Monday, August 15, 2005
Day 49 – Distance: 109.16 km
Owen Sound to Shelburne, ON
It was another glorious biking day, and Bob led me around Owen Sound to County Road 40 and on to Hwy 10. We had a great many hills to climb – I guess this area is rather (in)famous for them. I know in the past, when driving to and from Owen Sound, I have assessed the roads for biking, and wondered how the hills would be. I finally found out – there are a great many of them, but they’re rather fun, in that they are not super long, and are great fun to go down on the other side. Bob was great company, and stayed with me to Holland Centre, where he turned off to take the “rail trail” back to Owen Sound. Note that he had been doing the route all morning on his mountain bike – much more effort than I had to expend on my road bike! However, he was certainly up for the challenge.
Bob left about 10:30, and I took my time getting to Shelburne from there, as I knew Ruth and Bill Cruickshank (my Shelburne hosts) might not be home until later in the afternoon. Markdale and Flesherton were both lovely little villages, and I stopped for a late lunch in the latter (I had already eaten my bagel which I had prepared for lunch). I had a rather interesting cream of carrot and spinach (curried) soup. Not ideal on a warm day, perhaps, but I couldn’t resist the sound of it. Hwy 10 leveled out after Flesherton, but did get busier, so I was glad to take the route suggested by Bob, paralleling the highway, but getting off it. Again, the scenery was pastoral, and somehow familiar, and I sang as I cycled along. Life was good indeed, and I was glad to seize the moment.
Unfortunately (but not really), it was a little farther to the Cruickshank’s house than I thought, so I didn’t arrive there until about 4:00. Also, my map had different route and concession numbers than the road signs indicated, but it wasn’t really a problem. I was again royally treated, and enjoyed a roast beef dinner with all the summer fixings, including Howard Hamilton’s fruit salad for dessert. I don’t think I have to worry about wasting away any more – not when I’m fed this well by friends.
After supper, Bob, a cyclist friend of Ruth and Bill’s dropped by; he was very helpful in planning the route for the next day, going to Holland Marsh. Since the only changes were in the first part of the route, I hoped it wouldn’t be a problem for John Maxwell, who had called to say he was hoping to see me on the route, in order to wish me well. I was expecting 3 cycling friends to join me next day, and I wanted to make sure the route and distance would be worth their trip from Orillia.
I had the best sleep I’ve had in quite a while that night; the Cruickshank’s live in the country, and I was asleep even before I could hear the coyotes which they said often entertained them at night.
Owen Sound to Shelburne, ON
It was another glorious biking day, and Bob led me around Owen Sound to County Road 40 and on to Hwy 10. We had a great many hills to climb – I guess this area is rather (in)famous for them. I know in the past, when driving to and from Owen Sound, I have assessed the roads for biking, and wondered how the hills would be. I finally found out – there are a great many of them, but they’re rather fun, in that they are not super long, and are great fun to go down on the other side. Bob was great company, and stayed with me to Holland Centre, where he turned off to take the “rail trail” back to Owen Sound. Note that he had been doing the route all morning on his mountain bike – much more effort than I had to expend on my road bike! However, he was certainly up for the challenge.
Bob left about 10:30, and I took my time getting to Shelburne from there, as I knew Ruth and Bill Cruickshank (my Shelburne hosts) might not be home until later in the afternoon. Markdale and Flesherton were both lovely little villages, and I stopped for a late lunch in the latter (I had already eaten my bagel which I had prepared for lunch). I had a rather interesting cream of carrot and spinach (curried) soup. Not ideal on a warm day, perhaps, but I couldn’t resist the sound of it. Hwy 10 leveled out after Flesherton, but did get busier, so I was glad to take the route suggested by Bob, paralleling the highway, but getting off it. Again, the scenery was pastoral, and somehow familiar, and I sang as I cycled along. Life was good indeed, and I was glad to seize the moment.
Unfortunately (but not really), it was a little farther to the Cruickshank’s house than I thought, so I didn’t arrive there until about 4:00. Also, my map had different route and concession numbers than the road signs indicated, but it wasn’t really a problem. I was again royally treated, and enjoyed a roast beef dinner with all the summer fixings, including Howard Hamilton’s fruit salad for dessert. I don’t think I have to worry about wasting away any more – not when I’m fed this well by friends.
After supper, Bob, a cyclist friend of Ruth and Bill’s dropped by; he was very helpful in planning the route for the next day, going to Holland Marsh. Since the only changes were in the first part of the route, I hoped it wouldn’t be a problem for John Maxwell, who had called to say he was hoping to see me on the route, in order to wish me well. I was expecting 3 cycling friends to join me next day, and I wanted to make sure the route and distance would be worth their trip from Orillia.
I had the best sleep I’ve had in quite a while that night; the Cruickshank’s live in the country, and I was asleep even before I could hear the coyotes which they said often entertained them at night.
posted by BikingBabe at 12:38 PM
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