Last night I got very little sleep as Maggie was up with what we know is an ear infection. In the end, I had to put the dining table down into a bed and sleep with her to get her to settle. She is badly in need of a bath and grooming. We have attempted along the route to get her a grooming appointment with no luck until today when I manage to get her an appointment in Charlottetown several days from now.
Before leaving the campsite, we agree on the route to the first town and we head out. I’m out ahead of David. Not paying attention, I miss the first turn. This shouldn’t be a problem since both roads lead to the same community just on opposite sides of the river. We are cycling right along the Saint John River but my view is blocked by trees and I only have fleeting sightings of the river. Approaching Florenceville I call David to find out he is just coming into town from the other side of the river. Cycling off the highway into town, there he is just ahead of me. As it turns out the other side of the river where David cycled was much hillier than the side I rode on so the mistake I made turned out to be a good one.
After stopping at the covered bridge and checking in with Deb we head off for Hartland and our lunch stop where we will meet up with Deb and Maggie. We are cycling along a secondary road with little traffic and smooth pavement. There is little in the way of elevation gain and the weather is ideal for cycling, mild temperature, little to no wind and sun.
Hartland is the home of the longest covered bridge in the world. The original construction was completed in 1901 with alterations made in the 1920’s and a walkway added in the 1940’s. It spans 1,282 feet and is designated a national historic site.
As it turns out the only lunch stop in town is a roadside stand in the parking lot adjacent to the bridge. Food was surprisingly good. After lunch Deb heads off to get gas, groceries and to the pharmacy to get something for Maggie’s ear infection. David and I continue along highway 105. Not far out of town we come across the New Brunswick Trail. The choice is climb the hill up the road or try the trail. I, of course, opt for the trail thinking if it isn’t good we can get back on the road. Big mistake the road quickly heads inland as the trail hugs the river and the trail is awful. The trail is primarily used by ATVs and not suitable for cycling especially on high-end carbon fibre road bikes. Once committed there is no going back, but it gets worse. Several km in the bridge is out across a stream. We manage to get down the hill, cross the stream, climb the other side and continue on. Eventually the road curves back to run directly along the trail and we are able to make our way off the trail and on to the road. Good thing, no flat tires.
The road once again hugs the river. The little community where we are to meet Deb doesn’t really exist, it is just a spot for a bank of Canada Post mail boxes. We know that Deb will continue along the road until she finds us so we just keep cycling.
“Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail.”
Charles Kettering
The Rotary Ride for Kids 
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