Thunder Bay to Wawa

Leaving Thunder Bay on Kings Highway 17, we cycled along the north shore of Lake Superior through Nipigon, Rossport, Jackfish and White River.  As this area is part of the Canadian Shield the road is just continuous hills. Indeed, many say that this area is more challenging to the cyclist than the Rockies - whereas the Rockies are long high mountains, the hills here are steeper and they follow one after another.  On this part of the journey we climb 2-3000 feet a day and it is tough going.

 

Doctor, Doctor 

Not only is the cycling very hard but Susan has an injury - it appears she has shin splints on her right leg. Whatever it is, it's really painful. 

Shin splints is not a common cycling injury but we do put a lot of pressure on the pedals to push the bike and all the gear up hills. Consequently, she has struggled to pedal but done marvellously well. 

As I have been on numerous management courses I know all the right motivational things to say - 'Man up', 'You'll be on the next Greyhound bus home' and the classic, that every man would use, 'I've got a sore ankle too, you know'.  I know my motivational phrases work because she doesn't speak to me for a few hours after just to concentrate on her pedalling. 

Nipigon to Wawa

After we passed through Nipigon we crossed a bridge that was washed out a day later.  It had been raining hard that day and apparently a large beaver dam high up the hill had burst resulting in a domino effect down other beaver dams down river.  When the torrent of water and wood hit the road bridge it put it out of action for two days. Bad day for the beavers, good day for cyclists who had a car free road. 

 

At Rossport we stayed at the Rossport Inn and rented a cabin. Ned and Sheila were wonderful hosts and let us use the kitchen in their house and Ned, a former US Phantom fighter pilot, entertained us with his stories. The cabin was 50 feet from the railroad and every 2 hours a huge freight train would rumble through with all horns sounding.  The cabin actually trembled .  Susan and I love the 'company' of the Canadian trains as they travel alongside the roads we cycle and so we didn't really mind.   However, it's not everyone who can put up with their bed shaking 4 times a night.

Our weather has been changeable. One day it's freezing and raining, the next its 30 degrees sun.  On the days it's clear the views over Lake Superior are stunning.  

As Susan's leg continued to be a real issue we cut our distance down to 60km a day for a few days.  However, the distances between communities are considerable and to ensure we have food and water we are now back up to 90-100km. 

It is tough and we are tired so on reaching Wawa we are having a rest day. Susan has her leg up with a cold towel on it and is not hungry anymore cause she takes so many pills.  However, she does get the chance to watch Brazil v Chile.  Things can't be that bad after all! 

4,087 km to date.