Ottawa snowbirds embark on epic bicycle journey back to Canada
Two adventurous snowbirds have embarked on an amazing journey back to Canada, and they're inviting the world to join in on their adventure.
Last Sunday, cyclists Dawn and Arthur Morewood kicked off their journey in Florida, documenting their experiences along the way on YouTube.
Their ride will cover approximately 2,700 to 3,000 kilometres, with a target of completing the journey to Ottawa in 30 to 35 days. Using modern technology, the duo has mapped out their route using the Ride with GPS app, which gives them bicycle routes and trails that will lead them from Florida, back home to Ottawa.
Their journey starts on the Coast to Coast trail, known as the C2C trail, starting from St. Petersburg and travelling through the small towns of Florida before joining the East Coast Greenway. From there, they'll navigate their way through iconic landmarks such as New York City, transitioning onto the Empire State Trail, which will guide them through the scenic Hudson Valley and into Canada.
Dawn and Arthur Morewood are cycling back to Ottawa from Florida, documenting their journey on YouTube. (Arthur and Dawn/YouTube)
Dawn and Arthur are relying on platforms like www.warmshowers.org to connect with fellow cyclists and gracious hosts. From cozy bed and breakfasts to welcoming homes, and small hotels, the duo is prepared to immerse themselves in the local culture and make friends along the way.
Armed with their trusty Class 1 Gazelle E-bikes, Dawn and Arthur are ready to conquer the open road. With pedal-assist technology, these bikes provide a seamless blend of power and efficiency.
"They are pedal assist, no throttle. So if we don’t pedal, we fall over," Dawn said. "We’ve done thousands of miles on these bikes and have a handle on what distances we can do. The first level, eco, we can get close to 180 km of distance from the battery."
The couple aims to complete about 100 km per day before they find a place to stay for the night. And they are carrying some extra weight too, including 17 pounds in Dawn's pannier and 21 pounds in Arthur's.
As they make their way back home, Dawn, 61, and Arthur, 81, invite viewers to join them on their incredible adventure. Follow their journey on YouTube and witness the snowbirds' remarkable adventure back to Canada, one pedal at a time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
BREAKING B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
A Toronto man killed his mother and decapitated her. His lawyers argue it wasn't murder
A ‘lifetime of abuse’ led Dallas Ly to snap and repeatedly stab his mother inside their Leslieville apartment in 2022 but he never intended to kill her, his defence lawyers argued during his murder trial in Toronto on Thursday.
Father charged with second-degree murder in daughter's stabbing death southwest of Montreal
A father has been charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of his 34-year-old daughter in southern Quebec.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
The latest advice for expecting parents? Sign up for childcare as soon as you're pregnant
Canada's new $10-a-day child care program is expanding, but there's growing evidence that demand for the program is rising even faster, leaving many parents on the outside looking in.