Climbing, Cycle Solutions, and a Cheeky Flame Job

Day three kicked off with a rain dance that would make Mother Nature proud. From km 138 to km 170, it poured like a Canadian summer barbecue gone wrong. But just when I thought I’d need a canoe instead of a bike, the sun decided to make a grand entrance, and the skies cleared. However, the universe had other plans, and the climbing began—because why not add a little cardio to the mix?

After a long day of pedalling since 8:30 am, Corner Brook finally appeared on the horizon during the 10 km descent from Mount Moriah. It was a fleeting glimpse, though, as my true sanctuary for the night awaited in Steady Brook—a cozy Air BnB promising warmth and comfort. But first, there was the small matter of climbing through town to Canadian Tire and the grocery store. Prior to that, I made a pit stop at Cycle Solutions for some bike essentials and then Boomstick Brewing Co for a well-deserved dinner and a flight of local brews. With supplies restocked, I hit the Trans Canada Highway for the final stretch to my Air BnB.

The following day was dubbed “Rest, Reassess, and Reset Day”—or so I thought. As it turned out, my trusty Bob trailer had decided to take up knitting, wearing holes into the Sealine duffle bag, which was less than ideal for my tent and sleeping gear. Steady Brook, though small, had a few surprises up its sleeve. After some sleuthing, I found a couple of Sealine repair kits at the ski shop and a cheap tourist beer can holder made from neoprene. The holder was sacrificed for the greater good, becoming custom padding for the trailer. Now adorned with flames, perhaps my trailer would gain a little speed? A cheeky thought, indeed.

Steady Brook is a gem, brimming with outdoor activities. I vowed to return one day with my mountain bike to conquer the stunning trails that snake through the mountains here. Until then, I’ll cherish the memories of this beautiful town and the unexpected adventures it brought.

Two Day Recap

The trail here is a wild ride, with baby heads and ballast rock making it a rollercoaster of fun. Day one was a nail-biter—almost lost the drone to the coast! Thought it was a daredevil, but it nearly took a nosedive into the ocean. Chased it down and saved it from a watery grave. Rain? Well, it’s the east coast, so it could have been a monsoon. Thank goodness for waterproof bags, though my cycling shoes decided to take a swim. Hit a massive flooded trail crossing mid-way, which stopped me in my tracks. My feet got a free spa treatment, whether they wanted it or not. Day one wrapped up early with just 57km under my belt. The rain finally won, and camping options were as scarce as a sunny day. Ended up crashing in a church parking lot—nothing like a little divine intervention.

Day two dawned with clearer skies and a hint of sunshine. The trail, however, decided to up its game in difficulty. To make up for lost time, I opted for a detour to the Trans Canada Highway. The 10km/h trail pace skyrocketed to 25km/h on the road. Stumbled upon an Irving gas station and restaurant—best meal of the day! After a road stint, I dove back into the trail, which was much improved, averaging 16km/h. Encountered plenty of UTVs and ATVs, all of whom were polite and gave plenty of space. It was a longer day, clocking in at 81km, but I found a gem—an indigenous-owned beach facility with showers and camping. Best surprise ever! Tomorrow, it’s an early start for a 105+km trek to Corner Brook for supplies and a B&B with a warm bed, shower, and laundry. Adventure awaits!

Adventure Awaits

Hey everyone! I’m thrilled to share that I’m all packed and ready to embark on an incredible journey to St. John, Newfoundland! This Friday night, I’ll be taking off on a plane, ready to tackle the gear supply run on Saturday in St. John’s. From there, it’s a long 9-hour bus ride to the stunning Port Aux Basque on the west side of the island.

Monday marks the big day—I’ll be rolling out of town on my bike, ready to conquer the 880 km journey back to St. John’s. I’m feeling excited, motivated, and incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to take this time away and make a difference.

Don’t forget to check out the route on bikepacking.com (link in the first comment). And if you haven’t already, please consider donating towards kids’ cancer. I’m almost halfway to my $2500 goal, and your support means the world to me!

Let’s pedal for a cause and make this adventure one to remember! 💪❤️ #GreatCycleChallenge #PedalForACause #AdventureAwaits

Riding for Hope: 95km down, 905km to go!

Cancer claims 27 young lives in Canada each week. Let’s change that together. I’m on a mission to raise $2500, and I’m at $577 thanks to your incredible support.

Join me by donating just $25—the price of a meal—and help me reach my goal. If 77 of you step up, we can make a huge impact!

Find the donation link in my bio and the first comment. Every little bit counts. Let’s pedal towards a brighter future for our kids.

#RideForHope #FightKidsCancer #DonateNow #PedalForACause #GreatCycleChallange

https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/Riders/SeanCarson1?utm_source=share&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=gcc_app_dashboard

Follow the journey in Instagram; @IntrepidPhotographer