Ride The Lobster Preview Trip

Ride The Lobster is an 800km race across the great province of Nova Scotia from June 16-20, 2008.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:49:36 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Ride The Lobster is an 800km race across the great province of Nova Scotia from June 16-20, 2008.

Friday morning, the team descends on Britech in Lawerencetown, 160km from Halifax. We saw the GPS transmitter units that will be used as batons in the race. Brian of Britech says "If it isn' ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:20:01 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Friday morning, the team descends on Britech in Lawerencetown, 160km from Halifax. We saw the GPS transmitter units that will be used as batons in the race. Brian of Britech says "If it isn' ...

Here is a GPS unit that transmits its position in real time (up to more than once per second). It's built on an iPAQ.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:20:43 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Here is a GPS unit that transmits its position in real time (up to more than once per second). It's built on an iPAQ.

GPS unit with case. Riders will have to hand this unit off at every exchange. It has a nice velcro strap on the back for quick exchanges.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:20:22 -0700

Nathan Hoover
GPS unit with case. Riders will have to hand this unit off at every exchange. It has a nice velcro strap on the back for quick exchanges.

The worlds first tidal power station, Annapolis Royal Generating Station, a short 40km drive down the road from Lawencetown.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:49:17 -0700

Nathan Hoover
The worlds first tidal power station, Annapolis Royal Generating Station, a short 40km drive down the road from Lawencetown.

The Preview Team at the Tidal Power Station: Darren Bedford, Ontario Irene Genelin, Minnesota Andy Cotter, Minnesota Max DeMilner, Maine Nathan Hoover, California

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:21:05 -0700

Nathan Hoover
The Preview Team at the Tidal Power Station: Darren Bedford, Ontario Irene Genelin, Minnesota Andy Cotter, Minnesota Max DeMilner, Maine Nathan Hoover, California

Model of the turbine

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:48:56 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Model of the turbine

Back on the road, headed to Yarmouth. Darren at the wheel.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:49:52 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Back on the road, headed to Yarmouth. Darren at the wheel.

Irene

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:39:01 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Irene

After another quick 130km driving, we arrive in Yarmouth. The big parking lot here will be the start of the Ride the Lobster race. We had lunch at Boston Pizza with a number of town officia ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:39:26 -0700

Nathan Hoover
After another quick 130km driving, we arrive in Yarmouth. The big parking lot here will be the start of the Ride the Lobster race. We had lunch at Boston Pizza with a number of town officia ...

For the 3km Prolog lap, we may have national flags. Max tests it out with one from the USA (which looks a little funny by itself in Canada).

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:40:11 -0700

Nathan Hoover
For the 3km Prolog lap, we may have national flags. Max tests it out with one from the USA (which looks a little funny by itself in Canada).

Getting ready to ride

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:39:48 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Getting ready to ride

Patriotic Max in front of Boston Pizza

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:50:07 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Patriotic Max in front of Boston Pizza

Riding about 2km to downtown Yarmouth

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:50:33 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Riding about 2km to downtown Yarmouth

On the road, if only briefly, on a perfect gorgeous day

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:50:58 -0700

Nathan Hoover
On the road, if only briefly, on a perfect gorgeous day

Down at the wharf where the CAT ferry comes in.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:51:26 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Down at the wharf where the CAT ferry comes in.

Max on the pier

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:51:39 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Max on the pier

At Yarmouth Town Hall.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:52:20 -0700

Nathan Hoover
At Yarmouth Town Hall.

Clowning around with one of the locals

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:51:56 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Clowning around with one of the locals

Now we're off to Annapolis Royal, the end of stage 1 of Ride The Lobster. It's a 130km drive with some great views. This is just a few km from Yarmouth. In the race, the route will be more ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:53:06 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Now we're off to Annapolis Royal, the end of stage 1 of Ride The Lobster. It's a 130km drive with some great views. This is just a few km from Yarmouth. In the race, the route will be more ...

Following Ed's Suburban - we saw this view a lot.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:52:46 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Following Ed's Suburban - we saw this view a lot.

One of many nice looking churches along the way

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:53:22 -0700

Nathan Hoover
One of many nice looking churches along the way

Scenic coastline

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:53:45 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Scenic coastline

Darren drove the whole way (1600km total). Andy navigates and takes notes.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:54:07 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Darren drove the whole way (1600km total). Andy navigates and takes notes.

The open road

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:54:35 -0700

Nathan Hoover
The open road

It's really pretty here

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:54:54 -0700

Nathan Hoover
It's really pretty here

Let's hope for weather like this during the race, eh?

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:55:12 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Let's hope for weather like this during the race, eh?

At the Annapolis Royal Inn in Annapolis Royal. A very nice place to hang out in the afternoon on a day like this.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:56:01 -0700

Nathan Hoover
At the Annapolis Royal Inn in Annapolis Royal. A very nice place to hang out in the afternoon on a day like this.

Front of the Inn

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:55:30 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Front of the Inn

Hanspeter Stutz of Stutz Cider speaks at the Ride The Lobster reception put on by the town. We had a delicious dinner and got to meet many people.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:56:16 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Hanspeter Stutz of Stutz Cider speaks at the Ride The Lobster reception put on by the town. We had a delicious dinner and got to meet many people.

A unicycle demo as part of the reception

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:56:40 -0700

Nathan Hoover
A unicycle demo as part of the reception

It's tough to explain an 800km unicycle race to someone who isn't familiar with unicycling. If a picture is worth 1000 words, then how much is it worth to see four unicyclists actually ridin ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:57:02 -0700

Nathan Hoover
It's tough to explain an 800km unicycle race to someone who isn't familiar with unicycling. If a picture is worth 1000 words, then how much is it worth to see four unicyclists actually ridin ...

Maegan Powers (Ride The Lobster Operations Manager) gets a lesson from Darren and Andy.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:57:22 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Maegan Powers (Ride The Lobster Operations Manager) gets a lesson from Darren and Andy.

We rode 2km to downtown Annapolis Royal for a big event at the King's Theater. Speeches were given, the town announced a large sponsorship, Edward gave a multimedia Ride The Lobster presenta ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:57:38 -0700

Nathan Hoover
We rode 2km to downtown Annapolis Royal for a big event at the King's Theater. Speeches were given, the town announced a large sponsorship, Edward gave a multimedia Ride The Lobster presenta ...

After the show, the Metal Cowboy himself gets to try a 36" cycle - and he actually could ride it!

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:57:59 -0700

Nathan Hoover
After the show, the Metal Cowboy himself gets to try a 36" cycle - and he actually could ride it!

A late evening balloon creation by Darren: A bear juggling 5 balls on a unicycle, all from one balloon.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:58:16 -0700

Nathan Hoover
A late evening balloon creation by Darren: A bear juggling 5 balls on a unicycle, all from one balloon.

Saturday morning, we awoke to rain and low clouds. Here's the view from the front of the Annapolis Royal Inn.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:58:56 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Saturday morning, we awoke to rain and low clouds. Here's the view from the front of the Annapolis Royal Inn.

Planning our next stop (breakfast!)

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:59:24 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Planning our next stop (breakfast!)

A great farmers market in Annapolis Royal. We sure stocked up here!

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:59:45 -0700

Nathan Hoover
A great farmers market in Annapolis Royal. We sure stocked up here!

One of Edward's bookstores, The Inside Story in Greenwood. Nathan, Edward, Max, Andy, Irene, Maegan and Darren

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:00:10 -0700

Nathan Hoover
One of Edward's bookstores, The Inside Story in Greenwood. Nathan, Edward, Max, Andy, Irene, Maegan and Darren

Oops, sleep deficit finally catches up with Irene.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:00:35 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Oops, sleep deficit finally catches up with Irene.

3 organizers during a multi-hour "back seat meeting", chauffeured by Darren. Number of individual details involved when planning an event of this magnitude: uncountable!

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:00:59 -0700

Nathan Hoover
3 organizers during a multi-hour "back seat meeting", chauffeured by Darren. Number of individual details involved when planning an event of this magnitude: uncountable!

When you travel a new state, province or country, you have to try the local beers, all of them. This is Keith's IPA - certainly it's not in the style of a Pacific Northwest IPA (or Californi ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:01:20 -0700

Nathan Hoover
When you travel a new state, province or country, you have to try the local beers, all of them. This is Keith's IPA - certainly it's not in the style of a Pacific Northwest IPA (or Californi ...

We can't even believe we've made it nearly 600km to St Anns, near the end of the final stage of Ride The Lobster. There is a great view from every room at St Ann's Motel.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:01:40 -0700

Nathan Hoover
We can't even believe we've made it nearly 600km to St Anns, near the end of the final stage of Ride The Lobster. There is a great view from every room at St Ann's Motel.

Shot out the back window of our room

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:02:06 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Shot out the back window of our room

The Lobster Galley, next door to the motel

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:02:30 -0700

Nathan Hoover
The Lobster Galley, next door to the motel

Looking the other way from our rooms

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:02:49 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Looking the other way from our rooms

Ok, so there is a typo. So what. They put on a great Kitchen Party!

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:05:26 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Ok, so there is a typo. So what. They put on a great Kitchen Party!

First huge mugs of beer arrived. Then each person got a massive bowl of the most excellent mussels (unfortunately not recorded). Then these lobsters started showing up. For the non-lobsteria ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:04:14 -0700

Nathan Hoover
First huge mugs of beer arrived. Then each person got a massive bowl of the most excellent mussels (unfortunately not recorded). Then these lobsters started showing up. For the non-lobsteria ...

A bunch of lobster-heads. Irene, Max, Darren, Andy, Nathan and Anne

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:03:09 -0700

Nathan Hoover
A bunch of lobster-heads. Irene, Max, Darren, Andy, Nathan and Anne

Here it is on draught!

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:03:26 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Here it is on draught!

A Kitchen Party is basically an open-mic jam session. Various musicians played while the locals showed the visitors how to dance.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:04:36 -0700

Nathan Hoover
A Kitchen Party is basically an open-mic jam session. Various musicians played while the locals showed the visitors how to dance.

Musicians. The guy on the right playing spoons was the most awesome. SO Much energy.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:03:48 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Musicians. The guy on the right playing spoons was the most awesome. SO Much energy.

Playing "Pass the Ace" for high stakes. Andy was the big winner this day. Went to bed at 11pm California time (3am).

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:05:07 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Playing "Pass the Ace" for high stakes. Andy was the big winner this day. Went to bed at 11pm California time (3am).

Sunday morning after a long night of gambling (and I'm afraid to admit, but there was some drinking as well), we get a reprieve: the restaurant doesn't open for breakfast until 9am. But what ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:05:47 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Sunday morning after a long night of gambling (and I'm afraid to admit, but there was some drinking as well), we get a reprieve: the restaurant doesn't open for breakfast until 9am. But what ...

One of the vehicles packed and ready

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:06:21 -0700

Nathan Hoover
One of the vehicles packed and ready

Photo session along the stage 5 course, looking 240m down to the water.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:07:10 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Photo session along the stage 5 course, looking 240m down to the water.

Edward's blue machine ready to go too.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:06:49 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Edward's blue machine ready to go too.

The view north

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:07:29 -0700

Nathan Hoover
The view north

This bridge won't be much fun in the race as it is narrow, has fast traffic and no shoulder. Best solution: ride really fast. [Looks like we'll be shuttling riders over this for safety's sak ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:07:50 -0700

Nathan Hoover
This bridge won't be much fun in the race as it is narrow, has fast traffic and no shoulder. Best solution: ride really fast. [Looks like we'll be shuttling riders over this for safety's sak ...

Wide shot of the bridge

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:08:06 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Wide shot of the bridge

Pause for some more riding photos. We have just one spectator.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:08:28 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Pause for some more riding photos. We have just one spectator.

Riding along the Bras d'Or Lake - it's beautiful.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:08:56 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Riding along the Bras d'Or Lake - it's beautiful.

Nice riding

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:09:29 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Nice riding

Darren and some ducks

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:09:59 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Darren and some ducks

Trying out riding the other way. In real life, you would ride on the other side of the road, but Andy thought this made a better photo.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:10:23 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Trying out riding the other way. In real life, you would ride on the other side of the road, but Andy thought this made a better photo.

Nice scenery

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:10:48 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Nice scenery

Further along the 200km stage 5 route

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:11:07 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Further along the 200km stage 5 route

Yes! There's even some unpaved road!

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:11:29 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Yes! There's even some unpaved road!

How about this: a one-lane, unpaved bridge, that leads to a sharp turn, from which the gravel road goes up steeply, complete with washboard corrugations! You might want to leave the 89mm cra ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:11:58 -0700

Nathan Hoover
How about this: a one-lane, unpaved bridge, that leads to a sharp turn, from which the gravel road goes up steeply, complete with washboard corrugations! You might want to leave the 89mm cra ...

Fueling stop in New Glasgow, between Antigonish and Truro.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:12:26 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Fueling stop in New Glasgow, between Antigonish and Truro.

5pm and we've made it 500km to Halifax.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:12:58 -0700

Nathan Hoover
5pm and we've made it 500km to Halifax.

The Wave at the Halifax Boardwalk.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:13:19 -0700

Nathan Hoover
The Wave at the Halifax Boardwalk.

Max and Nathan with the stern of the Bluenose II

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:13:43 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Max and Nathan with the stern of the Bluenose II

Halifax Harbor

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:14:04 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Halifax Harbor

A cruise ship comes to Halifax

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:14:26 -0700

Nathan Hoover
A cruise ship comes to Halifax

Distant view of The Wave

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:14:47 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Distant view of The Wave

Irene, Darren, Andy and Max

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:15:20 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Irene, Darren, Andy and Max

4 Unicyclists in front of the Bluenose II

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:15:41 -0700

Nathan Hoover
4 Unicyclists in front of the Bluenose II

Theodore Tugboat

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:16:02 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Theodore Tugboat

We rode up a steep street to the Halifax Citadel which is supposedly the top rated wonder of Halifax.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:16:26 -0700

Nathan Hoover
We rode up a steep street to the Halifax Citadel which is supposedly the top rated wonder of Halifax.

The old clock and the harbor

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:16:47 -0700

Nathan Hoover
The old clock and the harbor

Looking the other way

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:17:13 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Looking the other way

Irene and a Citadel guard. No, he never cracked a smile.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:17:36 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Irene and a Citadel guard. No, he never cracked a smile.

See, I told you.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:17:49 -0700

Nathan Hoover
See, I told you.

A seagull, back down at the Boardwalk

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:18:10 -0700

Nathan Hoover
A seagull, back down at the Boardwalk

Ed and Darren give a civilian an exciting experience

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:18:31 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Ed and Darren give a civilian an exciting experience

Darren made many kids happy with intricate balloon sculptures down on the Boardwalk.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:18:56 -0700

Nathan Hoover
Darren made many kids happy with intricate balloon sculptures down on the Boardwalk.

If you know the rules to Pass the Ace you'll recognize how amazing this hand was. Irene goes down in flames.

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:19:25 -0700

Nathan Hoover
If you know the rules to Pass the Ace you'll recognize how amazing this hand was. Irene goes down in flames.

About 1am, Andy wins the final round: two toonies and a Lara Bar (Nathan ran out of money and was forced to ante up his possessions).

nobody@smugmug.com (Nathan Hoover) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:19:41 -0700

Nathan Hoover
About 1am, Andy wins the final round: two toonies and a Lara Bar (Nathan ran out of money and was forced to ante up his possessions).