Ride on, Highway Cat !!: Mama Mia !! Where's my Polka Dot Jersey ?!

Day 30, Thunder Bay KOA Campground - Circle Route Motel (Schreiber, Ont.)
Dist. 190.9km, Avg, 19.6km/hr, Saddle Time, 9:43

06 16 2011
Reference to the title : Polka Dot Jersey
This was probably the most physically demanding day so far. (just happens to be one month from my start day) However, it wasn't the Most Mentally Demanding Day. Manitoba still holds that award.
It was a sunny, hot day with a headwind. Luckily, I had some occasional breaks from it due to the "Environmental Furniture" ie. giant hills, rocks and trees. The scenery is magnificent ! The route was a twisty hilly one with 4 particularly large, steep inclines, 2 of which were punishing and the remainder of the route was contaminated with a super size assorted bag of hills.
I must say that I enjoyed the ride. It was almost as though each time I climbed a massive hill and approached the next one, I got more excited, sort of like fuel for the fire, as the hills came and went, I got more aggressive and was looking for the next one to attack. My lighter load was a factor for sure. No aches or pains surfaced, but my legs actually started to feel the stress a bit.
I met a guy going West. Nice older man pulling a "Bob" trailer that he had bought used. I believe that he said his name was Harry. I told him that he has my tailwind, and I want it back. He said that he met other cyclists who are saying the same thing. I think that he was taking his time. I took his picture (with permission) and offerred him my Blog card. He is old school and keeps a written log for himself. So, he didn't need it. "Ride on Harry, ride on..."
Although I was having fun hurting myself on the hills, they finally got to me and I was happy to roll into this tiny town. Schreiber is a fine town (fine for it's "el cheapo motel."that is ($44.00) Cheapest so far. I showered and headed to the restaurant for Coffees !! (Hundreds) and a big plate of lasagna. A great way to end a great day!

You Gonna Eat That ?...

HWC Approved morning road...

The claw. Big hwy widening project underway in Thunder Bay. More people + cars = Roads...

Morning Highway

Destructive Therapy ?

Love the red & blue lights

Rest Stop. Odd as this is in a residential area, houses across the street.

Break already ? I'll be first watch.

Mmmm. Gas station sandwich. Everything's edible including the packaging. Notice the concentration on HWC's small face. She was crunching the numbers and will advise me later, when I'm tired and angry. "mmmm, ride 93 km & 21km with 12 km headwind, Calorie intake break - 18 min., ride 62 km. Break 14 min., Ride ..."tsk. tsk. "sigh"... We're doomed !

The occasional cruddy shoulder

Murals and pickups. Spandex optional ?

Must be an important road, noting the size of this sign. Not my kind of camp.

Satanic Bible OK ?

Love the Terry

Refuel and drain

Friendly Native Art

"The Sue" it is

Layers of time

Red rock

Going down

Climbing above Lk. Superior... Sweet.

an excuse to stop... hot'n hilly !

Look at the smile on the bloody cat ! She had no part in this climb except for the bad calculations that she was so proud of earlier today.

A picnic area off the highway leading to a popular lookout. It was an additional grind, but worthwhile.

The lookout. I met an older (maybe 50ish) couple that had lawn chairs set up to watch the view. Funny thing is that I noticed their tanned lean legs. Turns out that they are cyclists too. They live across the water and were on a little trip. Nice talking to them. The man had a funny story where he had 7 flat tires on a ride to Glacier National Park. I enjoyed that immensely. I'm sick, I know...