Introductions - Looking for cycle buddies; Toronto-->St. Johns via Labrador! Aug 14th ish departure!

Hi guys! I'm 25 from Southern Ontario.... nice to meet you :) Right now I am working, living, and biking and Japan... but I'll be back home soon and am planning on attempting a Toronto to St. John's via the looong road up Labrador city way route... I'm looking for anyone interested in joining in on the adventure!! I am planning on taking off August 14th and am aiming to average about 100Km a day--- if anyone is interested... even for a short stretch... please let me know! :) I'm easy going and flexible with respect to trip planning so if you want to stop for a hike or have your heart set on checking something out that's cool... I've heard the route can come with its share of challenges as well, so positive attidude a plus!

I've been working in Japan for the last year and have done a few week long bike camping trips here... but Im excited to get back to Canada and do it up bike style! :) I've only started touring/camping this year... a newbie, I suppose... so I'd prefer to go with someone else or even a small group! If you're game, send me an email!

I'd also love any tips from people about touring solo... especially as a woman! Thanks for your help and interest!

Hello Jacqueline. Welcome to BikeForums! :) We've got an "Eastern Canada" forum here that will help you coordinate group rides in your area.

http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php/240-Eastern-Canada

Sounds like a fun ride; wish I could go with you. Good Luck and Happy Riding! :thumb:

Welcome to Bike Forums!

In addition to the Eastern Canada regional forum, you might also want to check out the Touring forum.

And most importantly, what kind of bike do you ride? :)

Howdy and Welcome to the forums!

Welcome to the forums, sounds like an awesome ride. I'd be interested if I didn't have to work :(

Thanks guys!! Nice to meet all of you and thanks for the support! Im so happy to have found this forum! Yes... most of my friends are working or are attending school so Ive been unable to convince them to leave it all behind for the east coast adventure! So hopefully Ill be able to find someone else "in between", like me, who has a couple weeks to spare :)

I have a Louis garneau touring cycle that I'll be loading up with my tent and camping gear. This is my first "touring" bike so Im still getting to know 'er! But so far so good!

Thanks for your tips CBadrider! I'll be sure to check out those threads.... I wasnt sure exactly where to post about this, so thanks! ....you interested in joining part of the trip!!??!

Hi Jacqueline/everyone,
I'm so excited to have come across this posting. My girlfriend moved to St. John's for the summer and I plan on going to visit her. I have no experience with cross city biking, so I was hoping this forum could help me consider some things I otherwise might not. Your scheduled date may be a little too late for me but if so I would still love to know what routes you plan on taking, what preparations you are making and what items you plan on taking with you.

A friend of mine made a similar trip last year, and this is what he wrote to me

"It took me roughly 6.5 days to bike 961 km from Ottawa to Saint Andrews, NB. Here are the things that I would recommend bringing with you for your bike;
Folding tire
Spare spokes
Spare tubes (at least two)
Hand pump
Spoke wrench
Chain tool and spare chain links
Chain oil
Tire tool"

Thanks,

Joseph

Cheers Jacqueline and Joseph, welcome to Bike Forums.

Joseph, your friend's list covers some of the tools/spare parts you might need. In addition you'll have to consider clothing, toiletries, food and drink, where to stay during the nights (bring your own shelter vs. other accommodation), whether you'll need a camping stove and fuel, sleeping bag, sleeping pad etc. There are several packing list examples posted in BF and also elsewhere in the 'net.

Another thing, your friend seems to have averaged nearly 150 kms per day. Every day, one day after another. The fact he only lists tools and spares leads me to wonder if he actually didn't bring much anything else with him. There's nothing wrong with credit card touring, but please realise very few cyclists on loaded touring bikes realistically budget 150 km per day averages, sustained over several days.

Welcome to Bike Forums Jacqueline!

You're planning on taking the cross Labrador highway?! you are a brave one. I'm from Newfoundland oringinally and I lived in Goose Bay on the east side of Labrador. I know that highway very well. I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have re: quebec city to Goose bay across the ferry and across the rock. Oh and I live in Toronto. If I can hel with information in any way, just let me know.

Hey Juha,

I spent some time searching for the packing lists you mentioned; I found some through the aid of google, but not on this site. Are there any packing lists that you are particularly partial towards? And if so would you mind posting a link to one? I really appreciate your advice. Please let me know if there is anything else you think I should know.

Thanks

Jaqueline what route were you planning to use to cross Newfoundland (the island, not Labrador)?

crazyguyonabike.com has more tour diaries than I have time to read, sadly. :) A lot of them have gear or equipment lists:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/categories/?o=1r4vFZo&category_id=212&doctype=journal

As for Bike Forums, it's often best to search with Google's "site:" -option. It may not be up to the last day's posts, but otherwise it's fairly good. I'd use this phrase in Google

packing list site:bikeforums.net

Read a few of them to get a general idea. Read particularly those that relate to the length and type of your planned trip (type meaning camping out vs. staying in motels, crossing deserts vs. passing by a grocery store every day etc). You will have to fine tune the lists to your liking though. For example, I like to bring a big (and therefore too heavy) tent when I'm camping, because I like the extra space.

--J