Countdown to madness : 3 days...

I went today with my friend Eric around Quebec by bike, to take some shots close to the St-Lawrence River. The weather was sunny but cold and windy. I took about 92 pictures and retained some 10-12 very nice ones. You can look them on my flickr account >>here<<. Since last week I got a knee problem. It is getting sensitive after 40km. I realized that my seat was a little too low, so I adjusted it. I went to the bike shop to ask them to verify my position, and now it seems ok. I made 72km today and it was not too bad. I hope it will not worsen. [I made 2500km last summer without having any problems, and 1 week before my departure I have to get a sore knee, what the hell is that?].

I am realizing more and more that I will not sleep anymore in my cozy bed for a long time. I enjoy every minute I spend in it, thinking about the tent and the 30 degrees with humidity that I will have to endure at night...Ok I'm sure everything will be alright, and I will enjoy my trip...I just have to focus on good points and forget about the bed and the sore knee.

I talked to a sympathetic "Caracano" (dweller from Caracas) called Mirko; he will take me at the airport and bring me to his home, where I am supposed to have a bed, waiting for me. I found him on the Warm Showers website. Once there in Caracas, I will take the time to buy the necessary stuff: The road map, the bencina blanca (camping gas) and the Brazil Visa. I should start to bike around Sunday or Monday.

My plane is scheduled for the 11th at 6h45AM, from Dorval @ Montréal. I will leave with my parents from Québec City around midnight probably, by car.

I wish you the best and don't hesitate to give me news from you, I will often take time to read my emails, probably every weeks. JS