DIARY - Week One
DIARY - Week One
To ease our travel to Canada we had stripped the Tandem to the bare frame to take with us and then sent most of the bits of the bike ahead of us to Victoria on Vancouver Island, our start point (Mile Zero). We had also sent the tent and camping equipment in a separate box. Today was an early start, to travel to Heathrow airport, Geoffrey and Beccie came with us to see us off and ensure we were safely delivered into the care of Air Canada. Check in was smooth with the bike presenting no problems. Air Canada then delivered us and the bike safely to Victoria via Vancouver with a smooth and seam free service. Thank you Air Canada. We were met in Victoria by Cousin Steve and made to feel very welcome by Steve, Linnette, Meghan and Kattie in their home. This will be our base for a few days whilst we re-build the bike and buy a few essential supplies before setting off on Saturday morning.
A good nights sleep a good breakfast and we are ready for the world. Unfortunately the two boxes of bits have not yet arrived. We managed to track them to Canada and they are winging their way to us. Hopefully they will arrive soon, in the mean time we can catch a quiet day to explore and recover from Jet Lag.
This morning we had all the bits to build the bike. Mid morning we took a test ride downtown, all that was needed was fine adjustment of the gears and the bike was ready. We had decided that we must get a trailer and a few phone calls later got us a single wheeler from Riders Cycles @ Cloverdale road. With everything ready to go we set the departure for Sunday morning . We had our last evening with Steve and Linette, enjoying steak, wine and friendship.
The day dawned fine and WET. After a good breakfast we said our goodbyes and
hit the road at 10:30. The 18 miles to the ferry was all on cycle paths and a
relaxing ride. At the ferry terminal our long vehicle again presented problems
but by 2pm we were relaxing onboard for the 1:40 hr crossing to mainland
Canada. We managed another 10 miles before we stopped, wet and cold.
Without Marty's Mountain Cycles at Esquimalt and Riders Cycles at
Cloverdale we would probably be still at Victoria.