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ýLocal pair cycles from California to Milton in two months just to see if they could do it By FANNIE SUNSHINE The Champion or the average per- son, travelling across North America by plane, train or automobile would suffice. But for Matt Dempster and Trevor Emerson, their joumey was seen from.the seat of a bicycle. The pair met up in Califomia in July and completed the 6,400-km trip back to Milton in two months. "It was something I always want- ed to do," said Mr. Emerson, 26. "My parents moved to Califomia sol thought it would be a good idea to help them move then bike home. Matt was working in California at the time and he was all for it." Although they didn't follow a defmite route, they did stick to major roads ,in the United States and the Trans-Canada Highway. And when it was time to sleep, they either camped at a state park or by the side of the road. Starting their trip in the Golden State, the recreational cyclists beaded through Oregon and Washington before making their way north of the border. "I didn't know what to expect," he said. "It was a new adventure. We're both in pretty good shape and besides a few bike problems, we didn't have many setbacks." Now that one goal bas been accomplished, it's time for Mr. Emerson to make plans for his next adventure. "I'd like to bit the coast out east, but it's too late for this year." Mr. Dempster said he agreed to bike along with Mr. Emerson because it sounded like a fun and exciting thing to do. "From Ottawa to Milton we came across a few big hills that took time and patience to ride," the 22-year-old said. "Depending on the weather, we normally biked six hours a day. A big obstacle for us was Ontario. You never realize how big it is until you bike through it." And spending time on a bike allowed them to fully take in the town or city they were travelling through. he said. "We would spend eight or nine hours travelling when normally (in a car) the towns would just whiz right by. I never realized how many small towns are across Canada." Besides viewing the countryside, the pair also saw the aftermath of a bank shooting in Oregon, he said. "We saw the SWAT Team and the dogs chasing someone in the woods. We were just about to ride by." The cyclists also experienced provincial changes through Canada's west. "We noticed a change from the coast (British Columbia) to the prairies," Mr. Dempster said. "It went from wet to dry to super hot." So is he up for another cycling trip? "I would definitely do another coast-to-coast trip, but not the same route. Maybe I'd do a biking trip through Europe or Australia." I'm really going to cash in on all these free offers I have a personal relationship with Miss Cleo. You know who she is, the Jamaican woman who reads tarot cards and knows everything about everybody who telephones on her television ads. Well, she e-mails me just about every day to tell me she has special information that I just must have. What a considerate lady. She really cares. About 15 of her letters in the 18 days of this month so far told me that she doesn't usually take the On the loose time to write a personal note, but that the vibrations are very strong. She gave me a special number to call, which I can't reveal to anyone, for my free tarot reading. And as if that isn't good enough, 1 can get special credit card rates up to 70 per cent off. She's not the only one willing to help me. I don't even have time to read all the helpful e-mail I get each day. Just about everything is for free, too. Over a span of a couple days, I was offered a free American t-shirt, free vitamins, free DVDs, a free • see I'D HAVE TO on page 21 Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Trevor Emerson (left) and Matt Dempster biked 6,400 km from California to Milton. Decorator Prints / Needlework / Photos S A V EPosters / Sports / Medals Ae5 Photo Collages / Mirrors (made ta measse all / Repairs / Memorabilia sliapes and sus) EVERY DAY Llmited Editions / Original Artwork 24 YEARS EXPERIENCE • QUALITY WORKMANSHIP •NEW SHOWROOM PIECES ARRIVING DAILY •