Day 27 Arnprior to Ottawa.

Mission accomplished. Today's ride was a combination of excitement to finish, desire to prolongue, and downright good sensations and, yes, I am still talking about biking.

It rained most of the night but started getting nice as soon as I got in the saddle for my final stage. Overall in this trip I really lucked out with the weather, considering how unpleasant it has been across the country, because it hasn't impeded my trip all that much. It seems most of the foul weather has happened at night or in late afternoon when I am usually already off of the road or on days when I needed the rest anyway.

I stuck with the back roads (#1 to #22 to #5) which were calm and scenic all the way to Carp. In Carp I paid a surprise visit to my colleagues Lydia, Michel and Todd in WESA Inc for coffee, directions, conversation and a photo-op. Not far after that I connected to the green belt bike trail which led directly to Parliament Hill, a really nice way to wind up the trip because after nearly 4 weeks of dueling with the traffic on the TC highway it was time for SERENITY NOW!

Today's final stage was dedicated to you. Yes, you. My official followers, my unofficial followers, those who read my blogs, those who followed me on Facebook, those who read my tweets, who posted comments, who sent me e-mail, and those who phoned me. Also those total strangers who took an interest in my trip and all of you who made the effort to humour me and pretend to be interested in my trip.

I did not do this to gain personal attention but I would be lying if I did not admit that knowing that other people were deriving fun from my adventure gave me a lot of added motivation. Thanks to you all.

Today's stats and more:

Today's ride: 76.7 km.
Average speed: 20.2
Final trip distance: 2839 km.

# of flats: 0
# of mechanical problems: 0
# of difficult car drivers: 2 (Sudbury)
# of difficult truck drivers: 1 (east of Mattawa)
# of muffins consumed: A lot. That's anybody's guess
# of rest days: 5
# of days I got wet: 1 (Upsala to Thunder Bay)
# of riding days: 20 full and 2 half days = 21
Average distance per day: 135.2
Liters of gasoline purchased: 0

Day 26 Deep River to Arnprior, Ontario

I woke up feeling considerably better but I left atomic energy land cautiously, not knowing if my own energy levels were back to normal. At the 20 km. mark I had a good rythym going and cranked it up a notch,then I picked up the pace again at the 50 km. mark and the rest of the way was a no-chain day i.e. the pedalling was so easy it felt like I had no chain.
The terrain was flat and the wind negligible but the traffic was heavy from the get go. Fortunately back roads are an option in these parts so after Pembroke I took road #'s 7, then 4 and finally #1 along the Ottawa river. What a good decision that was - the roads were quiet, scenic and in decent shape. It cost me a bit of distance, especially a long detour I didn't expect, but I didn't really mind because I was coming to grips with the fact that the trip is winding down and I wanted to make it last. Today was one of the few real summer-like days of the trip and I really enjoyed not being cold. By the time I got off the road and checked in to the Arnprior Motor Inn (without a motor) the temperature was up around 30.

Today's ride was dedicated to my trusty old peleton, consisting of me, myself and I. Throughout the trip the peleton has worked in total harmony, with none of us ever getting ahead or falling back, always riding at the right pace, never touching a wheel, attacking at the right moments, sharing the same mindset, and always keeping the ultimate goal in mind - Ottawa.

Tomorrow will be my equivalent of the Champs de Lysee stage of the Tour de France - a relaxing ride into the capitol. Being the Tour de Procrastination the champagne will have to wait till later. That I will have tomorrow evening with Madeleine who is meeting me to celebrate our anniversary, her birthday, and the end of the Tour.

Some time tomorrow morning or mid day the Tour will officially end on the lawn of the House of Parliament with the customary photos and interviews - what a perfect place to commemorate procrastination!

Today's ride: 146 km.
Average speed: 23.5 km.
Trip distance to date: 2752.3 km.

Day 25 Deep River Gastro

One of the many perils of travelling is illness due to food or water-borne pathogens and unfortunately I am stricken by it. After a night of self-dehydration I thought I had better lay low and rehydrate before I attempt further travel. Right now the 15 foot trip to the bathroom is more of a challenge than the most difficult 100 km. bike ride.

This probably explains why I was so tired after yesterday's ride.

Or is this just another excuse to procrastinate?

Day 24 Mattawa to Deep River, Ontario

There are 3 varieties of music in these parts: there's country, then there's western and then you have country and western.

I was expecting to continue to sail along like yesterday but I did anything but. The terrain changed from flat to hilly as soon as I left Mattawa. There weren't any hills bigger than what I had done previously but there were a good 25 climbs and some of them quite steep (6 % gradient). There weren't all that many flat sections to take advantage of the tailwinds so it was hard work most of the way and by 10:00 the legs were feeling their age and by noon the rest of the body was too. That's when the safety plan cut in and I decided to call it a day. A good call it was, because shortly after I checked in it poured rain for the rest of the afternoon.

Whoever coined the phrase "it's a small world" obviously never tried to cross Canada on a bicycle. Ontario alone is nearly 2000 km. across. Fortunately with only 200 or so km. to go the end is in sight and it looks like the Tour de Procrastination will wind up in Ottawa on Wednesday - unless I put it off.

The image above is what happens the gravel from the shoulder spills over onto the pavement.

Today's ride was dedicated to the memory of my all-time favorite teacher, Dr. Ron Westbury who believed in me at a time when I was unable to believe in myself. I will be eternally grateful.

Today's trip: 105 km.

Average speed: 20.5

Trip distance to date: 2606.3 km.

Day 23 Sudbury to Mattawa

My fastest ride so far. I was psyched up about the Sudbury - North Bay leg of the trip because I heard bad reports about it so I headed out at the crack of dawn equipped with 2 carrot pineapple muffins that Claudette baked. She must have put some secret ingredient in them because I blew by North Bay before 10:30. So I called Claudette and she told me she put prune juice in them - that's what makes you go.

Hwy 17 has a paved shoulder, albeit a small one most of the way but new gravel on the shoulder spilled over onto the pavement in some areas rendered it useless in some spots. Fortunately the Sunday morning traffic was light, the wind westerly and the ride downright easy. After North Bay Hwy 17 merged with 11 again and it got real busy for a stretch but calmer again after the 11 split off to Toronto. After that the shoulder got smaller and the traffic heavier so I decided to call it a day at Mattawa. I had energy on reserve to go further but I have to abide by my own safety plan. Damn safety rules ;-)

Today's ride is dedicated to the http://www.typicallycanadian.com/ crew who rescued me from the prairie headwinds last May and drafted me into Moose Jaw complete with fire department and papparazi escort. What style! All the best guys - the future is yours.

Today's ride: 175.3 km.
Average speed: 25.2
Trip distance to date: 2501.3

Day 22 - rest day in Sudbury

I was so getting into taking it easy today that I nearly forgot to post a blog.

The thunderstorms this morning were enough to convince me to hang around for another day. Besides, it has been 43 years since I visited cousin Claudette so it was really a must. It was also the first time I met her husband Ed, a terrific guy. I really enjoyed their hospitality and the relaxed atmosphere of their home. Now I have clean laundry and recharged batteries and am ready for the final stage of my journey. Back on the road tomorrow.

Day 21 Webbwood to Sudbury Ontario

I met one more cyclist last night, Stephane, who was heading from Vancouver to his home in Gatineau at a pace of 200-250 km a day. He and I were the only guests at the Webbly Motel; what a dive that is.

The ride to Sudbury was challenging due to the traffic volume and small shoulder. It got better for a while when I took the hwy 55 but as I worked my way through Sudbury the traffic was downright nasty. I spent a lot of time on the shoulder today.

Today's ride is dedicated to my long-time friend, Dirk Kiy, who passed away last year after an incredibly courageous and dignified battle with ALS. In the period of time after his diagnosis he squeezed in more activity than most people do in a lifetime. Dirk showed us the importance of living life for the present and not putting things off to tomorrow. If you have something you have always wanted to do, then get at it because you will never be younger than you are right now.

Today's ride: 90.6 km.
Average speed: 19.9
Trip distance to date: 2326 km.

Day 20 Bruce Mines to Webbwood Ontario

The first few hours I made zero progress but then I woke up, gathered my stuff, got on my bike, headed out on the road and my situation improved.

There was a moderate headwind but with the rolling hills and the windbreak provided by the forest it wasn't much of a factor. Today was the first real summery day where it got hot enough to have to intake lots of liquids.

I heard a new sound today - the sound of my spandex flapping in the breeze. I guess a little weight loss is to be expected after 3 weeks of riding a bike.

I met a lot of cyclists today: Justin and Jenna, a young couple from Ontario, riding from Victoria to Halifax, Monty another Ontarioan doing a ride around the Great lakes, Garth from Calgary, who started in Halifax, rode to St. Johns and now is riding all the way back to Calgary, and finally Dan, a Scandinavian who started in TO and is headed to Alaska. Needless to say, unlike me, none of them were getting senior's discounts on this trip.

Today's ride is dedicated to another rider I met in Thunder Bay and then again in Marathon. He is doing a cross country ride to raise awareness about mental illness. He got into this because his daughter was a talented bright girl until she ran into some bipolar problems at the age of 16 and everything changed. She is participating in the ride too - she does about 20 km. A day. Len's wife Carol drives the support vehicle. http://www.therideformentalhealth.org/

Like yesterday I chose to get off the road because the traffic was getting to me. Such a busy highway requires constant concentration so I found myself mentally tired before getting physically tired. As for my legs, they felt like they could spin forever.

Tomorrow's ride will be shorter as I am planning a stopover at the home of my cousin Claudette O'Neill. Looking forward to seeing her and doing some laundry. Maybe I can shrink that spandex.

Today's ride: 157.4 km.
Average speed: 21.4
Trip Distance to date: 2235.4 km

Day 19 Batchawana Bay to Bruce Mines, Ontario

Another sunrise departure, this time into the fog. The first leg of today's ride up to Sault Sainte Marie, aka the Soo, was still quite unspoiled and challenging to ride, thanks to One Mile Hill just before the Soo. Somewhere around there was the 2000 km. mark of the trip so I celebrated with some chocolate fudge.



At the Soo, just where Hwy 17 turns east I came across a good bike shop called Velorution just at opening time and they trued my front wheel and adjusted the brake for me. I really appreciated that pit stop so today's ride is dedicated to all those small business owners who deliver good service. I have come across some great Innkeepers, including Frank, owner of the Voyageur Lodge where I stayed last night.



After the Soo the riding completely changed - the weather became sunny, the terrain flatter, the road crummy, and the traffic heavy. I got a bit of a break by taking old Hwy 17B through 2 Indian reserves but after that it got a bit hairy. I had enough gas in the tank to go further but not the patience to deal with the traffic. Better to tackle that in the early morning.



Today's ride 130 km.

Average speed 22.1

Trip distance to date: 2077.4 km.

Day 18 Wawa to Batchawana Bay Ontario

I was determined to get out of town come hell or high Wawa so I hit the road at sunrise. I was a bit apprehensive because of the weather (it rained all night) and because of the distance I had to cover. This was by far my longest portage - it was 100 km. from Wawa to the other side of lake Superior Provincial Park and another thirty some km. before the first motel or restaurant.

In the end my day turned out fine - not a drop of rain and a decent tailwind to help me through some difficult climbs. I would rank this day as #2 in terms of energy spent, with #1 being the ride from Thunder Bay to Rossport.

The highlight for the day was a bull moose I saw about 30 km. south of Wawa. He stayed still long enough for me to take his picture but it turned out blurry.

Today's ride is dedicated to ANYBODY BUT ROGERS, because I have not picked up a signal since all the way from Thunder Bay. If I had to do this over again I would have invested in an i-Touch, since all the motels offer wireless. Live and learn.

Today's trip: 155 km.
Average speed; 21.6
Trip distance to date: 1946.9 km.

Day 17 - rainout in Wawa

When I got up this morning there was a steady rain and a temperature of 6 degrees, so faced with a ride of 150 km. into the wilderness and only 1 or 2 villages along the way, I decided to stay dry in Wawa. I was hoping to ride today as I had 2 consecutive easy days and my body was ready for a big challenge but I think it would have been pretty miserable out there today. As of noon today it is still raining so I think I made the right choice.

Day 16 White River to Wawa Ontario

Today's ride is dedicated to George Harrison for naming a song after this fine town, Wawa in the wilderness of Lake Superior forest. Today was another pleasure ride as I had to choose between 93 km. and 250+ so thanks to a good sailwind (our new word for today) the first 70 km., I was in Wawa in time for breakfast. The weather was mainly sunny and just cool enough to make me want to work. Now I have all day to rest up for tomorrow's onslaught where I have to go at least 150 km. to get to the next accommodations. Apparently there will be some good climbs and a chance of rain. Given how wet it has been back east, I have gotten off lucky avoiding any rain for the past 4 rides in a row.

My odometer conked out for part of this morning's ride so my numbers might be just a tad off.

Yesterday was the start of the Tour de France so I decided that the Tour de Procrastination needed a higher profile so today I wore the yellow jersey. That's the nice thing about a one-man tour - I can wear the yellow jersey as many stages as I please.

No interesting mammals to report today but lots of loons and 1, maybe 2, bald eagles. And a HUGE goose at the gateway to Wawa, apparently the world's largest.

Still no Rogers signal in these parts; the only place where I picked up a signal in Ontario was in Thunder Bay. Not impressed.

Happy birthday Madeleine. I love and miss you.

Today's ride: 93 km.
Average speed: unknown due to odometer failure, but it was faster than most days
Trip distance to date: 1787 km.

Day 15 Marathon to White River

Greetings from White River Ontario, the birthplace of Winnie the Pooh, or as we call him in adult talk, Winnie the Shit;-)

Today was a pleasure cruise. I had to choose between distances of 55, 93, and 195 km. and I chose door #2. It was a tad chilly starting out, 6 degrees C, but the big hill I had to climb coming out of Marathon warmed me up nicely and it was sunny and quite comfortable the rest of the way. The hills were manageable, the roadway excellent and the scenery spectacular. Traffic has been light ever since Nipigon where the HWY 11 splits off from the 17 and heads north. About half way between Marathon and White River I came across a restaurant and had a humongous breakfast. Shortly after that I saw my second wolf of the trip.

Today's ride is dedicated to ergonomists, for making us comfortable, and in particular Gary of ABC Bicycles for setting me up so well on my bike that here I am after riding app 1700 km in 2 weeks and I have ZERO aches and pains.

Today's trip: 92.3 km.
Average speed: 20.1
Trip distance to date: 1690.4 km.

Day 14 Rossport to Marathon,Ontario

I had a great stay in a cabin at the Rossport Inn,an old hotel for CP workers that was restored a few years ago by a retired US fighter pilot who fell in love with it while on a sailing trip of Northern Lake Superior.

A mountainous ride today, somewhat similar scenery to Cape Breton. I was still tired from yesterday's ride so the climbs were challenging to say the least.

Still no coverage from Roger's network so I am reliant on innkeepers letting me use their computer. Please don't fret if I don't get my report in for any of the next few days as I expect more problems.

Today's ride is dedicated to my parents, Jacqueline Duguay and Garfield Wood who got married in this very town of Marathon way back in 1948. I guess that was an omen because their marriage has indeed turned into a marathon - way to go! The images I posted are the houses they occupied on 8 Bissel and 12 McCulloch Streets. Unfortunately like many of the other mill houses in the neighbourhood they are both now abandoned.

Today's ride: 110.4 km.
Average speed: 19.6
TripDistance to date: 1591.9 km.

Day 13 Thunder Bay to Rossport Ontario

A brief report as I appear to be in a blackout zone.

Today"s ride is dedicated to Terry Fox, the man who started this whole notion of self-propelled cross country trips. I stopped in at his memorial just outside of Thunder Bay first thing in the morning for an emotional visit.

I battled headwinds and some pretty challenging climbs all morning to Nipigon at the 100 km mark and was about to check in a motel when I realized the change in direction made for better winds so I decided to go for it. Besides, a day dedicated to Terry is no time to wimp out.

Today's ride: 174.2 km.
Average speed: 19.7
Trip distance to date: 1481.5 km.

Day 12 Canada Day in Thunder Bay

We live in a fine country and what better way to experience it than on a bicycle. The bike lets you not only see the country but also to hear, smell, feel and generally understand it better. You also get to talk with all sorts of people, both locals and travellers, who are curious about the bike ride.

The locals convinced me to stick around for their big Canada Day bash and I feel privileged to do so.

Happy Canada Day everybody!