Started the day trying to make my front derailleur play ball. Got it working a bit better, need a bike shop!

More of the same trail wise - pretty tough going in the gravel, was spurred on by the thought of getting to a town.

I needed a bike shop and the one in Corner Brook was the only one for a long way. It being Sunday tomorrow and 5pm fast approaching I headed straight there. Coming straight in off of the trail I washed it out back of the bike shop and then checked in to a hotel across the road while the mechanic got to work.

Within an hour my bike was like new and I chatted a bit with the very relaxed mechanic. I felt like a crazy woods-person who just got his arse saved again. It was cheaper than expected and he wouldn't take a tip. I hope my confused words adequately conveyed my gratitude.

He also recommended a lovely little Italian restaurant for dinner. Just what I needed!

More tough trail today. Saw some neat wildlife (more fixes and beavers). Managed to get my hands on some (bad) beer and greasy food.

Ran into some other cyclists on the trail, who clearly had very high opinions of themselves, doing a ride from Labrador. I think they were lost and confused, as it turns out they had only been off-roading for a few kilometres, had hardly any gear and didn't know what the Trans Canada Trail was. One asked "is this a *thing*?", gesturing to the gravel track. I enjoyed telling them that it was the longest trail on the planet and then realised that they were slyly trying to film me! I'm glad there aren't more people like that. They were the first cyclists I had met on the trail and they couldn't wait to get off of it!

Beutifully scenic start along the Newfoundland Coast, the trail got less interesting and tougher as it moved inland. Overgrown trail makes for tough riding. I had a very "Newfie" small town experience when I found a small store just off the extremely cold and windy trail. I had a cuppa with Alice, she gave me two cinnamon rolls and a hug!

Watched two beavers simming close to me just off of the trail. First bear sighting today. Very tired tonight.

Woke up earlier than I would have liked in order to catch the ferry to Newfoundland. I met another cyclist, Ryan, who is cycling across all of Canada and finishes in St. John's. I enjoyed talking to him and hearing his story while we sailed.

Once off the ferry we had a hearty fried fish dinner and beers. Afterwards Ryan headed to his hotel and I hit the trail in search of mine. After failing to find the classic hobo hotel in the form of some old railway cars, I found a good spot 6km down the trail. Woke in the middle of the night with stomach pains. All that deep fried fish was hard to digest!

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.

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.