Today the long journey starts for a local biker

George spent this morning saying farewell and receiving loads of good wishes from his friends for his lonely trek. "I grew up in the North and am used to the conditions and I can live alone very easily." he explained when talking about the prospect of isolation. "Besides there will be settlements along the way that I will visiting to get more supplies - it's not entirely a solitary experience!"
Unfortunately we will not be able to share his experiences until his return as he is a 35mm Kodachrome sort of guy but he will be emailing from time to time.
This just in a CBC guy has seen the post and wants to meet George when he gets into Goose Bay - how about that for the power of the internet?

Does this bike look ready for a 3,000km ride?

George Parker, a resident of William St., Cobourg, thinks so, and he is preparing for a trip across the most Northerly roads in Canada to prove it. Tonight he boards a train from Nakina to start his ride to Cape Spear, and all in three months. After planning this trip for many months he is now in the position to do it."I've put my family affairs in order and am now able to go biking", he said in a recent interview.

As he cannot do all the Trans-Canada route, in the time he has allotted he will start at the midway point - Nakina, in Northern Ontario and cycle eastward. The train will deposit George there, on the way to the road to Cochrane. The Polar Bear Express, the second train ride, from Cochrane to Moosonee will put George on the first of a couple of Air trips. "Flying crosscountry is the only way to connect roads, especially when the road ends in a settlement." George explains.

Flying from Moosonee, across James bay to Wasganish is the next leg and then a bike ride (a long one) to Caniapaskau along the Tiger Trail. Another plane to Schefferville and the trek is half done. The second train ride is on the cards and it will take him South to the intersection of the railway and the Trans Labrador Highway.

Still riding East, with the wind at his back he will head for Happy Valley , Goose Bay. The first ferry ride is here, he needs to get to Cartwright, on the South side of the headland and the South road to Blanc Sabion on the coast of Labrador. The second ferry takes him the Island of Newfoundland and the final leg of his trip across the Island.

Dipping his toes in the water at Cape Spear is the only thing for him to do before he flies home. We look forward to having him back in Cobourg in September.