Quetico and Beyond - Day 23 - 205.1km Atikokan to Thunder Bay

Atikokan was a decent resting place for one night and the White Otter Inn was alright - not necessarily worth the amount of money that I paid but the food in the restaurant was really decent and gave me the calories that I needed.

The thing about the distances I've been cycling - well let's be honest it's not because I want to bike 200+ km per day... it's out of necessity as often there really isn't anything in between. So my piece of advice to anyone considering this sort of journey is to ensure that by the time you clear the prairies that cycling more than 175km is a breeze. I'm sure others do it by simply camping at the side of the road... but for a lone traveler I think what I'm doing suits me best.

Anyway, funny story - I mentioned that the road was washed out somewhere for todays journey (actually yesterday). Turns out that a beaver dam had failed... poor beaver - you can just imagine the beaver sitting watching the dam collapse around him and thinking "what did I do wrong"... anyway, that combined with the heaps of rain did cause the road to be washed out... but at the same time it was still passable, in fact the only thing different about it was well there was a patch of gravel.

Arriving in Thunder Bay felt wonderful - glad to be at Lakehead University... caught up with an childhood friend today and also some colleagues from the uni.

Total Distance: 205.1km
Trip Distance: 3361.44km

Side note: tomorrow I will be cycling to Nipigon Ontario - due to the fact that I'm not shaking my cold and needing time to let my muscles recover prior to the bike rally to Montreal I will be catching a lift from Doug (my brother-in-law) and then with my father further south. Just thought I should give everyone a heads up... all is good. I could make it but my legs need a bit of a rest and I need to get well.

Highlights:
- seeing Kakabeka Falls again
- crossing into the Eastern Standard Time Zone
- thinking about the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald... some of you may recognize these lyrics
"The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy."
- seeing Lake Superior and Lakehead University

Cool Cycling Day - Fort Frances to Atikokan - Day 22 - 146.95km

Looking back the prairies were quite exciting in comparison to the monotony of Northern Ontario... The endless trees and rolling hills - don't allow for many pretty vantage points - but that being said perhaps it was the bleak weather that I was dealing with today that made the journey less than enjoyable. I did manage to take a picture of a lake at my first rest stop this morning (usually I rest every 25km). Don't get me wrong I'm still enjoying the journey, however at the moment very sore, coping with a cold and am missing the comforts of home. Sounds silly perhaps.

Anyway, something I forgot to write about yesterday was the fact that I came upon two sections of road that had water flowing over them - apparently this area has received a lot of rain in recent weeks. The deepest washout was about 20cm deep and the front panniers were "just" touching the top of the water...needless to say my shoes were wet by the time I crossed the patch. Unfortunately I didn't stop and take a pic as there was too much traffic and well... safety first - photos later.

Tomorrow apparently there is another segment that was recently washed out - so it will be interesting to see what they deem as "passable".

Total today: 146.95km
Total distance traveled: 3156.34km

Highlights:
- extremely quiet highway
- seeing a fox
- seeing a great blue heron
- cycling on the smoothest bit of highway ever... just paved 2 days ago
- staying at the White Otter Inn... not that impressive... just enjoyed the name - reminded me of Swiss Otter - Yvon (nickname).

Day 21 Just for FUN - Kenora to Fort Frances 204.84km

Heat and humidity down in Southern Ontario has made me appreciate the cooler weather of the North, although I didn't appreciate the wind. Side note: Suzanne I am staying hydrated.

Today I really noticed the smell of the wildflowers at the side of the road. I suppose one of the biggest differences to driving versus cycling (besides the obvious) is that while in a car you don't experience the sweet smells of flowers, crops, crisp morning air, grasses, the scent of the air after a rainfall... and the not as pretty smells of fertilizer on farmers fields, dead skunks/porcupine/beaver/deer/prairie dogs. I've learned to appreciate all of them - some more than others (of course).

Anyway, probably will be taking it a bit easier tomorrow after another long day in the saddle.

Distance today: 204.84km
Total to date: 3009.39km - Finally over the 3000km mark.

Sense of Pride - Day 20 - Winnipeg, Manitoba to Kenora, Ontario 212.66km

Woke up in a panic at 8am. I had overslept and it was my initial intention to leave Winnipeg by 7:30am, so I quickly packed my stuff, said goodbye to Ron and then hit the road after breakfast and a quick shop at the local Great Canadian Superstore (grocery store).

It honestly seemed to take forever to leave Winnipeg - but I suppose that makes sense because Ron lives in the West part of the city and taking the Trans-Canada lead me downtown and then finally out the east end. The landscape started to change as I said goodbye to the prairies and started seeing more waterways, small hills, trees and rock.

At about 6:10pm I entered Ontario with tears in my eyes (tears of joy), with a sense of pride in what I've accomplished in such a relatively short period of time. I paused momentarily at the "Welcome to Ontario" sign, to take a picture as well as reflect on the amazing journey so far.

Total Distance today: 212.66km - longest one day trip I've ever cycled.
Total Distance for trip: 2804.55km
Hot day again (mid 30s) with humidity - luckily cloud cover provided a break from being baked by the sun.

What the heck... Brandon to Winnipeg - Day 19 - 200.37km

With the goal of reaching Ontario in time to participate in the Friends for Life Bike Rally (which starts at the end of July... a means to ensure I make it to Montreal), I have had a plan of sorts with dates and times - let's just say the plan has been changing constantly as I enjoy places and meeting new and interesting people (as well as listening to my body). Anyway, looking at the map and deciding to embark on a 200km ride is one thing, but to do it on one of the hottest days of the year (ironically to the coldest place in Canada) is a whole different experience.

Waking up in Brandon, Manitoba... in Colleen and Terry's house, both of them woke up early 5:30am as the plan was for me to leave no later than 6:30am. Colleen made an amazing breakfast for me of sausages, eggs and toast and I was pretty much set ~ except for the storm that rolled through at around the same time... so I left about 30 minutes later than desired (leaving early was due to the fact that I knew it was going to be a HOT day). Anyway, I made it to Portage la Prairie by 1:30pm and almost decided to stop and stay the night... but decided to push on and made it to Winnipeg by shortly after 5pm.

Then immediately went online and purchased a ticket to attend an evening performance of RENT the musical by Jonathan Larson - a Rainbow Stage production - held at an outdoor theatre. The show was amazing... truly NO DAY BUT TODAY!

VERY HOT and I stress the VERY - about 35 degrees with heaps of humidity.

Distance travelled: 200.37km
Total distance to date: 2591.89km

Blog was not written until now as I was tired after the performance and went to bed and earlier today I took T1 to the shop - new chain was put on and he's running smoothly. Then this afternoon I went and saw the Queen as she was in town... see above picture.

See ya later Saskatchewan - Day 18 - Whitewood, Saskatchewan to Brandon, Manitoba (approx 184km)

Just a very quick post as I am extremely tired and need to head to bed - as I plan on leaving early tomorrow to ensure that I make it to my next destination - Winnipeg, Manitoba (which will be my longest day ever)... but I won't jinx it by stating distances etc... Today was an emotional ride - it seems the closer I come to Ontario the reality keeps hitting home of what I've accomplished... and where I started.

Today being Canada Day - I kept thinking about how proud I am to live in such a beautiful country, with stark differences and varied peoples. The commonality is not only the human experience but I truly believe that we as a people are generous, kind and giving (huge generalization). Two days ago I was introduced to a friend of Kathy and Evanna (the ladies that I stayed with in Regina), a man named Skip and tonight I had dinner with Skip's sister and her husband (they are also putting me up for the night and giving me a big breakfast before I head out early tomorrow morning).

Anyway, by entering Manitoba - I can now say that the only province I've never visited is Newfoundland and Labrador (and the three Territories... but they aren't technically provinces).

HAPPY CANADA DAY from Brandon, Manitoba!

Distance travelled: 183.67km
Distance to date: 2208.85km