I just watched Mike Myers tonight on CBC’s “The National.” Paul Hunter discussed his “elbows up/ Canada is not for sale” protest on Saturday Night Live. Like many performers Mike’s career took him to the US. He lives in New York with his American wife and three children however his heart is firmly planted on Canadian soil.
This past Saturday I met two wonderful Canadians. I rode my bike up the Bellamy Road to greet them. They rode theirs 144k that day from Barry’s Bay to stay with me in Cedar Hill for a night.
Karen, 34, and Matt, 33, left Vancouver on May 1st on a cross-country bike tour. They are two months in on a four-month tour, hoping to make it to St John’s NFLD by the end of August before returning to their lives in Vancouver.
Karen reached out via “Warm Showers” a few days before their arrival. “Warm Showers” is an accommodation sharing platform for people traveling by bicycle. Cyclists willing to host others, when available, can use the service when they in turn are travelling by bike. The expectation is a place to sleep (as simple as a safe place to pitch a tent or a bed or couch) and a warm shower.
When I tour by bike overseas I fly my Canada flag luggage tag off the back of my bike. At times it’s acted like a key to a safe place for the night. Some folks are curious. “Have you biked all this way across the ocean!” They ask with a chuckle.
I once camped out in the garage of a retired artisan cheese maker in Vimy France. That night, he and his wife took me to the Vimy Memorial as the sun was setting. A very moving and memorable stay.
This past Saturday worked to host Karen and Matt.
karen is an immigration lawyer helping good people to move to Canada, her husband Matt works in policy for the City of Vancouver. Vancouver rents are so high they share a bungalow with two other couples. Karen was born in Nebraska and lived with her family on a dairy farm. Her dad continues to farm but spends a lot of his time in Washington as a lobbyist for the agricultural sector. Karen’s sister has returned home to the farm and has planted fruit orchards and operates a Community Supported Agriculture garden.
Karen went to university in Winnipeg where she met Matt then both moved to Vancouver where she studied law then passed the bar exam. She is a proud Canadian citizen.
Matt grew up in Edmonton. Jewish on his dad’s side and Mennonite on his mom’s. His father’s parents escaped the Nazis leaving Poland for Canada.
Karen and Matt married 10 years ago.
I was their 12th “Warm Showers” host on this trip. Many nights they camped and some they times took motels. They had also stayed at a couple Mennonite farms as Mennonites welcome other Mennonites when travelling. They have their own program.
We talked about the state of affairs between Canada and our neighbours and all felt that we are stoic and strong and will weather these storms, but mostly we talked about the things cycle tour folks talk about.
Their bikes are Canadian-made Brodie bikes from BC. This was their first bike tour.
Their first flat tire was 45 minutes after starting out on day one in the suburban outskirts of Vancouver. They have had a few other flats.
They have seen eight bears so far. They rode a more dangerous route the day after leaving Thunder Bay so they could visit the Terry Fox memorial. Matt saw his first Red Fox on route to our place. The mosquitos were the worst in Algonquin Park. The wind was mostly at their back except some days on the prairies. Some of the days with the wind at their backs they rode 200k!
Cars and trucks, even in Northern Ontario, were respectful passing them with a wide berth. Riding down the Bellamy a white truck passed us honking its horn! I was embarrassed by this less than friendly welcome, they took it all in stride.
We shared supper then discussed routing apps and their proposed route to Ottawa for the next day. It would take them from Cedar Hill across the new Blakeney bridge, then Panmure over the 417 and on to Carp and the Diefenbunker. They were interested in a visit. Their day would end at their next hosts near the Canada Day action on Lebretton Flats. They planned a two day rest over Canada Day before heading further east.
Seeing the route missed Almonte I suggested ice cream for dessert. We piled into the car for a trip to town. Our tour included a stop at Vodcow (a real hit for Karen the former dairy farm girl), the view from the fourth floor balcony of the Victoria Mill, ice cream on Mill Street, the river walk, Alameda, James Naismith monument, and up into the old post office tower to wind the town clock.
We all know we live in a special place but often take it for granted. Seeing it through others’ eyes on a beautiful June evening really brings it to life.
It’s hard to not be jealous of young people tipping their toes in the pacific then traveling at a pace, under their own power, that opens up the country and its people, its food, its music, its landscapes and nature, its genuine caring and kind ways all laid out in front of them, kilometre after kilometre till they roll their front wheels into the surf of the Atlantic.
After a night on the pull-out couch in our screened porch then a morning bowl of steel cut oats they were ready to hit the road. At 8 o’clock, as planned, they set off on their 67 kilometer journey to the nation’s capital. I watched as they rode off down our lane.
These are tough times around the world. Here in Canada we must take a page from Karen and Matt and in true Canadian fashion “stay calm and carry on”, be kind and courteous and celebrate this great land, its people, and enjoy the adventure.
Happy Canada Day!
Jeff Mills
