Day 2: 122 Km-Our first metric century!

So it's 10 pm and we have just finished day 2 and I must admit that it does seem to be getting easier already!

Yesterday we had an awesome send-off in Victoria in front of the Legislature and had 16 people riding with us to the ferries! Thanks to everyone who came out to support our campaign! It was also the first day I tried my clip in shoes, an adventure of its own! A few bruises and falls later I seem to be improving at getting my legs detached before I hit the ground! Other then that not to many other crazy things on the way to the ferry at Swartz Bay. On the Tsawwassen side we met up with our guide through Vancouver, Arno, and hopped back on the bikes to make the 4:30pm shuttle through the Massey Tunnel. We arrived in Kits around 7:30pm our stop for the night we stayed with Alex one of the other organizers. A picnic on the beach finished off our night!

This morning we had our Vancouver send-off which again was fantastic! Great speakers, including David Suzuki were there and very inspiring for all of the riders. We did a quick interview with Global T.V. so it's nice that we are getting some media attention, stay tuned for our next t.v. appearance! Before you know it your going to be asking for our autographs! The climate action super cyclists are coming to a town near you! We had about 25 cyclists leave with us and cycle all through Vancouver they slowly started to trickle off to head home as we left the city but here in Yarrow we are still 7 strong which is awesome! Great ride today, nice and long as you can see from the title we passed the 100 km mark! Whoot! Yesterday I was able to say I did the longest ride of my life thus far and today I am stoked to say we blew that 75km out of the water! 122km later our knees are a little shaky and our butts a little sore but we are still in good humour thanks to numerous snack breaks at fresh fruit stands and beautiful view points! We just enjoyed a delicious dinner made for us by Pat our new mum for the night here in Yarrow where we all get to shower (very important since I think I may win the award for sweatiest person alive after today) and camp in the backyard! Yay sleepover! Tomorrow we head for Hope so stay tuned for more adventures!

Signing out for the night! Martina!

Goodbye and Thankyou Pender!!

I am posting this a few days late, things have been quite hectic with last minute details and loose ends to be tied up before departure. We are now in Vancouver! (which Ièll tell you about in the next post :)

Pedal for the Planet on Pender was amazing---50 cyclists of all walks of life participated in one of the first events that will be happening across the country this summer! Seeing all the people and bikes on the lawn was very heartwarming and demonstrated that cycling on Pender is possible-- and its fun! It really means a lot to know that we have the support of our community. Thanks to everyone who came out, your pedalling, words of encouragement, volunteer time, and smiles are all part of our journey and part of a united canadian voice for strong action on climate change. Keep pedalling those hills, I promise they will get easier---and your bum will hurt less ;) Also, thanks for all the financial contributions they will really help to ensure we are well fed (since we will probably eat our weight in food everyday) and have a safe place to sleep throughout this crazy adventure!

I will just leave you with the Paul Hawken quote which was part of my speech at the event.

If you look at the science about what is happening
on earth and aren¹t pessimistic, you don¹t understand data. But if you
meet the people who are working to restore this earth and the lives of
the poor, and you aren¹t optimistic, you haven¹t got a pulse.

Our Route!

Here is our route as it stands today, please note that "Y" means "yes, we have a place to stay" and "N" means "No, we don't have a place to stay". If you know anyone in any of these towns and cities that might be able to put up a couple cyclists, please let us know! In addition to the picture of our map, you can zoom in and pan-around by viewing it on-line at

http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=115101557208819794232.00046d7095b7c936f7451&cd=20&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=51.179343,-102.568359&spn=5.882158,19.665527&z=6

02-Jul-09 Pender Island-->Victoria Y

03-Jul-09 Victoria-->Vancouver Y
04-Jul-09 Vancouver-->Abbotsford Y
05-Jul-09 Abbotsford-->Hope N
06-Jul-09 Hope-->Boston Bar N
07-Jul-09 Boston Bar-->Lytton/Spences Bridge N

08-Jul-09 Lytton/Spences Bridge-->Cache Creek N
09-Jul-09 Cache Creek-->Kamloops Y
10-Jul-09 Rest Day-->Rest Day Y
11-Jul-09 Kamloops-->Chase Y
12-Jul-09 Chase-->Sicamous Y
13-Jul-09 Sicamous-->Revelstoke N
14-Jul-09 Revelstoke-->Glacier National Park N
15-Jul-09 Glacier National Park-->Golden N
16-Jul-09 Golden-->Field N
17-Jul-09 Field-->Lake Louise Y
18-Jul-09 Lake Louise-->Canmore/Kananaskis N
19-Jul-09 Canmore/Kananaskis-->Calgary Y
20-Jul-09 Calgary-->Rest Day Y
21-Jul-09 Calgary-->Rest Day Y
22-Jul-09 Calgary-->Gleichen N
23-Jul-09 Gleichen-->Bassano N
24-Jul-09 Bassano-->Brooks N
25-Jul-09 Brooks-->Medicine Hat Y
26-Jul-09 Medicine Hat-->Rest Day Y
27-Jul-09 Medicine Hat-->Walsh N
28-Jul-09 Walsh-->Maple Creek N
29-Jul-09 Maple Creek-->Gull Lake N
30-Jul-09 Gull Lake-->Swift Current N
31-Jul-09 Swift Current-->Chaplin N
01-Aug-09 Chaplin-->Moose Jaw N
02-Aug-09 Moose Jaw-->Regina Y
03-Aug-09 Regina-->Rest Day Y
04-Aug-09 Regina-->Council of Fed. Y
05-Aug-09 Regina-->Council of Fed. Y
06-Aug-09 Regina-->Council of Fed. Y
07-Aug-09 Regina-->Council of Fed. Y
08-Aug-09 Regina-->Montmarte N
09-Aug-09 Montmarte-->Kipling N
10-Aug-09 Kipling -->Carlyle N
11-Aug-09 Carlyle-->Pipestone N
12-Aug-09 Pipestone-->Brandon Y
13-Aug-09 Brandon-->Sidney N
14-Aug-09 Sidney-->Portage La Prairie N
15-Aug-09 Portage La Prairie-->Winnipeg Y
16-Aug-09 Winnipeg-->Rest Day Y
17-Aug-09 Winnipeg-->McMunn N
18-Aug-09 McMunn-->Kenora N
19-Aug-09 Kenora-->Vermilion Bay N
20-Aug-09 Vermilion Bay-->Dryden Y
21-Aug-09 Dryden-->Ignace N
22-Aug-09 Ignace-->English River N
23-Aug-09 English River-->Raith N
24-Aug-09 Raith-->Thunder Bay Y
25-Aug-09 Thunder Bay-->Rest Day Y
26-Aug-09 Thunder Bay-->Everard N
27-Aug-09 Everard-->Beardmore N
28-Aug-09 Beardmore->Greenstone N
29-Aug-09 Greenstone-->Longlac N
30-Aug-09 Longlac-->Prince George (train)
31-Aug-09 Longlac-->Toronto (train)

Local Generosity

Nadia and I are overwhelmed by the generosity of our community and the support we have received for our trip. People continuously stopping us throughout the day to wish us luck on our ride as well as many donations both personal and corporate. We would especially like to thank Julie Johnstone and Peter Carter for their huge contributions to our campaign, their unfaltering support and constant encouragement has been wonderful. We would also like to specifically thank our corporate sponsors because without their sponsorship this trip would not be possible.



With only a week till we leave time is flying by at an alarmingly fast pace considering all the preparations that still need to be done! Pedal for the Planet on Pender is coming up on Sunday and things are falling into place for that, then we have our pool party fund raiser at Poet's Cove on Monday and Friday is our send-off in Victoria! We would love to see as many people out as possible at all of our events!

Signing off for now as we have a very busy day ahead of us!

Cheers! Martina

12 days until departure!

Just 12 days until we hit the road! One more trip in to Victoria to pick up the last bits of gear and we should be set. We will leave our home on Pender Island on July 2nd and then have the big send-off in Victoria on July 3rd. Be a part of our journey and send us off in Victoria!

Meet us at the legislature buildings, cycle with us through downtown, to the ferry...or beyond!

The Details

When: 10:00 am Friday, July 3rd

Where: Meet on Legislature Lawns

How: Just show up!

Ride departs Legislature for Swartz Bay @ 11:00 amRide arrives Swartz Bay @ approx. 1:30 pm

We are allowing 2 and a half hours to get to Swartz Bay so that families and slower riders are able to participate. The ride to the ferry is approximately 35km taking the Galloping Goose and Lochside Drive Bicycle Routes. This route is mainly off vehicle roads where it is quiet and safe. There will not be a support vehicle for this ride so please come at your own risk and pack the water and food that you will need for the journey! You do not need a lot of bicycle experience to come along, the route is railway grade (ie: FLAT!). The more the merrier, this will be full of fun and climate action!

For a map of the route, please follow this link http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Swartz-Bay-to-Victoria-Wheels-for-Change

Please Note: The timing, cue sheet, stops/activities on this map are not what will be used for our ride, please disregard them and just look at the route itself. You are welcome to join for any portion of the route—big or small!

Don't hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions!