I've been lucky this trip in not having too much rain but the last two days are making up for it. I hung out in Fredricton until my feet touched the pedals and I took off. Previous, I had considered doing the route of 172 km in one day but I knew the rain wasn't going to make that happen. I would stop where I stopped. The weather was actually very warm so once you get used to being wet, its not too bad. No shivers and yes, everything gets a little heavier but it can be dealt with. I took the 102 up to Oromocto which is the headquarters of CFB Gagetown. Tanks and armoured personnel carriers are on the corners and the military prescence is seen everywhere. I stop into a laundry thinking about washing and drying my clothes but then look otside and think, "To what use?". I talk to a couple who give me the lay of the land and make my way to Canadian Tire where I come up with some big scores-sleeping bag liner, air mattress, and bellaclava! Sleeping will be a warmer activity now. I also stop in at the Sobeys to grab some grub because the couple say there is nothing between Oromocto and Salisbury. It is with some mental anguish that I convince myself to get on the bike, soaking wet, the rain pouring down, the wind blowing but I do so. I know that to get to Moncton, I need to bike so bike I do. Another 50 rainy kilometres later, I see the Upper Gagetown Community centre and decide to take a peak. Behind the centre is a huge, covered shelter protected from the rain and wind. Its been set up for the smokers so while I don't like the idea personally, I'm glad people smoke in Upper Gagetown! The lock is on but noot actually locked so I decide to settle here.
It is a dry quiet spot and I let my stuff drip (not dry) while the rain pours down outside. My newly aquired items make for great sleeping!
The rain has stopped the next day and I am down to my 3rd set of dry clothes while I set off for Moncton. I continue to follow 102 but just before I cross the bridge of some big river, the street I am on says dead end. Now, I am used to ignoring signs thinking that its just for cars but I do come to the street above the highway and it is fenced off. I try to sneak down under the bridge to see if I can get some access there but no luck! The person who made this fence was serious about no wildlife or bikers getting on that bridge.
I backtrack. Cyclists hate to do it but I'd met my match in the fencebuilder! I see a Shell sign and then a Robin's Donuts sign. I haven't seen Robins Donuts since the North of Ontario where it seems to have established a foothold there against the tide of Tims. I have some donuts and they are delicious, maybe even as good as when Tim's cooked their donuts in-store before. I ask the ladies at the counter how to get across the bridge and they tell me all the river ferries are out of my way so I head across the Hwy 2 bridge.
it is Sunday morning so at least there is not much traffic and there is even a wide lane for me not to impede traffic. I pass the no cyclists allowed sign with minor guilt. One trucker going the other way honks his horn. An RV comes up my way and honks his horn too. Such encouragement! I cross 2 other bridges illegally but there is no other choice.
i am happy to take Hwy 112 as an alternate and the rain comes and goes in waves. I stop in at a Covered bridge Tourist centre which the guy owns privately. He's nice enough to let me sit and drip in his office while drinking his pop and tells me that hwy 112 is the way I want to go. Its a nice route and even with the rain here and there, the leaves are quite spectacular. I am having bike troubles with my rack as one side has cracked and is listing heavily to port. I hear some some of brushing sound but cannot identify the source. Frustatrating. I make it to about 25 km outside of Moncton when I stop at the Giant Irving Gas Stop. It has everything there. Again, another thought about the laundry as I down to emergency sweaters at the bottom of my bag now for dry things. I recharge and stop at the DQ to compare the taste of Mint Oreo blizzards in Prince George-strictly scientific. Very well done. I see a bicycle carcass outside the DQ with paniers all around. I look inside and there is another wet cyclist. His tire has blown and he has seen 3 days of rain as well. He shows me his tire tube and the thing has to have at least 17 patches on it! He says he is biking the coasts but I dont really ask where hes going tonight. We are both a bit stunned from the deluge of rain that we are interested on getting the day over with and not drawing it out. I wish him the best and off I go. I make it into Moncton and could not get a warm shower or couchsurfer to let me in so I go to the C'mon Inn a hostel-It is quite swanky and has all the fixings one could hope for. The manager s from France, Alex. She has to do the laundry. I hope they have a good health care plan here or at the very least a "Chemical shower" of some sort because I wouldn't want to be handling my clothes without gloves now! I walk around the hostel in my bathing suit and goodwill sweater as this is the only clothes I have left-very classy. I strum on the guitar until 9 when I decide I am too sleppy and head to bed. A great sleep. I'm planning on spending 2 days here to take in some sights. Maybe I will even try to get some fiddle music in here somewhere. A lady at the gas station has also suggested Skinners Pond, the birthplace of Canadian Music Legend Stompin' Tom Conners! Got the time and Oct 17 seems pretty far away...
It is a dry quiet spot and I let my stuff drip (not dry) while the rain pours down outside. My newly aquired items make for great sleeping!
The rain has stopped the next day and I am down to my 3rd set of dry clothes while I set off for Moncton. I continue to follow 102 but just before I cross the bridge of some big river, the street I am on says dead end. Now, I am used to ignoring signs thinking that its just for cars but I do come to the street above the highway and it is fenced off. I try to sneak down under the bridge to see if I can get some access there but no luck! The person who made this fence was serious about no wildlife or bikers getting on that bridge.
I backtrack. Cyclists hate to do it but I'd met my match in the fencebuilder! I see a Shell sign and then a Robin's Donuts sign. I haven't seen Robins Donuts since the North of Ontario where it seems to have established a foothold there against the tide of Tims. I have some donuts and they are delicious, maybe even as good as when Tim's cooked their donuts in-store before. I ask the ladies at the counter how to get across the bridge and they tell me all the river ferries are out of my way so I head across the Hwy 2 bridge.
it is Sunday morning so at least there is not much traffic and there is even a wide lane for me not to impede traffic. I pass the no cyclists allowed sign with minor guilt. One trucker going the other way honks his horn. An RV comes up my way and honks his horn too. Such encouragement! I cross 2 other bridges illegally but there is no other choice.
i am happy to take Hwy 112 as an alternate and the rain comes and goes in waves. I stop in at a Covered bridge Tourist centre which the guy owns privately. He's nice enough to let me sit and drip in his office while drinking his pop and tells me that hwy 112 is the way I want to go. Its a nice route and even with the rain here and there, the leaves are quite spectacular. I am having bike troubles with my rack as one side has cracked and is listing heavily to port. I hear some some of brushing sound but cannot identify the source. Frustatrating. I make it to about 25 km outside of Moncton when I stop at the Giant Irving Gas Stop. It has everything there. Again, another thought about the laundry as I down to emergency sweaters at the bottom of my bag now for dry things. I recharge and stop at the DQ to compare the taste of Mint Oreo blizzards in Prince George-strictly scientific. Very well done. I see a bicycle carcass outside the DQ with paniers all around. I look inside and there is another wet cyclist. His tire has blown and he has seen 3 days of rain as well. He shows me his tire tube and the thing has to have at least 17 patches on it! He says he is biking the coasts but I dont really ask where hes going tonight. We are both a bit stunned from the deluge of rain that we are interested on getting the day over with and not drawing it out. I wish him the best and off I go. I make it into Moncton and could not get a warm shower or couchsurfer to let me in so I go to the C'mon Inn a hostel-It is quite swanky and has all the fixings one could hope for. The manager s from France, Alex. She has to do the laundry. I hope they have a good health care plan here or at the very least a "Chemical shower" of some sort because I wouldn't want to be handling my clothes without gloves now! I walk around the hostel in my bathing suit and goodwill sweater as this is the only clothes I have left-very classy. I strum on the guitar until 9 when I decide I am too sleppy and head to bed. A great sleep. I'm planning on spending 2 days here to take in some sights. Maybe I will even try to get some fiddle music in here somewhere. A lady at the gas station has also suggested Skinners Pond, the birthplace of Canadian Music Legend Stompin' Tom Conners! Got the time and Oct 17 seems pretty far away...