Day 23, Monday, July 24, 2006
FORT FRANCES TO ATIKOKAN 148.45 KM
My disposition from yesterday seemed to loom over the break of the new day. I blame it on hormonal imbalance...PMS week! Oh the joys. Pastor Sandy was very nice and made us coffee. Our driver arrived to get us back to the church and we were late. Upon arrival the roadies were flinging orders about getting our bags into the cube truck....they have no understanding that it IS NOT our fault that we are late. That was not a great start to the day and I hate being barked at like I am 3! This is an extremely difficult week and WE all are under stress. THe high mileage that we have to travel this week has changed the tempo, mode and the fun of the ride.
Today was better riding although it took a bit to get going this morning. The zinc ointment that Bob is using on his face now adorns my butt, which felt a tad better today. I could see Bob wriggling around in his saddle so I would summize that he is sore too! We are at 2950 km...in 20 riding days, so I guess there has to be some impact on the body! Not to mention the bike...mine has bee acting up, it clinks, clinks when I shift to the middle and top ring in front and the two highest gears on the back. Those gears are needed desperately for the riding conditions we are doing. Bob has been able to adjust it for me, but today it was bad. I am considering chucking it off Signal Hill when we get to Newfoundland.
Back to the ride today...there was a big bass tournament taking place in Fort Frances. I believe it is Rainy River that divides Canada from Minnisota directly across. There are 2 pulp mills, sister companies located directly across from each other, one American and the other Canadian. Great water ways and lots of expensive boats passing by. It was a lovely sunny day and the scenery interesting as we crossed bridges getting out of town. Fairly decent roads with rolling hills. As it was only a 148 km day we were not in a rush, which pleased me. Mind you when we stopped at 70 km for lunch the sun was good and hot, over 30 degrees. I actually got under the tents that we set up for lunch and I dozed while the riders went through the lunch line..figured it not necessary to line up and to wait. There was a good talk and prayer regarding the "evil" and misgivings with the emphasis on us being a "team"..., and the purpose of the trip...and build forward from here. I guess the stress of the week is evident! Please keep us in your thoughts as we head to Thunder Bay in the morning. It will be a 230 km day.
As I write this, I am sitting in the basement of The Church of the Good Shephed Anglican Church (Atikokan) where we are having dinner. There is a line up, so I'll blog until it clears. We will be going to billets overnight, which is a worry seeing we have to be up at 4. The cold sore on my lip has not healed. I guess my body is using all of the energy to cycle and there is nothing left for healing.
I am now at our billet's home, Julian Habinski. He is a sweet man (85) who is happy to host us as he believes strongly in the cause. He has just provided us with chips and pop. His daughter, Janice, is visiting with us now as well and conversation is fun. We have been blessed with wonderful billets! Carol and Ron Freeman are with us too. We are waiting for the dryer to finish drying our clothes.
My disposition from yesterday seemed to loom over the break of the new day. I blame it on hormonal imbalance...PMS week! Oh the joys. Pastor Sandy was very nice and made us coffee. Our driver arrived to get us back to the church and we were late. Upon arrival the roadies were flinging orders about getting our bags into the cube truck....they have no understanding that it IS NOT our fault that we are late. That was not a great start to the day and I hate being barked at like I am 3! This is an extremely difficult week and WE all are under stress. THe high mileage that we have to travel this week has changed the tempo, mode and the fun of the ride.
Today was better riding although it took a bit to get going this morning. The zinc ointment that Bob is using on his face now adorns my butt, which felt a tad better today. I could see Bob wriggling around in his saddle so I would summize that he is sore too! We are at 2950 km...in 20 riding days, so I guess there has to be some impact on the body! Not to mention the bike...mine has bee acting up, it clinks, clinks when I shift to the middle and top ring in front and the two highest gears on the back. Those gears are needed desperately for the riding conditions we are doing. Bob has been able to adjust it for me, but today it was bad. I am considering chucking it off Signal Hill when we get to Newfoundland.
Back to the ride today...there was a big bass tournament taking place in Fort Frances. I believe it is Rainy River that divides Canada from Minnisota directly across. There are 2 pulp mills, sister companies located directly across from each other, one American and the other Canadian. Great water ways and lots of expensive boats passing by. It was a lovely sunny day and the scenery interesting as we crossed bridges getting out of town. Fairly decent roads with rolling hills. As it was only a 148 km day we were not in a rush, which pleased me. Mind you when we stopped at 70 km for lunch the sun was good and hot, over 30 degrees. I actually got under the tents that we set up for lunch and I dozed while the riders went through the lunch line..figured it not necessary to line up and to wait. There was a good talk and prayer regarding the "evil" and misgivings with the emphasis on us being a "team"..., and the purpose of the trip...and build forward from here. I guess the stress of the week is evident! Please keep us in your thoughts as we head to Thunder Bay in the morning. It will be a 230 km day.
As I write this, I am sitting in the basement of The Church of the Good Shephed Anglican Church (Atikokan) where we are having dinner. There is a line up, so I'll blog until it clears. We will be going to billets overnight, which is a worry seeing we have to be up at 4. The cold sore on my lip has not healed. I guess my body is using all of the energy to cycle and there is nothing left for healing.
I am now at our billet's home, Julian Habinski. He is a sweet man (85) who is happy to host us as he believes strongly in the cause. He has just provided us with chips and pop. His daughter, Janice, is visiting with us now as well and conversation is fun. We have been blessed with wonderful billets! Carol and Ron Freeman are with us too. We are waiting for the dryer to finish drying our clothes.
posted by Unknown at 7:58 AM
2 Comments:
Hang in there Cranky Butt! I can whip you up some Minkee bike shorts if it would help...
Every time you mention the sleeping arrangements it brings me back to a memorable night on the Cabot Trail, nearly two years ago...
Stay well! You can do this! Altho the last entry shows what a challenge it can be. Look forward to seeing you in a few weeks! We're all reading your blog.
Love,
Carole
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