Jayden’s Trans Canada Trail: Riding the Heartbeat of a Nation
The Trans Canada Trail from Sea to Sea
Written by Jayden Eric Beaudoin
There’s magic in watching the Canadian wilderness roll by at the pace of a bicycle. It’s not fast. It’s not slow. And as my tires crunched along gravel paths and twisted through forested corridors, I realized that I wasn’t just traversing a country; I was experiencing its soul as much as I was exploring my own. My journey was a mosaic of landscapes, people, and connections, many of them shaped and defined by the Trans Canada Trail.
A lifeline connecting Canadians
After 11,500 kilometres cycling across Canada, I learned the Trans Canada Trail is not just a line drawn across a map, but a lifeline that threads through small towns, hugs majestic lakeshores, climbs mountain corridors and weaves itself into large urban centres. It invites us to explore Canada slowly, deliberately and with awe. Much of my four-month journey touched the Trail, sometimes directly, and sometimes as a parallel route. I found traces of the Trail’s purpose in every province, connecting Canadians not only to nature, but more importantly, connecting us to one other.
My travels began in Vancouver, where the sun-drenched Pacific Central Station marked my symbolic start. From there, I rode east through British Columbia, crossing mountain passes and slept beside shimmering lakes. One of the earliest highlights was cycling the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, a former railway now transformed into a haven for cyclists. It didn’t offer only simple breathtaking views of canyons and forests, but was also a smooth, welcoming path for adventure.
The Band of the Ceremonial Guard performing on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario. Credit Jayden Beaudoin.
Golden fields bathed in sunlight
In Alberta and Saskatchewan, golden fields bathed in sunlight stretched into the infinite horizon, with the occasional grain elevator breaking the flat skyline. Here, the Trail mirrors the humbling expanse of the Prairies. The quiet backroads and converted trails let me slow down, take deep breaths and listen to locals, many of whom were eager to share the story of their respective towns. Each encounter became a page in a greater story that centred on community, hospitality and connection.
The Trail breathes generosity
Friendly Manitoba, as the license plates reads, offered warm companionship. I met other cyclists, was welcomed into homes and saw firsthand how the Trail acts as a conduit for generosity. Drivers honked their horns in encouragement as they passed me, sometimes with people cheering out their windows. The rugged wilderness of Ontario took me along Lake Superior as I made my way into the heart of the province where friends, family and memories waited. I couldn’t help but marvel at how the Trail, which was sometimes a paved path and other times a gravel line winding through dense trees, could guide us into such vastly different experiences while maintaining a consistent sense of welcome.
Biking trails in Québec are some of the best in Canada. Credit Jayden Beaudoin.
Quaint towns and rich heritage
Quebec gave me the chance to experience a hint of European charm through the province’s deep-rooted language, history and culture. The Trans Canada Trail here is infused with a distinct rhythm, leading cyclists through quaint towns and peaceful countryside, always framed by the rich heritage of the land and the stunning beauty of the St. Lawrence River as it gradually flows to meet the sea.
By the time I reached the Atlantic provinces, I was sore and sun-kissed, though my body had transformed into a cycling machine. New Brunswick’s quiet roads led to Prince Edward Island’s red shores and pastoral views. Here, the Confederation Trail ran like a backbone across the island. Nova Scotia’s Celtic Shores Coastal Trail and Newfoundland’s rocky landscape tested my strength but rewarded my perseverance.
Thousands of stars twinkle above my tent in New Brunswick. Credit Jayden Beaudoin.
Strong memories from deep connections
Throughout my ride, I camped in hidden glades, beside peaceful lakes, on mountain passes and in the backyards of strangers-turned-friends. I cycled through rain and wind. I felt the burn of steep climbs and the exhilaration of racing down the other side. What stands out the most, however, wasn’t the physical effort or the dynamic scenery, but the personal connections. The time I spent with others was always fleeting but sometimes led to unexpected tears as I left the hospitality of a generous host. It became clear to me that it wasn’t the varied landscapes that made this a life-changing experience; it was the people.
If you’re considering a cycling journey, start with a section of the Trans Canada Trail. You don’t need to cross the whole country to experience the magic. Whether it’s a weekend ride through the Laurentians, a trek across the Rockies or a cruise along the coast of Nova Scotia, the Trail invites you to slow down and tune into the world around you. You’ll find more than scenery. You’ll find yourself.
Jayden Eric Beaudoin is a versatile Canadian artist whose journey spans music, photography, military service, and storytelling. A classically trained percussionist and veteran performer, Jayden has played across Canada and abroad in a variety of capacities from solo street performer to parades at Buckingham Palace. Beyond the stage, Jayden is a published photographer and author of Cycling from Sea to Sea. Passionate about mentorship and community, Jayden continues to create, teach, and inspire through his work in the arts and education in Victoria, BC.
Follow him at www.JaydenEricBeaudoin.com.
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Main photo: Mt Hosmer, located between Fernie and Sparwood. Credit Jayden Beaudoin.
