Dist, 170 km, Avg, 21.4 km/hr, Saddle Time, 8:00
06 21 2011,
First day of summer ! 15 hours of daylight, yaaay. Too bad it's raining all day.
I had a nice breakfast at Boppers Restaurant. I went with the Ham and Cheese Omlette, Hash Browns, Big Toast, Coffee of coarse and O.J. for good measure. I found myself listening to the drab conversations amongst some of the locals. It's very soothing to sit with a cup of Joe and listen to funny banter from Hilda, Billy Bob and Stan all the while staring out the window as rain fell. ... Alas, I must move on down the highway. When I start the day's ride, I always begin with a question for Highwaycat. "What the Hell Lies Ahead Highwaycat ?" In return, I receive the same evil blank stare as the previous day.
Today's ride was easy, but stressful. The topography was tame and an easy roll. The shoulder is only one foot wide on a single lane of traffic. There was rain for the whole day with a mild headwind. Visibility was poor. I got forced off the road a few times. (when oppossing rigs pass me, space is reduced)
Early in the day I met a guy walking the gravel shoulder pulling a cart. "Where are you headed ?" I asked him. " Iam from Japan !", he replied. It was really strange . Then he looked me up and down and said "You are Canada". "Yes, Canada" I said.
I had to take his picture. Ha, Ha. The cart that he was pulling was full of junk, and the shoulder at that point was very wide, but covered in loose gravel. I think that it was used for a horse drawn carriage judging by the signs I saw. It must've been tough to pull a cart over this surface. I wonder what his story was. ... A very cool encounter indeed.
After riding a while, I saw a large sign on the side of the road... I slowed to have a looky loo. Obviously, this was a Native property as the sign read "Drive Through Smokes". I thought that it was hilarious as there was nothing around on this stretch of highway. So, I thought that it would be cool to take a pic. The sign was up a gravel driveway where there was also a "Teepee" and some metal fencing. Two seconds after I pointed my bike up this driveway, a huge dog came barrelling out with intent to kill. Luckilly, I had a descent to aid my escape. I wonder how legitimate customers get through the "Hound of Hell"
I passed several other bicycle tourists going west. A couple pairs with trailers. Also came across a young lad going West on a lightly loaded bike. His name is Owen. He was "gorrilla camping" with a Hammoch. I'm impressed with these "Roadside Bike Trolls !" Good luck Owen.!!
My goal for today, was close to Sudbury. Unfortunately, I started late, and the stressful ride got to me a bit, so I stopped near Espalona . The town itself is 5 km south down a hill and off the hwy. I didn't want to leave the main artery, so I rented a room at "Alta Vista Motel" which was right on Hwy #17. Tim Hortons/Wendys and gas station are all a hop, skip and jump away. I walked though, tough to hop in flip flops...
"Iam from Japan" (My favourite photo so far) This little guy walked all over the world.
Morning road
Sketch of the great smoke escape ...
Big Red Chair !
Owen heads West !
Little Island
"Long may you Run"...Neil Young
Smurf lawn
...sigh. So much plywood wasted. It could've bin used to make a toy boat or perhaps a birdhouse. Is John 3:16 the owner of this camp? Or maybe 316 is a hotline for "Johns". I don't know.
Base Camp
Campground Alta Vista
View Larger Map Interesting ride indeed
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