Sault Ste Marie, MI to the Marina of Blind River, Ontario
A mix of a day. I slept poorly overnight as I got cold. I endured through it till I had to get up for breakfast set up. I think I was actually in a good mood and I was relaxed. All of Sea to Sea had to meet about 3km from camp at Lake Superior State University to bunch up for the border crossing. The crossing into Canada was neat over two long Bridges and the smoothest border crossing I've ever had by bike! I was asked where I was from and if I was quote, "having a good run," while he scanned my passport.
After the border crossing I slowly fell behind William, Caleb, and Frank. By the time we got to the first rest stop at around 36km, I was barely holding 18km/hr. I felt drained with no motivation to bike. My one reason to bike was for the commitment I made to those who donated. It's my commitment to make it across the country by bicycle. After this rest stop I felt behind once again. We rolled into the country area and the clouds set in. I took a stop to relive myself and put on my jacket. I got passed by many but really felt no pressure to go more quickly wether I could or not. At about 44km the rain hit hard. I got my rain jacket hold up over my helmet and enjoyed the rain. I really felt quite refreshed. I'd been waiting for the rain. I was praying, "just open the heavens already, God!" The rest stop at 48.8km was pretty much packed into the RV due to the rain so I opted to just continue.
The rain marked the first change in my day and then I met Irena Netik. Irena is doing a self supported bicycle tour across Canada. She is by herself for now as her friend takes a break till Montreal. She started in Seattle and is bicycling to St. John's, Newfoundland. She's taken 3 months off work to take this trip. I spent time talking with her and appreciating the ride going slow with someone else. We rode together the rest of the day, myself slightly helping her with a draft but her unintentionally helping me by giving me someone to ride with at a slow pace. You can find her blog at www.spokeandstories.com.
I got into camp around 4:30pm, early enough for a shower and soon enough for dinner. We had pasta tonight with garlic bread. There's a skatepark about a half kilometere away with Caleb and I did get to!
Time: 7hr 53min
Trip: 154.5km
Avg: 19.8km/hr
Max: 54.3km/hr
Canadian customs.
After the border crossing I slowly fell behind William, Caleb, and Frank. By the time we got to the first rest stop at around 36km, I was barely holding 18km/hr. I felt drained with no motivation to bike. My one reason to bike was for the commitment I made to those who donated. It's my commitment to make it across the country by bicycle. After this rest stop I felt behind once again. We rolled into the country area and the clouds set in. I took a stop to relive myself and put on my jacket. I got passed by many but really felt no pressure to go more quickly wether I could or not. At about 44km the rain hit hard. I got my rain jacket hold up over my helmet and enjoyed the rain. I really felt quite refreshed. I'd been waiting for the rain. I was praying, "just open the heavens already, God!" The rest stop at 48.8km was pretty much packed into the RV due to the rain so I opted to just continue.
The rain marked the first change in my day and then I met Irena Netik. Irena is doing a self supported bicycle tour across Canada. She is by herself for now as her friend takes a break till Montreal. She started in Seattle and is bicycling to St. John's, Newfoundland. She's taken 3 months off work to take this trip. I spent time talking with her and appreciating the ride going slow with someone else. We rode together the rest of the day, myself slightly helping her with a draft but her unintentionally helping me by giving me someone to ride with at a slow pace. You can find her blog at www.spokeandstories.com.
I got into camp around 4:30pm, early enough for a shower and soon enough for dinner. We had pasta tonight with garlic bread. There's a skatepark about a half kilometere away with Caleb and I did get to!
Time: 7hr 53min
Trip: 154.5km
Avg: 19.8km/hr
Max: 54.3km/hr
Bridge to Canada
Welcoming to Canada!
Just an abandoned place on the river.
A nice town about half way through our ride. The rest stop had hot coffee and a nice sight. The local food truck encouraged our stop to join it on its property, asked for Sea to Sea handouts for all who asked about us, and even offered to let our rest stop use it's dumpster for our trash. Randy, a rest stop volunteer for that stop, gave me this inside scoop on what a blessing that location was.
Made it!
What a way to be welcomed, aye?!
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