I’m Flying to Edinburgh 😀

On April 19, 2024April 18, 2024 By Rick McIn travelLeave a comment

Flights are expen$ive in 2024.

BEST deal I could find Vancouver to Europe one way this summer was $498.16 CAD ($364 USD). Includes one piece of luggage, cancellation insurance, and seat selection.

BEST deal was NOT to London, for a change.

Years ago I typically flew Air Transit, a charter. But for the past 4 years WestJet has had the best options to Europe.

Arriving Edinburgh June 1, 2024.

A fun tourist city. I was there in 2009. And in 2018 for Fringe.

I’ll be staying at Castle Rock Hostel under the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle. It’s considered one of the best hostels in Europe.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Cycling 18,000 Miles in 110 Days

On April 15, 2024April 9, 2024 By Rick McIn cycling, travelLeave a comment

My cycling hero — Lael Wilcox — is one of the top ultra-endurance racers of all time.

She does not have a driver’s licence. 😀

In 2008 she and a boyfriend started a trip, cycling over 100,000 miles through 30+ nations.

What’s next?

Guinness Record Attempt: Around the World

My goal is to ride the 18,000 miles in 110 days. The current women’s record is held by Jenny Graham at 124 days, 10 hours and 50 minutes.

At this point, in regards to the record, there’s no distinction between supported and self-supported rides. I’ll be carrying all of my own equipment and food and figuring out all of the logistics on and off the bike. That’s how I like to travel– with a sleep kit and winging it along the way.

I like open-ended adventures and I like competition and riding around the world as fast as I can feels like a great combination of both.

Rue will be documenting my ride and I’d love to encourage people to come out and share a few miles with me along the way.

I’ll be starting in Chicago May 26th.

18,000+ miles without a chamois: Lael Wilcox is aiming to set a world record by circumnavigating the planet in 110 days

Wilcox hopes to set a new Guinness World Record and admits that even she is “really terrified”

Hiking / Skiing Banff March 2024

On April 3, 2024April 4, 2024 By Rick McIn food, friends, hiking, travelLeave a comment

For the 4th year in a row, I stayed at the Samesun Hostel in Banff.

Alternated days of winter hiking and downhill skiing.

I skied one day with Kelly from Canmore. Two days with Rocco.

Click PLAY or watch Rocco on YouTube. Footage from my new Insta360 Ace Pro action camera.

April 1, 2024 conditions were PERFECT for me.

I opined that this was the best ski day at Sunshine for 10,000 years. 😀

Kelly introduced me to happy hour at Hello Sunshine Banff Sushi. Fantastic.

I’ll be posting 2024 hiking videos on BestHike.com.

Here’s a hike from the past that gives a good idea what it’s like to get on the trails in the Spring.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Hello Sunshine Banff Sushi

On March 31, 2024March 30, 2024 By Rick McIn food, friends, travel1 Comment

Kelly — a BIG Sushi fan — lives in Canmore.

His favourite restaurant in Banff is Hello Sunshine Sushi during Happy Hour.

50% off many Sushi platters.

As well as beer and other menu item specials.

I’m hoping to go 3 times this week. 😀

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hello Sunshine • Banff Sushi (@hellosunshinebanff)

Kelly introduced me to Hello Sunshine after a GREAT day skiing powder at … Sunshine.

HIGHLIGHTS ➙ Parksville / Qualicum Beach

On March 30, 2024March 25, 2024 By Rick McIn travelLeave a comment

Every tourist enjoys Vancouver Island. Much to do. Much to see.

Here’s a good starting point for someone planning to visit our area, north of Nanaimo.

17 Best Things to do in Parksville Qualicum Beach

Inspired by Bikepackers

On March 27, 2024March 27, 2024 By Rick McIn cycling, travelLeave a comment

One thing I like about bike touring is that almost ANYBODY could do it.

Almost ANYBODY can ride a bike.

For example, Giant Cheerio decided to take off on a bike for a month. …

After over 2 years, she’s still on the road.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Giant Cheerio (@giant_cheerio)

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Visiting Port Townsend 2024

On March 17, 2024March 16, 2024 By Rick McIn food, friends, travelLeave a comment

Due to the pandemic, I hadn’t made it back to Port Townsend, Washington since 2019.

Since then, Doug and Diana had built a new house on one of their properties.

I was both 3rd and 4th in the guestbook, visiting both going to and coming from Coeur d’Alene.

Carrie came up from Vancouver WA to videotape a chat with myself and Doug about the start of the Tumbl Trak Ambassador Program. Actually, she drove MANY hours in the dark and rain to pick me up in Port Angeles.

I was the first Ambassador, we think, when Doug gave me an inflatable tumbling mat to take to my Gymnastics tour of Australia in 2007. I did clinics in 5 different States.