cycling from Seattle 2017

Miles. Washington state   With Keith   544 Washington state   On own        570 Idaho                                            72 Montana                                     857 North Dakota                             475 Minnesota                          ...

Home. So Boxed the bike up at David and Brenda's home. Bit of effort getting the pedals off, but managed. Taxi on Tuesday morning to the airport, where I left the bike in the very reasonably priced left luggage for the day. Checked in with Icelandic air, outsize luggage right next to check in desk, so no manovering box through airport. Changed planes in Rekeyvik  Arrived and collected box in Glasgow.     Reasembeled bike outside Glasgow airport, snapped front brake cabel, human error (my fault), cycled along the flat carefully, as no front brake to Paisley train station, then on to Glasgow Queen street. Keith met me in Inverness.      Have cycled a recorded  4173 miles always a bit down as minor trips to for example grocery store in the evening are not always included. Statistics on nights stayed where and states milage will follow.

41 miles back to Mississauga Back along the waterfront trail making sure I take it all in! The twists the turns, the boardwalks over the marsh areas, and the Saturday recreational cyclists, walkers and multiple users of the winding trail. Staying at a warmshowers with Dave and Brenda, who are very kindly putting up with me for 3 nights until my plane on Tuesday. Dave repairs cycles at the weekend and in the evenings.     Sunday spent helping Brenda in the garden. Fortunatly there was a shed to clean out, much more my style than plants.Amazing how much more tiring gardening is than cycling!

No cycling So no cycling so some thoughts on Canada instead. 1. They have a Canadian coffee shop/takeaway chain called Tim Hortons. When I first went into one I thought I was going into a family style dinner. Wrong it is more like a Macdonalds. However, apparently everything about it is Canadian The egg and bacon on an English muffin plus a cup of coffee costs less than 5 Canadian dollars.       On the menu board they give the calorie count of the products. The muffin (as above) has 300 calories apparently I as an average female need 2000 calories a day!  2. The local treat here is a pecan pie. These little pastry tarts have a gooey caramel filling with pecan nuts on the top (no custard of any kind). They are very good  - not sure how many calories. But then maybe I cycle more a day than the average female! 3. I feel very much more at home here than in the USA they even have the Queens head on the bank notes. 4. In the USA senior discount...

56 miles to Toronto Cycling along the Waterfront trail which comes and goes! Reached Burlington, where I knew I could get a map of trail. Something which for some obscure and unknown reason is only available at the equivalent of 'go outdoors' on the outskirts. Not even Reuben and Heidi last nights cyclists had one or knew where to come by one. What a difference it made! could see which path I was meant to take. Plus was able to point others in the right direction!      As I got nearer to Toronto the level of traffic on the trails increases. Skateboarders, rollerskaters, mothers jogging pushing double buggy prams., racing cyclists, people just stopped on bend, traffic lights. Probably more stressful to cycle than a main road.    However this off road route takes you right into the heart of Toronto. Staying in the university halls of residence. Which opens its doors to act as a hostel in the summer. Have my own student room in a 5 person flat (flat has ki...

76 miles to Hamilton I visited Niagara falls again. The only way to see these falls, whirl pools, and cliff sides is by cycling. there is a great route. First the parkway with limited (no lorries) vehicle access, and a low speed limit, takes you alongside the Niagara river. The U.S.A. and the city of Buffalo is on the other side. Then there is a cycle /walkway which takes you across small river tributary bridges, and along ramp- ways on the river, giving views of the falls, spray, and eddies. Then you get  the falls themselves which are stunning. On the Canadian side I think the tourism has been well managed. Certainly the crowds must have come a different route from me.      After visiting again  I carried on the cycle path to come out at Lake Ontatio. Continued on the waterways trail to Hamilton. This area has a micro climate, which makes it good for  fruit and vine growing. Lots of stalls, plus larger outlets selling, peaches, apricots, plums, t...

43 miles to Niagara Falls then back to camp Continued along the cycle path to Port Erie this morning. Then I spent a long time trying to change my flight home. Was not due to leave Toronto until the end of August, have managed to get a flight on the 22nd so that is only a week. I am only a couple of days from Toronto.      So after that I cycled a bit further then checked into a campsite. Then started to cycle to the falls without all my gear. Just as I was at the site entrance who should appear but Denise and Coby. I thought they were way ahead of me. They would have been but had had to return home for a few days for family reasons. it was great to see them, and we cycled to see the falls, along with a father and daughter on a tandem. I   even managed to return Denise her book on North Korea! Will not see them again as they are going east from here.     Looked at the falls which were very impressive. Looked at the rainbow bridge, th...

Sat. 12th  63 miles to Port Ryerse Sun. 13th 78 miles to Ridgeway Have been following Lake Erie for the last couple of days. A shallow lake which separates Canada from the USA. As I get towards Fort Erie the coast opposite becomes visible. This is a fruit growing area, with stalls along the roadside. Cannot resist the peaches even through there are just too many  for me. An enterprising trio of children were also selling lemonade on the roadside. This is a popular area for cycling. I have also been passing vineyards.      On Saturday night I camped in a conservation area, which as far as I could tell just meant a camp site operated by the conservation department.          Quite a lot of road kill about, sadly including a young turtle. Plus birds of prey in the air.    The next day I had a very social trip as I stopped and talked to oher cyclists at frequent intervals Colleen has been cycling from Miniap...

So far 48 miles to Port Stanley  through might get further. I thought Port Stanley was in the Falkland Islands, but then again I thought Morpeth was in Northumberland. It was a wet ride to begin with this morning. But that is fine, the wind was behind me. I stopped at a café for breakfast after 25 miles. Just as I was about to ask for the bill, my voice acted by its self and asked for a blueberry pancake! So I ate that as well. It was delicious. Have been passing blueberry farms. By that time it had stopped raining, and I have arrived here. A great little port with a swing bridge on Lake Eyrie. There is even an old train line. The type of place you just want to stay in.       So am staying with Bob and Marge from warmshowers. They live in Port Stanley and due to rain I have stopped with them. Mind, nice and sunny now. Sitting with great views of the river and I am sure I can see a fishing boat.     I am glad I took this route. The q...

INTO CANADA 82 miles to Lake Eyrie coast below Morpeth    (28 miles in Michigan USA 54 miles in Ontario Canada) I cycled down to Marine City (some very rutted cycle paths), to get the ferry across to Ontario. I went into the USA customs to see if they need to stamp me out or anything but apparently not. Then onto the very small ro ro ferry. 2 cars and me. Across the St Claire waterway and out on the  other side Showed my passport asked if I was carrying any firearms answer no and I am on my way.       Cycling alongside the St Claire waterway was beautiful, then it was inland through farmland to the first town of Wallaceburg, where I went to a cashpoint to get Canadian dollars. Ontatio is mostly (but not all) flat, so easy to cover distance. No camp sites until the Lake Eyrie coast hence the miles. However for the last 20 miles it was very hot and I was cycling into the wind.      When I reached the site it...

31 miles to Port Huron A short ride to Port Huron. I am staying at Bonnie's place, but without Bonnie who is away on holiday. She has an amazing apartment off the main house all kitted out for cyclists. There is even food in the fridge! Though her daughter has invited me for supper. My washing is in said daughter's washing machine at the moment.      I have been planning my future route. Plane back is not until end of August, but might be able to bring that forward. Will, however, take the longer and easier option to reach Toronto. So will follow Adventure Cycling Route to Fort Erie. Then follow the Niagara Parkway, passing Niagara falls to Lake Ontario. Then follow the Lake route to Toronto.  I will cross into Canada on the ferry at Marine City tomorrow.     So that is all written down.!

61 miles to Yale After my breakfast in Macdonalds. I cycled to Millington where I unpacked most of my things again, including the tent to dry them out. The memory of Thane appearing from his basement with my clean washing is long gone.     I then cycled through a series of farming towns, with long stops in each one. In the tourist hamlet of Otter Lake I had an ice cream. In North Branch I sat at a picnic table and watched the world go by. In Brown city I bought some peaches and took photos. Did this small town really invent the motor home?    Here in Yale there is no camp site, but the small motel is geared up for cyclists, i.e it is clean, but worn looking and not expensive It also houses a dog grooming service.      I have just been into town to the grocery store to buy food for tea. A lot of murals on the walls, and there seems to be a small vintage car meeting. If they wanted to they could drive up, speak into the speaker,...

88 miles to Vasser Cycling South along an increasingly busy road towards Port Huron. Good shoulder though, so fine. I passed a great fresh food outlet which also sold the local Michigan cheese. They had great big punnets of blueberries, sweet corn ,dried fruits and loads of home cured jerky (dried meats).     I had planned to camp at the Port Huron recreational area, a natural forest area just before you get into this large town. BUT, it started sheeting with rain, just at a point where I had no shelter. So I cycled into town in search of a café. Used a combination of the cycle route (which disappeared on me) and Bob's planning - which was good, to reach the centre, and squelched into the library. I had to empty my shoes of water first, and left a very large wet patch on the seat when I left.      A motel would have been good, but I do not think that the Ramada Hotel would want me or that I would like the price. It started to dry up and I ended up...

74 miles to Just below Tawas city on the coast of Lake Huron I have had such a lovely time on Friday evening and Saturday. Thane has been so kind introducing me to friends and including me in family events. I certainly think that I have met some of the future Olympic gymnasts.    This morning Thane cycled with me for 11 miles to breakfast stop. Sue and her son Clark left a bit earlier, 10 year old Clark was riding his new trek bike. Sue is working in the bike shop on Saturdays to pay for it!      Michigan gets the award for the state which has the best bakeries. The cinnamon rolls are so big we divided one in four. Do not worry I had a very large omelette as well.    Then it was time to say goodbye. I got a parting present of a packet of new bunjees- not sure what happened to mine!     Just one road South following (mainly) the coast and some refreshing warm rains showers. I missed the state park were Bobby had recommended me...

Friday 68 miles to Alpena Then No cycling on Saturday. Cycled down the road stopping at a great bakery on route. I could not decide what to have so ended up with a cinnamon roll and a chocolate brownie.     I reached Alpena by 4 pm and as arranged telephoned Thane. It took him 3.5 mins. to come and collect me! Not sure how I can describe my evening and next day. There is nothing like meeting friends cycling. 4 years since I have met Thane and Bobby, but I have been treated like a V.I.P. Have visited a couple of old lighthouses. Friday evening was spent at the local brewery, Saturday. evening the local winery. In between went to a childrens' birthday party. Plus have been made to feel so welcome, been introduced to friends  and family. Have even been given a free teeshirt by the local bike shop.  My route to the Canadian border has been planned. No words can describe my appreciation for the welcome I have been given this weekend. Great to have spent ti...