User:Brankster

Two dudes, two bike, two kilts, and one big, big country.Italic text

SUMMARY: In the summer of 2007 two Scottish guys took on the mammoth challenge of cycling from Vancouver (BC) to St. Johns (Nfl). This journey has been done thousands of times before, even by Scots, but never has this journey been completed by cyclists wearing kilts. Therefore we saddled-up on a couple of cheap bikes with way too much gear and headed East.

ROUTE: Despite a minor detour through Manning Park (BC) the route followed the Trans Canada Highway (more people around to help in the event of a bear attack). This route afforded some amazing scenery in the West but some featureless plains around the prairies. The welcome relief of cities like Montreal and Ottowa recharged the batteries to allow them to make the final push for Newfoundland. Nova Scotia was a blast and after some time spent in Halifax they pushed on to Syndey and via the ferry, all the way to St. Johns where it all came to an end in the Harbour near Water Street. Due to a failing with the distance computers a total distance could not be agreed but an estimated figure would be around 7500km in total.

TIME TAKEN: The journey took 65 days of monumental effort (neither had ever considered themselves as experienced cyclists), shredded nerves (way too many bears) and some of the Canadian weather's best attempts to thwart the two tartan pioneers.

BIKES: The bikes used for the trip were a couple of Columbia Northpeak's. Both had disc brakes and front suspension. Equipment was carried on a rear pannier set-up and additional bags were secured using bungee cord. The majority of equipment was purchased in Vancouver at MEC, in particular the pannier bags (very impressed with the standard and durability). Tents, sleeping bags, and camping mats were supplied by Vango. These also provided excellent coverage and durability. Infact, these items are still be used to this day with no immediate failings to report.

KILTS: The kilts were a basic lightweight garment and provided some relief from the strong sunshine while they also dried relatively quickly if caught in a rainstorm.

WILDLIFE: As Scots the most exotic wildlife normally encountered would be something similar to a midge or a squirrel. Unfortunately Canada had a somewhat varied and increasingly more dangerous collection of wildlife and this was confirmed when along the route the cyclists encountered bears (4 black - 1 within 10 feet, 1 grizzly - from a distance), snakes (southern Alberta), moose, caribou, deer and a large volume of insects.

INEXPERIENCED??: As touched on above, the inexperience was there for all to see. Two mountain bikes (with wide chunky tyres) carrying so much equipment that the rear axles started to buckle were simply not designed to cover the distance with ease. Injuries sustained included minor scrapes and cuts from bikes toppling over to strained knee ligaments and chronic lower limb pain from overuse.

CONCLUSION: As mentioned above, the trip was (despite some drawbacks) a success. In completing the 4'500 mile distance Ross and Stephen conquered some physical and mental challenges to reach the milestone of a Trans-Canada cycle while becoming the first ever to cycle the route in kilts. Money was also raised for charity in doing so and friends were made all across Canada. The warmth of the Canadian people has ensured that future trips across the Atlantic will take place.