Saturday, July 30, 2005

Day 33 – Distance: 101 km
Kenora to Vermilion Bay, ON

Wow, a sleep in until 7:00 a.m.! We were treated to coffee and cherries (I felt badly that Erika had to get up so early on her weekend off), then we headed out. We drove back to Kenora, but started out on 17A rather than from the town itself. It was a good day, but felt very much like a reality check! Lots of hills (not like the ones that are coming up, but a good training again), and getting used to the granny gear again. We’re hoping to reach Thunder Bay by Tuesday night, so that means I have to go for 6 days without a rest day, but I’m hoping by not doing huge mileages each day, I’ll be ok. We’ve decided to stick with Hwy 17, rather than going on a southern route which might have less traffic, but which would be farther.

It’s great to see northern Ontario scenery again, and to hear loons on the many lakes. We stopped by a little one for lunch, and just pulled up alongside the highway and laid our things out on some rocks. Just as we were about to leave, a fully loaded rider coming in the other direction pulled over to say hello. He had a trailer that he was pulling, and was heading back to Winnipeg from Dryden. He casually mentioned he had biked across the country last year, so I asked him if it was with Tour du Canada. It turned out it was, so here’s a hello to Murray Goring from Arnie.

There is no cell phone service here, so I pedaled to a nearby restaurant in my sandals, and borrowed the owner’s personal phone to make a few phone calls. When I left, I was horrified to notice I hadn’t even put on my helmet. I had thought there was a payphone at the campsite entrance! Oh well, I made it back safely.

It’s far later than I should be up, but I was getting behind with my logging. In any event, it’s “good night” for now.