Finding the Pace

Today was our second-to-last day of riding on this tour. Endurance-wise, it has been demanding due to the region's remoteness and challenging terrain. It feels satisfying to be at this point, knowing we only have one 35-mile ride left to complete the nearly 1,600 miles from Montreal to Halifax, via Cape Breton Island and the Cabot Trail.

Our journey in 31 days of riding.

Today's ride made me reflect on the importance of planning, preparation, conditioning, and flexibility. These factors come into play before the tour begins and on a daily basis during the ride.

Planning occurs before the ride as you map out an itinerary and set goals. This process

requires time and patience, especially when considering distances, accommodations, and realistic timelines. Although our route and destinations are clearly outlined on paper, we monitor and adjust our plans daily due to ever-changing conditions.

Preparation relates to how you set up your bike. Consider what goes into the panniers, handlebar bag, and extra water bottles. In case of a "beer emergency" (when there's none at the destination), we ensure there's space to store a few cold ones for after the ride:)). Space is limited, so every item must be a necessity rather than a want. Each day, we evaluate our available space and make efficient use of our bike's carrying capacity, keeping in mind the need for the right weight to maintain a reasonable pace and avoid exhaustion.

Conditioning is another crucial aspect. While you can build basic cardio and strength before the tour, real conditioning occurs during the first ten days of riding. This requires patience, with some early discomfort, and an appreciation for daily improvements. It's also important to mentally focus on completing one ride at a time.

Lastly, flexibility is essential. This involves constant monitoring and adjusting to complete each day's ride and the entire tour. It requires being in sync with each other and maintaining open lines of communication. Each evening, after a ride, we work on this. Flexibility has been key to completing this journey. As we approach the end, we realized we could either take days off to rest or break long distances into smaller rides, which would mean riding 14 consecutive days to reach our destination on time. While this seemed demanding, it was the right decision, allowing us to arrive in Halifax tomorrow, hopefully rested, relaxed, and grateful for an unforgettable tour.

Where we stayed in Sheet Harbour