In 2018, I set out on a coast-to-coast cycling expedition across Canada—an 8,000km journey that would unfold over 110 consecutive days on the road, followed by an added 40 days exploring Vancouver Island.

The journey began in Atlantic Canada, where the pace of life is shaped by tides, tradition, and resilience. I rode through Prince Edward Island, across Nova Scotia, and into New Brunswick, where coastal roads, fishing villages, and working harbours framed the early days of the expedition. These provinces set the tone—rich in history, defined by close-knit communities and generosity, and grounded in a deep sense of place. From there, the route carried me into Québec City, where centuries of history are etched into stone, and onward to Montréal, where culture, language, the F1 track, and movement intersect.

Passing through Ottawa and Toronto, the landscape shifted from historic corridors to dense urban centres before opening into the long, demanding stretches of Northern Ontario. The road to Thunder Bay tested endurance and focus, with Lake Superior stretching endlessly alongside the highway, its scale both humbling and relentless.

Beyond Ontario, the Prairies unfolded in quiet magnitude. Winnipeg and Saskatoon marked moments of transition as the land flattened, wind intensified, and the horizon widened. Here, strength was measured in consistency—pedalling into headwinds across distances that felt timeless.

As I entered Alberta, the terrain began to rise. Edmonton, Red Deer, and Calgary formed gateways to the mountains ahead. Crossing the Rockies required sustained effort and resolve, rewarded by sweeping descents into British Columbia’s interior. The route flowed through Penticton, where days off with friends were relished, and desert meet vineyards.

The final leg carried me through Vancouver, across the water to Vancouver Island, and into the raw, wind-shaped coastline of Tofino, riding through rainforest, along rugged shores, and between small island communities—before the journey concluded in Victoria.

Throughout the expedition, the defining constant was community. In every province, I was met with generosity, encouragement, and care. From city streets to remote highways, people offered support, conversation, and connection. The journey revealed a country not only vast in landscape, but strong in character—where resilience is shared, and community remains a defining force.

Crossing Canada by bicycle was a study in endurance and perspective, shaped by land, weather, and human connection. It laid the foundation for everything that followed.