Almost no sleep arriving into Halifax, NS. Crazy day - ran into the city for food (+weed... from a friend of a friend). Left the bike at the airport while I waited for the bus to New Glasgow, NS. I put the bike together in no time, got rid of the box no problem too!

Rode to Canadian Tire, started getting dark. Rode about 10km and camped near the road. Completely useless I'm so tired! Rolled a joint for the morning and ready to crash out!

I think I did pretty well last night considering I was sleep deprived, jet lagged and setting up in the dark! Slept for 14 hours and good to go!

Continued along road through some very sleepy "New England" feeling hamlets with a lot of history. Reminded me of Vermont. Nice to get on the Trans Canada Trail proper - some fairly easy going gravel tracks, used by ATVers (All Terrain Vehicles).

Got my head down in the afternoon to make some miles, I wanted to see if 80km/day is doable. Went for a muddy swim crossing a "puddle", which turned out to be much deeper than expected!

Had a very enjoyable early evening ride, such a beautiful time of day to be riding. Came to a free campsite with picnic table and outhouse, just shy of 80km... perfect!

Enjoying getting back into the rhythm of Trail Life, could not have asked for a better first day.

Sun, wind, rain... mud! All in one day. Legs pretty scratched up from thorns while trying to get water. Had a few bike issues too. Oh, and I got to my first town only to have the worst pizza and the worst beer of my life! The pizza was sloppy (mopping the topping up with the crust isn't the way to go!) and the beer was a nasty local brew. I got the bike working and got on my way.

Ended on a road, very tough to find a good spot to sleep. no time/energy/location to put the tarp up, so I hope it doesn't rain!

No rain last night! I decided to get up and go this morning as I was dreaming on a coffee and some grease. On the map Mulgrave, NS looked like a bigger town, so I pointed my body at that and peddled. The road was hilly and all the houses looked abandoned or eerily quiet.

I struck out at Mulgrave as the only thing there was the museum. I startled the currator who let me use the washroom and fill my water. He even gave me a quick tour of the museum - the town was thrown in to decline when the railroad left in 1955. The curator said I could get something to eat in the next town along. When I got there I ordered a coffee and the biggest breakfast. I got lucky too - the waitress told me that they demolish the building tomorrow and wouldn't be open again until next summer!

Long push along the beach after TCT "PR" stand, but access and sigane to the actual trail were non-existant. Tough going, but then the dream trail revealed itself! Smooth gravel, undulating ups and downs with stunning coastal views. Not too many people on the trail even. Canada is awesome! Needs more pubs though.

Decided to ride until I didn't want to, even if it means setting up camp in the dark. I would prefer to ride. 96km today! Will probably sleep on this (covered) picnic table....

While having breakfast at the picnic table shelter the man who made it, along with his wife, stopped for a snack. Very friendly people and very pleased to see me using and enjoying the trail.

Great lunch stop in Inverness - beer, fish & chips, power outlets and internet. I topped up my water too at this one-stop restaurant.

Then things got tough. The TCT south was immediately steep and rocky. Lots of pushing/dragging with the occasional uphill rocky ride ensued. I then broke my wheel when a piece of wood got caught, ripping out/bending 6 spokes. I had no way of removing the ones poking out, so I taped them in-place the best I could and kept going, hoping for the best.

When I hit a road I had planned to continue along the trail, but I couldn't even find it. I decided this was a blessing in disguise and took the road instead, which was a pretty nice ride. So many well-kept, but empty houses. It's strange. Sleeping in a bush in a town. Going to buy breakfast at the market here in the morning before another big day tomorrow.

Woke up to rain. Luckily I had the foresight to put the tarp up last night (albeit not very well!), which is something I occasionally skip if I am exhausted if there is no rain in the forecast.

Had a big cooked breakfast with lots of coffee before hitting the road. The wheel is holding up amazingly well and I managed to average 20km/hour despite some big hills. I have been really happy with my fitness. I guess it's not really "training" if you love going for a ride.

Cycling on a busy highway is a bore though. Some nice views, but mostly grind for 100km. I had a poutine pit-stop and pushed on, incentivised by the prospect of sleeping in the real bed I have booked in North Sydney.

Arrived earlier than expected, met the (British) host who ran me in to the next town over to get my wheel fixed in the only bike shop for days. I went to the pub while they worked on it and it was done in time to catch the last bus back. I finished the day eating pizza and talking to Carly.