Despite some of the cold, wet, and windy weather we have encountered so far, we have seen plenty of gorgeous evenings and afternoons. Love this photo of Eden taking advantage of one of those moments to fly the kite she has been waiting all winter to play with!
Taking off! Photo: Jenn Stark Photographers
Clear skies and warm weather were such a great welcome the morning of our departure day – especially after a week of rain. We awoke with queasy stomachs and the realization that the day we have been planning and gearing for over the last two years was finally here. Now we just had to get on our bikes.
First helping of toys and crafts for the kids. We'll be switching things around every few weeks at second hand stores.
For the last three weeks we have been living with some incredibly generous friends. They have opened up their house for the invasion of a family with two young kids – no small undertaking! We appreciate them so much and cannot thank them enough for what they have given to us through this arrangement. Faye and Rich: you are awesome!
Thank you Faye and Rich!
Our rush through breakfast and our horror at the final weight of our loaded bikes lead to a short ride back to our home for our Farewell Party. We were absolutely floored and honoured at the many people who were there early on a Saturday morning with words of blessing, encouragement and prayers of safety flowing from their lips. Saying goodbye is truly hard, and our friends have truly blessed us on our way.
As many of you know, xtracycles are awesome, child-transporting machines. They really come into their own on missions around town with the kids, making things possible with a bike that used to only work well with a car. Out on the open road, things are a little different. The longer rides through rain, heat, and cold that we’ll encounter on our journey call for a little more protection from the elements – even with the multiple seating options that we have planned for.
We're pretty happy with our DIY seats, but they left the kids a little exposed.
Our answer to this problem was to construct a sun and rain cover to shelter both kids. Inspired by those who have gone before us, we set out to find a solution that worked really well, was lightweight, portable and easy to take on/off the bike.
Kevin from the Eucharist Church gave an incredible and inspiring blessing to Hamilton's cyclists.
On Saturday we gathered along with 40 or 50 other cyclists at a local park for the first annual Hamilton Blessing of the Bikes. The weather was bright, sunny and warm — a stark contrast to the dreary, rain-filled days we have become accustomed to over the past few weeks. It was the kind of day that makes you excited for the summer and all it’s cycling possibilities.
We are a family of four seeking to live simply, give generously, and travel slowly on our bikes. As of May 21, 2011 we are living out our dream of exploring our continent on a year-long, 20,000km bicycle tour, starting and finishing at our home in Hamilton, Ontario.