People, Ticklers and other Highlights
First Day May 1
The situation: Marv falling across the nearest lane on the road, just beyond the crest of a hill. Cars won’t see him until they are almost on top of him. He knows this.
Image: Marv writhing on the ground under his bike trying to get his feet detached from his clip-less pedals, while Ivy Pye (friend and cycling-mate) tries to block traffic behind him.
First Flat
Situation: Marv had a flat tire, which would have caused only a minor delay had they not forgotten their pump in Sandra’s car. Marv walked to the house of Lyle Fraser in Kinsula, who took time off from his field work to try two different pumps which plugged into his car to get them on their way. Thanks to Lyle, Marv and Loretta were on their way in an hour and made it to Barrière, their planned destination.
Thanks: Lyle Fraser of Kinsula for helping the Wideen Ride along.
Traveling Salesman
June 7
The sign on the back of their bike is proving to be a conversation piece the entire trip. On this day, they met a consultant who had passed them three times while on the road as part of his job, but was going too fast to read the sign. He just had to stop and find out what it said.
$13 Room
While I’m sure Loretta and Marv wouldn’t consider it a highlight, it tickled me. Ask yourself: What sort of room can you get in a small town in Saskatchewan for $13?
Picture this: An itty-bitty room with an itty-bitty bed. Did I mention old? The sheets don’t cover the bed and there are holes in the pillow cases. The room smells of smoke and there are construction workers next door. No phone, no plug. They didn’t mention whether or not there was a bathroom, but if there was a bathtub Loretta refused to use it. Their next day they stayed in a wonderful place and had an excellent meal and luxurious bath.
Editorial: One of the exciting aspects when you cycle across Canada is you get to see luxury from all angles!
Tacking Across the Prairies
I crack a joke on these pages about having to tack across the prairies because while they expected prevailing winds at their back they found themselves riding into the wind. One day later Marvin sends a note talking about his attempt to tack against the wind.
The Amazing Ida
Loretta and Marvin stayed in a 112 year-old hotel in Gladstone MB. It was run by an amazing woman named Ida. She checked them in, carried one of their bikes upstairs (she’s used to carrying supplies into the hotel), cooked them dinner, and then breakfast in the morning. Their description, “Ida was amazing, the hotel is marvelous.”
Of Ida, Loretta writes, “but above all, her interest and cheerful friendliness abounded with a ‘love of life.’ When we showed interest in all the artwork in the restaurant, she spoke with enthusiasm about the artist (Terry McLenan) and his portrayal of the early history of the area.”
Friendly Pub and Restaurant
Ben Koch works at Christoph’s Kneipe, a pub and restaurant at 154 Main Street S in Kenora ON. He began talking to Marvin and Loretta, and was so intrigued by their ride he invited them in and fed them. Ben is originally from Germany, and was stationed here when he was in the army. He loved it and immigrated afterward, ultimately marrying.
He fed them an excellent German meal.
Trucks
Trucks on the road present unique problems. No slight on truck drivers, they just happen to be driving the largest vehicles on the road and have the fewest options in terms of braking or veering into the next lane.
On two-lane highways (one each way), it gets particularly scary. Trucks can’t move over very far, and if the shoulder is poor or non-existent, they often find themselves getting off their bike to let the truck by. When traffic is heavier, trucks need to stay in the lane and are often followed by a tightly packed convoy of cars further reducing the options of the truck driver — he can’t even safely slow down.
Interestingly, a truck traveling in the same direction as our brave cyclists aren’t the only problem. The oncoming trucks can generate the most wind. One oncoming truck generated so much wind it ripped the plastic of Marv’s map case!
Cycling on two lane highways which also serve as major arteries in the region sometimes lead to troublesome situations. At its worst, they simply have to move over and get off their bikes. Marvin reports that sometimes they are within a meter of the truck, and when he watches it drive by Loretta it sometimes makes him wonder what he’s doing on that highway riding a flimsy bicycle.
Loretta describes it: You watch your rearview mirror all the time. You see the truck and hear the drone. As it is passing you, you hang on for all you’re worth, hoping for the best.
“Use our car”
Situation: Staying at the North Side Hotel in Vermilion Bay, our cycling duo needed to go to a restaurant for breakfast. It was pouring rain. Paul and Teri (of the North Side Hotel) lent their car so Loretta and Marv didn’t start their day with a drench.
Thanks: Paul and Teri for keeping my parents dry.
Coast-to-coast brethren
On July 13 & 14 Loretta and Marvin encountered brethren coast-to-coasters, people traveling across the country without benefit of a motor.
First was a younger couple, Martin and Anne Mack, who were from the Maritimes (St. Johns and Halifax). They had flown to Vancouver and were cycling back, camping all the way. They left Vancouver about a month after Marv and Loretta, passing them at lunch in Gravel River. Did I mention they were much younger? Loretta stressed that point.
Second was Coyote Kevin, a man running across the country. They encountered him in the morning while leaving Gravel River. He was also camping, and carrying his gear in a small cart he towed. He was on his 5th of 10 pairs of shoes, and hoped to hit St. Johns on New Years Eve — I guess his way of celebrating the new millennium. He talked about how much he enjoyed interacting with kids along the way, spreading his message of hope.
Third was John Ryan, paraplegic cyclist, from Whistler. He had set out from the Maritimes accompanied by fellow cyclists Tom and Sam, and by his father in a chase van. John had a special cycle which featured three wheels, elevated feet, and hand pedals. Loretta and Marv were amazed and humbled by John’s saga, who is raising money for spinal cord research. They took pictures, exchanging greetings, wished each other well, and set out down the hill.
Exciting encounters, each one surprising them. Martin and Anne were great, impressing Loretta and Marv with their progress and the fact they were camping all the way. Then they meet Coyote Kevin, and struggled with how someone could actually run across the country towing a mini-trailer and camping all the way. But neither of these encounters prepared them for John Ryan, pedaling with his hands. If you’ve ever cycled up a hill and recall how tiring it is for your legs, imagine requiring that level of strength and energy in your arms! Can you? Amazed and humbled they were.
I wish I could have taped the conversation as Loretta was relaying these encounters to me. Reading back, these written words seem so flat.
Random Acts of Kindness
Throughout Marvin and Loretta’s logs, and in conversations with them, they keep commenting on how helpful and kind people are. Whether it is the man who stops on the road to give directions, someone letting them into their kitchen because there is no restaurant at which to have breakfast, carrying bicycles up staircases, or rescuing them from the side of the road on a hot day, they keep encountering kind, helpful people.
It would be nice to list all examples somewhere on these pages. I select some notable ones periodically, comment on others in the chronology. Many are nameless people who just happen to provide a little help or warm wishes.
To all those people who may be reading these pages, thank-you for your help and providing a nice break for my parents (break from cycling that is). What they enjoy the most are the people they meet, the stories the hear, the kind words of encouragement, and an excuse to get off the bike.
Table d’hôte
Throughout Québec, they’ve enjoyed 3 course meals, great food and lots of it. They are typically left wanting more (they eat like horses), but have enjoyed the spreads of Québec.
The Atlantic
While enroute to Sainte-Slavie, Québec, they encountered the Atlantic Ocean. To be more accurate, the ocean’s winds encountered them. A blast of cold air blew between two houses, catching them off guard. It was akin to hitting the snow line on the Coquahalla, but much more pronounced. Up to that moment, the wind was at their back, then suddenly a cold wind in their face.
Of course, like any good cold ocean front, it brought rain.
Fidele Goguen
Fidele Goguen suffers from schizophrenia. They met him in Miramichi Nova Scotia. He wrote a poem dedicated to their ride:
“The Wideen Ride”
by Fidele Goguen Jr.
Their energy must come from hearts that really care
because anything can happen when they are along out there
But the Wideens decided to go no matter what the risk
to ease the pain and suffering was their one and only wish
to bike across this country, from one end to the other
to help people suffering with schizophrenia, out sisters and our brothers
like passing through the mountains that are rugged and strong
they want to help those passing through pain to live healthy and long
support for schizophrenia is what its all about
because many suffer along with pain, fear and doubt
so at 6 AM they got up and started each day
mile after mile along that endless highway
they were homesick too, they missed their grandchildren so much
and to go on without them they had to be tough
The “Wideen Ride” was chosen, and it is a good name
but they thought the “Journey of Courage,” could really explain
just how hard it is to go on when the body wants to quit
and how passing through Ontario was like a long and endless trip
but it will be just a short while and they will be flying back home
and their efforts will help people who are fearful and alone
Cows
When cycling through rural areas, they often passed cows grazing in the pastures. Those that were away from the edge of the road ignored them. But when they passed cows that were close to the edge of the road, the cows would watch.
These cows would ignore other traffic, but as our intrepid adventurers cycled by, the cows would watch, all heads slowly turning to keep their eyes on the cyclists. Was it fascination? interest? a break for boredom? easy prey? Who really knows, but on numerous occasions, their audience was cattle.
Kind of eerie if you ask me. Sounds like the basis of a good Hitchcockian movie.