Johnny On The Spot

As has well been establish, days rarely go as planned on a cycling trip – and even more rare is for things to go as expected. I’ve pretty much given up trying to figure out what to expect each day because I’m tired of being wrong (I can’t believe I just typed that!). That said, even without expectations, some days are just full of surprises. Yes, this was one of those days.

After leaving the campsite this morning, I met up with Eric and Jordon at the restaurant in Upsala. Breakfast was a pretty standard affair until, much like yesterday, I heard a familiar voice. Needless to say, it’s a bit strange to hear a familiar voice in a town in which you’ve never been. Anyway, I look up and, much to my surprise, it was Johnny – from the ball game. I couldn’t believe it. Yesterday’s encounter was a surprise but this was ridiculous. He was in Upsala for work and saw my bike. He couldn’t believe it either. He once again wished me well and headed off. Apparently he has no plans to go further north so this was probably our last encounter. But at this point, nothing would surprise me.

With breakfast and chance reunions behind me, I hit the road ahead of Eric and Jordon and the first 30 km went really well. There were hints of a tailwind and the road was relatively flat. Then it all changed. The headwinds from yesterday returned – okay, they weren’t the actual headwinds from yesterday but they felt the same and, as such, the next 35 km were entirely unpleasant. I was more than a little relieved to reach a rest area at about the 65 km point. As it turns out, it was a very scenic rest area. And the wind actually helped out a bit as it kept most of the flies at bay.

I ate lunch and rested. I was in no rush to face those headwinds again. It was during this rest that I met Jeannie (hopefully I spelled that correctly) and Wally, from London, ON. We had a very nice chat about their trip and my trip and they gave me not one but TWO pecan butter tarts. That’s right. TWO pecan butter tarts. It was almost enough to make me forget that I had just pedalled into the wind for the past 35 km. Thanks again to both Jeannie and Wally – it was very nice meeting and chatting with you.

With my tart-wielding good samaritans gone, I was on my own once again. I opted to stay at the rest area for about another hour in the hopes that the wind might ease up. It was a plan that was mildly successful.

When I hit the road again the winds did seem to be a bit less offensive and I was able to increase my average speed a bit from what it was before my lunch stop. However, my extended rest also allowed the dark clouds to move in. It’s always something. Fortunately, the rain held off for the most part and waited until I arrived in Ignace at about 4:15.

On the way into Ignace I saw a sign for an OPP station ahead. As I approached said station I noticed there were two officers outside doing some sort of vehicle search. With the rain beginning to fall and me with no idea where to camp, I rode over to inquire if they had any suggestions for some free camping locations. I’d say their response was reluctantly helpful … with a hint of indifference. One officer certainly seemed more interested in helping than the other – perhaps they were doing the good cop, bad cop routine. Anyway, the sent me off towards the beach – adding that if someone complains then they’d have to come get me. Not exactly confidence inspiring but it was my only lead.

With a potential camping location taken care of (in the very loosest sense), I shifted my priorities to food. As it happens, and MUCH to my surprise, there’s a Subway in Ignace. And that’s where I went for dinner – you know, because it had been four hours since my last sub. At least this one wasn’t a day and half old.

Mildly unrelated, the “Robin’s” chain of restaurants seems to be rather varied in this part of the province. Across the street from Subway is a Robin’s Burger Scoop and I figured a Robin’s ice cream would hit the spot. How could it not? However, before making the trek over to Robin’s I had a brief conversation outside Subway with a woman who had stopped to have a cigarette. We talked for a little white before she wished me well and returned to her truck. As you may suspect, the story doesn’t end there. As I’m getting on my bike to go to Robin’s, the woman approached me, extended her hand and gave me $20 for my journey. I was stunned. I’m still stunned (more than usual). She once again returned to her truck where she and her husband waved and drove off. People really are full of surprises.

After that, my trip over to Robin’s seems somewhat insignificant. Although, two scoops of Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup ice cream in a waffle cone is still pretty great.

With my stomach full and the rain once again starting to fall, I headed out to the beach. I won’t lie, I was more than a little disappointed to see that the road wasn’t paved. On the upside, I didn’t have to go far to reach the beach. After a quick survey of the area, I now have my tent set up under a pavilion at the far end of the beach. I figure my chances of having an uninterrupted night are about 50-50. For now, I’ll desperately try to get caught up on my blog before my battery runs out. Of course, I’ll still need to find a WiFi connection at some point. Side note: I’m more than a little surprised that free WiFi was more readily available in Quebec along the remote north shore of the St. Lawrence River than it is in northern Ontario. Vive le Quebec!

Today’s totals:
Distance travelled: 114.70 km
Ride time: 5:27:00
Average speed: 21.04 km/h
Maximum speed: 48.94 km/h