| Re: biking across Canada.. solo?
Mike Beauchamp wrote:
> I'm in a crappy situation here. I had been planning on riding across
> Canada (west to east) for a few months now.. purchased about $1200
> worth of gear, etc. I had planned on going with 2 friends, but I just
> talked to one today who said he can't go and the other is still "not
> official" since he has a good job and all.
>
> I obviously want to do this.. EVERYBODY I talk to (people that have
> done it or not) says "you gotta do this..".
>
> The problem is, the idea of doing it solo scares me. I'm a city boy,
> and I've never encountered bears before, etc. The plan was to do it
> 'on the cheap' and camp as much as possible.. side of the road, etc.
> But, not having 2 other people with me makes the whole prospect a lot
> more scary. If something goes wrong, it seems like I may be ****ed
> without other people around.
>
> Anyways, I'm obviously hugely disappointed right now.. just asking
> for some advice.
Long story short, Mike: go. Just go.
In '95, I took my car and my camping gear, left Florida (headed for
California), and camped my way up the mid-Atlantic states, through the
Catskills, into the Allegheny's, then stopped for a beer at a friend's bar
where I . . . met my eventual wife ;-)
All my camping was alone, but I was only alone when I wanted to be.
Canadians are (if you can ever stereotype so blatantly) an incredibly
friendly lot. I spent a few weeks in British Columbia years ago and their
hospitality was incredible. Cyclists, too, are quite the gregarious breed.
I'm sure you wouldn't lack for either company, if wanted, or help, if
needed.
You'd have some lonely times, to be sure, but those are the times where you
figure out who you are and what you're made of. You hang a lantern in your
tent and read any of a thousand books that are just /perfect/ for that kind
of trip.
Alternately, you can start posting on some of these NG's that you're looking
for a riding partner to join up with. That introduces its own set of risks
and issues, but . . . if the alone thing doesn't work . . . it's an option.
So is just shortening the trip--concentrating on just one or two provinces
or a particular region. Again, I remember BC as being incredibly
picturesque. Always wanted to go back there on my m/c, but I think it'd be
equally spectacular on a bike. You could do this thing in two or three
separate pieces. Once you start, you may just get the bug.
Take a cell phone set up for Canadian use. Let people hear from you
periodically. Talk to the locals when picking campgrounds. Don't be afraid
to get a dive hotel periodically. If it's bears you fear, learn all there
is to know about avoidance, safety, and response.
Life's an adventure. A solo trip through Canada would be the epitome of
that. If I could . . . I would!
Neil
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