Week 50. Donation, New seat and Merry Christmas.

I will be staying at the orphanage for Christmas and then I will be leaving with an improved plan and hopefully some money.

My seat was not good anymore. Because I have been in hospital 3 times for problems with my butt I have now been able to get hold of some Gel to cover the bicycle seat even though it has started to age so I do need to fix it.

Here is how my seat look now,which is not exacly what I ordered. But you have to make do with what you have which is a Jeans seat.

African style viking helm.

Preparing food.

Playing soccer.

Some people have very kindly donated some money to my PayPal and I wish to thank each and every one of you for your generosity in answering my call for help. Foto from left. Namely, these people are:



Petter Guttotmesen. He is my hobby agent and on picture you can see him when he was the worlds hardest Ironeman, Norseman. He also gratefully gave me some money last month. Thank you so much Petter.

Jarred Kalweit who is from USA and has a plan to cycle throughout the US. If you're interested to check his progress you may find him on his blog www.jarredkalweit.com
It's always nice to see cyclists help each other. Thank you.


Ivan Pivan Plosj who is from north Norway and who we used to work together on a fishing boat for six months. He is now working towards bringing Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland closer together via a Viking Union. Previously he has also shown his generosity by donating some money to me which I thank him for.


Also a dear friend of mine, Maria Haugeland who is also from Norway and who works as a personal trainer in Oslo (Boy is she strong or what!!) I thank you.

Line and Bjorn Brekke. They are from Norway and work together at Brygga Resstaurant. They have just be parents. Thank so much to both.

I received a donation from yet another Norwegian, Anne Marthe Carlsen who I also have worked with in Tonsberg. Im not sure what she ís doing now, but last time I spoke to her she was working as an actress or something and as you can see she is another very beautiful lady who I also thank.

Further thanks go out to an Austrian, Dietmar Duft (no foto) who for the time being I´m not quite sure what he does but I do know that he likes cycling.
To you all I can´t tell you just how much your contributions have helped towards my goal and determinatiom to complete this tour.



As well as these kind people I wish to also thank everyone who I have met so far and who have helped me in one way or another and shown their hospitality on this incredible journey, oh and of course my family and friends.

May I take this opportunity to thank evryone a very Merry Christmas and a very succesful New Year.

With much affection,

Paco (Rune)

Musicmovie.

My friend has cancer.

Kristina on TV

One of my best friends, Kristina, who has helped me for the most of my trip is very ill. She has been diagnosed with Leukemia and it is very bad.

She helped me a lot in Seattle when I was robbed and I stayed with her for over a month. We became very good friends and I love her for all of her help.

Now it is she who needs help with so many things, and there is not free hospital care there like we have in Norway. This is one of the things I don't like so much in USA.

I am still in Madeira and looking for work. Hopefully I can raise enough money together to visit Kristina in Seattle as it is at times like these when she needs her friends around her.

My brother, his girlfriend and daughter have left me now-. It is empty here on his boat, I will live on it while I am here in Madeira.

Weekly report: Hippies.

Week 19.


Parrsboro.


Invited to stay with people that live like hippies. It seems many people live this lifestyle in Canada.

I've biked a short week, only about 200 km. I plan to relax a few days in Halifax and some days in Economy.

Me on newspaper.

Weekly report: Viking in Novia Scotia.

Week 18, Novia Scotia


1000 years old viking(Runic) stone in Yarmouth. They are not 100% sure that it is the Viking's that have written this. Some of the words they do not know, but I said...that is a Viking's writing, they were only a little drunk or maybe stoned on the famous Novia Scotia mushroom when leaving their mark.



These are the most holy people in Canada with a church every 5 km. If you ask for directions, they answer you like this. "Take a left after church number 4, then a right after church number 2....."

Week 18.
Mon 30\4:45km, 16C, Saint John. Slept in House
Tue 1\5:105km, 15C, Yarmouth. Slept in tent
Wed 2\5:92km, 17C, Clyde. Slept in tent.
Thu 3\5:105km, 15c, Liverpool. Slept in tent.
Fri 4\5:80km, 15C, Mahone Bay, slept in nice hotel.
Sat 5\5:110km, 15C, Halifax, slept in house.

Am staying here for a few days to find some things out - like money, extending my visa here in Canada, and fix my bike- then on to the next plan...

Weekly report: World's Biggest Axe.

The world's biggest axe.


The world's largest covered bridge.


Problem with my feet, trench feet.


In this video, two guys who I stayed with show their firing power.

Week 17
Sun 22/4.96km, +20C. St-Jean-Joli
Mon 23/4.125km,+20C. Pohenegamook
Tue 24/4.95km ,+15C. Edmunston
Wed 25/4.91km, +15C. Perth
Thu 26/4.93km, +23C. Woodstock
Fri 27/4.103km,+13C. Fredericton
Sat 28/4.75km ,+13C. Wesford

Weekly report: Am in the beautiful city of Quebec.

In Quebec City.

This man invited me to stay, he is a writer. I'm not exactly sure what he writes about.

Week 16
Sun 15/4.Berthierville: 75km,3C. Head wind and more rain.
Mon 16/4.Maskinkonge : 20km,0C. Terrible head wind.
Tue 17/4.Champlain :100km,3C. Head wind and rain.
Wed 18/4.Quebec :108km,5C. Head wind and sun.

I am very tired from all of the head winds I have had, day after day up against bad wind which makes it really hard on your legs and mental state. The last 1.5 months I have cycling into head winds.

Quebec city is really nice with such a great night life. I remembered a George Bush city in South USA (Texas) that had no pub or bar, it was actually a big city.

Many people have said I look like a Viking, also like Forest Gump, surfer, Jesus, misjoiner, Chippendales dancer, Robinson Crusoe, rockstar, homeless, hippie, but never like a cyclist.

I've biked one year now without a hearing aid which I have used since I was 4 years old. I lost it in Colombia so now it is harder to understand what people are saying to me, which makes my accent stronger. Sometimes people don't understand me at all and sometimes I don't hear them very well. It is fun communicating while using more of your sensor's. Because I hear and talk better with my hearing aid, I really miss it right now.

I think I will be here in Quebec until Sunday.

Weekly Report: I am in the cool city of Montreal

Here is Margaret from Norway and me.


Kim Gjerstad, his father is from Norway.


Two girls from Norway who now live in Montreal gave me a can of soup for my birthday.

Canada 2007, week 15, 8/4 to 13/4 Montreal


I have relaxed at her house for one week now, this is a cool city. Everything is different here from the rest of Canada. Houses, streets, cultures and people are more European.

I have been invited to dinner, one day on Le Scandinave Spa with hot tub and massage. Partied and met lots of people.

Stayed with a Norwegian guy, Kim Gjerstad who has worked for 5 years in the Congo and he has many stories to tell. Whilst with him he helped me with my webpage.

Margaret Wiig arranged a Spa hotel and dinner for me. Nils drove me around the city and took care of me He has travelled around the world doing extreme sports.
My birthday is tomorrow, 14th of April. This is my second birthday on the road. The last birthday I was alone in my hammock in Central America with a bottle wine.

My twin brother left Norway 1 April with his sailing boat and will pick me up in New Foundland.

Me on Norwegian consulate in Ottawa.

Me on Norwegian consulate in Ottawa.

Sunday 1/4 Deep River-Gobden
80km, 5C Head winds all day and rain.

Monday 2/4 Gobden-Arnprior
54km, 8C. Head winds and rain.

Tuesday 3/4 Arnprior-Ottawa
60km, 10C. Tailwinds.

Wednesday 4/4 Ottawa.
Relaxed all day

Thursday 5/4 Ottawa
Relaxed all day

Friday 6/4 Ottawa-Montebello
90km, 5 c. Nice weather. I was offered a room at Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello. The biggest wood hotel in the world. It was so beautiful.

Saterday 7/4 Montebello-Montreol
100km, 10C. Tailwinds today. Invited to stay with Norwegian people here. They fed me supper and beer.

Sudbery.

Sunday 25/3 Sault Ste Marie-Thessalon
90km, 5C. Wind and rain. Slept for free in a motel

Monday 26/3 Thessalon-Webbwood
142km, 10C. Good wind and little rain. Slept in my tent.

Tuesday 27/3 Webbwodd-Sudbery
80km, 15C. Bad wind and rain. Was invited to sleep in someone's home.

Wednesday 28/3 Sudbury
Relaxed today.

Thursday 29/3 Sudbury-North Bay
110km, 5C. Headwinds all day.

Friday 30/3 North Bay-Mattawa
70km, 10C. Tailwinds today.

Saturday 31/3 Mattawa-Deep River
105km, 15C. Sun all day.

Biking -25/30 Celsius.

One of my warmest day in Canada

Sunday 18/3 Terrace Bay-Marathon
80km, +1C. Sun all day. Slept in tent

Monday 19/3 Marathon- White River
92km, -5C. Good wind and nice weather. Slept in my tent.

Tuesday 20/3 White River- Wawe.
95km, -25C. The weather changed fast today, cold, warm then cold again. Slept in house.

Wednesday 21/3 Wawe-???
50km, -5C. My tyre burst and had to get a lift to Sault Ste Marie, 180km away. Stayed in a very nice hotel. The owner had biked in Africa for 4 months,www.youbetican.com

Thursday 22/3 ????
80km, 5C. One car drove me back to the same place where my tyre burst. I slept in a cabin.

Friday 23/3 ????-Sault Ste Marie
100km,-5C. Nice weather, but bad winds. Slept in the same hotel today. Was invited to go out with people from a bike club.

Saterday 24/3 Sault Ste Marie
Relaxed today, hung around with the owner of a bikestore www.veloroution.com

Me and the police bike patrol.

Photos by the Kenora Daily Miner and News
Me and the police bike patrol.


Sunday 11/3 Dryden-Ignace
120 km, 5C. Bad wind all day. Biked with 2 police bike patrol all day. Stayed in a police officer's house.

Monday 12/3 Ignace-Upsala
105 km, 5C. Bad wind all day. Slept in a garage.

Tuesday 13/3 Upsala-Thunder Bay
135 km, 15C. Nice wind, sun and hot all day. Was so nice, had forgotten how warm weather feels. Stayed in a house of the father of one of the policemen.

Wednesday 14/3 Thunder Bay
Relaxed, a bike club showed me around the city. Stayed over with one guy who had biked around the world. We had a lot to talk about.

Thursday 15/3 Thunder Bay
Relaxed, bike club had a benefit for me with beer and good food. Enjoyed my time here.

Friday 16/3 Thunder Bay- Nipigon.
150km, -5C Bad wind all day. Slept in tent.

Saturday 17/3 Nipigon- Terrace Bay
108km, +5C Sun all day, Slept in tent.

Police take care of me.

I had the pleasure of the company of two bike patrol officers and one police car for a short time. Many accidents with trucks have happened along here. The police enjoyed listening about my trip, so they biked with me for fun. Also, they found places for me to sleep on the road and very often in other police officers' houses. I found them very friendly.
Fishing in Kenora.

Sunday 4/3 Winnipeg-ST Anne
90 km, -25C. Very bad crosswind so I found myself walking. A nice lady gave me a motel room and food. I was also invited to play curling for the first time in my life which was great fun.

Monday 5/3 ST Anne-Falcon Lake
85 km,-20C. Some bad winds today. I got a free room in a hotel today, hot tub.... Luxury!!

Tuesday 6/3 Falcon Lake-Kenora
70 km,-15C. Wind is a little bad, but the scenery is nice.
The last 2 months of biking was over flat terrain with much snow and desert. Now...there are many lakes, rocks and trees, it is very beautiful.
A cycling policeman escorting me to Kenora. (I think the police are afraid of long haired bikers) I've been invited to stay with a Danish family and tomorrow we are going ice fishing.

Wednesday 7/3 Kenora
Relaxed, ice fishing today and I caught one fish. Fun.

Thursday 8/3 Kenora.
Relaxed, was ice fishing all day, I caught a trout.
A bike store here is repairing my bike. I gave lectures at two schools for younger children today and it is very fun interacting with kids. They ask about everything and get very excited!

Friday 9/3 Kenora-Eagle River
86km, -5C. It is beginning to be much warmer now. I've had the company of a police biker, Hotse De Jong and slept at his house.

Saturday 10/3 Eagle River-Dryden
102km, 5C. I think this is the warmest day I've had in Canada. It is so nice to feel sun and warm weather. I still have the company of a police biker who is "sceptical of long haired bikers." Slept at the police officers house.

Biked from pub to pub all night long.

Hola
I was biking all night on a pub crawl with some of the guys from the Woodcock cycle store.

Monday 26/2 Winnipeg I will be here until Sunday, I've been invited to the Norwegian symphony concert which will be fun! So now I hang around and live with people from Scandinavia.

27/2 to 2/3 Winnipeg
Met the Norwegian Ambassador on Wednesday and he invited me to stay in his house in Ottowa. Most of the time I have been relaxing here and spending time meeting people. I've been invited to many places, Museum, airport control room, dinner....all of which is very nice.

Winnipeg, bad crosswind, TV

Global TV

Sidney, Manitoba

Sunday 18/2. Winnipeg.
I spoke to a Norwegian Club as well as to people who have been in ice biking competitions. In the evening I was invited to an Icelander Club dinner.

Monday 19/2. Winnipeg.
Relaxed, worked on my bike today.
Will stay here for a while, work a little and I have been invited to the Norwegian Symphony Orchestra at the end of this month. Must go to that.

Thursday 20/2 to Sunday 25/2 Winnipeg
Relaxed, have been invited to a dinner to speak lecture to a group of people and to go out with guys from woodcockcycle who are crazy on their bikes.

Rune

News

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/story/3884630p-4492711c.html

The conductors know me well.

The conductors know me well. Every time they see me they blow their whistles.

My first frost burn. I got a lot of good food in Canada to.

Sunday 11/2. Whitewood-Moosomin.
45 km, -25 C. A little bad wind today.
One lady stopped me on the road and invited me for some "Lefse" (a Norwegian food) and also to stay in her house. Couldn't say NO to that, but it was a short trip today.

Monday 12/2 Moosomin- Alexander
130 km, -33 C. Crosswinds today, but sunny.
Invited to stay in house.

Tuesday 13/2 Alexander-Sidney
110 km, - 30 C . Nice weather.
Invited to stay in house.

Wednesday 14/2 Sidney-Portage La Prairie
55 km, -20 C, Nice weather.
Invited to stay in a house, hot tub and swiming pool.

Thursday 15/2 Partage- Winnipeg(Winterpeg)
60 km, - 20 C, 50 km/h side and headwind today. This was one of the hardest days of my trip. The Scandinavian Club has been taking care of me here. I think I'll stay here for a few days wher I've been invited to many things. Should be fun.

Friday 16/2 Winterpeg.
Relaxed, met people from the Scandinavian Club. I was interviewed by the tv, radio and newspaper today. It is so much fun that people are interested in my trip.

Saturday 17/2
Relaxed, invited to stay with the President of the Norwegian Club.

Regina, speaking about my trip.

Regina, speaking about my trip.

Sunday 4/2 Regina
Spoke with some people today and had a potluck supper - everybody brought food. Relaxed all day.

Monday 5/2 Regina
Lectured to a Community School as well as a doctor and his son who I met yesterday. They offered to fix my bike because the handlebars were too low which was hurting my wrists and shoulders, so they rasied them. They also gave me headlights, a tail light, new pedals and new winter studded tires. To think, I biked for an entire year with low handlebars! Now I can sit up easier when I bike! Another lady gave me foot warmers.
I also went to a nature museum - some of it even looked like Norway. We also went tobogganing in the middle of the night. It was fun and there was a lot of snow.

Tuesday 6/2 Regina.
Lectured at a highschool for a group of teachers as well as the pupils. I never thought that I would be lecturing teachers. Fun to meet so many people!
The people who I've been staying with gratefully a pair of much needed new pants.
Invited to a hockey game in Moose Jaw and Regina won 6-3, looked like war again - I guess they must be rivals.
Still waiting for my pad.

Wednesday 7/2 Regina
Chilled out.

Thursday 8/2 Regina
Relaxed. Got my pad back.

Friday 9/2 Regina- Indian Head
65 km, -25. Good wind and sun. Invited to stay in someone's house.
Got my first frost burn on my stomach because I pushed myself too hard and started to sweat which can be dangerous when it's this cold. It was a really stupid thing to do.

Saturday 10/2 Indian Head- Whitewood.
95 km, - 20 C. Sun and nice weather.

Biking -23C 50km, Storm at my back

Regina, Saskatchewan

Today was one of the best days of my trip. I felt like I was flying! Got a kick out of that.

Me on T.V in Calgary

Lost the movies.

Me on T.V in Calgary, Alberta.

Monday 14/1 to -20/1
Relaxing in Calgary where met many really nice people.
Invited to a party, viewed art and also saw a stand up comedy show. I was invited to stay in three different houses.

Enjoyed my time here.

Rune

More news.

Biking in Banff, Canada in a storm.

While biking on the Icefield parkway I discovered this video feature on my camera which is my very first movie. The tempature was -20 degrees celcius and the winds were high. The highway was closed twice due to avalanche control. It was GREAT fun!!