Overall today went well. I tried to ride conservatively (read slow, spinning little gears!!) and the Achilles felt better than I was expecting. Massive thanks to Greg and Carolyn who encouraged me to stay and rest for a day in Bancroft. The agressive icing and use of a topical anti-inflammatory as well as some canine therapy and lots of tea clearly had a healing effect.
Greg and Carolyn with Stella and Mollie.
Bay Lake near Bancroft.
It was a particularly cold day today with a northerly wind. I had to find my proper full fingered gloves and rode wearing a jacket, booties and leg warmers most of the day. It definitely felt like fall. I took the most direct route east to Renfrew but the road was not very straight and zig-zagged north and south quite a bit as well as up and down!!
I climbed this thinking it was a bit steep then turned to read this sign at the top!!
I have to admit to listening to music in one ear, I had used it 2 days ago to distract from the Achilles pain and it helped pass the time. There were a few very small towns and a cup of tea enroute would have been awesome but there were no real services in any of the places. I also had next to no cell phone coverage most of the day but as I got closer to Renfrew my phone started to buzz with text messages. A number of people were concerned as to my progress including Danielle a good friend who had offered to pick me up from Bancroft yesterday and take me back when my Achilles was better. I had decided I would spend the night in Renfrew and finish the ride into Ottawa tomorrow but she was keen to pick me up in Renfrew and take me to her parents house on White Lake for the night.
I never thought I would be so excited about getting to Renfrew!! And then Danielle showed up and whisked me and Bob to White Lake in her Dad's new truck. It was great to finally meet her parents and see the spot I had heard so much about. After a filling dinner Danielle and I caught up around a fire by the lake, I have met so many wonderful people during my travels but I have also realised what an amazing set of friends I have in Ottawa and I am excited to see them again.
Tomorrow morning Danielle has to work so her Dad will drop me back in Renfrew so I can ride from there into Ottawa. Danielle, you rock!!
No comments:
Post a Comment