I had breakfast with Muriel before hitting the road. It was quite warm and humid and there was a lot of cloud building already. I would spend most of the day trying to keep ahead of the rain and gloom that was forecast. It was blustery and not super scenic so I just kept pedaling not taking too many breaks. Today I would be leaving Hwy 17 and I couldn't wait. I have ridden on it since the Ontario border for the most part and we have had a love - hate relationship. It has challenged me but without it I would not have got this far. As usual there were large chunks with no shoulder and speeding traffic by my side. Today I rode with added vigilance and sadness. Last night a warmshowers host I stayed with in BC emailed me to remind me to be safe. They had just received the news that a cyclist who had also stayed with them on his way across the country had been killed just west of Brandon. I felt sick to the stomach when I read the news story. Then I read some of the comments, the usual bikes shouldn't be on the highway etc. I am pretty sure most cyclists don't want to be on the roads with traffic traveling over 100km/hr less than a metre from them but there are times when we have no choice. This young guy had chosen to take on a challenge and raise money in the process and now he is dead. It is not about bikes v cars, it is about driving with respect for other road users regardless of how they are travelling. I have seen so many distracted drivers, drivers making kamikaze overtaking manoevres just to get ahead etc.
So in Massey I turned off the highway and onto a smaller road that would also bring me into Espanola. The road surface wasn't great but the traffic was minimal and it rolled through farmland. It still hadn't rained but most of the cows were lying down so I knew it was only a matter of time!!
I had pretty much decided to stay in Espanola and was in Tim's drinking tea and using the wifi when Kate sat at the table beside me and asked if it was my bike outside. I hadn't seen her arrive but she was touring on a motorbike (called Lucy!!). We chatted about routes, weather and the stupidly high cost of camping in Ontario. I assumed she was pushing on a bit further but with the forecast for evening rain she decided to stay and asked if I would like to split a motel room, it was a pretty easy decision!! At the motel I also met Cathy and Pat who are cycle touring across the country in chunks during their summer vacations. I would love to ride with them tomorrow but they are doing slightly shorter distances and I will likely leave early to give myself plenty of time to reach the ferry.
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