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Rocks, Lakes, Trees - and bugs!Jul 23, 2008
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Yup! You must have guessed where I am from the title - the Canadian Shield. I should have added "hills" as well. The last 4 days have been very tough. Just under 600Ks from Kenora to Thunder Bay so almost 150 Ks per day average distance. The weather was also a factor with a lot of rain and headwinds. What happened to summer? The 3rd day's ride was pretty bad. We were on our way to Quetico Provincial Park, a place I had always wanted to visit. However, it rained on and off most of the way and then 30 Ks from the park turn off, we were caught in a major thunderstorm. We tried to outrun it but the rain stayed with us and we arrived at the site soaked through. Dinner was a wet, stand up affair. The bugs joined us so I had more protein than I had bargained for. My tent was still wet from the previous morning and no way to get it dried out. We were all in the same boat so we all had a very uncomfortable night's sleep. By morning the weather had cleared and with an early 7am start, the views along the way were spectacular with early morning mist rising from the lakes and beautiful reflections to photograph.
So yesterday started well but ended with a problem. It was a 174 K ride to Thunder Bay from Quetico - one of the longest of the trip and very challenging when considering the hills and easterly winds. Jut after the 100K mark, my chain broke. In 2 places. Very unusual. I was left holding one long piece of chain and one short piece. I had the equipment to fix one piece but not 2. So that's what friends are for and one of the things I like about the people on this trip. The truck we have with us is a support vehicle only in the sense that it carries our camping equipment, food etc but does not provide assistance in the case of a bike break down. Anyway, between us, we got the chain fixed minus 2 links and I limped the remaining 70Ks into Thunder Bay. At the moment, My Bike is in the hospital having a new chain installed plus a thorough going over. We are almost half way so hopefully, this check up will get me all the way to Newfoundland without further worries.
Thunder Bay is a day off and the weather is great. The forecast is for continuing fair weather for the next 4 days. That will be appreciated! I'm told the distances are shorter for the next section but the degree of difficulty is harder. I'm not sure how it can be harder! Keep those good thoughts coming. They will help me up the hills and perhaps also help me to outrun the blackflies, mosquitos and noseeums! The mosquitos are so big they say that the Provincial bird is a mosquito!
I'm in the local Library and my alloted time is running out. I haven't had time to upload any photos so that may have to wait until another time. Sorry about that!
Thanks to all of you who sent emails and thanks to all of you for your thoughts and support. Until next time, Michael (Mick)
