COVID panic? Keep calm and carry on with bike tour planning

Four of the five members of the core group who plan to cycle across the country have had their first shots. We’re ready to go

COVID panic? Keep calm and carry on with bike tour planningDoug Firby, publisher of Troy Media, is part of a group of Canadians who call themselves ConnecTour. Starting on May 15 in Victoria, they plan to dip their wheels in the Pacific Ocean and then head east for 8,000 km, discovering how the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped our lives and our sense of community. Watch…

It’s not about where we travel but why

A collection of ordinary adventurers are preparing to travel at the speed of life, seeking to connect with fellow Canadians across the country

It’s not about where we travel but whyOf all the things we do that have changed since the arrival of COVID-19, one that has altered the most is travel. And it’s not only about when and where we go, but also why. Spending Christmas in a sunny, warm resort is no longer a legitimate reason to travel, as a few politicians have…

What the heck is bike touring anyway? It’s an experience

But, often, it requires making lemonade out of lemons

What the heck is bike touring anyway? It’s an experienceBike touring has been my favourite way to travel since 1993 when my partner Tanya and I discovered it as an affordable way to visit her dad in New Zealand for a month. Since then, we have logged thousands of kilometres in more than 50 countries. By the time we completed a 14-month family bike…

ConnecTour Chronicles: Kindness comes in a bucket of ice and jug of water

ConnecTour Chronicles: Kindness comes in a bucket of ice and jug of waterDoug Firby, publisher of Troy Media, is part of a group of Canadians who call themselves ConnecTour. Starting on Friday in Kelowna, B.C. (B.C. travel restrictions derailed a planned start in Victoria), they hope to make an 8,000-km journey across the country, discovering how the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped our lives and our sense of…

ConnecTour Chronicles: One man’s gear is another man’s gold

Across from our campsite sat a gangly young man named Scott, who had been homeless for 10 years and was trying to find some normalcy

ConnecTour Chronicles: One man’s gear is another man’s goldLisa Montforton is part of a group of Canadians who call themselves ConnecTour. Starting on May 28 in Kelowna, B.C. (B.C. travel restrictions derailed a planned start in Victoria), they hope to make an 8,000-km journey across the country, discovering how the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped our lives and our sense of community. Watch for…

ConnecTour Chronicles: A brush with heat stroke and then hypothermia

Transport trucks, cars and four-by-fours roared by us, some so close we were showered in road spray and rocked by the wind gusts

ConnecTour Chronicles: A brush with heat stroke and then hypothermiaDoug Firby, publisher of Troy Media, is part of a group of Canadians who call themselves ConnecTour. Starting on May 28 in Kelowna, B.C. (B.C. travel restrictions derailed a planned start in Victoria), they hope to make an 8,000-km bicycle journey across the country, discovering how the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped our lives and our…

ConnecTour Chronicles: Content to live with old mining town’s ghosts

Some of our group chose to sleep outside in tents rather than risk the ire of these troubled spirits. Two brave souls slept inside

ConnecTour Chronicles: Content to live with old mining town’s ghostsDoug Firby, publisher of Troy Media, is part of a group of Canadians who call themselves ConnecTour. Starting on May 28 in Kelowna, B.C. (B.C. travel restrictions derailed a planned start in Victoria), they hope to make an 8,000-km bicycle journey across the country, discovering how the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped our lives and our…

ConnectTour Chronicles: Highlights, lowlights and lessons learned so far

Learn to take it one pedal stroke at a time. And even though that hill can look intimidating, just get into the zone and take it slow

ConnectTour Chronicles: Highlights, lowlights and lessons learned so farDoug Firby, publisher of Troy Media, and columnist Lisa Monforton are part of a group of Canadians who call themselves ConnecTour. Starting on May 28 in British Columbia, they hope to make an 8,000-km bicycle journey across the country, discovering how the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped our lives and our sense of community. Watch for…

ConnecTour Chronicles: An artistic treasure trove in a former biker bar

By the door is an original painting by renowned Indigenous artist Norval Morrisseau, one of dozens of pieces in Wilking’s collection

ConnecTour Chronicles: An artistic treasure trove in a former biker barDoug Firby, publisher of Troy Media, and columnist Lisa Monforton are part of a group of Canadians who call themselves ConnecTour. Starting on May 28 in British Columbia, they hope to make an 8,000-km bicycle journey across the country, discovering how the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped our lives and our sense of community. Watch for…

ConnecTour Chronicles: Even in Banff, COVID-19 has left its mark

Tattoo artist Robb Syre moved to the Alberta mountain resort town to chase a dream with his best friend. Instead, he lost his friend to the virus

ConnecTour Chronicles: Even in Banff, COVID-19 has left its markTroy Media publisher Doug Firby and Travel editor Lisa Monforton are part of a group of Canadians who call themselves ConnecTour. Starting in May in British Columbia and ending in October in Newfoundland, they hope to make an 8,000-km bicycle journey across the country, discovering how the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped our lives and our…
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