Day 9, Saturday July 19

Want to make mention that this is the 3rd time I have written this blog- Day 9. I have absolutely no idea where my 10,000 word blog went. I will attempt to write this blog again but a shorter condensed version. Ralf is sitting up with me until I finish it. As you have probably guessed, Ralf has completed his bike tour hours ago. I'm 'walking on egg shells' as I type this. Megan had advised me to do blog on notepad so as not to lose it but we see how that turned out. So I'm doing blog the way I've done the other ones. Enough said ...
To get to Confederation Bridge from the Little Shemogue Inn you turn left out of laneway and cycle/ drive for 20k. 10k was gravel. Marko  said you will see the bridge the entire way. No cyclists or pedestrians permitted on bridge so Ralf had to put bike and himself in car . It was a 13k drive across Confederation Bridge and then just 50k to Charlottetown. I dropped Ralf off at the gas station just as you drove off the bridge. They had an antiquated car wash there so I thought my car could use some sprucing up. The suction was so strong going through the drying cycle it almost ripped my (r) windshield wiper off. I thought I'd have to use the duct tape I brought.
This was the hardest cycle for Ralf. It was nothing but up hill and down hills for 50k. But to call them hills is an understatement. It reminded me of cycling in Vermont. At least when Ralf was cycling the Appalachian mountains it levelled out on top before it went down. In PEI when you reached the top , you're heading down before you blink. Cycling through NB Ralf would have me meet him with water every 20k. It started out that way in PEI but Ralf  quickly requested the water breaks at 15k then 10k .
PEI is so beautiful, so lush- so not New Brunswick.
When we reached Charlottetown it was so disappointing. No sign saying  'Welome to Charlottetown'. We needed to stand beside something for photo - op. We met at Tim Hortons to map out another location to end our journey. We are booked at the Rodd Hotel in downtown Charlottetown. So we thought we would make that our final stop and spot for photo - op. So Ralf got back on his bike, I in my clean, shiny car and off we drove to end Ralf's Ride at the Rodd Hotel.
Ralf and I are going to start our vacation tonight with a lobster dinner and some bubbly. Then tour PEI with Ralf IN car for a day, spend 2 days in Bar Harbour, 2 days in Kennebunkport and make our way back home stopping in Kingston briefly.
Will blog later when I have final amount raised for the new Brampton Hospital and give advice for next (: and last :) cycle. FYI, Ralf plans to cycle from Vancouver to Calgary so that by his 65th he will have cycled across Canada.
Once again Ralf is fast asleep and I am burning the midnight oil writing this. I am so not a night person so going to turn in.
                                          "Good night John boy"

Approaching Confederation Bridge

Driving over Confederation Bridge 

Almost lost windshield wiper in PEI car wash 

Yay we made it!! 

Rodd Hotel in Charlottetown 

Before and after map...

Day 8, Friday July 18

Ralf to bathroom several times in am. Apparentally unbeknownst to me he was up to the bathroom several times through the night. Ralf said wings and beer not the best diet for  Tour de New Brunswick. I on the other hand was fine ... Thank you for asking Ralf.
Went to exercise room after breakfast - just to look at it, not to work out. Brought workout clothes and shoes, that will never be  soiled in sweat on this journey.
Ralf happy to discover that bicycles permitted on major highways. So he will be travelling to Sussex on hwy 1. Will meet up with Ralf in Petitcodiac, approximately 32 k away.
As I drive down highway I'm thinking about this past week. How sitting in a car for a week can pass so quickly. Where does the time go? I feel like I've experienced being a homeless person living out of their car. If I had to sleep,in my car it would have been a tight ( and smelly) fit with Ralf's bike, his gear, suitcases, cooler holding the water bottles, bike gear/ pump/ tool box, and Quebec cans of maple syrup.
#9  2011 Top 10 list is working. NO -foul odours inside car ... Hallelujah!
Pulled over to side of highway for photo- op - didn't want Ralf to stop- he stopped. Said his cleat was loose and needed to tighten it. Thank goodness I pulled over ... could have been another 'technical difficulty' moment. Transport trucks whizzing by - closer than I would have liked. Before Ralf took off he needed to apply more bum butter to chaffed area. He forgot to apply first thing this am - really Ralf? Putting hand in his crotch at side of highway to apply bum butter - stop smiling Ralf (lol)!
Ralf listening to my (old) iPod . From start of tour the same song kept repeating for hours every day. Ralf can't remember name of song except that it was a bad song (must of been one of the kid's ... Robyn's). I am not a tech geek but I was able to put iPod on TIT shuffle mode - Triathlete in Training. Kids downloaded my favourite songs when I did a mini triathlon years ago ( FYI came in 3rd). He's going to hear some wicked songs from my favourite musical Wicked.
Met Ralf in Petitcodiac. If the people reading this blog never get to Petitcodiac, don't bother, it's not worth the drive unless it's on your way (to nowhere). The highlight of this town is the This and That store that is going out of business. 40% off this and that but I didn't find any this or that that I needed so back to Irving gas station to await Ralf.
Enjoying the gingersnap cookies we bought at Mary's Bakery and Luncheonette a few days ago. Actually tasting better the longer they age ;)
Arrived in Moncton. Big (?) multicultural festival going on ( the Main Street). Had a great lunch at Piatto's- individual pizza of choice and a salad. Piatto means plate in Italian. This would be a great addition to any city especially Brampton .... not, never, nada happening unfortunately.
Ralf reports easiest cycle today- wind behind him all day; wide shoulders on highways, cool temperatures. Sussex to Port Elgin.
Port Elgin makes Petitcodiac look good. Bridge or treesel over river. Large group of boys gathered there ; some jumping off  highest point into river. Okay that's about it for Port Elgin except to make note that it must be the mosquito capital of Canada.
Drove to Little Shemogue Inn. Very quaint; very European. German owners - Marko and Jeanine Wensel. Had gourmet dinner; Nova Scotian blended bottle of white wine with 3 course meal. Sat a table for 2- reconverted sewing machine. All tables in inn a reconverted something.
After supper retired with liqueur to write blog. Ralf had a whiskey and crashed. I was so tired that I went to bed with blog unfinished. Started again this morning before breakfast and thank goodness I didn't finish blog. So many typos and unfinished sentences. Hate to look back on previous blogs as they may be the same way. I'm up late writing them while Ralf is sawing logs ...  geesh ...
While having a typical European breakfast I heard the Canadian tenors music playing. I thought how unusual to hear that music here and then I realizes I'm still in Canada. Guests here at the inn speak predominantly German, some French; 2 people speak a little English (Ralf and moi).
Okay ralf anxious to get a move on. Asked if he was sad that bike tour ending and you said "not at all".

No wind, asphalt good, flat terrain :)

 Wired for sound before heading out in Hwy 1 towards Moncton

...The road is long... the wind is at his back and so am I.

Day 7, Thursday July 17

Went down for lean continental breakfast and saw total of 4 women staying in motel- they were probably hiding last night from those raunchy men.
Opened car door to put suitcases in - WHEW ! - what smells ?!! EGAD - Ralf left wet socks and shoes in car overnight. Once again Ralf, cardinal rule #9  from Top 10  list 2011 " keep cycling shoes and socks double bagged when left overnight in car". Necessary to drive with windows open to air Escape out. Fortunately not raining today. Good- bye Florenceville, home of the McCain French fry. Don't think I will ever be returning.
Ralf unable to find his Bum Butter. Really needs to lather up. He thinks it fell out of suitcase last night when all his clothes fell out of suitcase. He didn't want to ask at front desk if anybody turned it in so when he rode off  I asked receptionist. No one turned it in; checked under car and nothing there.
Will buy a diaper rash cream (  Penaten ) at drugstore if I happen to see one.
Today it's a cloudy day but sun is peeking through. Half expected to see Noah on his ark yesterday.
Stopped at the Celtic Fox Coffee House - a coffee shop with a gallery of local artisans works. A hub of activity. Women, children, men of all ages. Think some of them were the local artists. Love the interaction of people in small towns. Ralf met up with me here but took off after he downed an ice tea. I lingered longer as I loved to hear the chitter chatter and exchanges of stories between the people. I had finished my coffee but I faked drinking coffee from an empty cup so I had reason to hang out longer. I just kept writing in my journal - they probably  thought I was a writer like J.k. Rowling. Men sitting outside, women and children sitting inside coffee house and R.K. Rowling.
Back in car, odour still lingering. Phone call from Ralf "technical difficulties" needs support vehicle to meet him as unable to pedal. Apparently shoe cleat broke off so can't clip in to pedal. Bike placed in car; off to bike shop (Savages) in Fredericton to get new clips for cycle shoes, new spare tire, a couple of tire tubes, Bum Butter, tune up as gears coated in mud and sludge.
3:00 bike good to go. No wind, asphalt good, flat road.  But bum extremely sore despite application of bum butter before leaving store. Ralf hoping to get a little TLC from nurse tonight as bum really sore. Nurse Valerie  rx'd  warm sitz bath in tub tonight and apply more bum butter.
No place to lodge tonight from where Ralf stopped cycle (7:45). In the middle of nowhere. So drove to Sussex- accommodation at Amsterdam Inn and Suites. 3 rooms left- lovely place. Went across street to have dinner -wings ,cold beer and decadent chocolate cake a la mode and whipped cream.
Tomorrow am we will drive back 45 min to pick up where Ralf left off (Coles Island).
Goal for tomorrow - push hard and get to Port Elgin. Almost there ( Charlottetown :)!

Day 6, Wednesday July 16

Left Best Western at 0800. Morning fog, light rain. Will meet up in St Leonard. Light rain turned into heavy down pour.Staying on hwy 144;  staying off hwy 2 aka Trans Canada hwy.

Lunch in Grand Falls. Ralf went ahead to get table; I went to ladies room. Aside from the usual, needed to wash hands and freshen up. Walked out to area overlooking the St John river. Plunked purse down, threw map on table and proceeded to sit down when I heard a voice, not Ralf's, "excuse mademoiselle " ... And I responded " oops,you're not Ralf". Ralf was sitting on opposite side of  room. Aside from the fact the gentleman was wearing a mauve shirt and tie, a blue outdoor jacket he did have silver hair. I think I would have eventually clued in I was at the wrong table. It's too early to have a drink (?) 11:30, 30 more minutes but who's counting ...1 Mississippi ,2 Mississippi ...
We each had a bowl of hot soup as day warranted it. I'm so glad I am in car. It's dry and warm in there. I hesitate putting window down when I meet up with Ralf as the rain gets in and makes my car wet. Imagine going threw a car wash with your windows down.
On Rte 105, Ralf  blew side wall of  back Kevlar tire that he's had since Michigan  2011. Thankful for support vehicle to his rescue with extra (new) tire. As soon as we get to Fredrickton tomorrow going to Savages to get spare tire.
Rte  105 scenic but road rough on tires. Deer crossed over hwy in front of me- unable to snap picture in time. Saw skunk scurrying down shoulder of hwy.
Highlight of day was  stopping at Mary's Bakery and Luncheonette for chilli and gingersnap cookies. Chilli was actually very good (think I've been in car too long)
Eventually arrived in Florenceviile Bristol, home of McCain family. Head office here,lots of potatoes and their private air strip. Staying in Florenceville Motel as well as a zillion hydro workers. Workers VERY loud, swearing and burping. If they were trying to impress me they didn't.  One room left, so we had to take it. Miss the ambience of the Quebec Chateau Frontenac.
Ralf taking suitcases out of car in teaming rain; his clothes emptied on pavement. "Oh, Val!" ... "Oh, Ralf!" Guess I never closed suitcase when getting out dry clothes at lunch... oops, sorry! Due to been wet all day, chaffing in places where sun doesn't shine. Rx . bum butter bid od.
Anne, every house up for sale by Exit here in NB.
Total km for today 140; rain all day, headwinds,  ++ detours.
Goal for tomorrow - sun (?) Fredrickton

Mary's Bake Shop

Day 5 Tuesday July 15

What a day!!!!!
Started out at 8.Goal was to reach Edmondston  New Brunswick by nightfall.
Starting at sea level, the first three hours was climbing .  It would be a tough day of cycling. Very few cycle shoulders; hugging highway and sharing it with huge semis.
Meeting up with Ralf every 10 k to provide water for hydration. Using old car rag to wipe face, his fac,. Will have to add rag to his dirty laundry tonite.
Ralf regretting every dessert he's ever had .
Waiting for Ralf in Rivière Blue. While waiting was bit near (r) eye by a bug. Ralf shows up and leans bike against car!!!!!!! If you remember my Top 10 list 3 years ago when Ralf was cycling from Calgary, # 7 on the list said "don't place bike against car- it's not a bike rack". Ralf's power aid drink splattered on my car when I opened door ... red dots all over car. Eventually Ralf left and I stayed behind to make notes. Seconds later, Ralf called and said meet him at top of hill. He sounded perturbed. I quickly left to join him. I thought he was either hit by a semi or had the infamous flat tire. None of the aforementioned. Ralf said I damaged his rear tire when I opened the door!!!! Rule # 7- don't lean your bike on my car. Tire was bent. Really?, could you not have cycled on it. So bike put in Escape, Ralf in front seat, driving to the nearest bike repair shop- Edmondston. Thank you Megan for finding repair shop on line. Went to Jessome's Source for Sports to their bicycle repair shop. Technician said the damage was not caused by me closing door on bike- rim of tire toast. "Apology accepted, Ralf!" New tire put on bike- metal fatigue . They only had one rim that would fit his bike  ... praise God ... God is having too much fun with Ralf's ride. What will tomorrow bring? This is turning out to be more stressful for me then Ralf. I may finish the ride starting tomorrow Ralf can blog and be my support vehicle ... easy peasy.
Hunkered down at the Best Western. Goal for tomorrow, undetermined; weather dependant.
Ttyl,xx

Bug bite in car... ouch!

Jessome'e Source for Sport's to repair bent rim

A selfie from carrying Ralf's flat tire...

Day 4 Monday July 14

Well 2 days in Quebec was great. It was like being in Europe without the flight. Back to business.
Before leaving Ralf pumped air into his tires. First tire pumped - pin gone . Ralf thought it was dislodged in the pump. I used my tweezers and paperclip to pry pin loose from pump. Unsuccessful removing pin. Meanwhile Ralf changed tube. Turns out  the stem on tube had broken off when putting air in tire. It was a malfunctioning tube. Thankfully I didn't remove pin in pump as it belonged to pump. Once new tube in Ralf pumped tire up as hard as a ... rock. Apparently valve dislodged when Ralf removed pump, unbeknownst to him.
Ralf off and running .... cycling ...
Reviewing trip tic before leaving. Great, Trip Tic only to Quebec . Organizing tools in support  vehicle- tweezers (check), paperclip ( check),stainless steel cooler with lots of water and no ice (check), toolbox (check), duct tape (check). Haven't had to use the duct tape yet but if I didn't have it Murphy's law would have kicked in.
22 degrees; cloudy; wind on Ralf's back.
 Meeting Ralf in Montmagny for lunch.
Wearing Nike headband under helmet. It was full of sweat when he wrung it out. Water poured out ... yuk ... and now I'm going to have lunch.
Goal for today - reach St. Alexandre by nite fall.
12:45- I'm due for a nap. This 'support vehicle' is harder than it looks. Better find a McD's or Timmy's as I need a caffeine hit.
Meeting Ralf in Rivière du Loupe, travelling on 132 est. Detour ... Distracted by phone call from Rosalyn Gluck, missed detour hwy. got so lost ...  driving on gravel, windy roads; bobcat bolted across road  ( s*#!) ... windows securely closed. PC from Ralf ... "where are you?" Answer #¥*!
Went back to original  detour and found signs- back on track; met up with Ralf . Planned to meet at junction 132 est and 283 sud. in 2 hours (2100 hrs)
Met up with Ralf . Asked about his navigating thro detour. He plowed thro and ignored workers instruction to turn back. Ralf ended up going thro peoples backyards with his bike (1/4 mile of detour); crashing some peoples pool parties by waving to people.
Total k for today was 170k
Staying in Rivière du Loupe  Universal Hotel . Our choices were: retirement home which we checked out-.thought it was a Bed and Breakfast; a rubby dub bar/ hotel that appealed to Ralf and the Universal Hotel which is very nice hotel- welcomes cyclists.
Tomorrow Ralf taking an old railway track to New Brunswick. I will travel on hwy.
So far terrain has been flat; temperatures cool and wind is at his back . But Ralf feels God has a questionable sense of humour and things could change. We have to thank Marg Kitely for her prayers for great weather.
Well time to turn in but tune in tomorrow for more of Ralf's Ride.
NN ;)

Always carry duct tape

Day 3 ... Friday July 11th

Going to make this short. Drove from Malton to Quebec in 9/10 hours. In case you're wondering, I had no flats .
Ralf made it to Delta Hotel in downtown Quebec by 6:30. He said the cycling was tough- many times big transport trucks brushed by him. Cycling paths were very narrow.
Navigating thro downtown Quebec was stressful. Made Toronto on a long weekend, Friday at 5:00 , look like a sleepy rural town. Sounded like a truck driver. Good thing windows were closed!Can't believe I'm doing this again! My GPS, nicknamed Emily, has a hard time pronouncing English street names... imagine me trying to figure out her French!
Billy Joel is one of the many artists performing in Quebec City this weekend.
Ralf limping; my (r) foot cramped from placed on pedal for most of the day- not a pretty picture.
Had a great dinner; shared a bottle of wine.
Ralf sleeping as soon as his head hit pillow; I will follow as soon as I publish this.
Good night. xx

washing out Ralf's biking sweat band and clothes...

Day 2 ... Thursday July 10

5:40 start
Montreal very difficult.  Trip tic had him on hwy. 132 which turns into 400 series !!!!  Ended up on major expressway - SCARY and for Ralf to say that it must have been terrifying.  Able to get off with all major ( and minor) body parts intact.  Picked his way through Montreal .  Had first flat since Michigan 3 years ago.  Had a déjà vu experience - tire changed quickly and back in the saddle. Cycled on bike trail along the St. Lawrence River.  Had lunch in quaint restaurant ... Stayed awake.
Humped it through Sorel Quebec. First time back since a baby ... very few memories ( actually none came to mind) ... Sorel is an industrial town, not pretty, much like Hamilton. Able to get back tire properly inflated there.  Small hand pump he travels with unable to reach correct pressure.  Store owner very hospitable - a cyclist himself- very interested in hearing about purpose of  cycle.
Target to get to Nicolet.  Checked in to Hotel Montfort Nicolet.  A converted monastery - Ralf should sleep very well (lol). Had gourmet dinner.  Appetizer- goat cheese on crostini with maple syrup pecans drizzled over it;  main course scallops, from frozen not fresh.  Looking forward to fresh scallops in Kennebunkport.  Beer to start, white wine (Spanish Sauvignon Blanc) with main course.
Again, really beat, so bid adieu.  Looking forward to my arrival in Quebec tomorrow night.
I will be his support vehicle to P.E.I. starting Monday. Playing tourist in Quebec for 2 days ;)
Best to get some shut eye as long drive to Quebec tomorrow after camp commitment.  At least Ralf has had 3 days to reach Quebec!  Have put a stainless steel cooler in Escape; duct tape - should of packed this on Ralf's last trek but this time I have it.

Day 1 ... Wednesday July 9

Up at the break of dawn to start Ralf's Ride! He stopped in Brockville for breakfast at 7:50am- truckers breakfast. Cool wind at his back is giving him a great start! His first two hours were good- no flat tires! Goal: to pump really hard and get near Montreal today (120-140 miles). He stopped for lunch at Schnitzel's Restaurant in Cornwall to watch Argentina beat Netherlands. Ralf's won the office pool for choosing the final two teams to play in the final game- he's very happy! After lunch he dozed off in his chair with his sunglasses on. The waiter thought he was dead and notified the manager. Haha I thought he only did this Sunday mornings at church. He rode along the south shore of the St. Lawrence river and enjoyed the flat path. Wind at his back all day. He finally arrived at the Lac St. Louis motel at 8:30pm about 25 km southwest of Montreal. Total distance today: 205 km!! Exhausted. He likened it to a 10 hour spinning class... really whooped. Long day.

On the eve of Day 1 ... Tuesday July 8, 2014

We'll it seems like it was yesterday that I was blogging "Keeping an Eye on Ralf" and now 3 years later it's "Ralf's Ride".  To quote  Roberto Kerr "don't do it Ralfie, don't do it."  But he's doing it and I will blog Ralf's Ride (while keeping an eye on Ralf).
Ralf attempted to leave for Gananoque 3 times. Megan and Andrew were driving Ralf to Gananoque but someone kept forgetting their kingston house keys. After the goodbyes they returned 30 min later to get keys; second time, they returned sooner as person noticed they didn't have keys in their possession. The keys were sitting on table by front door :(   The 3rd time was successful; arrived in Gananoque around 10 pm.
Sleep tight Ralf and don't let the bed bugs bite!!!

Testing pre ralf's ride

Megan is giving me a quick lesson on how to blog with my iPad before I blog Ralf. A root canal would be easier!!!