Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour, catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore. Dream. Discover.

~Mark Twain

On the eve of my departure for my ride across Canada, I find myself reading and rereading this quote given to me by my good friend Louise.  Over the past few weeks, I have been doubting myself about being able to do this ride (er the Rockies?) and whether it was really the right thing to be doing with my life right now.  But it is.  Every bone in my body, every cell of my being aches for this journey – it is just the thoughts in my mind, the fear, that tries to stop me from following my dreams.  But do you know what the purpose of fear is?  To overcome our imaginary obstacles and be a stronger person – to push ourselves outside of our comfort zone and discover a whole new world, a whole new way of being.  (Well evolutionarily speaking fear was to stop us from getting killed… but you know, things change).

That said – don’t worry everyone who is worried (namely Diana dear and Mother dearest) – I will not throw all fear to the wind and be stupid and reckless.  I will not try to fight bears or lure cougars or race semis….

A big thank you to all my friends and family who gathered this weekend to send me off.  I love you and will miss you … and I hope to see some of you out on the road!

Now tomorrow is a big day and I must get some rest!!!!!!!!!! 

Categories: Across Canada, Biking

Tags: across canada, Cycling, Touring