I love it when I am in a small town with a grocery store as it means I can enjoy granola and yogurt with fresh fruit instead of oatmeal!! I crept out of the motel room early as the forecast was for winds and rain and I didn't want to miss the ferry later in the day. It wasn't nearly as bad as expected and I made really good time for the scenic 45km stretch to Little Current. I stopped at a small cafe for a cup of tea and freshly baked banana bread to celebrate the 5000km milestone (today is day 51 of riding since Campbell River). Unfortunately the wind and rain decided to gate crash the celebrations, and then they brought along thunder and lightning. It chucked it down so I stayed in the comfort of the cafe for probably an hour but then I had no choice if I wanted to make the ferry. Out came the waterproofs and off I went in torrential rain. It was a wet and wild ride for a while!!
About 30km from the ferry I came across a group of 5 cyclists by the side of the road, one had a chariot trailer, a couple had a pannier or two. They were fixing at least 1 flat tire and said they had just ridden through glass. I stripped off my waterproofs as the rain had stopped but I hadn't wanted to stop then I discovered Bob's wheel was flat, this is my first real flat of the trip (I did have a slow leak back in BC that I fixed on a rest day). They were also headed to the ferry and invited me to ride with them and asked if I could do 30km/hr!! so I quickly replaced the trailer tire tube and said I would give it a try. They were all from the Owen Sound area on a quick 2 day trip. It was really nice to chat and draft off them and I kept up reasonably well, except for the hills, this is definitely where you feel the trailer and my legs were screaming at me as if to say what on earth are you doing!!! Then they had another flat but suggested that Simon (the guy with the chariot trailer carrying his 4yr old daughter) and I keep going so we did, along with a girl (if you are reading this I am so sorry I have forgotten your name!!) and we all made it to the ferry with probably 20 mins to spare.
It was a fairly rough crossing, normally I hang out on the deck but with the wind it was pretty chilly so I sat inside with my map and planned the next few days. For most of the 1.5hrs there is not too much to see anyways. A couple who had chatted to me in the cafe in Little Current came over and told me about a severe weather warning for the area including strong winds, heavy rain and thunder storms with conditions favorable for possible tornadoes!! They suggested I stay in Tobermory because there would not be much cover or anywhere to stay for a while after that. They also mentioned they were going to their cottage for a few days and I would be welcome if I was passing nearby. I asked them about a few places in the area I was considering visiting and as they are originally from Ireland they gave me British analogies "that is like Blackpool, pretty tacky"!!
Finding a motel room in Tobermory was a little harder than I imagined but I did eventually get one, unfortunately most of the sensible stores seem to close at 6pm, although you could still buy souvenirs, clothes and ice cream!! so I had some fish and chips by the harbour. It was cute although I was grateful it was not peak tourist season. I met 3 of the Owen Sound guys again, Simon's wife had called to suggest they didn't ride home as the crazy weather was obviously to the south so they were waiting for a pick up.
Then it was back to the motel to wipe down my bike and patch the tube from earlier. Riding in the rain makes such a mess of everything and means I have to spend time cleaning my bike and drying out clothes.
Leaving South Baymouth, Manitoulin Island.
The guys from Owen Sound.
Harbour at Tobermory.
I wonder what 'moderate' cycling means? This place was closed so I had fish and chips!!
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