs us, untold millions of tourists using emergency services at hospitals all through the summer every year. Children crying in pain, and adults losing time at work. The poison turns a ghastly golden yellow and drips down your legs. In the 1980's, one emergency doctor told me he had seen at least 10,000 cases of poison ivy reactions. Of course, this was here in PEC. Multiple that one doctor by the number of Ontario doctors times the number of years since and you can see the money flying out the political windows.
Poison ivy, as a problem, is entirely avoidable.
Teachers and parents can teach children to recognize it. Ads could be put on TV with warnings, and pictures of the plant from different angles.
Politicians could eradicate it from public (hiking/swimming) areas of their provincial parks.
Let's ask all Ontario MPP's to walk through the poison ivy patches. Think that might get some action?
I sent the ministers involved (tourism, health, parks) a letter 3 or 4 years ago, and received double talk back for my time. I also put it in the local newspaper. They, at least, co-operate.
Politicians consider one letter the equivalent of 1000 voter-voices. Perhaps you all could help and send a letter, too, or sign a copy of this one from me and mail it in.
Still, I don't suggest you stay inside this summer. Get out and enjoy Mother Nature. It's not her fault that the world is out of balance right now.
Actually, poison ivy is a deceptively attractive plant, but very hard for me to get a good photo of. It psyches me out!
Karen

Day #310 Happy Spring-time!

This blog was started on Day #365 and here it is 55 days later.
It was winter when I first started writing about cycling, and 55 posts later, it is now spring-time.
Today I took pictures of pussywillows rather high up in the willow, and also of the snowdrops, little spring bulbs with tiny white flowers.
It's sunny and plus 7 instead of minus 7, good for cycling, but not today.
Too many errands to run, including a peek into the newly located Picton bike shoppe, and a grandson to look after. Perhaps a walk on the Sandbanks beach as well.
Whether walking, cycling, or running (errands or otherwise), enjoy your day.
Karen

Day #311 Reflective

With more than 4000 km. still to add, there will be many times when the Trans Canada Trail takes to the highway.
This is when it's particularly important to have reflective tape on your bike, or on the pedals, and reflective clothing.
One of the items I purchased before doing the PEI trail in 2003 is a mesh (cool) white vest that reflects light. In my backpack, it's weight is negligible and takes up almost no space. Late evenings on paved roads with traffic, it is such a bonus.
Also, there's a rear flashing light one can install on a bike that flashes only as you pedal, and can be turned off when not required.
The life you save my be your own.
Karen

Day #312 Download with political help

While shopping, I met Mary Dawn Allen, who suggested that when I need to download the day's or yesterday's blog while cycling the Trans Canada Trail, to drop into the mayor's office of whatever town I'm in, or the MPP, or the MP, depending upon where I am.
Politicians, and also publishers of local newspapers, can be helpful and we, the public, often overlook this.
Excellent idea, Mary Dawn, and thank you so much.
Perhaps I can start exacting permission(s) ahead of time, in fact.
Thanks again.
Karen

Day #313 Splattered

Raindrops splatter on leaves in Sun Yet Sen Gardens, Vanc., BC, 1991.

If you notice many modern bicycles, you'll see they don't have fender guards as bikes used to when I was young.
Today was miserable, cool and rainy. So, had I gone out on my bicycle, the mud from the wet roads and puddles would have splattered up and on my back.
I have a waterproof rain jacket that will just wipe off, but if it's very hot as well (I wish), then it's not wearable and so your clothes suffer, as does the skin of your back.
One of the discomforts of cycling in the rain. Still, one can get some great photographs in the rain, as you can see by my photo above, so all is not a loss. Note: I did not cycle to Vancouver, nor cycle while there. I've just been cycling seriously since 2002.
Whoops, I hear thunder.
Karen

Day #314 Baskets of Babies

The real Starting Point -
trikes and trikin'.
Roni and Terri as novices,
with Chrissie lying on a blankey waiting...
until she can at least walk, and then pedal.

My roomy, Lucas, is a Dutchman, who tells me his mother used to take him cycling in the 1920's, as she did for all of her children when they were little, on her bicycle in a basket up front.
Little kids in bicycle baskets, or a dear little dog, were common back then.
Just think of the 'Wizard of Oz' movie, for example.
No seat belts, either. You just took your chances and so did the child.
Perhaps thats why so many of us seniors act a little weird - all those babies spilling out of bicycle baskets, landing on our heads and tumbling into the ditches.
With Holland being so flat, cycling was, and is, quite easy and friendly an activity. Even today, there are bike racks everywhere with every sort of bicycle parked in them as hundreds of people cycle around to work, to pay their bills, to shop, or simply head out for a ride or a coffee.
Here in Canada, cycling is becoming more popular but meaning several thousand cars to each cyclist on the roads.
We could lower that rate. Just hop on a bike and go. Any old bike.
No need to fillerup.
When my daughter, Roni, was only 5 or 6, she asked me "How much is fillerup, Mom?"
Well, it's a lot more now than it ever was back in the 70's.
A lot more money, that is. Much, much more. At least 5 times more.
Save your money! Cycle!
Roni and Terri's cycling adventures got me interested in cycling as an adult, and I hope I can do the same for others.
Karen

Day #315 The Starting Point

No, not Victoria, nor Calgary neither.

The starting point
may be when you first
get a 2-wheel bicycle
with or without training wheels,
that you may or may not have to share with brothers or sisters.
Such was the starting point for these three girls, Chrissie, Terri and Roni.
From there to racing in BLT's - boulders, logs, trees races in Vancouver.
And cycling extreme trails like the White Rim in Utah as discussed earlier.
For me, the starting point is Day #0 (zero), when I start cycling across Canada, age 65, on the Trans Canada Trail.
Imagine: 50 days have gone by already since the countdown started.
This turtle won't be doing any racing, though, but just enjoying mother nature and overcoming whatever obstacles she puts in my way.
May yours be few.
Karen

Day #316 Secure Your Bike Rack

Is your bicycle rack steal-able?
This is pretty important, though not as important as having the entire bike stolen, especially if you are using a bicycle solely and don't have alternative transportation.
On the PEI trail in 2003, I rode my 13 year old Raleigh Hybrid.
A year later it was stolen from outside my home, I suspect by someone who had been at the pub next door.
Protect your gear, and invest in a very secure bike rack, too.
For the most part, though, people in Canada are pretty respectful.
Don't spoil your trip with unnecessary worrying. Enjoy your rides.
Karen

Day #317 Drinking & Cycling

Drinking is so very important while doing physical activity such as cycling and, while I mainly use water, there are many drinks out there.
One warning though: there is a drink that is said to have too much caffeine - so much so that serious consequences have occurred for some users. It is a drink called Red Bull and should have a warning label on it.
Iced drinks should be avoided on hot days if you're a fast drinker.
Juices have natural sugars in them, and good energy builders, too.
Try to stick to natural drinks and you will be very glad you did.
Karen

Day #318 Cycles

Thomas C. Kerr
Calgary, AB
circa 1941

This old cycle took Tom and Ida on many a wonderful ride, prior to their marriage in 1941, but by the 50's they were driving a Thunderbird.
Motorcycles are not much CO2 friendlier than are cars except that the average is that for every 200 people riding them, one has an accident - usually serious.
Electric cars were made by the 40's and I know were used in Holland before they were put aside for North American style vehicles.
Now we are finally developing electric bicycles.
The power pack weighs in around 40 lbs.
They are perfectly CO2 friendly, but people are now so used to the comfort of gas driven vehicles that it may be years before the electric ones are widely used.
Considering how hard it is to get one, it seems to show political and big business intervention and ignorance.
However, things do tend to come around as they should in time.
Takes time. Do we have the time to wait?
Karen

Day #319 Electric Bikes

As I've mentioned before, electric power packs can be purchased now for bicycles.
Yesterday, I found out just how difficult this is going to be.
Small bicycle dealers, and even mid-sized ones, cannot afford to handle them. Manufacturers, like Panasonic, insist that they first invest 10's of thousands of dollars before they will let them become a dealer. These bike shops cannot afford to take this on.
So, if you want to purchase one, you have to go to a major city.
Thus, getting it serviced will be a major endeavour.
So who would want one.
The bicycle manufacturers need to smarten up.
Mike, from Doug's Bicycles in Belleville, ON said there are power packs that you can re:power by pedaling, and ones that re:power themselves.
In the latter, your bike is pedaling by itself so your feet are being forced. Others re:power by your own pedaling.
And still others are electric bikes, similar to motorcycles, that you don't pedal at all. The legal limit for them to go is 30 km/hr.
This difficulty in purchasing and servicing of an electric bike and/or an electric power pack for a bicycle is a definite disappointment to me, although I will talk to other bike shops asap.
There's electricity in the air, and the big manufacturers, and the politicians alike, are ignoring it. But it's not going to go away, fellows.
People like me are going to insist that they become available, and financially viable.
Karen

Day #320 Sightseeing - why?

Glenora Ferry
near Picton, ON

Headwinds are one of the major challenges to cyclists; that is why I've chosen to cycle the Trans Canada Trail from west to east.
Headwinds can be particularly dangerous when one is crossing on a trestle, or cycling along the side of a mountain, or cycling where there is little protection such as on the prairies.
In fact, I've heard that in Newfoundland, just a little north of Port aux Basques after you get off the ferry, there is an area where you turn east from the coast to head inland to cross to St. John's on their former main railway line where, previously, winds had been known to pick up a boxcar and move it off the track.
I've gained weight this winter, but am not yet as heavy as an empty boxcar, so I could perhaps get blown out to sea. A scene of me in midair pedalling hard...
I think if winds are too strong, I will stay in the van that day and do sightseeing instead. There's so much in Canada TO see. Luckily, it matters not to me how much of the trail I get done each day as I just love being on the trail - cycling. So taking a day off should be easy and fun.
Take a day off yourself for fun or to see the sights.
Karen.

Day #321 Pancakes and Maple Syrup

Milford
Maple Sugar Shack

Next weekend
we will have
'Maple in The County'.
Hopefully, all the snow will be gone, and we can eat our pancake breakfasts outdoors in warmth and sunshine.
Be sure to come out on Saturday and join in with us all.
This picture is of an old maple sugar shack in Milford
behind the old-car lot, half a mile back from the main road.
Nice dirt road for cycling on, down a ravine, and up again,
hidden in a beautiful woods.
Time for us to come out of winter hiding and cycle again.
Karen

Day #322 Fitness and Cycling

Pumpkins in Snow -
not unlike our politicians.
According to the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute:
Current estimates place the cost of physical inactivity in Canada at $5.3 billion ($1.6 billion in direct costs and $3.7 billion in indirect costs) and the cost of obesity in Canada at $4.3 billion ($1.6 billion of direct costs and $2.7 billion of indirect costs) in health care expenditures. This represents the total economic cost as 2.6% and 2.2% respectively of the total health care costs in Canada. There is concern that chronic disease resulting from obesity may threaten or cripple the health care system in Canada.
If you want an easy way to stop eating so much, cycle every time you feel the craving. That, and Free Cell. Both of these activities, as well as Sudoku, keep my hands from my mouth for hours.
Physical inactivity increases the risk of chronic disease, premature death and disability.
As cycling would combat climate change by removing people from their cars, and ease the burden on the health care system by helping people maintain an active lifestyle, we ask the Canadian government to do everything in its power to promote cycling as a means of transportation.
We ask the government to remove the GST from bikes and bike accessories.
Are you agreed, MP's? I can't hear you. Is that a yes?
Karen

Day #323 Incentives

I've been talking these last few days of involving the Canadian government in the promotion of cycling as a way to reduce CO2 emissions.
It may not seem feasible unless you look at the many aspects of it, and I've mentioned quite a few in this blog.
Here is another:
Creating a program similar to Britain’s “Cycle to Work” initiative. In this program the employer purchases a bike and related accessories for an employee who wishes to commute to work by bicycle. The employer then claims the taxes back from the government, and sells the bike to the employee at the tax-free price over an extended period of time with small deductions from the employee’s pay-cheque.
Or better yet, REMOVE THE TAXES ON BICYLES.
However, in lieu of waiting for that to happen, the government can also offer tax incentives to employers which set up bike lockers and showers for employees who wish to cycle to work.
They could also offer incentives to all businesses and towns/cities that set up safe bike racks for people/cyclists to park their bicycles while they are about their business or leisure in that area.
Remember how they asked politicians to spend a day in a wheelchair, before they had all the friendly incentives for the handicapped?
Well, why not have them spend a day as a cyclist!
Can you not imagine the progress we would then have.
Actually, Jack Layton would be allowed to stay home that day, because he already is bicycle active.
We will get there, hopefully sooner than later.
Karen

Day #324 Promoting Cycling

Window on Winter

I don't just want to cycle the Trans Canada Trail. I also want to make seniors like myself aware of the ease and benefits of cycling.
However, at the same time, I'm hoping to bring attention to the Canadian government of the importance of encouraging more people to cycle: cycling to work, to the store, to Grandma's house.
The Canadian government should/must do all in its power to promote cycling as a climate-change solution.
They should be offering a tax credit to bicycle commuters similar to that offered to public transit users.
Cyclists would be required to have their employer verify that they commute to work by bicycle, and would then be given a credit based on the value of the C02 emissions they would have released into the atmosphere had they driven a car to work.
Of course, electric cars are also an option, and so are those little electric carts or scooters that many people use nowadays (like a hibrid trike/wheelchair).
As I've mentioned before, there are electric power packs for bikes, too, for those who would find the hills too hard.
Look at the gulf carts. I believe they are very efficient so lets grow from there.
We have the technology but not yet the incentive.
Are you motivated?
Karen

Day #325 Cycling as a Priority

There is a petition that is asking the Canadian government to remove cars from the roads; it states that this should be one of Canada’s top priorities. They feel this can be achieved by promoting cycling as a substitute to the automobile.
Well, this is also what I'm hoping this blog will accomplish. My expectations are not high, but every voice counts, as Horton felt when he heard The Who.
"We're here! We're here! We're here!!!"
Cycling can be done inexpensively, as I've shown in previous issues. Cycling can be done by anyone, at any level of physicality. You just get stronger and better and faster with each day's pedaling.
For those just starting out, or for those faced with hills on the way to work which gives them the excuse not to cycle, there is now the electric power pack that you can have put on bikes to help you up hills. Just pedal again when you reach the top or bottom, and the battery recharges itself.
Cyling's such a good way to lose weight and keep healthy.
Karen

Day #326 The Solution

At a time when environmental protection has become one of the top priorities for Canadians, we should demand that the Canadian government do all in its power to promote cycling as a climate-change solution.
If you google "promote cycling in Canada", you will find the petition that some very intelligent Canadian people have put together.
There is so much that the government can and should do, but won't and hasn't. Submit your own ideas by leaving a comment here, and I'll post them next time.
BicyclesRUs
Karen

Day #327 High Handle Bars

As you notice the picture of my 'newest' 2nd-hand bicycle on Day #330, you'll see that the handle bars are rather high, though not as high as the ones on my Raleigh Bike that I did the PEI trail with.
As an older person, I find that since I am not in a hurry to 'get there', but 'am there' all the time, I like to sit upright to cycle. That way I can see the world, and catch sight of potential photos, and most importantly, keep the stress off my back and my neck.
It still gets your shoulders, though, so several times a day, when you stop, lift your shoulders up as close to your ears as you can, and hold it several seconds. This pulls the knots out.
Better yet, every time you see a town, look for a massage therapist and stop in.
A good rubdown is also good for the soul.
Karen

Day #328 Still Waiting

but at least we are now waiting in warmer temps. +5 today.
Went for a drive down to L. Ontario to the see the ice flows.
Stopped at Carruther's Chocolates & Cafe for hot chocolate n cake.
Picture taken at Sandbanks Park.

Day #329 Exercise

Mary Esta Marcille (2004) speeding along while using her arms to hold her body ABOVE the chair. I sit IN the chair, not over it, when I use the pedal exerciser, and cannot go that fast. I'm the turtle, she's the hare.
Mary Kaizer, a reader of my blog, asked me if I exercised regularly and kept in good shape.
Fraid not. Wish I did, but I suffer from a proverbial laziness in that regard.
Here's what I do.
Every morning before I get out of bed, I lie on my back and bring my knees up towards my chest, clasp my arms around them, and hold it for a minute or two. Only bring the legs up as far as the pain will allow. Do not go 'into' the pain, but stay on the periphery. The Picton sports injury clinician suggested this for me two years ago and now I rarely have back pain. Proir to this, I could not roll over in bed, nor get out of bed and walk to the bathroom in under 10 minutes and, even then, with great effort and pain in the getting up and the walking. When I did the PEI trail, I had the same problem. After I got moving, cycling, I was fine.
Once in a while, as well, I use the small weights and lift them up and down in various ways. This warms me on a cold winter day, and arm-lifts also strengthen the heart. Most days I forget, though.
I do have a manual exercise pedal machine that you pedal from your own chair that I remember occasionally to use. (pic above)
And a great exercise, other than walking or cycling the trail, is to sit on the floor, now that I no longer have much trouble getting up again because of the first exercise I mentioned, and do a yoga exercise that came from a book that my daughter, Josie, gave me. I modified this exercise. Simple. Sit flat on floor, lean forward with your hands on your knees, and slowly, almost imperceptibly, inch or 1/2 inch forward down your legs as far as you can go without pain, stopping in between each movement for a minute to just be there in that time space. I imagine summer on a trail or swimming at Pt. Petre.
Every day I go to work, I do the stairs rather than the elevator. These are higher than normal stairs which go up the distance of 3 normal floors, while actually doing only 2. After four years, I still find them hard.
My very favourite physical activity, which is definitely making my arms and back stronger, is picking up my 3 yr. old grandson, Trent. Twice a week, I do this exercise many times, and luxuriate in doing so.
So, make up your own ways to exercise in an enjoyable fashionable and go for it.
Karen

Day #330 Slowpoke

Millenium Trail,
near Wellington, ON,
spring 2006


Although I started this cycling because of a new job which had a gym room as I mentioned earlier, I haven't used the gym since then, four years ago. I rarely keep in shape in the winter. Laziness is my reason, I guess, or winter depression. Excercise definitely lifts depression, but I also have so much to do.
So, I am just your regular weak 64 year old who gets on a bike in the first warm, windless day of spring, and goes a few miles up the trail, and around the village. What I have found is that with each succeeding cycling day, every spring, I just automatically start to get stronger again, and am thus able to do longer rides.
When I was a pre-teen, I was one of the few kids at Slemon Park in the 1950's who had a 3-speed. In fact, my friend, Sandie Gallant had no bike, so she rode on my seat, and I stood up to pedal for the 5 miles into Summerside, PEI, and back. My legs must have been VERY strong back then. In fact, back then I used to win running races. Now I don't even run.
By the time we were 14, we no longer used the bike. As Alice Monroe points out in her new book, 'The View from Castle Rock', girls were snickered and gossiped about if they rode bikes after reaching teenhood. So we stopped.
I hope the bike found a good home, but I never thought of it again and I never biked again until my 2 daughters, Josie and Mary Esta, were tots, in the late 70's, and baby seats for bikes were starting to become popular. I had been given a 2nd hand bike, and had the seat installed by the hardware store - bike shops not being around Picton then.
I would take one of them at a time for a ride down Wil-O-Lea Lane, and/or Morrison Point Road, Milford, ON.
The bike was then forgotten again, when they got too big, and got their own, until I was 59/60 and got this job I mentioned.
I cycled for one summer, always with doing the Trans Canada Trail in the back of my mind.
When the opportunity for doing the Confederation Trail in PEI came up in the fall of 2003, I went for it. I was not strong nor ready - I just went.
The first day I could do only 17 km. The 2nd day more. The 3rd more again, and I got stronger daily. It just happens naturally, so don't worry about being a slowpoke.
The more you cycle, the more you know you can cycle, the more you do cycle.
A self-fullfilling prophecy. Cycling begets cycling.
Don't be afraid of not looking the part or of not being good enough. No one else pays any attention to you. In fact, the truth is, most people spend their time wondering what everyone else is thinking of them.
Cycle your little heart out, and your heart gets stronger, too.
Karen

Day #331 Wastelands

This is the last picture I have of the White Rim Trail.
These cyclists camp out, while someone like me will have a camper van, hopefully, to pick me up each evening.
Although it looks like waste land in this photo, the park rangers expect you to treat it like the precious land it is, and to respect the stuggle that life forms contend with in this arid area.
The ground is not dirt, as it looks like, but is a lichen-like form that holds in water and helps keep the desert alive with its sparse flowers, cactii, birds, mice, snakes, coyotes etc.
When I was in Yuma, Arizona, sidewinder trails are everywhere in the sand so you always have to be on the lookout for them and other poisonous snakes when camping, biking, and hiking.
I will have to be on the lookout for rattlesnakes in parts of BC and the prairies, and also a few places in ON. I want so much to take a dog with me, and this would be the biggest danger for it as I see it, as a dog running ahead of a bicycle might not be heard in time for a snake to do anything but attack.
If I do take a dog, I will get a small light bike trailer so its rattling might raise the alarm. Of course, as I've said before, then I will never get any nature shots except landscape pictures. Such a quandry. Yet to be resolved.
Happy International Woman's Day, Ladies.
Do something special for yourself today.
Karen

Day 332 Swimming Holes

This image is of a small creek in Utah on the White Rim Trail. This particular spot was deepened into a large watering hole thanks to 4 x 4's, but was still welcomed by the cyclists as a place to cool off and enjoy a dip.
Listening to carpenters who roof on hot days, I've heard that it is really helpful to soak your clothes so that the drying cools you on a hot day. In this case, the stream is terribly muddy so that a person might be compelled to swim sans clothes just to keep the clothes clean. That, too, has its drawbacks.
Shortly after this couple had had their swim, they saw an old man in only his underwear in the bush right beside the puddle.
You may think you are in the middle of nowhere, but nowhere is nowhere nowadays.
Luckily, this 'dessert rat', as the old cowboy movies dubbed them, was no threat.
Hopefully, there will be lots of watering holes for me on my trip across Canada on the Trans Canada Trail, albeit the BC ones will be icy cold.
Keep cool.
Karen

Days #334 and #333 Sympatico Down Last Few Days

so there has been no activity.

Day #335 Switchbacks, Oh My Aching Back

Switchbacks on
the White Rim Trail
Utah, USA
Photo from Terri

She writes "These are some of the switchbacks and they're very steep. There are more switchbacks but you can't see them as they are so tight against the canyon that they are actually under the last switchback.
I got off my bike at each turn. I didn't trust my brakes or skill. One mistake and you fly."
Utah has a unique landscape, but the Trans Canada Trail will have many similar challenges, I'm sure.
As you see, there are a plethora of ways to put oneself in grave danger, including flying, as mentioned above; flying off the side of a mountain, that is.
Life - enjoy the journey, spread your wings and fly!
Karen

Day #336 White Rim Trail, Utah

Photo of cycling trip
Utah, USA
near Moab
of
Terri
and Tito
in the mid 1990's

She writes of sandy roads which slow you down to 5 miles per hour, and of the melting heat. Another cycling consideration for me.
She mentions the feeling of being lost as there were no signs for 50 miles; how she was convinced that no road would go up that canyon, but it did somehow. And they did.
The boys from Australia mention something similar on their blog. They came upon a fork in the road on the Trans Canada Trail but there was no sign designating the way. As luck would have it, a logging truck happened to come over the next hill.
In Terri and Tito's case, techno racers on their bikes came up behind them and passed them, saying 'yes, this is the way to Moab'.
What ever your road, may it be smooth.
Karen

Day #337 Ice Storms

Ice Storm 1991
Storm's Road
near Milford
Prince Edward County, ON

We have had an ice storm today, but it was over by midmorning and melted shortly thereafter.
The storm is heading east so look out Halifax.
As a cyclist, storms are inevitable with hail or rain being the most likely, but sometimes sand or wind. Hopefully, no hurricanes or twisters.
Hope all of yours, and mine, too, are short-lived and gentle ones.
Karen

Day #338 How Time Flies

Point Traverse,
Prince Edward Cty.,
near Picton, ON
Same time of year but a few years ago now, and the rising moon about the same height in the sky as during my walk yesterday.

Speaking of flies, that is another danger, of sorts, that the boys mentioned on their 2003 blog. Swarms of biting deer flies, and horse flies, and mosquitoes. I will have to research the best and safest bug lotion. Sport stores sell nets that fit over your hat (helmet?) and cover your face.
All of the bears that they spotted on the trail high-tailed it as soon as they spotted or heard them or the bicycles but they did finally get cans of mace spray to help deal with any grizzlies when they reached the Rockies at Banff .
My daughter, Veronica, suggested bear-bangers, and my daughter, Josie, said that when tree planting, they were given air horns. I will get one that mounts on the bike handle bars. Guess bear-bangers do the same thing.
Was out on walking on the Millenium trail yesterday. There's only about 2" of snow covering the trail, and some dirt areas showing, so shouldn't be long now before the bicycle can be brought out again. In fact, I often see folks on bikes even in winter nowadays.
I thought about taking my camera yesterday - it's digital and light - so why didn't I? About an hour down the trail, with the sun low in the sky, and the rising moon coming up about the same height in the opposite sky, the lighting was incredible. It spun off the sumac berries, alighting them to a red/orange, the blue sky, the white ground, and a white moon hanging just over the tops of the firery sumac bushes. Might have been a lovely shot. Light is always incredible when the sun is 1/4 up or 3/4's down. Too bad.
Hope your day is alight with wonders of your own.
Karen