August 3 Campbell River to Duncan

Campbell River to Duncan, 212km

I decided to ride to Duncan to visit Isaac Schneider and his family, friends who I have not seen for a long time and this was a great chance to meet them by biking 52 km south of Nanaimo.

I woke up in Campbell River with the screeching of seagulls that were fighting with Eagles over dead fish and oysters on the rocks on the other side of the road and the tide being out.

I started slowly as I had a long day yesterday and went along the shore road. The wind was from the north so riding seemed easy. There were people digging for oysters and the views of the mountains on the main land were beautiful.

At a coffee shop I spoke with the owner about Change the Cycle and she told me about a woman she knows who had been in a relationship with a man who violently abused her over years, and who, she believed, would have been killed eventually had she not left him. We spoke of the need for public education and the Neighbours Friends and Families initiative by the Ontario Government which provides helpful tools to identify woman abuse and engage communities in responding to violence against women. Again I was impressed by the fact that so many women I met on this tour connected immediately to Change the Cycle, and shared stories that have such similarities. This woman spoke with a customer about Change the Cycle and he paid for my lunch.

Afterwards the ride became very hilly and by the time I reached the Duncan area it was quite dark and Isaac picked me up with his truck.

This was a very exhausting day but it was great to see Isaac and his family.

Here’s a picture of Issac and Caleb at home near Duncan.