Cross Canada Cycling Tour - Tuesday, July 24, 2012 - Day 66
Sault Ste. Marie - Rest Day
I was woken several times during the night by night creatures, etc and once by a screeching bird being mauled by a cat or ? at 3:30 AM. We got up at 8:00 AM and had muffins and a Mandarin orange fruit cup for breakfast. The wind had died down during the night and it was a very pleasant sunny morning. I took some photos while Bev did some reading. We took our bikes over to the bike shop and left them for repairs/maintenance when it opened at 10:00 AM. We then went back to our tent, gathered our laundry and walked over to the laundromat at 10:50 AM. It was not yet open. The lady in the next door shop said the manager of the laundromat usually opened at 11:00 AM. We waited 10-15 minutes before going over to the Metro across the street to get something to eat and drink for lunch. When we returned the laundromat manager was just arriving to open up. We started a load of laundry at $2.00 plus .89 cents for soap and $1.00 for the dryer. While waiting for our clothes to dry we walked over to the nearby Zellers for a cup of tea. Once our laundry was dry and folded we walked back to our campsite stopping at a McDs for an ice cream on the way. After hanging my T-shirts, etc which were still a bit damp, we went up to the bike shop to check on repairs. They were not yet started. I checked over the selection of tires and chose a Schwalbe touring tire at $60.00 recommended by Jan. I had brought along my Notebook and was able to get on the Internet using the bike shop wi-fi. We were able to check our e-mail and I let Lori know that we would be back in Ottawa before they left on August 11th. Returned laptop to tent and walked over to Walmart, Husky and Beer Store. We bought some groceries including chicken breast to BBQ for our dinner and beer for the boys working on our bikes. All this hiking around tired me out so I lay down for a nap. A cyclist, Louis, arrived at 5:00 PM to spend a night at the campsite. We chatted for an hour before cooking our chicken on the bike shop BBQ. It was very tasty along with an egg and potato salad and tomato and a sticky bun and tea with milk. We checked the weather forecast and I worked on my blog while Bev cleaned up. We packed our bags, showered and were off to bed at 10:30 PM for an early morning start.
Bev and Roly
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
CCCT 2012 - July 23/12 - Day 65
Cross Canada Cycling Tour - Monday, July 23, 2012 - Day 65
Montreal River Harbour to Sault Ste. Marie
Trip 129.70 kms Time 8 hrs 16 mins Avg 15.69 kph Max 60.70 kph
I heard it start raining at 4:30 AM so got up to close the windows and get a drink of water. I was also up twice before during the night to pee and drink water. For some reason I was extra thirsty. We got up at 5:30 AM when my watch alarm went off. It was still raining and very windy. We went back to bed. The storm let up at 6:30 AM so I got up and put our bikes out on the deck. It started raining again. Bev had to go out and get her bike computer. We had yogurt and a muffin, warmed up in the microwave, for breakfast. Rain stopped at 7:00 AM so we loaded our gear on our bikes and set off for SAULT STE. MARIE at 7:30 AM under black stormy looking clouds. By 8:00 AM it was beginning to look clearer and by 8:30 the sun had come out. There was a paved shoulder most of the way except for some sections where we had to ride on the highway. I counted 19 hills between Montreal River Harbour and Sault Ste. Marie with the last hill at 20 kms before arriving at "The Soo" as it is commonly referred to. This particular hill is knows as "The Mile". It was a killer!!! We had to stop several times for breaks and cold drinks. At one restaurant/convenience store we bought cold drinks and 2 small bottles of water. The owner offered us 2 more small bottles of water for FREE. We arrived in Sault Ste. Marie at 5:00 PM. We were very thirsty so we stopped at the first gas station we came to for a cold drink and asked for direction to the bike shop where we could get free camping. The attendant sent us off in the wrong direction. After cycling about 3 kms we realized we were going in the wrong direction and after again asking for directions ended up cycling back to the gas station where we discovered that Velorution Bike Shop/Campground was just a block away on Hwy 17. Needless to say we were not amused by the attendant's directions or lack thereof!!! Fortunately, we arrived at 5:50 PM just before the bike shop was about to close for the day at 6:00 PM. Jan, one of the bike mechanics, showed us where to camp and gave us the code so we could use the washroom and shower. We set up our tent and then cycled to a Chinese Restaurant near Staples for a buffet dinner. I, of course, pigged out. I could hardly make it back to the campsite on my bike. We both enjoyed a very refreshing shower and saw a beautiful "red ball of fire" as the sun set. It was quite windy and there were a lot of gulls squawking in the nearby parking lots. I had forgotten to get the "access code" for the wi-fi so it was off to bed at 9:30 PM.
Bev and Roly
Montreal River Harbour to Sault Ste. Marie
Trip 129.70 kms Time 8 hrs 16 mins Avg 15.69 kph Max 60.70 kph
I heard it start raining at 4:30 AM so got up to close the windows and get a drink of water. I was also up twice before during the night to pee and drink water. For some reason I was extra thirsty. We got up at 5:30 AM when my watch alarm went off. It was still raining and very windy. We went back to bed. The storm let up at 6:30 AM so I got up and put our bikes out on the deck. It started raining again. Bev had to go out and get her bike computer. We had yogurt and a muffin, warmed up in the microwave, for breakfast. Rain stopped at 7:00 AM so we loaded our gear on our bikes and set off for SAULT STE. MARIE at 7:30 AM under black stormy looking clouds. By 8:00 AM it was beginning to look clearer and by 8:30 the sun had come out. There was a paved shoulder most of the way except for some sections where we had to ride on the highway. I counted 19 hills between Montreal River Harbour and Sault Ste. Marie with the last hill at 20 kms before arriving at "The Soo" as it is commonly referred to. This particular hill is knows as "The Mile". It was a killer!!! We had to stop several times for breaks and cold drinks. At one restaurant/convenience store we bought cold drinks and 2 small bottles of water. The owner offered us 2 more small bottles of water for FREE. We arrived in Sault Ste. Marie at 5:00 PM. We were very thirsty so we stopped at the first gas station we came to for a cold drink and asked for direction to the bike shop where we could get free camping. The attendant sent us off in the wrong direction. After cycling about 3 kms we realized we were going in the wrong direction and after again asking for directions ended up cycling back to the gas station where we discovered that Velorution Bike Shop/Campground was just a block away on Hwy 17. Needless to say we were not amused by the attendant's directions or lack thereof!!! Fortunately, we arrived at 5:50 PM just before the bike shop was about to close for the day at 6:00 PM. Jan, one of the bike mechanics, showed us where to camp and gave us the code so we could use the washroom and shower. We set up our tent and then cycled to a Chinese Restaurant near Staples for a buffet dinner. I, of course, pigged out. I could hardly make it back to the campsite on my bike. We both enjoyed a very refreshing shower and saw a beautiful "red ball of fire" as the sun set. It was quite windy and there were a lot of gulls squawking in the nearby parking lots. I had forgotten to get the "access code" for the wi-fi so it was off to bed at 9:30 PM.
Bev and Roly
Monday, August 6, 2012
CCCT 2012 - July 22/12 = Day 64
Cross Canada Cycling Tour - Sunday, July 22, 2012 - Day 64
Wawa to Montreal River Harbour, ON - Trip 112.84 kms Time 7 hrs 17 mins Avg 15.50 kph Max 53.1
I slept poorly because of the Tylenol pain killers which I had taken before going to bed for the pain in my left shoulder. Also the motel room was either to hot or to cold. I got up and turned off the A/C and opened the window. We got up at 5:30 AM and had a muffin and yogurt for breakfast.We left at 6:45 AM for MONTREAL RIVER HARBOUR. There were several very long and difficult hills along the way. After going 13 kms we began cycling through Lake Superior Provincial Park. A distance of 83 kms without any facilities. It was very scenic but also, because there was no wind, very hot. We stopped at Old Woman Bay so Bev could use w/c. She had to go "hunting" for it. We met a couple from the Czech Republic on a one month auto tour. Erika? was quite impressed with our bikes and all the gear we carried and asked to take a photo of us. We gladly obliged. We stopped in the shade a few times when it was available. We met a young couple, Kimmy and Daman from Victoria, who started their trek across Canada from StJohns, NL. They came over to our side of the highway and we chatted for 15-20 minutes before continuing on our separate ways. We found out they had met Sebastian, the 4 kids from Vancouver, the MS guy (all cyclist we had crossed paths with earlier) at the cycling campground in Sault Ste Marie. We arrived at the Twilight Resort Motel and Cabins at 4:00 PM. A motel room cost $80 + tax, a cabin cost $60 + tax. There was also camping available but I didn't bother asking how much it was. After checking out our cabin we unloaded our gear, put our flip flops on and went back to the OFFICE/Convenience Store for ice cream. There was no beer, no wi-fi and no TV. After having our showers we rinsed out a cycling outfit for tomorrow's ride and walked over to the "Chip Wagon" for dinner. We both had cheese burgers and fries. Not much else on the menu besides "Moose Balls" which we learned are deep fried Mars bars. We decided to give them a miss. The burgers and fries were very tasty. We also got some ham and cheese and 2 buns for tomorrow's lunch. We bought 2 bottles of G2 and a large KitKat chocolate bar before returning to our cabin. I took 2 milder Tylenol pain killers before going off to bed at 9:00 PM.
Bev and Roly
Wawa to Montreal River Harbour, ON - Trip 112.84 kms Time 7 hrs 17 mins Avg 15.50 kph Max 53.1
I slept poorly because of the Tylenol pain killers which I had taken before going to bed for the pain in my left shoulder. Also the motel room was either to hot or to cold. I got up and turned off the A/C and opened the window. We got up at 5:30 AM and had a muffin and yogurt for breakfast.We left at 6:45 AM for MONTREAL RIVER HARBOUR. There were several very long and difficult hills along the way. After going 13 kms we began cycling through Lake Superior Provincial Park. A distance of 83 kms without any facilities. It was very scenic but also, because there was no wind, very hot. We stopped at Old Woman Bay so Bev could use w/c. She had to go "hunting" for it. We met a couple from the Czech Republic on a one month auto tour. Erika? was quite impressed with our bikes and all the gear we carried and asked to take a photo of us. We gladly obliged. We stopped in the shade a few times when it was available. We met a young couple, Kimmy and Daman from Victoria, who started their trek across Canada from StJohns, NL. They came over to our side of the highway and we chatted for 15-20 minutes before continuing on our separate ways. We found out they had met Sebastian, the 4 kids from Vancouver, the MS guy (all cyclist we had crossed paths with earlier) at the cycling campground in Sault Ste Marie. We arrived at the Twilight Resort Motel and Cabins at 4:00 PM. A motel room cost $80 + tax, a cabin cost $60 + tax. There was also camping available but I didn't bother asking how much it was. After checking out our cabin we unloaded our gear, put our flip flops on and went back to the OFFICE/Convenience Store for ice cream. There was no beer, no wi-fi and no TV. After having our showers we rinsed out a cycling outfit for tomorrow's ride and walked over to the "Chip Wagon" for dinner. We both had cheese burgers and fries. Not much else on the menu besides "Moose Balls" which we learned are deep fried Mars bars. We decided to give them a miss. The burgers and fries were very tasty. We also got some ham and cheese and 2 buns for tomorrow's lunch. We bought 2 bottles of G2 and a large KitKat chocolate bar before returning to our cabin. I took 2 milder Tylenol pain killers before going off to bed at 9:00 PM.
Bev and Roly
CCCT 2012 - July 21/12 - Day 63
Cross Canada Cycling Tour - Saturday, July 21, 2012 - Day 63
White River to Wawa, ON - Trip 97.32 kms Time 5 hrs 44 mins Avg 16.95 kph Max 52.7 kph
We got up at 5:30 AM and went across the highway to Robbins Donuts for breakfast. I had a decaf coffee and a breakfast sandwich with sausage. Bev had hers with ham and tea. We bought an egg salad sandwich and bran/cranberry muffins to take away with us. We returned to our motel room and finished packing before setting off for WAWA at 7:20 AM. After cycling 22 kms we made a pit stop at a roadside shop and had a snack of cookies and chocolate milk. There were also a number of very primitive looking holiday cabins. I wondered how much it would cost to spend a night in one of them? Later on we found a "shady spot" down a dirt road where we stopped at 12:00 PM to have our lunch and a pit stop . We saw a strange looking reddish brown bird about 3 feet tall with a short beak walking in the reeds along the side of the highway. Later we were told that it was a Sand Crane when we asked at the Visitor's Centre. Also, while cycling along, a bright blue bird swooped down in front of me narrowly missing my front wheel. I think it was after the grass hoppers which were all along the highway. Still not sure what species of bird it was?
We were doing really well until about 10 kms from Wawa when we had to struggle up several more hills on rough pavement and against a nasty head wind to boot. We arrived in Wawa at 2:00 PM and stopped at the Visitor's Centre. Our original plan had been to camp but dark cloudy skies put us off. Besides the camp ground was several Ks out of town and we needed groceries which would have meant cycling up a hill into town and back and repeating it all over again in the morning. We checked into the Beaver Motel and afterwards I went next door to the Beer Store to get a couple beers. We sat outside our room on a park bench and while enjoying a cold beverage I checked out the motel wi-fi. After leaving the Visitor's Centre we stopped at the "General Store" for an ice cream. Great place with a very generous serving which we thoroughly enjoyed after our hot day of cycling. While Bev went for groceries I lay down for a nap. When she returned she also lay down for a short nap. We decided to walk into town and find the North Of 17 Restaurant that Jim Rogers had recommended for it's pizza. We were not disappointed. It was very tasty. On the walk back to our motel we found the streets of Wawa very quiet for a Saturday night. We bought some Gatorade at a Mac's and did some packing. I worked on my blog while Bev watched TV.
Bev and Roly
White River to Wawa, ON - Trip 97.32 kms Time 5 hrs 44 mins Avg 16.95 kph Max 52.7 kph
We got up at 5:30 AM and went across the highway to Robbins Donuts for breakfast. I had a decaf coffee and a breakfast sandwich with sausage. Bev had hers with ham and tea. We bought an egg salad sandwich and bran/cranberry muffins to take away with us. We returned to our motel room and finished packing before setting off for WAWA at 7:20 AM. After cycling 22 kms we made a pit stop at a roadside shop and had a snack of cookies and chocolate milk. There were also a number of very primitive looking holiday cabins. I wondered how much it would cost to spend a night in one of them? Later on we found a "shady spot" down a dirt road where we stopped at 12:00 PM to have our lunch and a pit stop . We saw a strange looking reddish brown bird about 3 feet tall with a short beak walking in the reeds along the side of the highway. Later we were told that it was a Sand Crane when we asked at the Visitor's Centre. Also, while cycling along, a bright blue bird swooped down in front of me narrowly missing my front wheel. I think it was after the grass hoppers which were all along the highway. Still not sure what species of bird it was?
We were doing really well until about 10 kms from Wawa when we had to struggle up several more hills on rough pavement and against a nasty head wind to boot. We arrived in Wawa at 2:00 PM and stopped at the Visitor's Centre. Our original plan had been to camp but dark cloudy skies put us off. Besides the camp ground was several Ks out of town and we needed groceries which would have meant cycling up a hill into town and back and repeating it all over again in the morning. We checked into the Beaver Motel and afterwards I went next door to the Beer Store to get a couple beers. We sat outside our room on a park bench and while enjoying a cold beverage I checked out the motel wi-fi. After leaving the Visitor's Centre we stopped at the "General Store" for an ice cream. Great place with a very generous serving which we thoroughly enjoyed after our hot day of cycling. While Bev went for groceries I lay down for a nap. When she returned she also lay down for a short nap. We decided to walk into town and find the North Of 17 Restaurant that Jim Rogers had recommended for it's pizza. We were not disappointed. It was very tasty. On the walk back to our motel we found the streets of Wawa very quiet for a Saturday night. We bought some Gatorade at a Mac's and did some packing. I worked on my blog while Bev watched TV.
Bev and Roly
Sunday, August 5, 2012
CCCT 2012 - July 20/12 - Day 62
Cross Canada Cycling Tour - Friday, July 20, 2012 - Day 62
Marathon to White River, ON - Trip 101.19 kms Time 6 hrs 14 mins Avg 16.23 kph Max 59.2 kph
I slept poorly. My left shoulder and arm were quite sore. The camp attendant came by at 6:45 AM with my GPS. We finished packing and cycled to the bakery/deli and bought some yogurt, muffins and chocolate milk for breakfast. We then cycled to a nearby gas station for Gatorade. They only had diet Gatorade for me. We set off for WHITE RIVER at 9:00 AM. Bev's breakfast was not sitting well. She had to stop a couple times as we started the 2 km climb out of Marathon to get back on the TCH. Eventually Bev's tummy settled down and we were able to make good progress cycling along a nice paved and flat shoulder with a slight tailwind. We stopped for several breaks and twice for cold drinks. We saw a young guy pushing a cart loaded with his gear along the highway facing traffic. He was moving quite quickly. Bev wondered how he managed to control his cart on the downhills? We arrived in White River at 4:00 PM and checked into the Continental Motel at $74 (including taxes). There was no fridge or microwave in the room so I asked to change rooms. We were given a room around the back with a fridge and stove but it smelt of smoke. We unloaded our gear and put our bikes in the room. My bike fell over on the rear derailleur. On inspection it looked OK. We went next door to the restaurant for a beer. Then it was back to our room for a shower before going over to the Husky to get some Gatorade and bananas for tomorrow's ride. We went over to Robbins Donuts and found out they opened at 6:00 AM for breakfast. We also noticed they had a good selection of sandwiches and pastries. We returned to the motel restaurant for dinner. Bev had the Lasagna. I had Haddock with a baked potato and vegetables. The vegetables, green/yellow beans and carrots, were cold and under cooked. We went back to the donut shop for ice cream. Upon returning to our room I worked on my blog (posted 2 days) while Bev fell asleep watching a Jays vs Red Sox ballgame. I was off to bed at 10:00 PM.
Bev and Roly
Marathon to White River, ON - Trip 101.19 kms Time 6 hrs 14 mins Avg 16.23 kph Max 59.2 kph
I slept poorly. My left shoulder and arm were quite sore. The camp attendant came by at 6:45 AM with my GPS. We finished packing and cycled to the bakery/deli and bought some yogurt, muffins and chocolate milk for breakfast. We then cycled to a nearby gas station for Gatorade. They only had diet Gatorade for me. We set off for WHITE RIVER at 9:00 AM. Bev's breakfast was not sitting well. She had to stop a couple times as we started the 2 km climb out of Marathon to get back on the TCH. Eventually Bev's tummy settled down and we were able to make good progress cycling along a nice paved and flat shoulder with a slight tailwind. We stopped for several breaks and twice for cold drinks. We saw a young guy pushing a cart loaded with his gear along the highway facing traffic. He was moving quite quickly. Bev wondered how he managed to control his cart on the downhills? We arrived in White River at 4:00 PM and checked into the Continental Motel at $74 (including taxes). There was no fridge or microwave in the room so I asked to change rooms. We were given a room around the back with a fridge and stove but it smelt of smoke. We unloaded our gear and put our bikes in the room. My bike fell over on the rear derailleur. On inspection it looked OK. We went next door to the restaurant for a beer. Then it was back to our room for a shower before going over to the Husky to get some Gatorade and bananas for tomorrow's ride. We went over to Robbins Donuts and found out they opened at 6:00 AM for breakfast. We also noticed they had a good selection of sandwiches and pastries. We returned to the motel restaurant for dinner. Bev had the Lasagna. I had Haddock with a baked potato and vegetables. The vegetables, green/yellow beans and carrots, were cold and under cooked. We went back to the donut shop for ice cream. Upon returning to our room I worked on my blog (posted 2 days) while Bev fell asleep watching a Jays vs Red Sox ballgame. I was off to bed at 10:00 PM.
Bev and Roly
CCCT 2012 - July 19/12 - Day 61
Cross Canada Cycling Tour - Thursday, July 19, 2012 - Day 61
Schreiber to Marathon, ON - Trip 110.61 Time 7 hrs 17 mins Avg 15.16 kph Max 6.8 kph
After a fairly quiet night's sleep we were up at 6:00 AM, packed and ready to leave at 7:00 AM. We cycled 3 kms into town to an Esso gas station/restaurant/convenience store. We both had hot chocolate and French Toast (mine with strawberries and whipped cream) for breakfast. We got some Gatorade and bottled water, etc. After filling our bottles we left for MARATHON at 8:00 AM. It was still a bit cool. We had a nicely paved shoulder to cycle on. We had to stop after the 1st hill to remove our jackets put our sleeves and vest on which we removed after the 2nd hill. It was still a bit chilly going downhill but quite hot going uphill. We stopped several times for snacks and once at a store for cold drinks and a pit stop. We arrived at the Penn Lake Park and Campground in Marathon at 4:00 PM. On arrival Bev thought I was turning left when in fact I was going straight on. We collided and toppled over. But, fortunately, since we were going slow no one was hurt just my front fender mud guard. We went around the campground looking for the "OFFICE". We saw a young girl riding on a golf cart and followed her to the OFFICE near the DUMPSITE/SHOWERS/LAUNDROMAT. I paid the Senior's rate of $30.++ for a site with electrical hookup. After putting up our tent at site #31 I noticed there was no electrical outlet. We went back to the office and got a reduced rate of $25.++. The campground attendant agreed to let me charge my GPS in the office overnight. She assured me she would be into work at 6:45 AM before our planned 7:00 AM departure. We cycled into town to a grocery store. It had the most pathetic selection of fruit that I've ever seen in a grocery store. We then went over to a nearby motel restaurant for beer and dinner. We cycled back to our campsite, gathered our laundry and went for a shower. We did one big load of laundry. I was able to connect to the Internet using wi-fi and sat at a nearby picnic table while waiting for the laundry to finish. I was feeling a bit chilly so returned to the tent to get a jacket. I found a bag of garbage ripped open and spread about. The squirrels were nearby munching on a stale muffin that we had thrown out earlier. Bev returned with our laundry. I sorted through mine while she went off to brush her teeth and vice versa. We were soon off to bed at 10:00 PM.
Bev and Roly
Schreiber to Marathon, ON - Trip 110.61 Time 7 hrs 17 mins Avg 15.16 kph Max 6.8 kph
After a fairly quiet night's sleep we were up at 6:00 AM, packed and ready to leave at 7:00 AM. We cycled 3 kms into town to an Esso gas station/restaurant/convenience store. We both had hot chocolate and French Toast (mine with strawberries and whipped cream) for breakfast. We got some Gatorade and bottled water, etc. After filling our bottles we left for MARATHON at 8:00 AM. It was still a bit cool. We had a nicely paved shoulder to cycle on. We had to stop after the 1st hill to remove our jackets put our sleeves and vest on which we removed after the 2nd hill. It was still a bit chilly going downhill but quite hot going uphill. We stopped several times for snacks and once at a store for cold drinks and a pit stop. We arrived at the Penn Lake Park and Campground in Marathon at 4:00 PM. On arrival Bev thought I was turning left when in fact I was going straight on. We collided and toppled over. But, fortunately, since we were going slow no one was hurt just my front fender mud guard. We went around the campground looking for the "OFFICE". We saw a young girl riding on a golf cart and followed her to the OFFICE near the DUMPSITE/SHOWERS/LAUNDROMAT. I paid the Senior's rate of $30.++ for a site with electrical hookup. After putting up our tent at site #31 I noticed there was no electrical outlet. We went back to the office and got a reduced rate of $25.++. The campground attendant agreed to let me charge my GPS in the office overnight. She assured me she would be into work at 6:45 AM before our planned 7:00 AM departure. We cycled into town to a grocery store. It had the most pathetic selection of fruit that I've ever seen in a grocery store. We then went over to a nearby motel restaurant for beer and dinner. We cycled back to our campsite, gathered our laundry and went for a shower. We did one big load of laundry. I was able to connect to the Internet using wi-fi and sat at a nearby picnic table while waiting for the laundry to finish. I was feeling a bit chilly so returned to the tent to get a jacket. I found a bag of garbage ripped open and spread about. The squirrels were nearby munching on a stale muffin that we had thrown out earlier. Bev returned with our laundry. I sorted through mine while she went off to brush her teeth and vice versa. We were soon off to bed at 10:00 PM.
Bev and Roly
CCCT 2012 - July 18/12 - Day 60
Cross Canada Cycling Tour - Wednesday, July 18, 2012 - Day 60
Nipigon to Schreiber, ON - Trip 97.89 kms Time 6 hrs 42 mins Avg 14.59 kph Max 49.8 kph
Bev got up at 1:00 AM to pee. It was quite a walk to the washrooms so she just went outside in the nearby woods. After she came back to "bed" I heard a snuffling sound which I thought was coming from outside our tent. Later, Bev explained that it was only her brushing off her mattress!!! Nevertheless, my heart was racing for some time until the "snuffling" went away. We got up at 5:30 AM. It was quite cold. I put on my light jacket before going to the w/c where I changed into my cycling gear. I put my arm and leg warmers on along with my cycling shorts and jersey. We packed up our gear and cycled to the Husky gas station/restaurant for breakfast at 7:15 AM. I had eggs, bacon, home fries and toast. Bev had a muffin, ham, eggs and cheese with home fries. we both had hot chocolate. We picked up a smoked meat sandwich and ham, cheese, crackers and Gatorade from the store before leaving for SCHREIBER at 8:00 AM.
It was a sunny but cool day except for the long tough climbs which really caused us to work up a sweat. We had to stop many times especially during and after the hill climbs. After passing through a construction zone we saw a tanker truck coming around a curve in the opposite direction. He had ignored the "construction zone" warning signs and had to stomp on his brakes to slow down in order to avoid crashing into the cars waiting to go through. His tires were smoking!!! We could smell the rubber burning. He just managed to stop in time. Bev and I were holding our breaths just waiting for a major catastrophe to happen.
We arrived at the Rongie Motel in Schreiber at 4:00 PM. I convinced Bev that we should stay in a motel instead of camping as I needed a good night's rest after last nights lack of sleep. We put our bikes and gear in our room and went back down to the Hungry Moose Restaurant for a beer. The waitress said they weren't licensed but that she would bring us a "ginger ale" which turned out to be a cold refreshing beverage i.e. beer. When we left our room I automatically locked it. We hadn't yet formally registered and therefore had not yet received a room key. When we returned to our room the waitress, Tonya, had to come with us to unlock our door with the motel master key. It was a very relaxed motel and we were allowed to run a tab. Bev had trouble getting the TV to work. I managed to sort it out and also got on the Internet with a good wi-fi connection. We went back down to the restaurant for dinner and were again offered a "ginger ale". Bev had ribs, a baked stuffed potato and corn-on-the-cob. I had a burger with mushrooms and mozza and corn-on-the-cob. The corn was not very sweet or fresh tasting. After dinner we met the owner, also a real estate agent, who asked a lot of questions, some rather personal i.e. "Are you married?" etc. He had just concluded a real estate deal for some people who were buying property nearby and were planning to move from the Ottawa area. We returned to our room. I worked on my blog while Bev watched TV. She soon fell asleep at 9:30 as she was very tired. I soon joined her at 10:00.
Bev and Roly
Nipigon to Schreiber, ON - Trip 97.89 kms Time 6 hrs 42 mins Avg 14.59 kph Max 49.8 kph
Bev got up at 1:00 AM to pee. It was quite a walk to the washrooms so she just went outside in the nearby woods. After she came back to "bed" I heard a snuffling sound which I thought was coming from outside our tent. Later, Bev explained that it was only her brushing off her mattress!!! Nevertheless, my heart was racing for some time until the "snuffling" went away. We got up at 5:30 AM. It was quite cold. I put on my light jacket before going to the w/c where I changed into my cycling gear. I put my arm and leg warmers on along with my cycling shorts and jersey. We packed up our gear and cycled to the Husky gas station/restaurant for breakfast at 7:15 AM. I had eggs, bacon, home fries and toast. Bev had a muffin, ham, eggs and cheese with home fries. we both had hot chocolate. We picked up a smoked meat sandwich and ham, cheese, crackers and Gatorade from the store before leaving for SCHREIBER at 8:00 AM.
It was a sunny but cool day except for the long tough climbs which really caused us to work up a sweat. We had to stop many times especially during and after the hill climbs. After passing through a construction zone we saw a tanker truck coming around a curve in the opposite direction. He had ignored the "construction zone" warning signs and had to stomp on his brakes to slow down in order to avoid crashing into the cars waiting to go through. His tires were smoking!!! We could smell the rubber burning. He just managed to stop in time. Bev and I were holding our breaths just waiting for a major catastrophe to happen.
We arrived at the Rongie Motel in Schreiber at 4:00 PM. I convinced Bev that we should stay in a motel instead of camping as I needed a good night's rest after last nights lack of sleep. We put our bikes and gear in our room and went back down to the Hungry Moose Restaurant for a beer. The waitress said they weren't licensed but that she would bring us a "ginger ale" which turned out to be a cold refreshing beverage i.e. beer. When we left our room I automatically locked it. We hadn't yet formally registered and therefore had not yet received a room key. When we returned to our room the waitress, Tonya, had to come with us to unlock our door with the motel master key. It was a very relaxed motel and we were allowed to run a tab. Bev had trouble getting the TV to work. I managed to sort it out and also got on the Internet with a good wi-fi connection. We went back down to the restaurant for dinner and were again offered a "ginger ale". Bev had ribs, a baked stuffed potato and corn-on-the-cob. I had a burger with mushrooms and mozza and corn-on-the-cob. The corn was not very sweet or fresh tasting. After dinner we met the owner, also a real estate agent, who asked a lot of questions, some rather personal i.e. "Are you married?" etc. He had just concluded a real estate deal for some people who were buying property nearby and were planning to move from the Ottawa area. We returned to our room. I worked on my blog while Bev watched TV. She soon fell asleep at 9:30 as she was very tired. I soon joined her at 10:00.
Bev and Roly
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