A few days ago, Alexis Barbot went for a bike ride.
His 10 km ride was fairly standard for an avid cyclist. However, that 10 km jaunt was the end of a 7,003 km journey across the country.
B次元官网网址淚 hadnB次元官网网址檛 added everything up until the very end,B次元官网网址� Barbot said. B次元官网网址淭he 10 km ride to go dip my tire in the ocean gave me just enough to pass 7,000 without knowing it.B次元官网网址�
Earlier this year, Barbot was back sitting at home in Campbell River dreaming of an adventure. He had originally planned on backpacking through Europe, but COVID-19 forced him to look a little closer to home. After entertaining thoughts on driving across the country, he decided a more authentic way to experience Canada would be to bike across. He bought a new bike and got training.
B次元官网网址淚 left on June 5, and split the trip into two parts. The first part was from Vancouver to Toronto, and I was going at it every single day, trying to get as much distance as possible. It took 44 days to get to Toronto,B次元官网网址� he said.
From there he slowed things down a bit. After spending a few weeks in Toronto visiting family and friends, he got back on the bike and continued east. However, this time he had to stop and work during the weekdays. Since he was able to work remotely, Barbot managed to keep his job and explore the country at the same time. Barbot also kept up a of his adventure. However, getting out of the habit of doing 100-120 km per day made things a bit harder on the second leg.
B次元官网网址淚 was just (riding) over the weekends, and since I was trying to crank out as much distance of possible, I would do 400 or 500 kmB次元官网网址� It was almost easier to do it going more steady at 100 or 120 km per day, because your body is still used to it,B次元官网网址� he said.
Cross-country cyclists know that in covering those distances, you expect something to go wrong. Whether itB次元官网网址檚 a mechanical issue, or inclement weather, thereB次元官网网址檚 always something to keep you on your toes. For Barbot, the daily hunt for a proper sleeping spot proved to be one of the most interesting parts of the ride.
B次元官网网址淵ou never see the same places twice, and you have to get creative with where youB次元官网网址檙e going to sleep. You figure it out last minute, just kind of going with the flow,B次元官网网址� he said.
In fact, the sleeping arrangements proved to be one of the most memorable parts of the ride.
B次元官网网址淔or some reason on a trip like this youB次元官网网址檙e just drawn to really great and special people. I donB次元官网网址檛 know how it happens, but I guess paths are just meant to crossB次元官网网址� (I) was in Saskatchewan, and I was trying to figure out where I was going to sleepB次元官网网址� I found a little town, went around the neighbourhood scoping it out. I was ideally trying to find somebody working in their front yardB次元官网网址� I was going to start a conversation and see if I could set up a tent,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淚 met this one man named Cliff who was working on his RV. He saw me and I told him about what I was doing and asked if I could sleep in his yardB次元官网网址� he actually invited me into the house to their spare bedroom. They made me food, and were really really wonderful people,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hey really made me feel at home, which I really needed at that point in the trip.B次元官网网址�
Barbot is now in Newfoundland, exploring a bit before he comes back home. While he doesnB次元官网网址檛 have plans to repeat his trip any time soon, the adventure bug has not left him.
B次元官网网址淭he next time I do it IB次元官网网址檇 love to do it with somebody else. Doing it solo was a different experience, and I would not change that at all,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e more approachable and vulnerable. People go out of their way to help you out. If youB次元官网网址檙e doing it with a friend, obviously you get to share that experience with someone, and thatB次元官网网址檚 also fun.B次元官网网址�
In all, he covered over 7,000 km, 10 provinces and six time zones.
B次元官网网址淚t was amazing, such a memorable trip, and IB次元官网网址檒l always look back on it,B次元官网网址� he said.
BarbotB次元官网网址檚 blog is available at .
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