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| Day 56 - August 22 - Trois Pistoles to Causapscal 194km |
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| There is a chill in the air this morning as I wake up in the same position I've been in for eight hours. My sleeping bag is fully zipped with the seam resting lightly on my nose for added warmth. I think about the day ahead and how much tougher it will be if we are unfortunate enough to get a headwind. I hope that isn't the case. I'll find out what the wind is like when I get up, should I ever muster the strength to do so. |
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| Glenn is on cooking duty this morning so I leave a little before him with the expectation that he'll catch up eventually. He always does. He is a much stronger rider than I am with years of experience behind him. |
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| In order to avoid the main highway, we take secondary roads for the first little while. But to get to these other roads we have to climb some enormous hills (15% grade) that seem to go on and on. It's quite a test for the legs, that's for sure. They burn with fatigue as I look on each pedal stroke as a single unit of accomplishment. I resist the temptation to drop to the small chainring because I've come so far without it. I get through those hills beaming with pride from my latest feat. Another set of hills come and gone, and a few kilometres closer to the Atlantic Ocean. |
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| I am really appreciating the beautiful tailwind I have today. It's like an invisible hand pushing me along as I keep a fast pace with minimal effort. I enjoy myself so much that my first break is at 117km. I buy a Powerade and a chocolate chip cookie at a corner store. Ten minutes later I'm on the road again, spinning along at a slightly more relaxed pace since I am back on Highway 132. It is very dangerous in spots with no shoulder and lots of trucks whipping by just inches from the white line on which I ride. |
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| I meet up with Jan a few minutes later and we ride the rest of the way together. Glenn passes by as we sit on a bench in front of a convenience store. He circles into the parking lot and right out again without even slowing down. He speaks very quickly as he passes and says, "I've gotta do 150 K before I stop!". Now there's a guy with well-defined goals. Go Glenn Go. |
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