French Guy on a Bike: 2. Calgary

20.03.2009
Here I am, 23:30, after a 4 and a half hour flight, which brings me another 2 hours earlier in time. It's too late for a bus and train ride, so I have to sleep on some seats, with the 24/7 full artificial light of the terminal and the sweet humming of the cleaning machines and escalators. Did I just say "sweet" and "humming"? Well I must be on a very good mood.

Strange roommates

21.03.2009
After my sweet night, I earn a free bus ticket by answering the changeless driver's simple question :
"Australia or New Zealand? We got a lot of guys from there like you, but I can never tell who's from where exactly"
I know a few people down under who must find this hilarious, as they predicted it a long time ago.
Anyway, after a good laugh with/at me, and after I told her I was planning to go to Alaska, she (the driver) told me everything I should know about it : a few awesome places and the best fish in the world. Seafood on a bike chapter coming soon!
After a nice short train ride and a long walk along a highway that I should never have done if I had been awake enough in the morning to ask Jordan the direction to his house from the station, I arrive at his home. Jordan, my couchsurfer - of course - host, lives like 100 meters from the station and yes, it took me 45 minutes and a thick layer of engine fumes in my lungs to discover it. Anyway, there I get a nice welcome from the many people living in the house, take a nice warm shower and fill my stomach with cereals and half a liter of black coffee.
Next step : Calgary Uni, where Jordan, his brother and friends are preparing the Grand Opening of their community bike shop. Nice coincidence, isn't it? Here I get free internet at the library, which is literally atigoogle the shop's backdoor.
Big barbecue, scavenger hunt on bikes in the campus, I lose but still get a nice prize : a pair of bike socks and a reflecting legband. Thanks to The Bike Root, my first sponsor!

Jordan on the way to Calgary Uni

The Bike Root : www.bikeroot.ca

Scavenger hunt : nail polish checkpoints

22.03.2009
Johnston Canyon, Rocky Mountains.
Morning surprise : a thick layer of snow, but not enough to discourage Sean (another couchsurfer) to go hiking in the forest. I meet Brian (one more couchsurfer) who takes me to Sean's place where I also meet Judikael, a french soon-to-be expatriate. Direction : Johnston Canyon in the Rocky Mountains (Banff National Park). We're going to see a river that is pretty cool...