First Day Fumbles

I’ve just reconnected my Facebook and Twitter profiles to this website for the journey. Facebook users can click on the small arrow to the right of this post and select “Hide WordPress” to not get bothered by them, otherwise enjoy!

I suppose technically Wednesday the 7th of April was my first day out on the road, however I packed all of my bags and left the day before, heading into Vancouver, BC for one last time to say goodbyes to my mom, and make a last-minute pit stop at the Bike Store. My brake cable had snapped, shifter was loose, headset was making a clanking noise, and my cyclometer failing to register any results when the wheel was spinning. I figured it would be kind of difficult to start an expedition with such issues.

It also gave me an opportunity to meet someone who I’ve chatted with over the past few weeks about an upcoming bike trip of her own along with her roommate down to San Francisco and beyond. Both Meghan and her roommate Anna met up with me at an english style pub and gulped down a few beers, laughed about dealing with the wildlife, and the amount of people doing double takes at my fully loaded rig on the side of Denman street. Eventually, I was able to show Meghan the entire gear I had packed, while shaking my head at every 3rd piece.

I’m way over packed. Now, if you seem to recall only a post back I said I had 1/3 more of the gear, in half the space – I fell into the trap hard on Sunday and Monday, cramming more and more into these little panniers. For example:

- I never had the opportunity to return rolls of coins to the bank to exchange for cash. I figured it would be a good idea to bring $80 of coins along with me. I will slowly burn through these towards the end of the day.

- Not one, but three books. Two of them I’m not interested in the slightest, but I will put in my est effort to get through them.

- A Zoom Q3 Video Camcorder with excellent audio dynamics. OK, sure, thats electronics – But, Dave, how about you take it out of the box and leave that at home? I figure I’m unsure if I want to use it so may want to resell it, but really, at the price I picked it up for, I won’t get anything even remotely close to the same quality.

- 2 computer mice. One bluetooth and one not – But, I do have a bluetooth adapter, so guess which ones getting the boot.

- 11 cans of tuna. 18 Granola Bars. 1kg of Trail Mix. 3 packs of gum. 6 5 hour energies – OK, this was all given to me by my family a few weeks ago. In retrospect I should have just eaten it all by now before leaving, but, this is allowing me to bring back fond memories while I squeeze the water out of the cans of fish.

- Back to electronics – My “cord” bag is getting bigger and bigger, I’ll have to figure out something about this sooner than later as it’s on the verge of explosion.

That being said, 1/3 of my gear will be sent home within weeks, I’ll keep you all updated on the juicy details on which makes the cut and which doesn’t. I left the cheese grater at home this time

Those expecting daily posts from this journal will be disappointed to know is that I’m hoping to post sporadically and focus more on pictures, brief tidbits of info (Twitter and the like) and, well, not computing. I will have internet access for the majority of the cross Canada tour, and those wishing to get ahold of me can use my telephone number for text messages only, or may add me on Skype as ‘earthtodavid‘ and we’ll find a way to connect. Email is always the most preferred.

I’ve just managed to finish eating my breakfast, brunch, whatever you want to call it. First days of a tour are always a bit of a fiasco, and mine was no different. I ended up spending the night at Anna & Meghan’s, due to a last-minute bail of the original host at 11:30pm, and was on the road by 8:30am, but not before being given a care package of home-baked bread, and homemade soup from their other roommate Martin. I rode with Meghan over to Richmond before parting ways, making my way over to the Massey Tunnel, which connects the cities of Richmond, BC and Delta, BC. Too bad that when I got there, there were no shuttles available to take me through until 4pm. My only other option was to backtrack towards Surrey, and take the Alex Fraser bridge. 40km later, I was back where I needed to be, on the other side of the tunnel. I made my way over to the Tswaassen ferry terminal while battling some of the most intense crosswinds (throwing me from side to side nearly toppling me and my extra heavy load) happy to have found a place to stay inside and rest my legs. Unfortunately, my destination ‘Mayne Island’ was not sailing until way later in the evening, so I opted to sail to Schwartz Bay on Vancouver Island, and spin the wheel of misfortune trying to find a reasonable sailing to another one of the gulf islands before sundown. I picked Saltspring Island, and specifically Ruckle Provincial Park.

My last ferry arrived at 7:30pm and the mad dash was on to make the 10km ride before sundown. With the blustery winds, heavy rain, and a complete lack of bearings, I made it at 8:20 in the dark. Found a spot after soaking my feet in puddles and commenced the laborious task of setting up the tent, sleeping pad, and bag. Memories of last tour came forward, and I adopted my earlier efficiencies and was in the tent, stripped down to nothing and warm in the bag by 8:30. Sent a few text messages and had a laugh about the spot where yet another friend is embarking on a cross canada journey had stopped for the night and closed my eyes and went to sleep.

Sort of. The wind apparently was 50-70km/H and the rain was machine-gun like, battering my fly. I awoke multiple times, but didn’t use earplugs, sleeping pillz or anything else, and for that I feel good – New phase in life, no more requirements to be so obsessive compulsive over things like that anymore. 8am came quick, and I poked my head out of the tent, saw blue skies, smiled, and went back to bed for another 2.25 hours. Why not?

I plan on hanging around Saltspring Island for a few more days before heading over to Mayne, Galiano, Saturna, and Pender Islands like originally planned. Ferry service is better on the weekends so I will take advantage of it. Finally, I will head over to Victoria, BC – for an unknown amount of time. I am trying not to overstay any welcomes, however I’d really like to be in the city for next weekend to spend some time with a friend.

Coffee is nearly drank, Soup is gone, and I’m going to go hiking, come back soon!

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