Over the Hills, by David Lamb
Not related to Canada, but this book a great first-tourer story; it also encouraged my own interest in touring -- along with John Doesey's wonderful tour journal, the first one I ever read.
Over the Hills is a memoir of a middle-aged journalist’s 3000-mile "afternoon ride". The book is well-written, fun to read, and strikes an excellent balance between travelogue, personal memoir, and barely disguised worship of middle America’s relaxed way of life.
The author is decidedly not part of bicycling culture. He wore ordinary-looking clothing on his trip, ate in ordinary diners and truck stops, and stayed in ordinary hotel rooms, with his bike standing by the side of the bed. Mr. Lamb is very much a character in his own story.
Funny story, from the middle of a Boston to New York City tour: I was pushing my way up a hill on the way to a repair shop, and chatted with a guy on a motorcycle; he started to describe this book, and I interrupted him, asking if it was this book. We both laughed; it was a bonding moment.
I learned a few things from this book: To keep my hands loose on the bars when going over grooved pavement, that it's not "cheating" to accept a ride to get past an onerous section of interstate, and that talking to strangers is just plain fun.
