Sept 6 2007
Today 118.2 Total 5271.8
Today was the most average day I have experienced, no wind, gentle rolling hills, modrate traffic, high overcast. It was so unremarkable it was remarkable.
I would just like to thank all the people that have been sending warm wishes and keeping up on my blog. It is very humbling and motivating to know so many people are sharing this journey with me.
Thank You.
Friday, September 7, 2007
The Lake Superior Roadhouse
"Waitress can I get a strong headwind while I look at the menu. Thanks. I'll have the construction site. Oh? That's tomorrow's special? It looked great though, grooved pavement, single lane traffic, impatient drivers, drizzled in fresh tar with a generous portion of gravel. OK so today's special is Semi's? How are they served? A few over sized load but lots of narrow shoulders, that sounds good. Now lets see...hmmm..say have you got any of those sedans? You know the ones that go like a bat out of hell and then get within about a foot of your left arm and scare the crap out of you? You do, great I'll take a few of those on the side, and um, sorry you said how do I take my hills? What's the house special? Long, steep and served all day, sounds great bring er on. Dessert, hmm I hadn't even thought about it. What do you have? No, no...no flat tires for me I've had quite a few lately a girls got to pace herself. Though it would probably be good with the construction site tomorrow. Let's see. How about a nice thunder storm just as I'm setting up camp for the night. Is that everything? Yeah, If you could just top up my headwind I think I'm done."
Hills (Are You Really Surprised?)
Sept 4 2007
Today 126.9 total 5031.1
Hills, hills and more hills but man was I having fun. I would fight my way to the top and come barrelling down the other side. Yee Haw. My favorite ones were around Montreal River. Got to love a speed wobble (hate a semi wash during a speed wobble, a wee bit scary). I found some somewhat proper food at Montreal River so I immediately had a can of mini ravioli and a can of sardines. I was also able to pick up some oatmeal for breakfast.
Today 126.9 total 5031.1
Hills, hills and more hills but man was I having fun. I would fight my way to the top and come barrelling down the other side. Yee Haw. My favorite ones were around Montreal River. Got to love a speed wobble (hate a semi wash during a speed wobble, a wee bit scary). I found some somewhat proper food at Montreal River so I immediately had a can of mini ravioli and a can of sardines. I was also able to pick up some oatmeal for breakfast.
This cheeky little guy pestered me throughout my breakfast. In this picture he had just finsished tapping on my leg for attention. 
Cookies!!!
Old Woman Bay where I spent the night.
Cookies!!!
Old Woman Bay where I spent the night.
At the same campsite, he was eating the pine branches.
Food Where Are You?
Sept 3 2007
Today 150.4 total 4904.2
A better day riding today. I'm still a bit wonky but over all doing much better. I made sure to take lots of breaks and to eat lots. The hardest thing lately has been finding healthy food. Since just outside of Thunder Bay I haven't seen a proper grocery store. I ran out of fruits and veggies in Rainbow Falls and I was hoping to restock in Marathon which turned out to be 5 Km off the beaten track. I may have even considered that if it hadn't been down hill the whole which means uphill all the way back. So I have been trying to find anything somewhat healthy. It has not been easy $3.50 for a 80 gram bag of cashews. The closest thing I could find for fruit was Swedish Berries which had berries in the title.
Today 150.4 total 4904.2
A better day riding today. I'm still a bit wonky but over all doing much better. I made sure to take lots of breaks and to eat lots. The hardest thing lately has been finding healthy food. Since just outside of Thunder Bay I haven't seen a proper grocery store. I ran out of fruits and veggies in Rainbow Falls and I was hoping to restock in Marathon which turned out to be 5 Km off the beaten track. I may have even considered that if it hadn't been down hill the whole which means uphill all the way back. So I have been trying to find anything somewhat healthy. It has not been easy $3.50 for a 80 gram bag of cashews. The closest thing I could find for fruit was Swedish Berries which had berries in the title.
At White River were the whole Whinnie the Pooh thing started.
Being just about back to school time I saw tons of these little sedans packed to the roof with their owners life possessions as they head to college.
The two towns I hit today both had a a co-op; both closed for the holiday Monday. the next town I hit is Sault-St-Marie a day and a half away. So needing to stock up on food I wandered into a general store. Part gift shop, part tackle shop and part candy outlet, and I'm trying to find something to tide me over. One lb of summer sausage was the only protein in the store that I could find other than the $19.00 package of peperoni. A box of cookies,(yes that was the healthiest carb choice I had) and two very over priced V8's. Sounds great doesn't it.
It was getting late and I still had about 30 km until my campsite. I was dogging it up about 5 km out of Wawa when a massive black bear crossed the road in front of me. As BC is to Ontario the black bears I've seen before were to this monster. A sedan came barrelling up the road honking its horn and scared it into the bushes on the far side of the road. Man did I make good time after that. My legs were like two freshly oiled pistons. Up, down, you what to go a little harder we can do that. Turns out I wasn't as tired as I thought. The whole time I'm thinking of the 1 lb of summer sausage wrapped in brown paper stinking up my bag. The odourous version of a neon blinking light "OVER HERE" with a big arrow pointed at my voluptuous, hibernation worthy butt. I got to camp in record time. Didn't sleep worth a damn though.
It was getting late and I still had about 30 km until my campsite. I was dogging it up about 5 km out of Wawa when a massive black bear crossed the road in front of me. As BC is to Ontario the black bears I've seen before were to this monster. A sedan came barrelling up the road honking its horn and scared it into the bushes on the far side of the road. Man did I make good time after that. My legs were like two freshly oiled pistons. Up, down, you what to go a little harder we can do that. Turns out I wasn't as tired as I thought. The whole time I'm thinking of the 1 lb of summer sausage wrapped in brown paper stinking up my bag. The odourous version of a neon blinking light "OVER HERE" with a big arrow pointed at my voluptuous, hibernation worthy butt. I got to camp in record time. Didn't sleep worth a damn though.
The Big Bonk
Sept 2 2007
Today 153.6 Total 4753.8
Well so much for the whole girl idea. 40 min into my ride I was caught in a torrential downpour, then an hour later it turned hot. Muggy hot. It felt like one of the warmest days I've ever biked in. I drank 4 Litres of water in an attempt to stay hydrated unfortunately that threw my electrolytes out of balance and then I became calorie deficient near the end of the day. I had planned on staying at White Lake campground but with the oh so great map I have I judged it at being about 20 Km closer than It actually was.
Today 153.6 Total 4753.8
Well so much for the whole girl idea. 40 min into my ride I was caught in a torrential downpour, then an hour later it turned hot. Muggy hot. It felt like one of the warmest days I've ever biked in. I drank 4 Litres of water in an attempt to stay hydrated unfortunately that threw my electrolytes out of balance and then I became calorie deficient near the end of the day. I had planned on staying at White Lake campground but with the oh so great map I have I judged it at being about 20 Km closer than It actually was.
A shot of Lake Superior.
I had planned on eating an early dinner at Marathon but the restaurant I stopped at was closed there was one about two Km back but when I talked to one of the locals he informed there was another restaurant in a couple Km. When I got there it was closed as well. This was about 4:30 and my last real meal had been about 11:00 in the morning. So I pulled out the map from hell and figured I could be at the campground by 6:30 and I would cook dinner then.
The road kept going and going. The last five Km were hell. I would bike for half a Km and then I would need to take a break. I was physically and mentally done. It was 7:30 when I rounded a corner and saw a motel and restaurant. It was weird people were talking to me and I felt like I was talking back to them through a tunnel.
A hot shower and a hot meal later I felt a lot better still fatigued but not exhausted.
This was the third most challenging day of the trip so far.
The road kept going and going. The last five Km were hell. I would bike for half a Km and then I would need to take a break. I was physically and mentally done. It was 7:30 when I rounded a corner and saw a motel and restaurant. It was weird people were talking to me and I felt like I was talking back to them through a tunnel.
A hot shower and a hot meal later I felt a lot better still fatigued but not exhausted.
This was the third most challenging day of the trip so far.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
3 in 3 day enough already
Sept 1 2007
Today 96.3 Total 4600.2
Headwinds, hills and another flat. It was cold last night. I always sleep with my down vest as a pillow in the hammock and last night was the first time since the Rockys that I've had to put it on. I was up early (again) hoping to put some Km on (again).
Today 96.3 Total 4600.2
Headwinds, hills and another flat. It was cold last night. I always sleep with my down vest as a pillow in the hammock and last night was the first time since the Rockys that I've had to put it on. I was up early (again) hoping to put some Km on (again).
Loking back where I came from.
Oh well there is always tomorrow. I made it to Rainbow Falls. The campsite I have over looks the lake very pretty. I am changing the new tire I just purchased to the front in hopes that it cuts down on the flat situation it's just not as beefy as my old tires.
I had a long hot shower and then to my delight they had a hand dryer in the ladies washroom so I actually had dry hair at bedtime. I even styled it. Maybe tomorrow I'll put mascara on and pretend I'm a girl.
I had a long hot shower and then to my delight they had a hand dryer in the ladies washroom so I actually had dry hair at bedtime. I even styled it. Maybe tomorrow I'll put mascara on and pretend I'm a girl.
Disappointing Day
Aug 31 2007 Today 84.7 Total 4503.9
It was a bit of a disappointing day. I started out very early hoping to get 100 km in but between headwinds, road construction, another flat and the ever increasing holiday traffic I decided short Km was better than short life and called it a day.
It was a bit of a disappointing day. I started out very early hoping to get 100 km in but between headwinds, road construction, another flat and the ever increasing holiday traffic I decided short Km was better than short life and called it a day.
I am at the Birchwood Rv and Tent park just west Nipigon. My other big disappointment today was missing the Terry Fox Memorial. I took Lake View Dr instead of Hwy 17 out of Thunder Bay and by the time I realized what I had done I was way too far to come back.
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