We got up really early to get on the road for our longest day yet. We decided that we would split the 220km to Thunder Bay into a long day and a short day to allow us to do some shopping, laundry etc. Unfortunately the tube that I fixed last night was having none of it, as the tire was as flat as a pancake. It appears these new tubes are practically un-repairable. Patches just peel off.
We were on the road about 8:30 and it was cool and cloudy, the road was wet, but no rain for us, yet. We passed some cabins at 25km which would have been a good place to stop last night to balance the days riding, but they were not referenced in the Tourist Book. The country was very rolling with not much to look at except rocks and trees, so Marge spent her time taking pictures of rocks and put a freeze on trees.
We stopped for pizza and coffee at 38km at Quetico North Outfitters. Inside, they had some beautifully made bird houses. The server had no sense of humor however, as when I said they were better made than my house, she replied, “Really!”
Gears stopped changing once we’d got back on the road, and we traced the problem to a frayed cable which was very easily fixed with a spare.
We breezed along for the rest of the day, slowly piling up the miles, putting on rain jackets, as we saw a wall of water coming towards us, then 5 minutes later taking them off.
For the logistically minded we had a coffee stop at 93km, Kashabowie, and passed the Arctic Ocean/Atlantic Ocean watershed a little later. In the middle of nowhere we were ordered to put an hour on our clocks as we crossed the EST time line. The clouds had cleared, the sun was shining and we were nearly there then the rear tire blew. We went through the process, and were on the road again 15minutes later. It was all downhill to the Corners, where the two TCH’s meet up at a motel. However, there was no sign of such a thing. Marge remembered seeing a sign for some cabin accommodation back up the road, so we went there.
The lady was charming, but had no keys, so kept us amused and drinking tea, until her husband came home about 8pm. She also gave us some exquisite homemade bread.
We made a quick supper, had a shower and were in bed about an hour later.
We have a little bit of stress for tomorrow as we are back down to no spare tubes. We shall what we shall see. There is reputedly a very good bike shop on Memorial Road called Cyclo Path. Again we shall see.
Average 20.5kph
Today’s height 880m up, 850 down
Today’s Distance 143km
Total Distance 5488km
In spite of the mechanical problems, the rain showers and the loss of the motel, it was a really good day.
That’s all the news that’s fit to blog, enjoy Marge’s rock pictures.
Night, night.
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