My Blog

My journey so far:
New Brunswick – I have arrived

New Brunswick – I have arrived

Intro to New Brunswick My route through New Brunswick is pretty straight forward.  I will travel from Saint John to Fredericton up to Edmundston and then into Quebec.  Because of where I am in the...

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Media Day – February 10, 2020

Media Day – February 10, 2020

Today was a pretty crazy day for media. At about 6:50am I was interviewed on CBC Radio Saint John New Brunswick with Rachel Cave in their studios.  And later in the afternoon I did a TV news...

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Margo Campbell

Margo Campbell

On my way to Woodstock, NB just before getting to the TransCanada I had a pretty amazing experience. It is experiences like these that remind me that I am on schedule and where I am suppose to be at...

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The Poirer family

The Poirer family

Kai, Zavier, Anna, Tracy & Michel Poirer from Fredericton New Brunswick on Warm Showers Michel was the first person that I ever reached out on Warm Showers for.  I was in Fredericton and was...

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Russ Newman

Russ Newman

I was pedaling along the Saint John River when a gentleman called out to me and I u-turned into his driveway. His name was Russ Newman. Russ was an American that spent 2 tours in Vietnam and had...

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Mike Cameron from CTV News

Mike Cameron from CTV News

During my bike tune up at Millennium Cycle & Sport shop my host Wayne Arrowsmith made a phone call and within 15 minutes Mike Cammeron from CTV News showed up.  I had a really cool interview...

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Rachel Caves – CBC Saint John Radio

Rachel Caves – CBC Saint John Radio

On February 10 the alarm was set for 5:30am and by 6:30am we were sitting inside the studio of CBC Saint John NB. This would be my first in-studio radio interview. I was being interviewed by Rachel...

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Wayne & Sonya Arrowsmith

Wayne & Sonya Arrowsmith

Of Saint John New Brunswick Wayne has been a long time follower from the very beginning and offered me a place to stay I believe even before my ride started.  Wayne went so far out of his way to be...

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Tom Adams and Joyce Bremner

Tom Adams and Joyce Bremner

From Digby Nova Scotia I received a message from Tom in the middle of a snow storm on my way to Digby that there was a bed waiting for me.  Tom and Joyce live in a super cool home on the inside. ...

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Leonard Adams

Leonard Adams

Of Bayside RV in Yarmouth Nova Scotia would not let me take his photo but let me sleep in one of his RV's for 2 nights Address: 203 Hardscratch Rd, Yarmouth, NS B5A 4A8 Phone: (902) 742-1916 Leonard...

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Murray Robinson

Murray Robinson

I met Murray at the local Tim Horton's in Yarmouth.  When I left Yarmouth on February 8 Murray came in the Tim's to bring me a special gift.  It always touched me that Murray came in special with...

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Chris & Kathy Goodick

Chris & Kathy Goodick

Booked me a hotel room in Shelburne Nova Scotia Kathy approached me in a Tim Horton's on the evening of February 4 in Shelburne. She says "my friend over there tells me that you are biking across...

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Appreciation Overload!

Appreciation Overload!

It has been barely 2 weeks since I posted some of my favorite Facebook comments and here I am already needing to post another post of some of my most favorite comments.  I want to thank everyone who...

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What to pack on your first bike tour

What to pack on your first bike tour

Have you ever wondered what to pack on your first bike tour?  This is the "everything you ever need to know about what to pack and how much to pack on your bike tour" blog post. "Bad decisions make...

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What Happened To This Ride??

What Happened To This Ride??

What is going on with this ride? This ride has evolved into something I could never have imagined.  Slowly at first.  Give me a break I am pedaling 185 lbs of bike and gear. (LOL).  Anyways, like I...

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The MacEachen’s

The MacEachen’s

My hosts - Mike and Monique decide to take me back to Mahone Bay for a longer visit. We went to visit Al and Rose MacEachen who own Sweet Ride Cycle. Lewis Hinks the other day had suggested that I...

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Monique Gaudet and Mike Samson

Monique Gaudet and Mike Samson

From north of Bridgewater Nova Scotia Spending time with Monique and Mike was very special for me.  They both had tragedy in their lives and they both overcame that tragedy and found each other and...

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Awareness

Awareness

Awareness of my brokenness The feeling of emptiness that never goes away The heavy breathing of my emotions Awareness of my emptiness The feeling of loneliness that never goes away Where did all...

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Arlene, Owen, Elsa and Lloyd Nauss

Arlene, Owen, Elsa and Lloyd Nauss

Of Mahone Bay Nova Scotia Interestingly enough Lloyd was the only host that has reached out to me through Instagram. Our connection comes through the love of the outdoors.  In recent years Lloyd has...

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Lewis & Valerie Hinks

Lewis & Valerie Hinks

On the morning of January 30 I needed to take care of some emails first thing. Between emails I received a message from Lewis Hinks (only living a mile down the road). Lewis didn’t realize I was in...

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I Don’t Trust You

I Don’t Trust You

Something broke that day And I didn’t even know it Something broke so deep inside me I have been broken there for ever since So deep the human eye can’t see So deep in my soul. So deep in my heart...

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Nova Scotia – Stage 2

Nova Scotia – Stage 2

January 11 to January 20, 2019 January 11 Camped at the Irving Big Stop Truck Stop.  Worked on my laptop until 3 am last night.  I am taking the day to catch up on blogging due to rain in the...

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Colleen Jones of CBC Halifax

Colleen Jones of CBC Halifax

I decided to visit CBC and see if I could track down Laura Fraser the Social Media Editor. She was the only one who responded back to any of the messages/emails that I sent CBC Halifax. She was...

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Robinson Lea Myers

Robinson Lea Myers

of Halifax from January 25 to January 28 gave me the use of an empty rental apartment A message Robinson Lea Myers posted “So this is Arie Hoogerbrugge and he is biking across Canada! His journey so...

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Those Moments

Those Moments

You were asleep in those moments You didn’t know I was watching You were oblivious in those moments I remember those moments Those were important to me You didn’t know I would watch you through the...

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Deloris D’entremont

Deloris D’entremont

A friend of one of my Halifax host - Hugo and Vera Ford stopped by for a visit.  Me and Deloris decided to go to Pier 21 together. At Pier 21 pointing to the boat my father came to Canada on.

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Hugo & Vera Ford

Hugo & Vera Ford

From Halifax Nova Scotia I spent an enjoyable evening with Hugo and Vera Ford and the next morning I joined Vera and her daughter as they visited the farmers market in Halifax. Hugo was only the...

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Marian Girroir gave me the hat off her head

Marian Girroir gave me the hat off her head

In the grocery store both me and Dale Spence spotted this woman with the coolest baseball hat that said “The Bicycle Thief.” I remember seeing the hat and before my mind could process “that is the...

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Dale Spence – Super Fan

Dale Spence – Super Fan

Of Halifax Nova Scotia Dale has been following me from the very beginning and it was awesome to finally meet.  I was able to spend 2 evenings with Dale.  Dales parents also follow me thanks to Dales...

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Brad  Peverill of Mt Uniacke NS

Brad Peverill of Mt Uniacke NS

Brad is standing beside me with 2 thumbs up Brad Peverill of Mt Uniacke sent me a message that he wanted to meet me just as I was arriving in Mt Uniacke. We ended up meeting at the Mount Uniacke Pub...

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Tammy Boggs

Tammy Boggs

Hari and Tammy Boggs pulled over to the side of the road for a quick chat and a photo. I loved that they took the time to stop. Tammy handed me a few dollars for a coffee down the road at Mt...

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Marcel Capp & Sharon Redden

Marcel Capp & Sharon Redden

Of Newport Corners Nova Scotia I still remember the day as being quite cold.  The night before I camped in -14C.  It was actually really nice to be indoors that night.  I had a most enjoyable and...

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Marilyn owner of Walton Pub & Eatery

Marilyn owner of Walton Pub & Eatery

The night of January 21 was cold. At least -14C but I had done -14C before and I did it again. Marilyn who owns the pub pulled up just as I was taking down camp. She came in specially to make me...

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Steve Lapierre

Steve Lapierre

On my way to Walton Nova Scotia Steve Lapierre driving a school bus pulled up beside me and asked me if I was Arie and then handed me a Tim Horton gift card.  I got the crazy idea that even though...

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Tabitha Hardy

Tabitha Hardy

From Truro Nova Scotia Tabitha was one of the many people in Nova Scotia that reached out to me.  I ended up spending 2 nights at Tabitha's because of a bit of snow storm the second day.  We had...

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What I learned today

What I learned today

I have had so many amazing interaction during my bike ride already.  In many ways my bike ride has just begun and the interactions are almost already too many to count.  From old friends giving me a...

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Kim Hillier

Kim Hillier

Of Great Village Nova Scotia Kim was another person from Nova Scotia that reached out with an offer to spend the night.  I still remember running into a pretty wicked snow storm on my way to her...

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Nick and Tammy and Trinity Bennett

Nick and Tammy and Trinity Bennett

of Parrsboro Nova Scotia (Tammy took the photo) When I woke up in Advocate there was a message waiting from Tammy that there was a bed waiting for me in Parrspboro.  I ended up staying 2 evening...

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I Appreciate You Guys!

I Appreciate You Guys!

Hey guys, it's that time again!  I love sharing some of favourite Facebook comments.  It has been less than a month since I wrote my last appreciation post.  I can barely keep up with them.  This is...

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Stephanie Morris

Stephanie Morris

Of Advocate Nova Scotia Stephanie's story is kind of special because Stephanie was shopping at the Rite Stop grocery store in Advocate as I was packing my bike to get ready to set up my tent.  When...

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James & Amanda Campbell

James & Amanda Campbell

James and Amanda Campbell are the two on the left from Amherst Nova Scotia.  Also in the photo is Rob and Tara Trembley from PEI and Caleb - James and Amanda's son in the center James and Rob...

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Doris & Hanson Spence

Doris & Hanson Spence

I had an experience this afternoon that I won’t soon forget. I have a gentleman who lives in Halifax named Dale who has been following my ride very closely since the beginning. This afternoon while...

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Nova Scotia – My Plans

Nova Scotia – My Plans

I had a plan for Nova Scotia but then it changed.  I was hoping to get to Halifax with enough time to get to Prince Edward Island for Christmas.  By the time my ferry arrived in Sydney Nova Scotia...

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Kelly Richard

Kelly Richard

Of Wellington PEI Kelly had heard of me while on PEI and was following the ride.  She actually saw me pedaling near Wellington PEI and messaged me.  She asked me if  I was ok and if possible to stop...

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PEI Information Center

PEI Information Center

Elizabeth Jorgensen & Kelly Richard Kelly runs the information center for PEI that can be found at the base of the Confederation Bridge on the PEI side.  Kelly had heard about me during my time...

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35 Days On The Road

35 Days On The Road

I didn't know what to expect Honestly I thought the first 6 months of this ride would suck.  I had no expectation of enjoying this part of the ride at all.  I just told myself suck it up and get...

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The Voortman Family

The Voortman Family

Dexter, Heather David & Kayli Voortman of Glenwood PEI So I have a cousin that fairly recently moved to PEI and I had the pleasure to spend 2 nights with his family.  It was a real experience to...

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Craig Constain & Carla Kelly

Craig Constain & Carla Kelly

Of St Lawrence PEI Meeting Craig is an awesome story.  It was the day after my CBC Charlottetown article was released and I had barely got 20km's down the road and Craig recognized me from his truck...

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Brenda Doucette & Michelle Van Summeren

Brenda Doucette & Michelle Van Summeren

From Tignish PEI Brenda is Irene's niece and it was Irene that set me up for a warm bed a Brenda's.  Brenda works with special needs kids and her partner Michelle works administration at the local...

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2019 in Review

2019 in Review

I don't even know where to start with this year.  I don't think I could make up half of it if I tried. 2017 and 2018 were the happiest two years of my life and then 2019 happened.  In 2017 and 2018...

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I still mourn the loss

I still mourn the loss

I still mourn the loss of that little boy I know I killed a piece of your heart To this day I never forgot No one would listen, no one cared No one fought for you and your heart You have to believe...

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I thought of you

I thought of you

My failures overwhelmed me The sick feeling in my stomach returns What happened that this became my story How did this ever become my story I would do anything to change this script How does one...

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I Appreciate You!

I Appreciate You!

It's that time again.  A huge shout out and thank you to everyone who has reached out since my bike ride officially started.  Now that my ride has started.  Along with my favorite and meaningful...

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Irene MacIsaac

Irene MacIsaac

Of Charlottetown PEI I can't say enough about Irene.  Irene was very instrumental in helping to change the nature and focus of this ride from a solitary ride to an extended Atlantic Canada ride.  I...

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Alasdair Veitch

Alasdair Veitch

Of New Glasgow Nova Scotia Alasdair has been following me from the very beginning and has been one of my biggest supporters.  Alasdair is a retired wildlife biologist who worked almost 30 years in...

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Mattieu Fraser of Highland Bike Shop

Mattieu Fraser of Highland Bike Shop

Address: 258 Main St, Antigonish, NS B2G 2C1 Phone: (902) 735-3320 Matt is great!! Matt reached out while I was biking through Newfoundland.  He told me I had a warm bed and a free bike tune up...

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Breakdown of my bike build

Breakdown of my bike build

I thought I would do a break down of my bike purchase costs.  I know there are few bike geeks out there.  One favor though, please don't waste my time telling me how you could have saved me $5...

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A cyclist guide to Newfoundland

A cyclist guide to Newfoundland

Newfoundland is an amazing Canadian province, and even a more amazing province by bike.  Enjoy my cyclist guide to Newfoundland. I am not convinced that I would necessarily recommend Newfoundland...

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Dennis Dell

Dennis Dell

Of Hawksbury Nova Scotia I knew Dennis from way back at the from the church I attended in Hamilton called The Meeting House.  We use to do "set up and tear down" together.  Dennis and his partner...

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John & Bea Pike

John & Bea Pike

Of Englishtown Nova Scotia John and Bea Pike are family friends from way back in Ontario.  Me and my parents ended up spending a night here on my way to the ferry terminal that would take me to...

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Sean Richardson

Sean Richardson

Of Georges Lake Newfoundland Sean would be my first host and one of the most amazing people I have ever had the honor to meet.  I say honor as he is a veteran of both the British and Canadian...

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Free Hot Showers!

Free Hot Showers!

I wish I knew this before my first tour.  Looking for free hot showers across Canada and USA? Showering at campgrounds gets pretty expensive depending where you are camping and often the reason you...

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Newfoundland – November 10 to 23, 2019

Newfoundland – November 10 to 23, 2019

The plan is to post two week summaries of my ride.  So this November 10 the day I arrived in Newfoundland to November 23.  The summaries are pretty short.  In many ways for my own personal memories....

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Eddys Restaurant And Motel

Eddys Restaurant And Motel

Kimberly and Adam at Eddy’s A huge thank you to Eddy's.  Originally I was camped 40 kilometers east of Eddy's.  I broke camp that morning expecting rain but I figured if I could make it to Eddy's at...

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St John’s and West

St John’s and West

November 14, 2019 So today was the day.  Time to escape St John's.  I had pretty much seen what I had come to see and I knew I had to make a break for it.  But man was I worried.  The ride to cape...

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St John’s – what an amazing town!

St John’s – what an amazing town!

November 13, 2019 It was a warm day, almost 15 degrees with a light drizzly rain on and off. Today was all about checking out St John's. From what I had seen so far - an amazing town and a lot to...

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What’s out there

What’s out there

Looks like a lot of vastness Looks like a lot of trees Looks like a lot of wilderness Is it safe or is it dangerous Cold and inhospitable But it is good and it is freedom The wind cares not which...

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Appreciation Post

Appreciation Post

Supporter and appreciation post #2. I have been so busy the last weeks with final preparations that I am so far behind in any recent blogs  I am 5 days away from my ride but I thought I would get a...

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Words

Words

My words sound just like yours My words have hurt so many My words cause destruction Who do I turn to Who will give me the words Who will show me the way Do you have the answers I seek Do you have...

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Kindness

Kindness

I need Your kindness I am desperate I can barely breathe through my tears I need Your gentleness I am so broken I am so exposed My heart was never designed for this My soul cries out for kindness...

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Darkest Hour

Darkest Hour

Did you not hear me cry out How loud must I scream Will my tears not be enough What other price must I pay Has anyone fought as hard as me Do you forsake me in my darkest hour Am I not worthy Have I...

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My Environmental Manifesto

My Environmental Manifesto

If we claim to be serious about the environment doesn't a personal environmental manifesto make sense? Are the poles melting? Is climate change natural or man-made? Actually we need to perhaps be...

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