Once again we would be cycling through time as we were
entering the Eastern Time Zone. As I was on galley crew, myself, Fred, Louise
and Erik were the last to leave camp. We stuck together for the entire day,
which turned out to be a bit challenging.
The terrain was not that difficult but there were a few
rolling hills. Fred was not the strongest climber and so we had to be patient
and wait for him. He kept saying Louise, Erik and I could go ahead and he would
just mossy his way to Thunder Bay. However, I totally disagreed because riding
by yourself can be quite lonesome and on top of that riding 166km is a long
stretch which would be much more enjoyable with people around you. So the four
of us worked together to accomplish the ride.
We stopped at the Arctic/Atlantic watershed which, according
to Bud’s notes, is a high point of land at 506m. West and north of the point
water flows into the Arctic Ocean and east of the point water flows into the
Atlantic Ocean. While we were taking photos we met a rider who was also
travelling across the country. He had a cart for storing his gear as opposed to
panniers which was a neat idea.
We stopped at an abandoned junction for lunch. We were
running low on water so we hoped the next junction at Shabaqua Corners would
have a general store. Unfortunately it did not so we were slightly frustrated;
however, a few kilometers from Shabaqua Corners we were in the town of Finmark
which had a general store. We refueled and headed to Thunder Bay.
To get to Thunder Bay we would be passing by Kakabeka Falls.
The four of us were running late because we left camp late, were not riding
that quickly, and we lost an hour due to the time change. Fred, Louise, and
Erik were questioning whether we should stop at the falls or just continue on
to Thunder Bay. Before we reached Kakabeka Falls I could see the current and
the river ending as it tumbled down the rock face. I was getting really excited
and just said to Fred, Louise, and Erik that I don’t care that its late, I want
to see the falls. I was so happy I did. The falls were not far from the road anyway, so it was hardly a detour and it was amazing. The water was an amber
colour and it was plummeting down. I never saw water so amber, it was neat.
Fred, Erik and Louise were also glad to have stopped to see the falls, which I
was happy about.
After taking in the wonder of the falls we headed straight
to Thunder Bay. That last leg was teeth grinding. One, we still had 28km to go before
getting to the university. Two, there was a detour because the bridge on Oliver
Road was under construction. Luckily it did not add to many extra kilometers to
the day, but still some. And three, Fred experienced an energy crash. He was
tired and his energy was rapidly declining and so he was going slower and
slower. Luckily Erik had some energy gels with him and gave one to Fred which
boosted his energy, helping him accomplish the last stretch.
We finally made it to Thunder Bay where lasagna was ready
for us to devour. It had been a long day, but the four of us pulled through
together, accomplishing yet another century ride.
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