Day 17/18 -Part 2, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada

Mileage for the day, 51.5 miles, (83 km). Once again, the day appeared to be an easy ride, about 50+ miles or so. Once again, the invisible forces of nature were out to get me: wind.

The winds today were even worse than yesterday, gusts of up to 35 MPH (60 km/h). At times I would ride along until the headwind was so strong I just couldn’t push against it. I would just stop, put my feet on the ground and wait. What else was there to do.

As I rode along, I kept a close watch in my rear view mirror. A few miles back I could see that the clouds were dropping rain. Oddly enough, we traveled at the same speed for about eight hours and it never did catch me. I guess we were both having a struggle. The rain clouds were the front of a dying tropical depression named Gordon. I didn’t even stop for lunch, for fear the storm would catch me. It was a very long, tiring day.

Speaking of my rearview mirror, I’m going to recall an event from last week, in Clair, Michigan. This is to demonstrate what goes through my head  (yeah, I can hear Jane saying “not much”) when I’m riding along and need a distraction from the wind and to keep me from thinking about the current misery.

In Clair, first thing in the morning, I was on my way to Ray’s bicycle shop to try and fix my shifter. The sun was just rising and it was very cold out, especially for August. The route consisted of mostly flat terrain with one rise in the road for an overpass. I had just left the motel when, in my mirror, I spotted an Amish fellow in his carriage pulling out behind me.

Now, I am going to describe the thoughts going through the heads of the three participants in this event: First, the bicyclist (me),  the Amish fellow, I’ll call Gutenberg (I’m certain his wife calls him “Gutty,” when he isn’t around, but “Mr. Gutenberg,” when he is there) and the horse that I’ll name “Pherd.”

Now Pherd has just had a belly full of oats and isn’t very motivated, needing time to digest things. The bicyclist has an empty stomach and is looking to fill it. Gutty has had six cups of coffee, two more than usual and is feeling his oats. Maybe he should have had some of Pherd’s oats? Maybe he did?

The bicyclist looks in his mirror and notices that Pherd and Gutty are gaining on him. The bicyclist is cruising along at a hefty 12 miles per hour (I’m going to ignore metric here). Gutty has eyed this bicyclist and sees an opportunity to use his 13th-century technology to beat the bicyclist’s 19th-century technology. I don’t know for certain, but I suspect the “good book,” doesn’t allow racing, but this isn’t exactly “racing,” it is a demonstration of technology, so Gutty permits himself the luxury. Pferd isn’t so keen on this, what with a full belly of oats and all.

The race ensues. The bicyclist pulls slightly ahead, up to 14 MPH. Gutty gets out the horsewhip and urges Pferd to stop daydreaming and put some oats into the effort. The coach climbs up to 15 breakneck MPH. The wheels start to creak on the coach, Gutty just knows he’s going to get after one of the twelve kids to put more grease in those axles.

The bicyclist sees the coach gaining, and there is the overpass up ahead. This could be serious. The bicycle, with all the gear, weighs around 85 pounds and hills are anathema. Regardless, honor is at stake here, so the bicyclist pours it on, wishing he too had some of Pferd’s oats in his stomach. Pferd, encouraged by the horsewhip is pouring it on too.

Flames are spouting out Pferd’s nostrils, fire is in Gutty’s eyes and the bicyclist is losing ground. Using the hill to advantage, Gutty is going to show the bicyclist what 13th-century technology is capable of. Pferd demonstrates his opinion of all this by leaving a few of the oats on the street surface. Passersby wonder what is with Gutty today, is there a BOGO (Buy one, get one free) at the farmers market today? Maybe they should check the going price on summer squash?

The bicyclist puts everything into hyperdrive. Sweat is pouring from his brow, the calves are aching; steam is pouring from the nostrils. The bicyclist’s beard is parting into two from the wind, Gutty’s can’t part, it is too tangled, something of a fashion statement. Pferd is breathing down the bicyclist’s back. Holding off the attempted pass, the two teams crest the hill and start down the other side.

The 19th-century technology now has the advantage. Pferd can only move those legs so fast and Gutty has to actually apply the wooden brake and burn off some of the kinetic energy just when he could use it the most.

Gutty is getting a good look at the synthetic, plastic panniers (saddlebags) on the bike and thinking what heresy that is, they should be made of good leather. Pferd, on the other hand, is looking at the plastic bags and thinking that is a really good idea, he isn’t a big fan of leather if you get my drift.

I digress, back to the race: With a clear advantage, the bicyclist pours it on. He can see the fury in Gutty’s eyes as the bicyclist opens a small lead. The intersection where the bike shop is located is clearly visible, this is going to be a win for the 19th century! Three blocks from the destination the bicyclist sees the 13th-century technology turn right and disappear…a win. The bicyclist rolls up the winners circle, dismounts and goes to get two well-deserved trophy doughnuts. What a way to start the day.

The events depicted here did actually happen. The names have been, well, at least changed, if not totally made up. I hope Gutty doesn’t get in trouble, the race will be discussed for years and he could be brought before the elder’s council. Then again, he might be one of the elders, it was hard to tell.

Sorry if I ramble, but things go through my mind when all I have to deal with is wind, and more wind.

When I arrived at the outskirts of St. Thomas, I went into the Wayside Restaurant to get a bite to eat and use the WiFi to see how far the hotels were. One, the Cardinal Court Motel, was just down the street and the other I was interested in was about 5-6 miles. Tired as I was, it was the Cardinal.

After a plate of spaghetti, I headed to the motel and just beat the rain. Once again, exhausted, I unpacked everything and then took a long nap. This was getting to be the routine…fight the wind all day, then sleep. Looking at the upcoming weather I was certain that I wouldn’t be riding tomorrow. The remnants of Hurricane Gordon were approaching and they were expecting heavy rain locally. I was ready for a break from all the rain and the unseasonably cool temperatures.

Day two was a rest day. I went into town in the morning to find breakfast, riding in the rain. It was about three miles (5 km) to town. The hotel had the usual assortment of really lousy food for breakfast, I just couldn’t face it. I’ve discovered that the fast-food chain, Tim Horton’s in Canada has a really good steeped tea, so I went there. Everything else is “sorta” McDonalds, although they also have an assortment of doughnuts. It is almost like McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts had an illegitimate child. The tea certainly is good, so I’m a customer.

I returned back to the motel and spent most of the day updating blog posts and fixing up things that needed fixing on the bike, etc.

Late in the afternoon I put up my antenna wire and operated the ham radio for a while. I talked with Mary, KA4TIE in KY, Cliff, AE5ZA in TX, John, W8VYM in GA and a station in St. Charles, MO that is a special station that is set up to honor Route 66, W6P. Most of them were on a digital mode over the radio, but W6P station was on Morse code.

That ended my day. I didn’t even do photos, all they would be is looking into a parking lot with rain coming down. I don’t need that reminder. The forecast for the next few days is warmer, sunnier, and most importantly, with little wind. I hope they’re correct. I suspect later in the week, or next week, I will be running into the remains of Hurricane Florence. We’ll see.