Halifax to Vancouver within reach
 

Hello all,

A little over a year ago I was driving an SUV 20k a day to work in a city. I dreamed of leaving my job and biking across the country, though at that time, did not own a bike (the year pervious I sold my Marinoni road bike). A few weeks later I ended up selling my car with the intentions of buying a new one, then a week went by, then two, by the the third I purchased a new CAADX Tiagra.

I biked the 20k to work pretty much daily up until November 2011 when I started taking the bus. Well time February rolled around I was given my notice at my place of work, last day March 30th. This last week was my first week at home, on a nice day I took my bike roughly 50k on a trail to a series of hiking trails, rested and biked back. It got me thinking back to a time when I was trapped in my Subaru, in debt, wishing I could go on a cross country adventure, then I realized nothing is stopping me anymore.

It's a bit a whim but I am at the point of seriously considering biking from Halifax to Vancouver in 2 months. This decision needs to happen very quickly. I understand there are many things to consider. My ability for one, my bike another.

I'm estimating around 6500kms in little over 3 months - the check list is huge for me as a novice with no long distance experience (though I have done backcountry camping often), routes, maintenance, supplies, fitness, etc etc. So before I even get into the scheduling of everything I'd like to know what I may not be considering?

I figure for my bike (which I suppose isn't ideal but offers a more then most) I would change my cassette and derailleur (ideally), seat, stem, and possibly pedals (I use egg beaters). For this I plan on consulting with my bike shop but please voice your opinions on the use of a caadx.

I feel a little overwhelmed just typing this out but having said that, last year this time I'd never imagine I'd be this close.

For an experienced camper it is really pretty straight forward. Some mechanical skills are good to have. Fitness is not a huge issue, just be reasonably fit and have some saddle time in. The CaadX should be fine especially if you pack light or use a trailer. You probably want lower gearing.

It really isn't rocket science. Just assemble your gear, pick a route and go. Three months is probably more than enough time unless you want to ride short very daily mileage or take a lot of days off. We did a little longer tour as a first tour and took 73 days.

Very average people have biked across Canada on 3 speeds so just plan things out as you go along, take your time, stop when you feel like it - and look for distractions! We're living in one of the largest, most environmentaly rich countries in the world. Exploring it is always an amazing experience.

PS: Be prepared for black flies and mosquitos in the Eastern provinces and deer flies and tics in the west.

Just try to stay off the TransCanada as much as possible ... especially in Manitoba. There are lots of better road choices in Manitoba.

Go for it. I crossed from Vancouver to St John's in '09. I left in mid May and it took 10 weeks. It was a great trip that had plenty of very low days along with lots of high days. All in all very much worth it. I have it on CGOAB if you want to have a look see http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?...c_id=4957&v=U3

Your bike should work fine, if you are happy with it stick with it. Just make sure you are comfortable on it for long hours and that it is in tip top shape before you go. Learn how to do basic repairs. Probably little will go wrong. I had a couple of flats, my rear tire wore out by about 5000km and a link in the chain broke. That was it. Bikes are pretty simple machines.

I took 4 panniers because my bike is built for that. A trailer is probably your better bet. Because of a less than stellar summer weather-wise I ended up motelling it a bit more often. I took a stove and cook set and if I was to do it again I would leave that stuff behind, even if I did camp more often. I generally got no cook food or ate in restaurants.

BC's roads are great for riding just be ready for the BIG climbs. The prairies were challenging: wind, boredom, endless flatness,. Manitoba's roads are horrible, especially Winnipeg's, carefull with your wheels. Ontario is nice but endless. Stay several days in Ottawa. Quebec was awesome, very people friendly and bike friendly. The Maritimes were a mixed bag, but neat overall.

It was totally worth it. Do it

Yeah, do it! I think crossing Canada in 3 months is a good amount of time, I think if overall if you average 2000 km in a month you can cover a lot of ground, but still take off one to two rest days a week.

The only change I'd suggest is going the other direction, Vancouver - Halifax, going west to east. The prevailing winds are that direction, so it would probably make things a bit easier. Not saying you're going to have a tailwind every day, but overall, it will make a difference. And fighting the wind sucks - nothing makes a day of touring more frustrating, in my opinion. I know, it would be nice to finish with a good downhill into the lower mainland, rather than cross the Rockies in your first week or two - but when you're crossing the prairies, it might be worth it.

But have fun! Do it.

Thanks! This really helped - I never considered a trailer, looking into the bob yak with a dry sack now.

I disagree. Manitoba's roads aren't bad at all ... as long as you stay off the TransCanada. Ride Hwy 2 or 3 instead.

Winnipeg used to have roads made up of concrete blocks, which may have been a bit hard on wheels, but they started paving over a lot of the concrete block roads years ago. There are actually some really nice routes in Winnipeg.

And if you stay off the TransCanada, and explore the surrounding areas a bit, the prairies don't have to be boring ... or flat for that matter. You've just got to know where to ride.

Consider using warmshowers for your trip if you'd like some warm showers along the route. LOL. If you do go and your route brings you along Highway 11 in northeastern Ontario (the northern route of the TransCanada) look us up in Cochrane, ON. We'll find some room for you and fill your feed bag.

B