The We Are Young Association Fundraiser Run

June 24-July 8th

My father and I will be travelling from Halifax Nova Scotia to the Tail of the Dragon in Deals Gap North Carolina to bring about awareness and donations for the We Are Young Foundation ( www.weareyoung.ca )  a great Nova Scotian association that helps grant wishes to the elderly!

Day 18: Kamloops-> Vancouver

I landed in with Brett around 1 after a long trip into the city as I crossed over the bridge I was pretty excited as I felt like I had finally made it to my destination! To cap it off Caelin had been here since the 9th visiting family and surprised me with a big hug when I got off the bike! Was a great moment! 

We had a nice catch up then we went to the Lawn Summer Nights event in Vancouver where I got to improve a speech on the trip and life with CF. I got to meet Duncan John Jess Alexis Simon and a ton of other really really great people who take time out of their lives to help support Cystic Fibrosis Canada! It was a late evening and I landed in to stay with Lee-Anne and Michael for a few days before heading home!

358km 3:33 on Motorcycle

Day 17: Banff-> Kamloops, British Columbia

I had to regretfully say good bye to Banff, the weather was great and I stuck around until noon driving some more hairpin turns up the mountain sides. **Side note my laptop screen broke a few days ago so GoPro and blog updates will be coming when I get home.
From Banff I headed out to BC following a massive landscape of mountain range and a train that was along side for most of the day, it was a very Canadian feel, it was 33° and mainly sunny. Much different than the day before in Banff (10° and overcast!)
What wasn't lost on me however was the worst driving I've seen (even versus Montreal). Tractor trailers are a headache (so far blown tire and debris have gotten to me) but necessary part of driving the Trans Canada however some of the maneuvering was down right dangerous to other drivers on the road. I get blown around and tailgated and I expect that due to the low grades and high climbs but it was scary to see the position other commuters were put in to have to pull off or have a truck land in their hood or bumper. Sorry for a rant. Be mindful of others on the road I suppose, I know I appreciate it as a motorcyclists!

From there I headed into BC, met a nice guy whole waiting on construction who rides a Triumph Bonneville.
The smoke wasn't overly bad until right before Kamloops. I wore my Vog mask and took frequent breaks to get out of the air. Proceeded into Kamloops and got to meet up with Caelinwings bro Brett for a Chinese food gorge and a night in to relax. It was a taxing day of driving but also very beautiful.

500km 4:37 on Motorcycle

Day 16: Banff day

Woke up and walked Banff avenue for the morning. It was nice to be off the bike for the day. Took in a movie then hiked Tunnel Mountain (not an easy feat for me but was great to reach the top!) Then came back down and did Fenland trail, a nice lady gave me some bug spray to use. I also want to say thank you to Ed and Norma who were visiting Boston pizza and treated me to my meal and watched some of the crazy Banff weather! Brady it was nice to meet you too man. That evening I went out with Chris to another little bar and had some more solid conversation and reminnce time.

I want to thank Chris and his wife Geneva big time for letting me stay with them and treating me like royalty. I had the best dinner of my trip last night and they were incredibly generous and awesome hosts.
1:05 on Motorcycle. 82km

Day 15: Calgary-Banff

I left Rob and Lorianne who were amazing hosts. Thank you again guys for letting me stay with you and help me navigate and pump the coffee to me when I needed it!
I headed back to Banff and initially had great weather but quickly was met with hail lightning thunder that shook the glass of a hotel I ducked in and left Jenny pretty waterlogged. I did manage to get in a small hike with huge views. I also went to use my laptop at a coffee shop (it broke) but I met and chatted with a wonderful trauma nurse from Arizona named Kit who is camping Banff. After I met up with one of my buds from high school Chris Barkhouse who took me out to the Rose and Crown for east coast night event. He is also awesome enough to let me stay with him in Banff (accommodation here is both extremely limited and expensive!)

220km/3:15 on the Motorcycle

Day 14: Sister lakes in Banff

I left Rob and Lorianne's home and headed out to Banff, Alberta. I landed in and quickly found accommodation is tight here. While I have that worked out, I did meet an extremely kind lady who came up to talk to me on a bench outside a Banff Inn. Her name was Lori and her and her husband own and operate Banff Scooter Company LTD. She told me about her starting the business and her family. She was really a treat to meet with and is going to hold my luggage in her shop while I explore the Park. It has been so nice to meet such kind and helpful strangers on this trip.

From there I hit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake before rushing back to Calgary to avoid the deer and Caribou scene.

398km approximately 4:16 on the Motorcycle

Day 13: Calgary Stampede

I got up and had coffee with Lorianne and Rob before heading back now onto the stampede grounds. Spoke with Joanna one of the many volunteers​ who work for the Kin Canada and as cystic fibrosis Canada being their official charity it was nice to speak with her and other volunteers who help out so much!

I met up with Rachel and Sarah for some food and drinks on the grounds and saw more of the stampede, petted a horse (they terrify me-scarier than bungee) saw a Motocross show, then left the grounds to hang out with my old pal Ace at a pub in town and had some really great conversations. You're a solid east coast fella.

No kms on the bike but definitely a few by foot