Day 47 – Nigadoo

Day 47 – Nigadoo, New Brunswick (Monday, June 22, 2015)

I had a very good sleep and woke groggy; not quite ready to get up. The time change to Atlantic time doesn’t help; it says it’s 6:30am but I still feel like it’s 5:30am. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be more in sync.

The Quality Inn in Campbellton had everything I needed for breakfast. This included scrambled eggs, bacon, typical cereal, yogurt, juice, bagels and best of all fresh fruit. I stock up on oranges and bananas which are a nice treat on the road. I had my fill and took to the road later than normal – around 9am. I only had a little over 100 planned for today, the weather was cold and raining, and I had not plans in pushing it.

At about 10am I got my second flat tire of the trip. I discovered a piece of glass lodged in the tread. It took longer than normal to fix because of my rain gear, and the important step of checking for a cause before putting the new tube and tire back on. ‎

While I was working on my bike a few people asked if I need help. Pretty much everyone is bilingual in New Brunswick and it was nice to converse in English without any apology. One of the would-be-helpers was a man in his 50s traveling with his wife on their full loaded bicycles from Montreal to Prince Edward Island. ‎

I had a strong head wind in the morning. That coupled with the cold, rain, and frequent hills made the going a bit tough.

There were no restaurants when I wanted to eat. Unfortunately I had passed two small restaurants earlier without realizing there were not going to be any further along. Around 2pm the lack of energy started to affect my performance and was forced to stop and grab a few cookies, pop, V8, and a gatorade at a variety store.

The weather was unsettled with threatening rain so I stopped to get some supper about 9km from my destination at Parc Malybel. When I noticed the forecast for tomorrow was once again rainy I decided to stay at the Motel H just north of Nigadoo. Again I am disappointed.‎

River emptying into the Atlantic.

Day 46 – Campbellton

Day 46 – Campbellton, New Brunswick (Sunday, June 21, 2015)

Tough day.

Raining and cool. Cool enough to wear a sweater. You end up getting a clammy filling inside the gore-tex, feet are wet, legs are mostly wet. If you stop you get chilled.

At one point just after a rest stop my rear rack came apart. Ralph wanted to keep going but couldn’t because the rack was dragging on the ground behind him. To my surprise all the parts were accounted for and after reassembly and tightening things were as they were and we set off.

oh – and I saw a moose. I saw him standing on the road from a distance and managed to pull my BlackBerry out to take a picture. He was looking directly at me as I approached. At first he appeared curious and then defiant, perhaps taking a combative stance – or so I thought. Then he was spooked, turned and trotted off up the path into the forest.

I didn’t find a place to eat lunch. None of the local canteens beside road are open on Sunday. I was relieved at the end of the day and looking forward to a dry place to spread out and get some rest. I stayed at an unimaginative Quality Inn in Campbellton near the south side of the bridge to Quebec.

Riviere Matapedia.

Quebec town.

Riviere Matapedia.

A moose looking a bit lost on the road.

Riviere Matapedia.

Day 45 – Berges

Day 45 – Berges, Quebec (Saturday, June 20, 2015)

Today was another day I managed to ride 200 kilometers.

The wind predictions were in my favor. I felt good physically and the temperature was in the twenties without any rain. I was determined from the outset to make the most of the conditions and aim for Rimouski, about 100km, by lunch time.

The day was as predicted and I arrived in Rimouski in good time. Rimouski was a highlight of the route on the south side of the St Lawrence. There was a road which catered to bicyclists, and tourists. The road wound for several miles along the shore through scenic inlets and stone beaches.

Because the wind was so good at Rimouski I made the decision to ride through to make up a day and aim to stay at Berges for the night.

At Mont Joli the road cuts inland away from the St Lawrence and through hilly country side. I managed to make good time and arrived at Val Brillants Camping near Berges by about 5:30pm and had supper at a nearby roadside canteen.