That can mean one has drunk the koolaid which in large measure in NA is about trans ams/cans. It is a perfectly respectable idea that those are crap. Think about mountaineering. You could climb a lifetime in Yosemite, or in your neck of the woods. How would it work out for you if you insisted on rock climbing across canada, or the US, and moved camp 100 miles a day and did a new climb, that would be laughable, you could probably have a pretty decent golf vacation that way though. Just because riding a bike moves you sideways across the country a certain distance every day, doesn't make it a good idea.

Most people are not all that motivated, they can't stop themselves doing the things they like. In a recession, people do not stop spending on their hobbies, though they may be forced to cut back in many other areas. So make sure you really want to do the thing you are doing. There is still a lot of motivation required for touring, rain days, and all that other jazz. But the basic thing should not be in question. If I lived where you do I would be motivated to do offroad stuff.

If you want to do a trans, then I would not do all the interesting bits first. I have been to Banff, but cycling through the rockies would be something to shoot for. So I wouldn't do it first when I could do it as part of a larger trip, but I guess you can't help that.

As far as BC's glass towers as one mentioned. That has to be 20 square blocks, the rest would be pretty variable. No France one would have to admit. France is pretty special as it can tick almost any box, other than maybe big game hunting. I would be interested in a trans can largely to see the variety of the country and see it all at least as far as a particular line is concerned, but whether that is the best use of time is another mater.

One thing about cycle touring is that it is very expensive. At some levels it is freeish, mostly from the dirt bag end. The reason it can be expensive is that it takes one 6 times longer than in a car to get anywhere. Depending on how your economics work out the time in the field is a huge expense, even without lost income. I can drive from TO to the east coast in 1 day. That is 200 in gas, and a meal or so on the road, no hotel required, or I have a campground I use along the way for a two day. By bike it is about 2 weeks plus, done it twice. So if you used campgrounds that could be 300-500 just in fees there. My home expenses are fixed. If I am at home I get fed, etc... On the road it is extra. My wife gave me a rebate the first time, but never after. So is 2 or more months a good deal on the road to cross the prairies. I'm 56 and have anything from maybe no more years touring to maybe 20. It might be worth the airfare to got to France given the shortness of time and the cost of touring.