Day 120-A convention of tourers and Cecil and Julia's place

Day 120 Sunday, September 5, 2010 Distance 75.21 km. Time 4 hr. 45 min. Total so far 8267.79 km. We left the Wayside Inn in Blind River into uncertain weather conditions. After the cold yesterday, we were dressed in all our warm clothes this morning. The first hour wasn’t too bad and the traffic was light because it was Sunday morning. The edge was a little better because this section of road was repaved over the last few years. There were lots of passing lanes to go with the hills and the edges were very wide there. Our first quick break today was at a picnic table area along the Mississagi River. Our snack and stretching break was at the Huron Shores Recreational Centre. Gradually the wind picked up and became horribly strong in our faces for the rest of the day and the temperature stayed cool except when the sun decided to peak out from behind the clouds. During our second break on the top of a hill in a sheltered spot we could feel it’s warmth.We planned to have lunch just outside Thessalon at a convenience store on the Hwy. to Chapleau. We found out that it was closed and for sale now but we had our sandwich under the awning there anyway. I was especially tired today and was moving quite slowly into the strong wind. That was the opposite of yesterday when Dave was tired and I was more energetic. To relieve my tiredness, I would stop and take a photo here and there such as old buildings, farm country, a big red chair. Finally we came to Bruce Mines and went to the grocery store for some supplies. Dave forgot my Gatorade so we went on and got it at a gas station. While he was inside, I saw 2 tourers coming on the other side of the road so I went over to say hi. Gunther, 65 and Buckard, 63 are from Germany. They started in Vancouver and are cycling to Toronto. They will take the ferry to Tobermory and rent a canoe and do some boating in the Bruce Peninsula on the way. They wondered if I was alone which they didn’t think was good but I pointed out Dave making his way across to us from the gas station. At the same time 3 other tourers came up to us. Lisanne, 25 , from Nova Scotia and Shawn, 32, from New Brunswick are cycling from Vancouver to Halifax. They are both teachers in Fredericton. It is their first tour and they are pretty light with back panniers only. That means only one change of clothing. Brad joined them along the route. He is from Wisconsin and is cycling around Lake Huron. All of them stayed at Velorution in the Sault. That place must be a tourers haven. Our little group looked like a convention of tourers. It was GREAT! Dave and Gunther were talking about their Rohloff Hubs from Germany, some of us were taking photos, Lisanne was asking me questions about our trip. Gunther was joking that they can’t get rid of this young group because they keep meeting each day somewhere. They have all enjoyed each other's company and the strong west wind pushing them along the last few days. Just as we were saying goodbye, Cecil and Julia passed us in their vehicle, greeted us and we followed them down the lane way to their house. They used to live in the same neighborhood in Sault Ste. Marie as we did and we first met them at a Bible study and became great friends. They have since moved to Bruce Mines. They are a talented couple and very devoted to the Lord. They had just returned from a pot luck lunch at the church. They were all dressed up but Julia had one addition to her wardrobe- a beautiful looking cane all decorated. Her hip has been really bothering her the last couple of days and she is waiting until after the weekend to call the doctor. We hugged hello, put the bicycles in the garage, and came into the house to greet their oldest daughter, Cynthia, who is moving to the Sault to become the Manager of Medical Resources at the new Sault Area Hospital. We were also checked out by Raffi, grandson Corey's Chihuahua dog, Cynthia’s orange tabby cats, Lugh and Noel, Lynn's Siamese cat, Ming and Baby, a black feral cat that comes in and out as she pleases. WOW! It’s just like at Melissa’s house- an animal paradise. We visited for the rest of the afternoon and caught up with each other’s families. For supper, we had barbecued chicken and delicious leftovers from the potluck and cake from Cecil’s birthday this week. After supper we went with them to Light Haven Rest Home for a sing song and a message from a visiting preacher, John Sinclair. Later we had a snack at Cecil’s home with guests that they invited over. Cynthia played her harp for us and told us about her upcoming job. Dave was so tired after the guests left that he went right to bed. I stayed up talking to the ladies for a while. I also called Matthew to let him know where we were. We are anxious for the weather to be good tomorrow for our last day of riding.

Day 119- COLD and WINDY and Tourers from England

Day 119 Saturday, September 4, 2010 Distance 49. 13 km. Time 2 hr. 59 min. Total so far 8192.58 km. When we looked out the window of the Vance Motel in Spanish it was raining as it had also been doing all night. Dave looked on the computer and saw that in Sault Ste. Marie and Elliot Lake it was supposed to clear up at the end of the morning. The winds were going to be strong and the temperatures have plunged. I finished a blog and then we packed slowly. I was apprehensive about going on Hwy. 17 again and told Dave that I wouldn’t go on it in the rain. All the rooms in this motel are full today for a wedding so we couldn’t stay here anyway. We thought maybe that if we had to stay we could go under the canopy across the street but a farmer’s market was setting up there this morning. A little after 9 it stopped raining so we headed out. I found out very quickly that Silver was only going to function in the middle front ring today. It was COLD and WINDY!!! Dave was very patient staying near me at first to see how the bicycle was functioning. Luckily the hills were manageable without needing to shift down and the wind was strong enough to not have to shift up. The traffic was lighter at first because it was early and the edge was a little better in this section. I was glad for the first break but we didn’t stop long due to the cold. Later we met Chris and Debbie who were flying with the wind on their back on the other side. They are our first tourers from Europe. They hail from London, England and are cycling from Vancouver to Halifax. They hope to make Sudbury today. Chris is 28 and Debbie is 32. They quit their jobs as travel agents and are taking a year off before starting new jobs. Chris is riding a Specialized and Debbie is on a British bike called Ridgeback. She has had various problems with it and in Sault Ste. Marie at Velorution, she needed a new back wheel.. They were also both all decked out in their warm rain clothes. I hope it warms up for them. After our little meeting we went on to the Elliot Lake turnoff information building and had a short break there. They have several nice wooden deer sculptures there. Another hour of pushing into the wind brought us to Blind River. The sun peeked out a few times during that time and it felt good. We were blessed that it didn’t rain because it is prime hypothermia weather. Dave wanted to quit in Blind River so we decided to motel again if the price was right. The first Auberge Eldo Inn was too expensive but the Wayside Motel farther along was reasonable. We have a very large room with a gigantic bed. Dave went off to the grocery store and I slipped under the bedspread with all my duds on and fell asleep for an hour and a half. We are both TIRED. It has been a long trip. I emailed my children and good friends, Cecil and Julia in Bruce Mines which we hope to reach tomorrow. The weather report for tomorrow is rain and wind but a little warmer in the afternoon.

Day 118- Dreaded Highway 17 and Santa Claus

Day 118 Friday, September 3, 2010 Distance 72.16 km. Time 4 hr. 20 min. Total so far 8143.45 km. It rained hard all night. The inside corners of the tent where the poles insert always get full of condensation water that drips down the poles. In the morning it was drizzling but we decided to go. We had a big climb right away and many more after. It’s a good thing that for every uphill there is a downhill. During the last hour, I kept taking off different pieces of rain wear. We made it to Espanola and stopped to get Gatorade at the grocery store. I took photos of the pulp and paper mill as we left town. Before we knew it we were at Hwy. 17 and turning west toward Sault Ste. Marie. At the corner, the Tim Horton’s and gas station were as busy as ever but we didn’t stop like we usually do in a car. Now the scary part starts- 234 km. on Hwy. 17 to get home. This Hwy. is the reverse of those in Nova Scotia. On the passing lane there is some room on the side but on the regular Hwy. there is only a tiny edge. The wind was directly in our face and strong so we not only had to contend with it but with the big trucks and the wind from them as well. I know my heart rate went up for the rest of the day. When I see a couple of trucks in a row behind me and they can’t or don’t move over I hit the gravel and stop. The best piece of equipment we have is our Cycleware helmet mirrors. It is invaluable to have a view of what is behind. It was impossible to take any photos without going way off the road. I breathed a sigh of relief when we stopped in Massey for a while. We went to the grocery mart and then across the street to the information center and museum to ask some questions. Gordon was there painting a metal wagon wheel that was part of a railing. He moved north from Brampton 5 years ago but finding Elliot Lake too isolated, he bought property here on the Spanish River. He was volunteering his time and paint because the rust on the wheels kept bothering him every time he went past. He has been mistaken for Santa Claus many times and also plays the part on various occasions. He has the white beard and rosy cheeks and before he lost some weight this summer, he had the belly as well. He owns and rides a motorcycle and has complained to the government about the Northern roads. The tar strips down the path that car wheels take is dangerous for motorcycles. I added that the tar lines on the edge are really bad for my wheels also especially in hot weather. He sympathized with us about the wind because he even feels it on his heavy bike. It wasn’t raining yet so we made reservations from here at a motel up the road. We headed out to do 21 more kliks and it was even windier. The traffic was heavier going in the other direction. On our side, it came in spurts. When we passed the Camp Aush-Bik-Koong Bible Camp sign I remembered all the summers that our family had gone there. It was about 2:30 when we got to Spanish and it was time to get off the Hwy. because it would be busier as the afternoon went on since it’s the first day of the holiday weekend . We got a room at the Vance Motel. We took everything outside quickly to dry in the strong wind. We both tried to work on Silver and I think things are worse than ever and hope I am able to ride her home using more than the middle ring. For supper, we decided to eat at the motel restaurant because on Friday night they have all you can eat fish and it was walleye. We would have plenty to fill our bellies. The rain finally came in the later evening and the radar screen on the computer shows lots more coming our way.