Renfrew to Dunrobin 76km (5776km total).
Big thanks to Roland, Danielle's Dad who dropped me back in Renfrew early this morning. There was rain in the forecast but I hoped to be well on my way to Ottawa when it hit. All I wanted today was an easy ride into the city on familiar roads. I was hoping to meet my friend Nancy in Carp for a cup of tea and maybe stop by a few people in the west end before arriving at Treena's near Ikealand.
It is safe to say none of this went to plan. There was a stupidly strong headwind when I turned onto the 17 (I later found out it was 25km/hr) and a few km's down the road I decided I didn't want to be on this highway again with its non-existent shoulders and impatient drivers. I headed towards the Ottawa River rather than inland figuring it would be less hilly.
Heading down towards the mighty Ottawa River.
I took back roads to Arnprior and stopped at Tim's for a second breakfast and to let some people know I would be late, the wind was crazy and I was struggling to make 20km/hr. Whilst in Tim's the rain started, not light drizzle but heavy rain.
It was a cold, wet, windy, miserable ride. I know I have ridden for hours in the rain previously but tired and with the niggling pain in my Achilles I had little patience with the weather. So I decided to head for Dunrobin, I called Nancy and shortly afterwards turned up there looking like a drowned rat. I am not sure who was more excited to see who!! She gave me a bath robe and suggested I put all my clothes straight into the laundry and then showed me to her fancy jet shower and even offered me a cup of tea to drink in the shower!! The next couple of hours disappeared as we caught up with each other's news. As I am going to a bike race in Montreal tomorrow (as a spectator) I would be staying with Treena tonight but Nancy was happy for me to leave my bike and Bob in their garage so I can ride into Ottawa next week. Bob will be in good company with all their 'toys', who knows he might even have an engine by the time I get back!!
Wet roads.
Treena was equally excited to see me and prepared a very yummy dinner, again we had lots to chat about. It is a bit surreal to be back amongst friends in familiar places. Then Laura who I drove out west with also stopped by on her way into town which was incredibly kind and so I now I have a decent pair of shoes and some clothes to wear around town. She has driven in 4 days what has taken me 10 weeks to ride but my gas bill was definitely less!!
Way to go Lucy!! That is awesome. Wonder what your food bill was though :-) Hope you heal fast and are able to get to Halifax.
ReplyDelete