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| Day 64 - August 30 - St. Peters to Little Bras D'or 106km |
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| It's a lazy start this morning, the kind I've grown to enjoy. Rupica, Glenn and I sit at the picnic table eating our breakfast of orange juice, oat bars and bananas. Most people have left at this point. Just as we're getting ready to go, Al and John arrive back. They only made it a couple kilometres before Al discovered tire trouble. Glenn lends him a spare and they're back on the road shortly. We do what we can to help each other out. That's what makes this trip possible. |
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| The hills of Cape Breton allow me to appreciate my significant hill exposure thus far. I'm well-prepared for them this time around. It's much like Ontario where stunning views await at each crest, and the rush of a quick descent more than validates the steep climb to the top. |
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| Rita's Tea Room is along this route. It's so beautifully decorated that I feel silly entering in lycra. Having visited so many restaurants, I should be accustomed to the staring by now. We take a seat with Chris and Rob. I order quiche and ask what flavours of tea they have. "Just one", says the waitress. "Okay, then I'll have that please." I guess the tea room title refers more to the atmosphere than the menu selection. Rita MacNeil's music plays in the background as we enjoy blueberry pie and ice cream for dessert. I browse the gift shop briefly before leaving and I get a few comments about my right arm, the one that's badly cut from my fall. Funny how my cycling attire invites people to speak to me. I don't mind answering them, I just find it strange. I wouldn't go up to someone on crutches and ask how they hurt themselves. People around here are so incredibly friendly that it can easily catch you by surprise. We all agree that Rita's Tea Room is an excellent meal stop. I'll be sure to drop by on my next trip to Cape Breton. |
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| Rob and Chris join us for the next section of hills and rough roads. A construction worker informs us that we've come through the worst of the hills and that it will get much easier as we approach North Sydney. She's right, it does get better. |
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| We get into camp by 2:30 and meet the other group of TDC riders - the 74-day gang. They left a week before us in Vancouver and took a few more rest days along the way. They also did the Cabot Trail. We meet up with them to cross the Newfoundland ferry as one large group. The Ryder trucks will stay here while we combine our bags into a smaller truck to take us the rest of the way. |
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| I get my laundry done one final time while I skim the latest issue of Bicycling Magazine. We inhale a huge pot of spaghetti as our last group meal. We ate spaghetti the first day too, but the difference is that we ate normal portions back then. A lot of us have changed this summer, and not only with respect to our eating habits. Physically we are stronger and fitter, and mentally we are more focused and confident. Plus, we met a lot of wonderful people. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. |
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