Pedaling Feat: Day 61 - The Pedaling Feat Finale!

Day 61 - Cap Pele, NB to CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI
September 5, 2010

When asked by the front desk lady at the Delta that morning if we were tired of biking and ready to end the journey, Mel and I both look at each other with tears in our eyes. We quickly changed the subject and head outside to meet up with our ride crew for the day!

Meet Henry. He took great care of our bikes during our stay at the Delta. Thanks Henry!

Team Dynamite. Dad, Mom, John, Me, Mel, Mary and Heather! All set to go.

With two super scouts (John and the Heater/Dad duo) and the two moms in Lois, we set out for our starting point at Cap Pele.

Mel and John loading up our bikes one last time.

Pedaling Feat, setting out from Cap Pele with 110 km left to ride of our cross-Canada feat.

It was a very windy day as we departed from Cap Pele. Mother nature just didn't want us to stop!

In true Pedaling Feat fashion, we managed to get our route mixed up in the first 10 kilometers and had to take a couple of detours from our planned route due to construction and closed roads. Instead of being a 110 km day, it ended up being something like 140 km... so much for a short last day!

Rest stop. Trying to figure out how we are going to get to the Confederation Bridge!!

To avoid the construction we hopped on the Trans-Canada for a short while and crossed the point to Port Elgin, a small town about 40 km from the bridge. From there we took a quiet backroad with no traffic which followed the coast and was the perfect road. As we twisted and turned with the bends of the road, the wind would either slow us down to 20 km/h or give us momentun - at times up to 35 km/h! It was a mighty windy day!

Port Elgin. On our way.

Pedaling Feat with Lois (and the moms) following close behind. Nothing can stop us! She was re-named Mom-mobile for the day.

As we crossed the Confederation Bridge (in Lois, because bikes are not allowed on the bridge), we entered our 8th and final province, Prince Edward Island!!! It was exciting for so many reasons...

1. It meant we had successfully crossed Canada from tip to tip.

2. We were entering Mel's hometown, which I had never had the opportunity to visit in the past. yay!

3. We were nearing Cow's ice cream - another first for me!

Crossing the Confederation Bridge to our final province...

Prince Edward Island!!!!...

The wind was crazy for our last ride. Just look at the trees!

With 50 kilometers to go, we enjoyed every minute of it. From the rolling hills to the bald eagles flying overhead. The wind continued to try and knock us off our bikes it was so strong, but we kept pedaling and reached the edge of Charlottetown around 3:30 p.m. right on schedule!

In Charlottetown, nearing the finish line!

Filled with mixed emotions, we rode past Mel's grade school and high school, her old neighbourhood and the downtown core. I made Mel ride beside me as we neared the finish line, because I was already tearing up!

We rode right to the water's edge where our finale party was awaiting us with signs and hugs galore. We hugged, we cried, we celebrated and most importantly... we dipped our wheels in the Atlantic Ocean! We had made it!!!!!! Champagne all around, a couple of news interviews later and of course, Cow's ice cream - we went out for a celebratory dinner in Charlottetown before heading to Mel's cottage for the night. The day was a complete success, we couldn't have been happier!