Very cute art by Annie LaVinge
Portland, ME to Newfoundland to Portland, ME
65 Days
2398 Miles
1 worn tire, 3 stretched chains, 5 Broken spokes, but only one ‘hole-ly’ flat.
55 days camping, 4 B&Bs, 3 Hostels, 1 Cabin (a dreamy last night)
Average speed: Around 10 mph. Yep, I’m pokey when smokey.
Average distance: 50 miles a day
Weight on the bike: 60 pounds
Weight on Knox: 20 pounds lighter
Fat Pants? Left them in Sydney, Nova Scotia
Bloggers met: 1
Cost: $4067.00 (It did not seem like I spent that much money!)
How did I blow my budget? Camping was more expensive than I anticipated, at around 20$ a night, from the very first day. I need to start thinking long and hard about more “creative” camping solutions. It is a major drawback to cycling in Maine and Nova Scotia where camping costs were often higher, much higher ($35+), while “quality” and “cleanliness” were completely arbitrary. However much I wanted to spend on this trip, the actual money that left my account is easily within the money spent/time ratio of my other bike tours.
Here’s the rough map of the trip which does a bad job of conveying the 1000 mile hilly journey just to get to Newfoundland and that Newfoundland is freaky big.
As I am always starting tours too heavy and sending stuff home. Here’s a list and a photo of that stuff that actually came back with me. Heavy, yes, but most it got used, particularly in northern Newfoundland where I was wearing everything in my bag. I did however, meet plenty of folks with less. My goal next year is to be lighter to start (both in gear and body). I am hoping this list reminds me of that.
All the photos I’m going to post are up. Private slide shows on request.
By the way, you can see more of Annie LaVigne’s delightful work at www.harrietandmickey.com. She’s got a few other drawings that have some bikes in them and pj’s you can order for your kids.
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