01-26-2005, 09:28 PM
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#15 (permalink)
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| Guest | Re: biking across Canada.. solo?
Neil, thanks so much..
I'm going to be done university this semester, got a few relatives a long
the way (northern ontario, vancouver, ottawa, some in newbrunswick). I don't
have a job (don't care for one right now  , and it's a totally perfect
oppertunity for me to go. I guess my friends aren't in the same situation
(one with a good job, and the other with plans of going to italy). So far,
EVERYBODY I've talked to that rides a bike says "GO!". The only "I don't
know if I'd do that..." has been from people who have never gone anywhere on
a bicycle.
Mike
http://mikebeauchamp.com
"Neil Brooks" <neil0502@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3EZJd.6673$8Z1.430@newssvr14.news.prodigy.com ...
> 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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