Vancouver - Ready for Departure

Today, Wednesday 12 June, was taken up with a briefing by the tour organizers of how the trip will operate. We were introduced to Shane and Megan, young students who will be driving and cooking. 

The trip leaves at 8am tomorrow. They have supplied us each with a new cycling jersey to wear. 

For those with a keen interest in the route the first week is to Fort Langley, Hope, Manning Park, Hedley and Kelowna. This is about 500km.

There are 11 of us starting the trip. The tour company owner is also joining us for the first few days.

Reporting from here on depends on access to wifi, so don't be surprised if there is sometimes a few days between communications.

Deep Cove, Vancouver

Just been out for a few hours with Nelson looking at the sites. 

Deep Cove

Stanley Park looking toward the Lion Gate bridge and North Vancouver.

Monday 10 June

A lovely Monday in Vancouver. Catching up with colleague for a day out sightseeing. Attached a couple of shots at the University.

Vancouver

Saturday 8th June

Well I took the bus to town and got my new cell phone number. Visited the Museum of Anthropology for a couple of hours. Very modern and well laid out. Then some lunch at a local cafe followed by a bike ride. (30 km) I did a big loop along the coast and through the suburbs. Some really good signposting of cycle ways.

The suburbs were all well established with tree lined avenues. Now it's about 6 pm so I'll find a Hell Pizza shop and have dinner.

30km

Sunday 9 June

I'm still on NZ time, awake 1/2 the night!

Just got in from 4 hours out on the bike. Rode along the waterfront cycle way into the city and around Stanley Park. Thousands out enjoying the sun, though still quite a cool wind.

They have a shared walkway/cycle way all around their city waterfront. Lots of cafes, parks, people sailing and flying kites.

I'm meeting up with Nelson tomorrow. He is one of the cyclists who joined us on the European cycle holiday last year. 

48km

Vancouver

Well I've arrived in Vancouver at the start of my cycle ride across all 10 provinces of Canada. After 5 months and 4300km of training I'm ready to get going! 

For those who haven't been keeping up with my plans I'm joining a small group of 11 Canadians and riding 7500km across Canada over the next 11 weeks. I have a few days here to get ready and sightsee and then we leave Thursday 12th.

The weather here is quite cool with heavy overcast and wind. Not really summery at all. 

I've taken the bus to town and found a Telus stouts where I've got a new SIM card for the iPhone and new number. Liz has the #.

This afternoon I'll visit the Museum of Anthropology and go for a ride to make sure the bike is working, it having been assembled.

Typical Wellington Day

View from Kapiti coast while cycling

Tour TransCanada 2013

Photo of John on Silverstream Bridge near Upper Hutt. Well, this year has seen John training for a ride across Canada. The tour leaves Vancouver on June 11 and finishes 24 August at St Johns in Newfoundland.
John has been off work since mid December 2012, a great summer to be out if work! The weather has been the driest for 70 years in Wellington.
John and Liz will be spending a month in the north east of Canada and the USA on tour after the cycle trip.