Friday 11 July 2014

Toronto

After 9 days straight cycling we reached 'tronno' and a break for 14 days. This break has played on our minds and affected our cycling over the last few days.  Usually it's just eat, sleep and cycle, day after day. For three months now there hasn't been anything else.  Even a rest day is preparation for the next day's cycling. 

This metronomic existence helps keep us going and the 'pause' whilst we go to Florida doesn't help. It's like the body 'relaxing' and leaving us with lower energy levels.  It's hard to explain but rather than feeling elated we are deflated.  Now that will fit right in with the thought that many of my friends have had for years - that I'm just a big balloon! :)

In many ways it's better to just keep the head down and keep going to the end.  That said, we are looking forward to Florida and it will give Susan's leg some time to heal properly.  She has also promised to find time to write a bit for the blog on how she has found it to date.  

So we arrived at Toronto yesterday and negotiated the potholes. Some couldn't really be classed as potholes - subterranean caves is probably more appropriate. I think I even saw a couple of signs saying Arne Saknussemm, the great Victorian explorer, had been this way. 

We made it to the west of the city and put the bike into storage with most of our cycling clothes. The girls at All Canadian Self Storage were marvellous and helpful. They did, however, insist that we place a bio hazard label on the locker door when we left two pairs of cycling shoes. 

We then took a walk downtown and went out for a nice curry last night to a top rated Indian on trip advisor.  Food was good but when I ordered my customary chapati I was told they had run out. How on earth does an Indian restaurant run out of chapatis? Flour and water and five minutes is all it takes. 

Much of Toronto has changed in the 15 or so years since we were last here. It's more built up and when we revisited the CN Tower and found that it now fights for its tall status amongst an increasing number of tall buildings - it's no longer the only big guy on the block.
 

4,942km.  Probably about two thirds done.

8 comments:

  1. Enjoy your break. Next time go for a Chinese!!

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  2. Hope u enjoy ur well deserves break in Florida with my 3 quiet loving children ��

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  3. Part Timers - and yes, I always thought that you were a Balloon! Did you get my email about Robbers Copse in the Cairngorms - could have ben us in '88! Oh the days when we were young!
    Dave

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  4. Potholes? As in shades of downtown Buenos Aires? Can't imagine how you will be able to rest and relax then back to the grind! Cheers from Burnaby!

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  5. Great to see you had reached Toronto in one piece or should that be two since it's a tandem? Loved the great early morning pictures of Lake Huron near Wiarton. Disappointed that Susan has given in and allowed you to have a break in Florida, I am sure she was up for keeping going. Make the most of the relaxation time in the sun and you will return to the saddle with new energy. Lots of great scenery to look forward to across Ontario and into Quebec - they are very bike friendly in Quebec we noticed, you just need to be nice to them. Looking forward to hearing when you resume. Regards
    Willie and Margaret

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    1. Starting to see some more bike friendly roads now and it's always a great pleasure compared to some of the experiences we have had. Looking forward to Quebec tomorrow.

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  6. Think you're allowed some bike free time! We would like to use some of your excellent shots in our little promo ad in Velo Vision mag. Would that be ok? We are close to copy date but can send you shots we selected. We can do a link back to your blog.

    Let me know either here or pm... best wishes David and Irene.

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    1. David, just catching up with messages but hopefully you got my earlier email.

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