- Second World War attack helped shape Bell Island’s history
- ConnecTour Chronicles: An artistic treasure trove in a former biker bar
- ConnecTour Chronicles: Out of the blue, an army on the prowl
- A sudden, frightening crash sidelines one of our cyclists
- ConnecTour Chronicles: Antique store owner revives memories
- ConnecTour Chronicles: A pool party on the Prairies
- ConnecTour Chronicles: A life-saving gift for our son-in-law
- ConnecTour Chronicles: Even in Banff, COVID-19 has left its mark
- ConnectTour Chronicles: Highlights, lowlights and lessons learned so far
- ConnecTour Chronicles: Warmshowers hosts have equally warm spirits
- ConnecTour Chronicles: Content to live with old mining town’s ghosts
- ConnecTour Chronicles: A brush with heat stroke and then hypothermia
- ConnecTour Chronicles: One man’s gear is another man’s gold
- ConnecTour Chronicles: Kindness comes in a bucket of ice and jug of water
- What the heck is bike touring anyway? It’s an experience
- COVID panic? Keep calm and carry on with bike tour planning
- ConnecTour Chronicles: Cheap rural living brings brewery dream to life
- ConnecTour Chronicles: A bicycle clinic that started with a bang
- Cross-country cyclists welcomed by St. John’s deputy mayor
- ConnecTour Chronicles: Traumatic accident led former nurse to artistic success
- Cycling tour across Canada ends in St. John’s, N.L.
- War, tragedy, and a Broadway hit all part of Gander’s celebrated past
- Proud captain sails to Canada’s other ‘distinct society’: Newfoundland
- Charlottetown’s heritage homes have a champion
- ConnecTour Chronicles: Good luck dodging bad weather finally runs out
- ConnecTour Chronicles: Ottawa family is all-in on car-free, cycling lifestyle
- ConnecTour Chronicles: Scaring away a middle-of-the-night invader
- ConnecTour Chronicles: Lodges hanging on by a thin fishing line
- Amish follow a humble path to a simpler way of life
- ConnecTour Chronicles: Learning to roll with one of this tour’s unexpected twists
- ConnecTour Chronicles: Wawa’s loyal support keeps country store going strong
- ConnecTour Chronicles: Calgary bike trails a bridge between city and nature
- ConnecTour Chronicles: Reckless drivers are the scourge of cyclists
- ConnecTour Chronicles: A private fantasy world, rich in local and family history
- It’s not about where we travel but why
Deputy Mayor Sheilagh OLeary (left) welcomes the ConnecTour cyclists to her city
Troy Media publisher Doug Firby is part of a group of Canadians who call themselves ConnecTour. Starting last May in British Columbia and ending in October in Newfoundland, they hope to make an 8,000-km bicycle journey across the country, discovering how the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped our lives and sense of community. Watch for their reports on Troy Media. More information on the cycling tour is available at ConnecTour.ca.
ConnecTour was honoured to meet with Sheilagh O’Leary, deputy mayor of St. John’s, N.L., when we arrived in town. In addition to hosting us at Mile 0, O’Leary invited us up to her office and congratulated us on our cross-Canada bike ride.
In this video, O’Leary describes the efforts in St. John’s to build a bicycle network and improve safety for bike riders. She also reflects on mental health and the meaning of building connectivity during the difficult times brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
We thank the deputy mayor for her genuine warmth and openness. As she said, “You certainly are my tribe.” We are indeed. What a great introduction to St. John’s.
Doug Firby is president of Troy Media Digital Solutions and publisher of Troy Media. For interview requests, click here.
The views, opinions and positions expressed by columnists and contributors are the authors’ alone. They do not inherently or expressly reflect the views, opinions and/or positions of our publication.
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