The Canadian Maritimes
Riding the flats
The area located on the Easternmost tip of the US, all the way up to Nova Scotia and the Gaspesie represents one of the most beautiful outdoor playgrounds I have ever seen. It is of such magnitude and beauty that it reminds me greatly of the Pacific North West. Cold water ebbs and flows daily with the huge tides of the Bay of Fundy. The impact of this daily ritual is felt all around the area as large areas of sand, previously covered by water, suddenly become accessible twice a day.
While quite often I can be found exploring the coast, the coves, the rocky shoreline by kayak, this year I have a new weapon for exploration, one that is more than capable of taking advantage of the ebb and flow of the sea. My Mukluk got to see a bit of snow and sand this winter, but now it is time to start seriously training for two of my planned expeditions, the Lost Coast and the Frozen Yukon River. Training is not only a physical task, but also involves learning how to deal with the challenges of riding a bike in what is a harsh and corrosive environment.
Chains get eaten up by sand; nuts and bolts rust over night; gearing needs to be adjusted for the often slow and tedious pace found when pedaling through the sand. How does one keep things clean and lubed, and what happens when chain rings suddenly corrode so much that they break in half! Clipless pedals work, but are they the best solution? Right now my bike is still rigged for road and snow, so part of training will be the evolution of the bike into a single speed beach riding machine. I have much to learn and much to prepare, but as always, I am stoked to be moving forward with these adventures.
Trying to decide if the Jones bars work in this environment
Huge low tides meant I could work my way out to the waters edge
Sand turns to mud as the tide starts rolling in