CARLETON PLACE – An unlikely cross-Canada honeymoon brought
a couple cruising into Carleton
Place on a pair of pack-laden bicycles on Friday,
July 16.
Adam Winchester, 26, and his new bride Katherine Winchester,
25, stopped in town about a month after leaving the shores of Prince Edward Island. The two took a week’s
respite in Ottawa to visit friends before continuing
their journey west, toward the Rockies and, eventually Vancouver.
The two were married on June 12 and, by June 16, they were
dipping the front tires of their bicycles in the Atlantic
Ocean before turning westward for the journey of a lifetime.
Both from the Maritimes, the two were originally working in Ontario, Adam said. They
decided to leave their jobs to be closer to their family. With no mortgage or
children, between jobs and still “young and naïve enough” to believe they can
cycle 10,000 km across North America, the
couple decided now was the time to make this journey.
Adam estimated it will take about three months to reach Vancouver. The two will
then travel down the coast to San
Diego. From there, the world is wide open.
“It’ll depend how we’re feeling,” Adam said. “I’d love to do
Australia.”
While neither prepared specifically for this adventure, both
are active. Katherine has completed Iron Mans and triathlons. Adam, meanwhile,
used to cycle to work.
He said they’re taking a slow jaunt across the country,
biking four to six hours a day. They generally camp along the way unless they
know someone in the area, Adam said.
The best part of the trip thus far has been the people
they’ve met along the way, he continued. “We get to know the local people.”
Adam said they met a couple from Quebec
while they were in New Brunswick and later
stayed with them when they got to Quebec.
“Most people bike west to east, so we’re seeing lots who are
going in the opposite direction,” he said. “They inspire us.”
Adam and Katherine met once cyclist from Australia who left Vancouver in April and hit snow storms in the
Prairies.
Adam said they hope to cross the Rockies
before the snow starts flying again.
The two spent the night in Appleton
before continuing to Ompah, Bancroft and then into Northern Ontario, where
they’ll take the Trans Canada
Highway once they reach Sudbury. Calling Carleton Place a “lovely town,” Adam said
they met many friendly people during their brief stop.
He indicated they expect to take a month crossing Ontario.
“You really appreciate the size of our country when you bike
it,” he said.
He added that the adventure really suits him and Katherine,
and he hopes it will inspire others to be more active.
“We enjoy it,” Adam said, noting it’s not always romantic.
“I think if we’re together after six months, we’ll stay together.”
You can follow Adam
and Katherine Winchester online at www.biketrip.ca