Port Stanley to Port Dover 72miles / 1,535ft
We met Steve And Lori when they joined our Bike to Barcelona team in 2023, all the way from Toronto. We have since cycled many hundreds of miles with them both, had much fun and this was a brilliant opportunity to meet up with them for a few days. Hence the Canadian detour of our Cycle Across America.
Steve lives with Parkinson’s and it’s an opportunity for us to share our respective experiences of cycling with Parkinson’s and for the four of us to share our collective experiences of the impact Parkinson’s has on all our lives but mostly it’s an opportunity just to enjoy each others company.
Steve and I are also both on the steering committee for the 2026 Pedal to Phoenix initiative for the next World Parkinson Congress but that’s a whole other story for another blog.
Today, homemade blueberry pancakes were the perfect breakfast before we set off for another 70 mile cycle. Thank you Steve.
We haven’t nominated a superhero for a while but today the award without doubt goes to Lori who rode with us for the first hour and then supplied us en route with endless amounts of ice cold water, fresh fruit, cold towels and snacks and then cooked supper for us all when we arrived, exhausted to our lodgings for the evening. With all our pannier bags in the car our bikes were light, fast and a joy to ride. It reminded us how much harder it is to ride with our panniers loaded and how much we miss any regular support. An enormous thank you Lori.
But mostly we have enjoyed Steve and Lori’s company. Thank you both.
Our story for today was meeting David Hinton. David’s sister who lives in the UK had sent him a link to our blog and he had been following our progress. Realising we were close to where he lives, he got in his bike and flagged us down on the route he had thought we would opt for. We cycled together for a short while, joined him for coffee and cake and it was lovely to exchange a few stories.
Our cycling was fast again today despite the heat. A quiet night in our lovely accommodation for the evening, supper and a few games of cards was all the energy we could muster.
Caroline and Paul have been in touch and are safely back in America where they have a few long days ahead of them as they make their way to Virginia to meet their son and daughter-in-law. They should reach the Atlantic coast a few days before us.
Challenging Times 
Miles are flying! What a great post. No panniers and home cooked food is the dream. Still in awe and envy!! Lots of love to you both xx
Sounds like a good day! Amazing how you keep riding those long days of 70 miles. 👏🙌💪🏻xx
I’m amazed how it has just become our routine!
Hi Alison and everyone.
Caught up with your progress and so impressed with how happy and fit you all look! Weather looks great too.
Sue and I are just off to see Rory Cellan-Jones, on holiday in Tresaith – we’re in Llangrannog at the mo while the builder does our paving in Cheltenham!
Will catch up tomorrow – bon pedalo! Baci Phil and Sue xx
Hi Phil & Sue, it is so good to get your message. Another 70 miles today. Much more than the maximum of 50 miles a day I had committed to but we’re fitter and faster and still having fun! Thanks for your interest and your support. X
It had been such a joy spending these days with you and John. We enjoy every second we are with you.
You are both such warm and elevating people, that we sometimes forget the grim reality that binds us … a quest for crushing domination in the card game “Fives”.
We love and miss you, and we’ll continue following your daily progress on this epic adventure.
We miss you guys xx
Here are some of the memories of our Days spent cycling with Alison, John, Paul and Carolyn:
Our first lunch together, which was a picnic comprised exclusively of Canadian foods – think, Montreal smoked meat, maple glazed wild Pacific salmon, Macintosh apples, Niagara peaches, Coffee Crisp, cheese curds, and ketchup flavored potato chips. It is not easy to come up with a nationalist menu for so indistinct a culinary culture.
The unexpected arrival of David, who ambled across the highway from the opposing Lane and nonchalantly said “Hello John”.
Switching bikes with John for fun and discovering two things: I have got to get a moldable Brooks saddle, and apparently John and I share the same sit bone dimensions.
I discovered that you can have too much lasagna.
John never runs out of interesting things to chat about while riding.
Alison has become a fast rider. There were several times when John and I rode in front, going as fast as we could manage, only to discover that Alison was just minutes behind us.
The loss of my nightly game of “Fives” has become unbearable now that I’m home
The look on John’s face when he tried root beer for the first time was the same expression that I had as a child when I tried beer for the first time.
Lori and I miss you deeply and look forward to our next journey together. Q———————————–
Sent from Steve’s phone.
It was such a great pleasure to meet you all, truly the highlight of my week! Although I do feel a tad guilty about the extended coffee break, I hope the rest of the day wasn’t a terrible rush because of it.
I’m in awe of all that you have accomplished, as well as all you have planned.
Alison and Steve, you’re both absolutely inspirational, Lori and John, who could ask for a better support crew!
Bon voyage all, I hope we’ll cross paths again in the future.
It was lovely to meet you too. We thoroughly enjoyed the extended tea break! Thank you for your interest and support.
You guys are amazing! Keep peddling xx
Less than 1000 miles to go 👏👏❤️🩹 – Wow! Well Done!
The miles are really flying by now! Thoroughly enjoying almost every one of them. X
More fantastic memories. A 70 mile spin with Steve was never going to be a coffee ride… 😂