Day 68

Monday, August 30th
Murray Beach (NB) to Brackley Beach (PEI)
112km

At around 5:00am it started to pour with rain.  This pretty much lasted through breakfast, and I had to take down my tent in the rain.

Our 12km ride to the Confederation Bridge turned into a 20km ride when I made a wrong turn based on bad route notes.  (Several others did the same, and everyone agreed that the cue sheet was incorrect.). Usually an 8km detour isn't that bad, but it is even more frustrating in heavy wind and terrential rain.

They don't allow cyclists on the bridge, so we all loaded into a van shuttle and someone drove us across...10 at a time.

Once we arrived on the island, we grabbed a quick lunch and then headed out on the road again.  By this time the wond and rain had stopped and it was quite warm, although still overcast.

Rick was kind enough to show us around the island.  We went to Green Gables and Cavendish beach before heading to camp.

Boy is PEI ever hilly.  Rick was right at home charging up the steep rolling hills, but I really had a good workout and a tough time keeping up.  The entire island, from what I saw today, is nothing but hills.

The island is also very small, as evidenced by our encounter with a red Toyota.  As we rode along, the car drove past us and pulled onto the shoulder.  The driver hoped out and gave Rick a big hug.  “How's the cycling going?”
“Real good.  How you been?”
“Real good.”
“You coming out tonight.”
“Of course.”
“This is Paul, Rosalyn, Dan and Jonny.  Guys...this is my son, Richard.”
“Nice to meet you.  See ya later Dad.”
“See you tonight.”

Their whole conversation lasted about 45 secounds, and gave no hint that they hadn't seen each other in two months.  Rick's son just happened to be driving by. 

The rest of Rick's family and friends were at the campsite when we arrived.  They put on a fantastic meal, with seafood chowder, fresh muscles, potatoes, meats, and so much more.  It was fantastic and a real treat.
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Daniel Longo
CIBC Corporate Development
(416) 956-3831