Saturday, 5 July 2014
Laura's Birthday!
(Kelly) A fairly uneventful ride into South Baymouth. Standard cold morning and we (Cate) had a flat about 10km before our day was over and right when we got going. We got to the ferry terminal and had enough time for lunch before it launched. They had a lovely indoor visitor centre out of the cold which was nice and a beaver dam, which may have been for children, but it was very warm and had shelving. We all piled in, except Vroni, and had lunch. The ferry itself was pretty fun too! We had a couple beers and played some cards. Unfortunately halfway through there was a fire drill so the barman had to leave us for a little bit, which was upsetting. Naturally when we landed in Tobermory we went for a couple more birthday drinks at the nearest bar. Laura got the full song and dance when our waitress found out it was her birthday and we all shared in the free dessert. Then we walked around the adorable town of Tobermory, had a beaver tail, then went back to the pub for a Birthday Dinner. The waitress wanted to give us more free things but Danica's honest got the better of her and told her we'd already gotten loads of stuff earlier. The waitress said it was not problem and gave Laura a free drink anyway! Then we headed back to the campsite, all full and tired. Over all a very good day. Thank you to Mr. Drennan for picking out and paying for our campsite!
Day 48 - First Family Day
Tobermory (Crypress Lake) to Sauble
(Danica) Rised and shined out of or lovely camp ground where we were entertained with some playful squirrels. They were running in and out of the trees after each other which was very cute. 70km to our lunch destination of a lovely farmers market, all of us were so happy to get fresh baking and be ahead of schedule. Mabye naps and quiet time was in our future afternoon! We then went to the "famous" Sauble Falls where my whole day went sidewards.. I noticed my wallet was missing. F.M.L. We continued on to the cabin of Laura's Uncles Friend, Colin! He is super nice to put all six of us up in his shack and let us have warm inside beds while he slept on the couch!! Laura's absolutely lovely family (grandmother, grandfather and parents) came to visit and make us dinner. So special for Laura to see her family for the second time this year. Brian (Laura's dad) drove me graciously to the farmers market and past all of our pee breaks in the afternoon... But with no luck I didn't find my wallet. We then went back into Sauble to find some groceries for our next day lunch when it was next to an RBC. I quickly ran in as they were closing. After a lengthily explanation of the bike trip along with missing wallet I convinced them to try and see if I could pass their questions to give me a temporary card. Ohhh my they asked hard questions!! Like where have we been in the last week and where exactly did I spend money on my debit. Store names, amount, ect... I failed at this. Then they asked me to sign my signature on a piece of paper to verify it. Haha well I have numb hands and couldn't sign it well enough. The one lady tried to compare it but just frankly said "nope doesn't match at all!" Eventually with enough convincing and passing a few questions (address name birthdate) I got a card and some cash!! Better just need to solve a couple more life problems. We then return to the cabin when I finally addressed my family as they had left a few voicemails. Yes I may have avoided this earlier but to my perfect surprise they found my wallet location!! A wonderful couple picked it up randomly on the side of the road and contacted my old work. They contacted my father, bla bla bla and before Bryan could have a beer (sorry) we were off again to find them couple and my wallet at Pike Bay. A HUGE shout out to Dave and Sandy for saving my life! They are the most amazing people ever and I honestly would have continuous problem for the next sixty days if it wasn't for their generosity and effort to find me. Overall returned to the cabin just in time for dinner with no relaxing for me or Laura. So happy to have a wallet and kinda just a bit depressed we drove our whole biking day twice over. Dinner with the Drennans was absolutely fabulous. Laura has such an amazing and giving family. None of us know how to thank people enough and hope they know we truly are so grateful for everything they do.
Thursday, 3 July 2014
Day 46 Blind River to Birch Island
...140km
(Courtney) Last night we waited until after the fireworks to set up camp in a little grassy park by the river. There weren't any signs specially saying that you couldn't camp there - as good as an invitation to us. We woke up early and got on the road before anyone noticed us there. It was easy riding along the 17 this morning. Pretty busy and not much of a shoulder in sections but it was relatively flat and the wind was cooperating. We stopped for lunch in Massey then took a side route called Lee Valley Road. Hardly any traffic other than one very diligent guard dog who jumped in front of us on the road and nearly caused a pile up. We turned south at Espanloa towards Manitoulin Island. So beautifully rugged. The terrain got a lot hillier but I thought the views were worth it. We went down to the marina in Birch Island to ask if we could camp there. We probably would have cried if they're said no because it was down a very steep hill but they let us stay. Lake Huron is incredibly warm so we ended our day with a swim and some delicious burgers by chef Danica.
Us racing a speed meter! 58 up a hill. Were getting good
Home tonight.
Tuesday, 1 July 2014
Day 43 Random to Sault Ste. Marie
(Laura) Because of the extreme heat of yesterday we decided to bite the bullet and get up at 5 am!
For those of you who know Kelly and I this isn't an hour that you would regularly find us up at. A rare occasion to say the least.
But getting up wasn't all that bad. The humidity was as bad as the Mosquitos at 5am and after a quick breakfast we hit the road.
The traffic was almost none existent which was awesome because the shoulders were as bad as ever. After an uneventful morning we had our lunch in Gouliah river ( just west of Sault Ste. Marie)and were just about to set off when the clouds rolled over. The humidity was still as bad as ever so no one was too keen on putting in their rain gear. As we headed off to "mile hill" which we had been hearing about for days the rain started to come down. As we started to climb the hill the thunderstorm started, we climbed higher. The rain began to come down as a torrential downpour, there was a literal river on the shoulder beside us and cars were pulling over because they couldn't see... But not us we just kept climbing.
At this point all we could do was laugh, because in that moment we finally realized that we really are all a little crazy for doing this trip.
Finally the climb was over and it wasn't all that bad. I don't know if it's because of the massive thunderstorm or Danica's unique singing that distracted us but we all made it up that hill only leaving a little of our sanity at the bottom. But who needs that anyways.
After getting up the hill it was a quick ride into the soo, where we found a timmies to dry off at, and a campsite, for a much deserved rest day.
Day 45: Soo to Blind River
140km...
Danica - We got a tail wind today... And we were so shocked about it we did some extra kms past our goal of Iron Bridge to Blind River. There is a Tim's here which is amazing and enough people to warrant fire works for Canada Day! Yes happy Canada Day!! We biked through ghost towns all day as no one was around. Secretly I was hoping to randomly join a parade but no such luck. We all (except Vroni) had our Canada shirts and jerseys on along with flags on our bikes. Laura got a flat 10km out of town. This is our normal location around towns, either at the beginning or end of the day. Pain in the ass! Besides that we biked and listen to the stereo Mojo! We originally took 17B out of the Soo which was so nice to not be on the main hwy. Unfortunately afterwards we went through the WORST CONSTRUCTION ZONE for 17! Grooved pavement, no shoulder, traffic! Awful! We did see the big official Loonie of Canada which is neat especially for Canada Day. At one point during the day Vroni came up behind me asking "Danica did you rip your pants?!" Followed by an over amount of laughter... Yup a huge rip in my shorts. Oh well couldn't do anything about it so I biked all day with my bum out a bit... Got a sunburn too (see photo below). Besides that it was a pretty uneventful biking day ending at our first swim in Lake Huron!
Flat repair and Vroni sleepin
Day 42 Old Woman's Bay to Randomly past Montreal River
(Kelly) it was freaking hot. I wanted to kill myself. It wasn't all bad actually but a lot happened. The night was terrifying for our tent (cate and Laura) because Cate, getting up in the middle of the night, spotted a bear on the beach which MAY have been charging towards our tent. So we spent the night huddled together in terror accepting our inevitable demise, until we got too tired. Personally, after several hours of fear, I decided the bear could eat me but I had to go to bed. Then we woke up on the beautiful beach and headed out. Danica started off her day with her (somewhat traditional) morning flat tire, and then we were off! It was already muggy out and we were in the middle of Lake Superior Provincial Park. We had a lovely lunch at Cathrines Cove which turned into an afternoon nap on the beach (the first one Danica let us have! Mostly because she'd passed out right along with us). We also stopped at the pictographs later that day in hopes of water and maybe seeing them but it was a big hill down to no water so no one felt like seeing them after that. We climbed back up the hill and kept on down the road until we hit the info centre at Batchawana Bay where we cooled off. We met up with our friend Bill who was also filling up on water and taking a break. It was all ok except for the last hill into Montreal Harbour. It was boiling, there was a headwind, and it was at the end of the day. We countered it though, of course! And then headed into the nearest gas station for ice cream, dripping with sweat. The nice man at the chip truck recommended a stealth camping site right on Lake Superioir about 10km down the road. We headed over and set up camp. We were all greatful for the freezing cold waters of the lake and watched one of the bet sunsets on the trip so far. It was a boiling hot day, and the first day I truelly felt that his trip was completely insane but it had a happy ending.
Rest Day #44 Sault Ste Marie
Rest Day Sault Ste Marie
Each of us decided for a personal day so hears an blurb about how we spent it. Eventually at the end of the day we all meet at the only restaurant for a great drink and catch up.
(Danica) I started my day early and after a lovely shower I found an awake Kelly! Yes she voluntarily got out of bed as to not waste any time! Shocked!! I went into town to have breaky then went to the bike shop early where I left Bikey. The poor shop was stressed because they were the one of the only ones open and most of us along with another tour needed help. After that the rest of my morning was walking around thinking how I missed my team. Then I found Laura and Kelly!! Whoop!
Laura
I woke up early after falling asleep at a too early time to admit at night.
Walking to the bathroom I found Kelly who also had to do laundry. A after making some phone calls and finishing our laundry, we made our way downtown for some at a really good Thai restaurant downtown.
Kelly
I decided I wanted to get hugs done. I didn't know what was wrong with me but I just went with it. Danica was still up before me. I did laundry, called everyone, had some coffee, it was lovely. Then Laura and I headed downtown for Thai breakfast/lunch, met up with Danica, headed to the bike shop (obviously), then hit up a movie!
Veronika
I started off to town shortly after danica to hit the bike shop 'velorution'. I guess I took the road with the highest hill possible, so I already had my morning workout done by 10am. I dropped off my bike and decided to take a cab downtown. Yet again I got the nicest cab driver on earth 'Carlo'. We had an amazing chat about my biking and his trips to Europe, he even picked me up after a couple hours to drive me back up to the bike shop. Downtown I spend my time walking around the boardwalk of Sault and then had lunch in this very cute little cafe with organic food, afterwards I did my girls thing --> shopping!!!
I final got jeans shorts first time ever!!!
Then with the cab to the bike shop and I went back to the camp to see the girls but they weren't there so I after a couple hours at the camp I biked back to meet up with the girls for dinner. I eventually ended up doing over 40 kms today
Courtney and Cate
We started our day by doing our laundry at the campsite before heading into town. Court dropped her bike off at the velorution bike shop. We were chatting to the guys there and figured out that they have a free campsite for cyclists behind the bike shop. We hit the up bulk barn, bought our body weights in trail mix then headed down town to the other bike shop (the first one didn't have the tubes we needed). We learned from the gentleman at that bike shop that Brad Jacobs - the Olympian curler - works at the RBC right across the street. We had to go take a peek. Unfortunately it turns out that he is on a leave of absence until September. Next up was a stroll along the boardwalk to the canals that separate Lake Superior from Lake Huron and Canada from the USA. We eventually met up with the rest of the crew for dinner.
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