Day 36: Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada

Day 36: Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada

July 18, 2016

Miles: 36

Gagetown, NB to Fredericton, NB

We awoke at 8:30 and immediately went downstairs for breakfast.  We were the only guests staying at the Steamer's Inn, so we had the restaurant area all to ourselves.  As soon as we sat down a plate of scrambled eggs and toast was placed in front of us - I guess it had been kept warm in the oven until we arrived.  Breakfast was a little bit of a let down because, if we aren't going to be overwhelmed with quality, then at least overwhelm us with quantity.  Alas, this was not to be. The coffee was good, though, so that helped. 

I seem to dwarf my breakfast

One of the house cats joined us for breakfast

We were on the road at 10:15.  It was overcast and a little cool, but that suited us just fine because that is perfect riding weather.  Di insisted we stop at the first place that offered food because she was still hungry.  She couldn't eat the breakfast toast because of her fervent gluten opposition and there weren't enough scrambled eggs to quell her hunger.  The first place we saw that offered food was a gas station, so we stopped to let Di augment her breakfast with some quality beef jerky and I snacked on a peanut log candy bar.  The peanut log is a good food choice when cycling because the peanuts give you protein and the sugar gives you happy.

Di staunchly eschews gluten but readily eats beef jerky (a Di enigma)

When we resumed riding after our gas station break, we had only 17 miles to get to Oromocto.  We repeatedly reminded ourselves we would stop in Oromocto because its a lot of fun to say Oromocto.  It would have been better if it were palindromic, such as Oromoro, or Oromoctcomoro, so we could say we were saying it backwards.  That reminds me of the time I told a coworker, who was named Bob, that I had a confession to make.  I told him that for all the time I had known him, I was actually saying his name backwards.  I went on to tell him that even though I thought it was harmless fun, in the future I would only say his name as spelled from front back.  He made no reply to my admission and just stared at me.  Yeah, Bob, as if I ever stopped saying your name backwards.

Anyway, we rode those 17 miles of relatively flat roads, which was a welcome change to the hills we have been riding for the last few days.  We stopped at the Super Market in Oromocto so we could get some food that wasn't a sandwich.  Di got the chickpea salad, I got the couscous salad and we split a fresh berry salad.  We also got bottles of freshly squeezed juice, and even though it was bottled in a way to make it appear as medicine for an upset stomach, both juices were very good.

Healthy and refreshing lunch in Oromocto

Di sitting in the Oromocto Super Market dining area

We finished our lunch and were ready to leave Oromocto at 1:30pm.   There is a bike trail that goes from Oromocto to Fredricton and after some searching we found it.  It wasn't paved, but it was well groomed and packed and it offered a chance to be away from cars for a while, so we decided to take it.  Actually, I wanted to take it and Di wasn't that keen to do so, but as it was only 16 miles to Fredericton from Oromocto she was game to try it.  So we left Oromocto on the Sentier New Brunswick Trail bound for Fredericton.  From Oromocto.

Sentier Trail shot #1

Sentier Trail shot #2

Sentier Trail shot #3

Sentier Trail shot #4

The Sentier Trail was beautiful, but it was very bumpy and that was slowing us down a bit.  After riding the trail for 7 miles or so, we came to a cross road that would take us back to the road into Fredericton.  Di was in favor of leaving the trail and I in favor of staying on it, so we compromised by leaving the trail.  The trade-off for no longer being in the woods was riding along the St. John River.  By this point in the day the sun was shining and it made the St. John look beautiful and welcoming.

Stopping to admire the St. John River

We rolled into Fredericton around 3:30pm.  The first thing we saw was a nicely paved bike path, so we felt right at home.  We jumped on the bike path and it brought us right to our hotel.

The Fredericton bike path

We decided to ride around the town a little bit before checking into the hotel.  We found a great bookstore and I perused the titles for just a short time before vowing to return tomorrow.

Di waiting outside the used bookstore

We saw a re-enactment of soldiers firing muskets in the town park.  Today is not a holiday, so I don't know why this was happening - perhaps they do this everyday.

Preparing to fire

Firing

Fredericton looks like an interesting city, so we have decided to stay an extra day and explore.  Because we are staying an extra day, we were under no compunction to go out for dinner, so we ordered room service.  Sometimes you just have to pamper yourself.

Room service. Yes!

Yes, those are desserts among the chicken wings and chicken sandwiches.  Yes!

Room service close-up.

I will close with a bit of advice.  Upon being told "I love you" by your significant other, you may wish to reconsider responding with "That means a lot coming from you."  You may think this response bespeaks of your respect and admiration, but in reality, it will only serve to make you seem strange.