Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Nipigon to Terrace Bay, 115km: Continuing



Bud came to the community centre in the middle of the night. In the morning community members of Nipigon made us breakfast which was incredibly kind. Following breakfast we had a meeting with Bud. He said the tour would continue; however, we had the option of continuing on or ending the journey in Nipigon. We also had the option of not riding today, riding part of the day, or riding the 115km to Terrace Bay. All of us decided our journey across the country would continue; however, a few decided they would not cycle today and others decided they would cycle part of the ride. I decided I would cycle the entire route. My legs were humming to get me moving, to ride all the way to Terrace Bay from Nipigon. I was not alone. Bill, Mike, Rob, Dan, Joyce, Louise, Yukon Greig, Elaine, and Neil all rode the 115km.

I did not leave with the group who decided to cycle the entire route because my tire was flat due to the slow leak and so I had to replace the tube. Plus, I lost a water bottle so I was scavenging for that. I was stressing out because everyone was leaving and I was still scrambling to get myself out the door. I was afraid I would be cycling all by myself. However, Yukon Greig said he would wait for me and I was so happy he did. It meant so much to me that he waited. He was patient while I scrambled around and told me to take it easy, he wasn’t going to leave without me.

I finally got everything together and so Greig and I set out and began our journey to Terrace Bay. Greig was a strong rider; however, he was very accommodating and ensured he maintained a tempo that I could keep up with. The ride ended up being very peaceful despite the events which happened just hours before. The day was overcast but the wind wasn’t strong. We cycled along the shores of Lake Superior which looked calm and peaceful, the exact opposite of yesterday.

We met up with Bill, Mike, Dan, Joyce, Rob, and Louise in a construction zone on Route 17. Once we were out of the construction area we all stopped at a picnic area overlooking the lake and had a snack break. The view of the lake was spectacular. 


There were some decent hills today and so when we set off again, some fell behind as Greig, Bill, Mike and I powered over the steady inclines. Greig and I stopped in Rossport where we met Neil and Elaine. Rossport was a beautiful little village located right on the shores of Lake Superior. We took a break in a cafe called “Serendipity Gardens Cafe” which was a lovely cafe full of great desserts. Greig and I ordered blueberry shortcake which was so yummy. The others met up with us not too soon after we reached Rossport. However, Greig and I decided to continue to camp on our own. 

 
We rode all the way to Terrace Bay, only taking a quick snack break in the town of Schreiber. We kept a really good pace and the climbs we cycled offered a great challenge. We reached Terrace Bay in good time. I was glad I decided to ride the entire route that day; it calmed the energy flowing through my body, telling me to move and not stand still. I was even more grateful that I shared this journey with Greig. Greig stayed with me the entire ride and I am so thankful for that.

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