- Day 1 -1 Week
- Day 1 -12 Hours
- Day 1
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- Day 4
- Day 5
- Day 6
- Day 7
- Day 8
- Day 9
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- Day 12
- Day 13
- Day 14
- Day 15
- Day 16
- Day 17
- Day 18
- Day 19
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- Day 21
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- Day 24
- Day 25
- Day 26
- Day 27
- Day 28
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- Day 45
- Day 46
- Day 47
- Day 48
- Day 49
- Day 50
- Day 51
- Day 52
- Day 53
- Day 54
- Day 55
- The End
- Retrospective
The motel put us on the second floor with no elevator. At the end of yesterday I was so excited for a shower I couldn’t care less. This morning we had to carry our bikes down the stairs before we rode anywhere. I used to carry my bike three flights up to my apartment in Brooklyn every day, but panniers and lipless shoes on tile steps change everything. We were met at the top of the stairs for the second bike by the guy who entered the motel just before us last night. We recognized each other from last night and said hello. He motioned that we should continue carrying the bike down and he would walk slower behind us. As we made our way down the we made some small talk that quickly went to Ken Kesey. We made our way to the exit our small talk continued about riding (bi / motor cycles respectively). We said our good byes and headed on our way.
A few blocks away was Rodger Rabbit the local greasy spoon. As we parked our bikes and got ready to enter a family walked up. The dad and I had a quick chat while Jerry headed inside. He mentioned how we were going the hard way. I’m not sure if it was his physical appearance or the way he said it, but this guy bothered me much less then the the last, as well as start to give me repose. Maybe the first guy wasn’t such a jerk and was actually just informing me what I clearly have no clue about… mainly our route. Some Navigator huh?
I went inside to join Jerry when our chat was done. Our food was good, though there was a lot of mosquitos. I killed eleven during breakfast. I usually have a live and let live attitude towards all, however that ends once you think I’m food. It looked like the locals felt like I weird for killing all the mosquitos I could, but again, I am not food.
When we talked over breakfast Jack Kerouac and ‘On the Road’ came up. Today has a definitive literary feel. We talked about being on the road and the differences between his experience and writings and our experiences and now my writing. Jerry and I have each criss crossed across the United States many times and now by bicycle. I don’t want to cast dispersions on an American icon. But I spent most of my adult life being compared to Jack Kerouac, it wasn’t until I moved to San Francisco my brother bought me ‘On the Road’. I was fairly disappointed.
When the dad was leaving I had to re-ask what the name of the man who’s statue I would see on Route 17. He informed me, again, Terry Fox. Then he wished us safe travels and headed on his way. I wondered why today had such a ‘you should know about this guy… you’d like him’ kind of feel.
After breakfast we stopped at the bank and hit the road.
I’m not sure if we’re really hitting our stride, or the weather was right, or … but we went thirty miles before we even paused. It was a nice start to the day. Unfortunately I clearly set the GoPro to take hundreds of pictures of the inside of my helmet during breakfast again. And so I missed the chance to take pictures of the beautiful landscapes that moved me so much yesterday.
We rode at what felt like a great pace all day. There seams to be some weird thing though, no matter how good the morning is or how week the start feels, our averages all turn out around the same. I’m not sure if this is common for all tours or if it’s just an us thing. But before we knew it it was getting later and we still hadn’t gotten there yet.
Route 17 had the most touring bikes of any road we’ve been on yet. However, they were all going the other way. Everyone was going the other way. It really is starting to feel like we are the only one’s who don’t know something. Jerry is very happy with my ability to look at the maps and other internet info that he never had on any of his solo rides. However, I have not done much research. Neither of us did on the Manhattan – Miami ride and therefore kind of kept it going. Hindsight, I probably should have done more. I mean there are so many apps, data, blogs… I might have know all. However we also agree that the joy of a trip is the feeling it out as you. Where ever you go is different then where you are, but those changes don;t just happen, the grow and change like the plants and animals around, slowly in pockets and valleys. As one crosses time and space you can see those changes and feel them.
We kept going towards Iron Bridge, about halfway to Sault Saint Marie. The signs are very helpful with 3 Minutes or other time based markings. In a car they maybe helpful but on a bike… We noticed ice cream and sweet shops were the first we saw and wondered if these were designed for the kids. Most kids wouldn’t understand how many kilometers till we can stop for ice cream, but minutes…
Shortly after Blind River the road was being worked on. The next two hours were BUMPY… even if the signs said fifteen minutes at a clip. As we bumped down the road a dragonfly or similarly large bug flew right at me. Too fast / too dangerous to swerve. He hit me right between the glasses and the helmet, his little body exploded all over my face. It was equally gross and sad. I felt bad for using my face to kill him and the impact was strong enough to give me a bit of a headache.
It was not a great end of the day. However the street finally cleared and we pulled into town. The motel had a nice restaurant, even though it closed an hour from when we arrived. No worries we can bring the food to our room, so Jerry ordered while I showered and picked it up while he showered.
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