Around Lake Superior

For the past week I've been riding from Thunder Bay to Sault Ste. Marie, around the Northern shore of Lake Superior. It is the second largest lake in the world and is very beautiful.

Thunder Bay was pretty awesome. Tuomas' parents took us sailing for a few hours on Lake Superior. Then we played tennis and headed to the Blues Festival. We saw about 5 different acts, leading up to Robert Cray. He was very good ... and funny too!

The next morning I headed out to the Terry Fox Memorial just outside Thunder Bay. Even now, the effect he has is incredible. It's inspiring hearing some people talk about him running by on the road.

The monument where Terry Fox finished his run, with the Sleeping Giant in the background.

Rachel and I met up at the monument and headed North towards Nipigon. Shortly after it started to really rain. Thankfully we found a gas station and played cards to hide from the rain while the owners dried our clothes (yep, there are some nice people out there!). A cyclist I'd met in Thunder Bay named Noah rolled in, chugged 1L of juice, and rushed back out into the rain shouting "Well I'm off guys, wish me luck. If I get hit by a truck, I died doing what I love!". He was full of energy and a blast to hang out with. When the rain relented a bit we headed out for the last 40km to Nipigon, and arrived quite wet but in good spirits. That night Noah, Rachel, and I shared a motel room. The owners spoiled us (including doing our laundry) and we spent the evening eating, sitting in front of the fire, and stretching.

Luxury! Noah is eating his favourite breakfast of raw oats, peanut butter, milk, banana, and maple syrup.

We followed Hwy 17 around the North shore of the lake for several days, with stops in Terrace Bay, Marathon, White River, and Wawa. There were many hills, but they were fortunately short.

One of many steep hills above Lake Superior.

The campsite in Marathon. The lake looked nice to swim in, but turned out to be max 3 feet deep and the bottom was covered with 2-3 feet of sediment. I almost lost my sandal! With the right attitude, we had a great swim!

For all the Winnie the Pooh fans out there: White River is where Winnie the bear was born.

Wawa means "Land of the Goose". There were a few enormous geese like this around town.

Finally saw a moose. They're really big!

Some things that didn't survive the trip. A few of you probably know what a disappointment this was to me!

This brings us to my two favorite days of the trip so far. After Wawa we entered Lake Superior Park. This was a gorgeous area with many beautiful beaches. I went for a couple swims along the way. The water is surprisingly clean and clear ... you can drink straight from the lake!

Beach in Lake Superior Park. Looks and sounds just like the ocean ... but smells much better!

That night in Montreal River we stayed with Ruth and Ward. They put us up in a wonderful cabin right on the beach, with an oven and a wood stove! We took the opportunity to make tortilla pizzas to go with beer and jelly beans! Ruth writes a column for the Sault Star, and this week she wrote about our trips!

View from the cabin in Montreal River.

Hwy 17 near Montreal River.

The Sand River entering Lake Superior.

The last day to Sault Ste. Marie was also great fun. Ruth and Ward cooked us a wonderful breakfast (it was my first taste of real maple syrup), so we didn't leave until about 10:30! We stopped for a great swim / suntan in Batchawana Bay, and at a really cool Native Craft Market. The weather was wonderful and the road was right along the lake for most of the day!

In Sault Ste. Marie I'm staying at the best bike store on the planet (sorry Bikes on the Drive). They have a spot where touring cyclists can camp for free, hot showers, and a BMX track in the back. The store owners work hard for the local bike community and are busy building walking / cycling paths around Sault Ste. Marie. I got a thorough tune up today along with new tires and pedals. Other than that the bike is in great shape!

Velorution in Sault Ste. Marie. Best bike shop ever!

I guess I haven't been writing much about the riding recently. There isn't really much new to report, and I'm preoccupied with the more important things which are always on a cyclists mind: food, people, weather, and food. During the trip I've been eating less and less meat and have been feeling great! Maybe a step down the path towards vegetarianism?

Peanut butter, cheese, tomato, and alfalfa sprouts ... mmm.

Now it's East through Sudbury towards Ottawa!

Cheers,
Dave