I have been in Vancouver for a few days now, reading up on some recent trip logs and refining the route i will take. This has enabled me to determine topography and actual climbs that i will be riding. Some are more than a little intimidating and impressive at the same time. I am feeling a little daunted and have some excited anticipation for the ride.

My flight from Sydney (Australia) to Vancouver (Canada) has reinforced some past thoughts—the most clear being that I actually look forward to travelling with a pack and nothing else. As an aside, airlines are getting finicky about travelling with gear.

In planning my return from Canada to Australia I looked into the options available for what to do with my trusty Cannnondale. These ranged from selling in Canada and purchasing another in Australia on my return, through to keeping and shipping it. I quickly determined that purchasing another in Australia was not a viable option. Exploring the latter became something I invested a lot of time into, starting in November 2006.

After hitching up my trailer, I left Westdale (Hamilton) a little before 8am. I rode along Aberdeen towards the base of the escarpment rail trail. At the end of the rail trail, after the ride up the Niagara Escarpment, I turned east along Stone Church Road. I missed the turn at Winterberry Drive, ending up riding through Valley Park to make my way back to Highland Road — I have missed this turn on a number of rides now. My intention was to follow Highland Road to its end and head towards Smithville.