Dear Family, Friends, Sponsors and Supporters:

This third and final leg of my X Canada ride, from Aurora to Halifax, some 2200 km, hasbeen a wonderful experience. The training and preparation efforts have paid off. It was not exactly a walk in the park, however, I feel I was better prepared physically and also felt more confident, largely thanks to the help of my volunteers Pam & Alan H., Pam M. and Irene. Some of you contributed much on a personal level. Thank You. I also thank my wife, whose wonderful support contributed to this life changing experience. Everything went according to plan…most of the time. In the communities I traveled through, without having confirmed accommodations, I was often pleasantly surprised by interesting experiences, which I will recount throughout this summary. I departed Aurora on August 16th, with a “send off” party, attended by many supporters, friends, family members and neighbors. I was accompanied by four eager cyclists Katia, Carlos, Lou and Rod. It was very comforting and proved to be a great start to this trek through the Eastern Provinces of our great Country.

From the first day to the last, at every stop and overnight stay, I met many wonderful people, like Carolyn and Garry, welcoming me at their B&B in Port Perry, Ontario.Meeting Bill Lishmann, our own Canadian Father Goose, who led a flock of geese with his ultra light plane onto a migration route and seeing his home near Peterborough, Ontario was the highlight of that day. (YouTube Video)

James and Nicole and her two sons, a most delightful family, were my “CS” (Couch Surfing) hosts in Peterborough. After a long day pedaling the many ups and downs on this stretch towards Ottawa, Barb in Marlbank, Ontario near Tweed, waited for me, offering her home for the night. Here I also met Sheila and Joel, on their way home from canoeing in Algonquin Park. Sheila, an accomplished photographer, took some great photos of me, which I quickly posted on my Facebook page. She also provided me with a CS contact for accommodations in Sussex, New Brunswick later on this trip.