Jay_Polisak

First off I would just like to say thanks to everyone for their input on various threads I've read that have been very informative for me on this site. I joined not all that long ago with the dream of doing this and next Saturday I begin in St. John's Newfoundland and ending in Vancouver British Columbia. I realize it's going to be cold, and probably some of the worst weather i've had to bike in to date. Anyone have any last minute advice before I undertake this?

Machka 

Where are you from? Are you from somewhere in Canada?

You do realize it is snowing in St. John's right now, the temperature is -7C and the windchill factor is -13C:
https://weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/city/p..._metric_e.html
https://www.theweathernetwork.com/wea...s/CANF0253.htm

And you're aware that most of Newfoundland is still covered in snow, it looks roughly 50 cm deep over most of the province from what I can tell in the images:
https://www.theweathernetwork.com/fea...w/indexatl.htm

My first last minute suggestion would be to take a good close look at the weather and road conditions there. https://www.roads.gov.nl.ca/

Is your bicycle setup to tackle icy and snowy conditions?

Where are you planning to stay at night? Hotel? If so, that would be fine ... in fact you'll probably appreciate the heater. Camping? Well, most campgrounds won't be open for another two months yet. You could stealth camp, but are you used to camping in winter conditions?

I'm all for touring across Canada ...I hope to do it myself one day, and I've pretty much ridden all over the four western provinces ... but if it were me, I'd wait a month to start. March in Canada can be NASTY!

Michel Gagnon

Check the weather carefully in Newfoundland and take some warm clothes + plastic bags for your feet. Spring weather could be great, but could also be brutal around there. And Spring usually begins in June; May at the earliest. From St. John's, use highway 60 (via Hollyrood) rather than highway 1 because the Trans Canada is on the top of the world and really windy around there. But for the rest of the road, I'm afraid you don't have too many options.

Three stretches to watch weatherwise:
– The Come by Chance area: an isthmus about 2 km wide, with a gorgeous view on both sides at the same time (Gulf and Atlantic); also prone to wind gusts, especially in the Fall and Winter.

– Terra Nova National Park. Weather wise should be OK, but there is about 100 km between services.

– I forget name places, but the crossing between East and West coast is also very lonesome. No houses or services for about 120 km East of Deer Lake.

– And of course, between Corner Brooke and Port-aux-Basques, there are a few areas alongside the coast which could be very windy and utterly cold.

For all these stretches, I would suggest that you check the weather beforehand and that you wait a few days (or get a ride) if the weather seems horrible. I remember crossing Newfoundland West to East in 1981 and having temperatures between 5°C and 30°C in July. I've also been there a few other times and remember fondly people who complain about hot and muggy days when it's 15 or 20°C. On the plus side, the people you'll hit on the road are very friendly.

Turd Ferguson

I've really enjoyed following this guys site; https://vikingbikersdiary.blogspot.com/

He's been crossing Canada this Winter..

GGDub

Holy f@#K!

He rode across the country in winter?! Its scary enough driving Roger's and Kicking Horse passes in the winter.

Hats off man.