Are you nuts???

Something very common among those to whom I speak about my trip is their concern over my safety. I agree that this trip has inherent risks associated with it, however I am very well aware of these risks and can do things to mitigate them. Some of the risks people ask me about are:

•  You’re going to get hit by a Mack truck! It amazes me the number of people who  know somebody who has been hit by a vehicle while cycling across the country. I’ve had closer calls coming home from work on my bike than I did when I was touring around eastern and southern Ontario back in the old days, and the cycling infrastructure is better today than it was back then. I was thrilled to hear that my wife’s cousin made it all the way across the county on bicycle, high-five Cheryl.

How I’m planning to mitigate this risk:

• • Planning – over the past couple of months I have been working with a few map sources planning out my route. I had started with a basic route using the book Canada by Bicycle, and now I am using an app called ViewRanger to see where I can get off the highway and onto bicycle paths.
  • Being visible – this includes no riding after dark and using my bright yellow rain covers on my pannier bags even in the brightest of suns (which will also protect the panniers from the brightest of suns).
  • Staying in contact – my website allows anyone to see my location while I am on by trip, and to have conversations through comments on posts. (Incidentally, if there isn’t an update in days have someone go to my last location and look for bear poop with bear spray and bells in it.)

• Aren’t you afraid of bears? I’m actually more concerned about people than I am of bears (or other wild animals), so here’s how I plan to manage both risks:
  • for bears and other wild animals I have bear spray, a bell and a bear bag (a sack with my food in it hung in a tree). The bear spray I need to pick up in Vancouver since I cannot take it on a plane. I have a pocket in my handlebar bag so it’s easily accessible while I’m riding. At night I will hang a bear bag in a tree for my food, from by Boy Scout days. (This actually came in handy one night when the scouts and I were canoe camping in Algonquin Park, and a bear went through our camp. Thanks to the bear bag, we were able to eat breakfast the following morning.)
  • for people (theft) I have a bike cover which covers my bike with the panniers attached and locks everything in place to something solid, like a pole or tree. I also have a good bike lock. If someone wants my stuff bad enough, they’re going to take it, but at the very least I want them work for it.

• It’s going to be hot isn’t it? Yes it will be, so lots of water and lots of breaks when it’s hot, and lots of sunscreen always. Shorter distances or unscheduled break days if it gets too hot.

• Don’t you have to be in shape for that? What are you saying, a pear is a shape!!! I get it, and I am working on it. I have developed a training plan and am slowing getting into it…actually, very slowly. But I do have a bit of time and I know once I get going things will start to happen, it’s just the getting going that’s tough.

• Are you training? This will be the topic of an upcoming blog, but yes and no to answer the question. Like I have mentioned, I have a training plan and am training but I need to make it more consistent and more targeted. The bike training is not the issue, it’s getting to the gym to do the strength training, and stretching.

• Are you seriously going to do this? Yup, I’m seriously going to do this. Things that may delay my trip or force me to make an unscheduled stop and return home are:
  • my mom or mother-in-law falling ill (or Fred, my 13.5 year old dog)
  • I’m not feeling ready (or Sue feels I’m not ready)
  • other unforeseen circumstances.

• “You know Bill, it’s going to rain on your trip” Last year I met my friend Paul for  a coffee at Bridgehead. I was going to ride my bike there but it was raining out, so I drove. When I got to Bridgehead Paul enquired about my mode of transportation. I’m not sure what lame excuse I gave him but Paul wasn’t buying it, and he said to me, “you know Bill, it’s going to rain on your trip”. I hate rain. I think it’s from being a Scout leader for 20 years and taking the kids camping rain or shine. I didn’t mind the rain then, well, I didn’t like it but I dealt with it for the kids. Now I can’t stand it. The worst is when my feet get wet in my shoes, buh.

There will be other challenges, the Rocky Mountains come to mind, the winds in Saskatchewan, mosquitoes… How I approach any challenge will determine the success or failure of this trip, and it’s a matter of handling issues calmly and with a sound mind.

Finally, I’m very appreciative for all the support and those who are looking out for my safety, but a lot of research and planning is going into this trip to make this a safe and enjoyable adventure.

Cheers

Bill