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| Day 30 - July 27 - Quetico Park to Thunder Bay 171km |
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| It is absolutely freezing when I wake up this morning. I want to stay in that sleeping bag more than anything, but the thought of getting out of camp late is enough to make me get up even in the worst of weather. The heat of the afternoon isn't an issue anymore; it's more the wind that I am avoiding by leaving early. I make a mental note that in the future I should remember to wear a wool hat at night. |
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| The first 30km are without wind as we three (Dave, Al and myself) bike into the sun as we do every morning. At 6:30 there is a glare off my sunglasses as I pedal up a steady grade. What I fail to see right away is a black bear in the ditch just 50 yards ahead. I jam on the breaks as my jaw drops in disbelief. The bear runs across the road in front of us and into the woods. It is definitely not full grown, so we waste no time standing there. Mother bear could be near, and as far as I'm concerned, the only thing worse than meeting a bear is meeting an angry bear. |
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| I feel much stronger today. Maybe it has something to do with eating four PBJ sandwiches before 7:30. Or it could be that I had a better sleep last night. For whatever reason, I feel like attacking those hills today, even with the wind against me. I have so much energy flowing through me that I lead the paceline most of the way. Al and Dave certainly don't mind. |
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| A burger and fries is the perfect afternoon indulgence. Normally it would be considered an entire meal (a filling one at that). Since I started this trip I have noticed that meals are not so much a part of my diet. Breakfast, lunch and dinner fail to exist. I eat all day, therefore each morning is the start of a day-long feeding frenzy. It never stops. Sometimes, if you can believe it, I grow tired of sandwiches, burgers and endless water stops. I am always hungry, so eating while biking is easier than it used to be. This tiresome practice leads to constant snacking and water sipping until the day is done. |
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| The galley crew really scores tonight. Meat (as well as cheese) is a rarity on the Tour so we get understandably excited with cheeseburgers on the menu. Then I head out to an Irish pub with John, Michelle, Al and Dave to get a taste of the night life in this city. |
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| Lakehead University residence is a definite change from tent life. I don't have to put on my shoes to walk to the bathroom. And there are no bugs to consider - flying or crawling. A good night's rest in a real bed is a treat. |
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