Sean Neville doing a backflip on famous Cavendish Beach. Going for an awesome ride with Dan Steele and his son Michael, we are headed for the Confederation Trail which goes from West tip of the island to the East. PEI really has its tourism and cycling figured out. | We loved the colour of the buildins around the wharf. | The Tegan. | | With President of the P.E.I. Parkinson's Society Dan Steele, his wife Loretta and baseball superstar son Michael. | Malpeque Wharf | Scotty is a true Atlantic fisherman. LP would be proud of his beard! | Getting us excited for our Lobster Dinner later this night. Delicious oysters for Sean Neville, Scotty looks concerned! Where the Farm meets the Tide. | Oyster time at world famous Malpeque Oyster Barn. Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables Where the Farm meets the Tide. | French River P.E.I. | Cavendish Beach Dunelands Hughie Mac would have loved this Kayak expedition. Sean Neville and Pinchy the Lobster. | Anne of Green Gables House Fisherman Wharf's delicious lobster. Ry MacK getting ready for his lobster experience. | With Troy (Manager of Fishermans Wharf Lobster Suppers, North Rustico, PEI (http://www.fishermanswharf.ca/) who gave us an unreal dinner for very very cheap. P.E.I. hospitality they call it. If you like fresh, delicious lobster,60 foot salad bars, all the ice cream and desserts you like then this is the place in P.E.I. you need to go. We wheelbarrowed Russ out of there. | Prince Edward Island National Park and Sean Neville World Famous Malpeque Oyster Bar | With Kate and Will at Dalvey House, PEI. Kate is really that beautiful in person. Russ considering the possibilities of becoming a fisherman. He told me he would name his boat "The Poutine". | The Wharf just before speaking with our first Prime Minister Sir John A McDonald.
We left Eunice’s house in Sackville with full stomachs, but were very sad leaving such a loving and caring lady. We reminisced for the next hour biking about both our Grandmothers and how lucky we are to have them in our lives!. Prince Edward Island awaited us and it was by far the most mysterious Province out of all to us westcoast boys.
Over the first 55 days there has been an ongoing joke that has absolutely killed me. My good friend Kris “the Bigshow” Carver has been a huge supporter of our trip since the day we announced we were doing it in April. I have received numerous messages from Kris in regards to sending us care packages, meeting us certain places and trying to set us up with accommodation across Canada. Partly due to our lack of organization and not sticking with our itinerary, nothing ever panned out. So for 56 days, any time I had an idea or recommendation for ANYTHING, the boys would ask if “Carver was hooking us up?” It absolutely drove me nuts. Sean, Ryan and Scotty have all had close friends set us up in countless towns and Cities so other then Sean Ryan putting us up in Ottawa I have brought nothing to the table.
Fast forward to today. I received an early morning text from guess who? Kris Carver.. If you know Kris, he is the quietist, yet wittiest person I know and I can’t go a minute with him without laughing hysterically. However, when I received a text from him this morning that he had us setup in P.E.I, I was a little skeptical. To make things worse whenI told the boys of the plans they chirped me for the next 3 hours to Confederation bridge. Well I can say after being on the road for 57 days, CARVER CAME THROUGH IN THE CLUTCH. After stopping at the stunning Confederation bridge, which spans for approximately 14 kilometres, connecting New Brunswick and P.E.I, we were greeted by locals Paul Clarke (who runs a touring company called discover tours P.E.I) and Dan (who is the President of the Parkinson’s Society of P.E.I). The guys were so friendly and made us instantly feel like honorary “Islanders” (Islanders is what residents of P.E.I refer to themselves as). After dragging Neville away from Canada’s best ice cream at “Cows” we headed to Cornwall, a small community just outside of the Provincial capital of Charlottetown.
So far on our trip we have been escorted twice by a vehicle and by no means was it by choice. First time, myself and Neville were escorted away from a Church in Cobden, Ontario by two Police officers. Second was much more hilarious when a Police officer had to reverse with his lights and sirens going to escort us off of the ‘no biking’ Alexander bridge in Quebec City. Well today we felt like celebrities! Paul Clarke our new best friend drove slowly behind us with his hazards on for the 40 kilometres from the bridge into the City. Every time there was a site to see Paul would drive quickly in front of us and guide us to the exit we were to take. Within 20 minutes of being on the island, Paul had ordered us authentic fish and chips in Victoria Bay and setup a tour of the famous sand candles. At one point on our ride he was literally blocking traffic for us at intersections to make sure we got to Dan’s place safely! I was beaming with a huge smile on my face the whole time we were biking and the only thing I heard for the next few hours was Scotty yelling “Ca Ca Ca Ca Carverrrrrrrrr!!!!”… Carver honestly thanks for setting us up, Paul is truly a legend!
We arrived at Dan’s place at about 5 pm to a trailer and a massive tent set up for us to stay in. The tent could actually fit 5 of our little tents in it! Dan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 2 years ago at the age of 43, so it was really interesting talking to him about the disease and hearing different insights etc… What made the stay even cooler was the fact that he had biked across Canada 2 years ago and he could empathize with exactly what we were going through! To make things even better Dan had steak, veggies and fruit waiting as well. What a hero! We couldn’t have asked for a more relaxing night in Charlottetown and we truly thank you Dan.
I didn’t think it was possible, but the Islanders might actually beat out the New Brunswickians as the friendliest, most accommodating people on the trip! I think it might just be the Maritime way!. Paul arrived later on the night and gave us a tour of the downtown core, including the Lieutinent Govenors’s house, Victoria Park, Federation buildings, Yacht club and many other spots. Such a cool City to visit. We even ran into Lorie Kane’s parents (Lorie being a professional golfer from P.E.I) on the street and had a conversation with them. You can really see Scotty’s personality shining in this City! He talks to everyone he sees and is starting to say ‘youuss guysss’. It is very annoying but I am happy he is embracing the Province!. We capped the night off by watching some live music at Hunter’s Pub and are excited for our rest day tomorrow! Rusty out.
Hello Prince Edward Island! | Sean Neville and the Confederation Bridge Russ and Ryan admiring the bridge. | Sean Neville and the Confederation Bridge We were hypnotized by the bridge. | P.E.I- Ryan won the Province. Scotty 3, Ryan 2, Ross and Sean 1 going into the final leg. | Russ Mackinnon-King of the World. Sean Neville riding Parkinson's Society of P.E.I President Dan Steele's recumbent bike he used to cycle across Canada. | The scenic routes of Prince Edward Island Eating the Steaks that Dan and Loretta Steele provided for us! They were delicious! | Mackinnon's Lobster Restaurant, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island | Ry is Anne of Green Gables. | Scotty eating the best Ice Cream in Canada, he dropped his first cone. This is his second try. Cycling with our personal escort and support vehicle, Paul Clark |
Scotty Mac HERE.
If the French Canadians were Sean’s peeps, New Brunswickians are Russ’s. I honestly think that Russ should run for Mayor of Moncton. (Russ is considering asking our boy Paul Ives to be his running partner as Russ likes his platform on most issues in the Valley- Paul we are big fans of yours! Keep up the great work!) In the past four days I have seen Russ dishing out hugs to middle aged mothers, enjoying coffee with retired farmers, eating nothing but potatoes, he has even picked up the maritime accent referring to us as “youss GUYS”. (If you have ever seen the movies “Fargo” or “Snatch” his accent resembles many of those characters.)
As soon as you cross into the wonderful province of Nouveau Brunswick, you really feel a change in the vibe. Completely removed are all the suave stylists, hipsters and fashionistas that disclose all the trendy digs in Quebec, they are replaced by a sense of reality. Hard working class, blue collar, over the top hospitable and quirky people line the streets. As horrendous fashion is a Mackinnon Hereditary trait (Except for Sean Neville who could be a Giorgio Armani Model-Lucky Guy) I think arriving in New Brunswick brought back a sense of normality that we had lost in the land of cafes and croissants. Anytime we even step off of our bikes here we are immediately engaged in a conversation with a bubbling New Brunswickian, blank faced attempting to decipher what they are saying we smile, nod and inevitably giggle away. They are just such friendly, outgoing, talkative and enjoyable people. Russ told me he is thinking of franchising Pana-Go Pizza out here, says he would make a million bucks, build a pepperoni empire employing cute and chubby, peculiar British Columbians just like himself.
Today we cycled into Sackville, New Brunswick that sits 10 Kilometres from the Nova Scotia border and 50Km from the Confederation Bridge to P.E.I. so tensions were extremely high. Riding a tail wind for most of the morning we flew down the Trans Canada and into Moncton where we had our first influential meeting of the day. Scoping out Moncton’s amazingly brown river (Have to say Moncton is not my favorite city on this trip) I had the pleasure of meeting Moncton local Grade 6 student Cameron. Cameron, a very curious kid came over to us and quickly asked what we were up too. When we answered him he threw a stream of questions at us. After about 5 minutes I think that Cameron began to apprehend that “YES we did cycle from Vancouver” and “No, we are not crazy”. Cameron seemed satisfied with his questioning and skipped off to his skateboard and his boys in the park. After a little while I watched as Cameron walked over slowly came right up to me, handed me a Looonie and squealed in the cutest puberbescent voice ever “ This is to help you on your way.” The kid made my day as we really did remind me of myself pre-growing pains, crows feet and when my mom thought my high pitched soprano vocal chords were taking me to Carnegie Hall. We will definitely donate Cameron’s Loonie with pride!
Arriving in Sackville, we landed at a McDonald’s to use their free Wi-Fi and get myself an Earl Grey Tea as my head was screaming. (Apparently Tea can become an addiction just like coffee Morgan McDonald) We decided to sit there until dark, as we were honestly petrified of the mammoth mosquitoes, and just wanted to sit at a table without being harassed by them. While sitting at the McDonald’s we started chatting with Eunice Griffin, an original Ontarian who has been based in Sackville for the past 14 years. Within minutes of meeting Eunice we immediately noticed that she had an uncanny resemblance to our Grandmother from the Mackinnon clan, Nana Gaye. The similarities were ridiculous, both caring and loving ladies without question she invited us into her striking heritage home for the night. One of my favorite moments of my childhood was heading over to Vancouver on the ferry knowing that our Nana Gaye (Hughie Mac’s Mom) would always have gourmet sandwiches, treats, and ice cream for Russ waiting for us. Riding behind Eunice’s car through Sackville I felt the same way.
Walking into the house, I was so happy to have a roof above our heads. Within seconds of being in Eunice’s cozy abode Russ again showed his inane ability to suss out the most comfortable seat in the house. I swear the kid has a sixth sense, he can walk into any room, immediately scan, decode the most comfortable chair, connect with it and have himself wedged into the most enjoyable position in seconds. The guy just uses his energy so efficiently. No energy is wasted on any task that does not have top priority like food or couches.
Eunice is one switched on 84 year old, playing with her I-PAD she figured out the weather for us for the next day and doted on her four stinky and dirty new house guests. Showers, laundry, comfortable beds and an appetizing breakfast were on the menu for the next 24 hours and we could not have needed it more. Thank you Eunice so much for taking care of us!! The more time we spent with Eunice, the more we realized how intelligent, well traveled, kind and clever she was. Interacting with her felt like we were back at Nana Gaye’s house in Vancouver. It really felt like we were spending time with our Nana. (They even dressed alike and had the same hair). We talked about relationships and marriage; Eunice had met her late husband of 56 years the night before he asked her to marry him. Our Nana’s story is quite similar; listening to Eunice talk of her late husband reminded me of Nana talking of Grandpa Joe (Who I never had the privilege of meeting-One of the big regrets in my life). We talked about how back in her time divorce/separation was not an option so couples just worked on their relationships, and somehow it worked. I remember my Nana telling me this. And think it definitely has some value. Something I have really noticed about our elder generation is they really know how to tell a story. I am not sure if it is because of all the electronic-social media equipment now a days or if we have just lost the art of story telling. But Eunice had a J-Slat’s (Jordan Slater-Epic Story Teller) ability to tell a story. No detail was wasted or forgotten, every sequence in the story was perfectly placed with the punch line climaxing at the right moment punctuated by her timeless laugh.
We all fell asleep entertained by the interesting life that Eunice has led!
The boys with Eunice Griffin our sweet and great story telling grandma. One more with Eunice, we had a wonderful night together. | Trying to hide from the searing heat. Our new generous well wisher Cameron from Moncton. | Cute Acadian girl fiddling her way out west to the Canadian Championships. Sean Neville checking out the Brown River in Moncton. | Campus of Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick | Delicious breakfast with Eunice | Mount Allison University |
We are days away from the end of our bike ride across Canada. Since May 19th,we have been bicycling from Vancouver to Canada's eastern shores. After we arrive in Halifax next week, we will fly back to Vancouver and take a ferry to Nanaimo, BC, where the final 105-km ride will begin on Thursday, July 19.
We are calling this leg the "Biking for Baha Community Ride" and they are inviting folks in the area to cycle with them for one of three distances between Nanaimo and Comox. Riders are asked to raise $1 for each km they will ride; they can choose from:
- The 105-km leg from Nanaimo to Comox, with a $105 fundraising goal
- The 65-km leg from Qualicum to Comox, with a $65 fundraising goal
- The 15-km leg from Royston to Comox, with a $15 fundraising goal
The ride will end at Comox Marina Park, where there will be a "Welcome Home" party—complete with a BBQ, raffles and other festivities. The best part? A dunk tank that each Mackinnon brother will brave. Don't miss your chance to welcome the brothers home with a charitable dunk!
If you are interested in participating in the community ride or attending the party, please contact us at [email protected]
Thanks again for all of your support!
The MacKinnon Brothers
Sean Neville Here.
First off I want to talk about one of my last blogs. This was the ‘Sean Neville top ten highlights’. This certain highlight was the "Beware of Deer" signs and how the person up front always yells “Flying Deer”. At this time we thought of these so called flying deer to be as common as the Sasquatch. You hear about them all the time but never see one. Flying deer were extinct in my books! Boy was I wrong. My good friend Charles Paterson posted this photo on Instagram. Thanks to Charles we now all believe there is such a things as a 'flying deer'
Second, on this very day of July 11th,2012. We were biking along the hill fill landscape of New Brunswick when we noticed some very old cemeteries along the hill. Russ immediately had a light bulb light up above his head and turned to Ryan and said what would you do if you noticed your name on one of the tombstones? Next thing you know Marty Mcfly shoots through the O-zone layer with a flash! Shows up in his Dalorian with a picture of you. Marty says 'Ryan we have to get you back to the future, your face was fading in this family picture. Then Doc jumps out of the passenger seat comes and yells 'Great Scott!!!!' we soon realized later that night, July 11th 2012 was the date that was actually in the movie as above in the picture. What a day to quote the movie Rusty!
We started our morning waking up on the covered bridge golf course campground. Packed up, biked down & up a 45% dirt road to get to the clubhouse for breakfast. This clubhouse ceased to amaze me, last night I have the Haddock fish dinner, unreal! This morning the breakfast was huge and cheap. It is amazing how nice the people of New Brunswick are. I'm pretty sure I reminisced with and hugged ten different people since we got here last night. On full stomachs we hit the road to Woodstock. Woodstock on May 1,1856 was the first incorporated town in New Brunswick. This cool little town set on the riverside was a great first stop on this very day. Beautiful buildings, people were nice and the grocery store was packed full of fruit bowls and sandwich's which got rusty pouch’s attention. Of course the peanut butter got Scotty’s. We decided to get back on the Trans Canada. I believe that this province is trying to prove itself to us as no one mentioned anything about hills, heat or head winds. They warned us about the rest. Our day consist of ups and downs, ups and downs and more ups and downs with a heat wave baking us. I swear I could have fired an egg on the pavement. We finally arrive to Coy Lake campground where we were greeted with granola bars and slush puppies from strangers and a quick dip in the pool. I must say the people are too nice in New Brunswick but the biking is not easy. Sean Neville
We are so close to Halifax, just gotta keep pedaling! Brother Russ, a man on a mission. He has the best tan lines ever, looks like a jersey is painted on him. | The LONGGGGGG rolling hills of Nouveau Brunswick Neville preparing Pad Thai and Chicken Wraps. A step up from Russ's scoops of Peanut Butter. We all thought "Flying Deer" were extinct, our buddy Charles Paterson proved us wrong! | Along the river from Covered Bridge, NB. Our ride along the river! Today was the day that Michael J Fox went into the future. If that is not a mind trip I do not know what is. | The party tent rising for another day. Someone please give us a MOOSE! We are tired of these signs mocking us!
NewBrunswick is a hard place to figure out. For seasoned bikers (that is a lie), we have been totally surprised by what it has brought us. When crossing the border I have had a hard time trying to understand what this place is all about. A place where there is a weird mix of francophone’s and Anglophones placed randomly throughout the meandering river valleys and rolling hills. French accents and weird offshoots of a Neufies. Biking through New Brunswick keeps you guessing, smashing you with steep hills then bluffing you with long declines into the valleys. A true gypsy of a province.
On our first true day of biking through the province, we were tested. After crossing into the Maritime Time Zone we were exhausted after losing an hour of sleep. Our lethargic demeanor had us struggling up hills in thirty-degree heat. It wasn’t the heat or the hills or our inability to plan for meals in desolate areas, it was the people who kept us going. The typical stereotype of people from the Maritimes being friendly has been highlighted so far. Wherever we go, people are stopping us to chat or honking to cheer us on. When we pull into a town people are offering help, asking about our story and wanting to keep conversations for over 15 minutes. Let me play you through a quick conversation with a local New Brunswickian:
Us: “Hi there, by chance do you know where the nearest grocery store is?”
Local: “Why hello there, where do you come from?”
Us: “Any suggestions of a store near by?”
Local: “Ahhh, I actually have two boys and a girl, one more on the way!”
Us: ”That’s awesome! Is there a local market anywhere?”
Local: “You’re looking for food?, Why don’t you come to my place and we will cook up something for you.”
**Most of these conversations happen on a daily basis, I don’t know if we look hopeless or if they just want to help!
As this sun continues to shine down on us. It has given me the ability to realize that Scott does as good in the sun as an ice cube. Russ has developed insanely gross tan lines(Something that I have seen to much of) and Sean has somehow made a trendy tank top tan line look cool. As the day went on we eventually made the decision to pick a camping spot along the river on a different highway. Cutting down through Florenceville( The French Fry Capital of Canada) we took a beautiful ride right on the river. What we didn’t know is that after 150 km of biking, we had a 5 km bike up a massive hill to our campsite near the Covered Bridge golf course. Overall a good day for the boys. This heat is getting crazy! Love you Bye. Ryan
Someone find Scotty? Can someone find Scotty Number 2? | Cycling along the 103 Highway in New Bunswick. You might never find friendlier people than in this province! | Canola Fields forever! | Just enjoying the ride... | Little red barn in Nouveau Brunswick Scotty and Russ: Best friends forever! | View from our campsite. Neville is on food so everyone is happy again. High five yeah! |
|
RSS Feed