Last night some of us sat on the doorstep of the public library in Richmond,MI in the 8C
chill till after 11pm, blogging and posting photos to the blog, since we this is the only place in town where we could get wireless internet that is freely accessable. Great that the library happened to be 50 metres from the gear truck, unlike other towns where we would sit outside the library and then had to cycle back two miles to camp with the clumsy laptops over our shoulders.This was necessary since there were many times problems happened with our satellite internet.
We have learned to be content in all circumstances and to accept things as they are without
complaining and make the best of whatever conditions we found ourselves in. In that way the
tour has changed us for the better. Having experienced so many different places,communities
and people, we have matured and wisened in many aspects of our lives and realize how
thankful we are about our own circumstances.
Last night was one of the coldest on the tour, and everyone zipped up tightly. In the
morning the tents were all dripping wet from condensation. It was dark when we got up and we
went about the morning routines shivering somewhat. Everybody was looking forward to a day
full of exciting things and therefore eager to get underway, since we all had to be at
Marine City at 9:30 to line up at the ferry to cross as a group into Canada. The coffee shop
near the ferry was overrun with cyclists, while we waited. It took 5 ferry trips to move us
and the vehicles over!
What a joy for us Canadians to step onto land! Our passports were briefly checked as
everything was pre-approved, thanks to Ed Witvoet's excellent management and organization.
We were overwhelmingly welcomed by a couple of hundred excited supporters in Solara, with
Timmies coffee,watermelon, ballons, welcoming posters, fruit and the best cupcakes I've ever tasted! Everything was decorated in red and white, with many flags and welcome posters.
Carol was overheard saying " I think I should move to Canada!". Dale said he should have dodged the draft when he had the opportunity! I caught Barb Mellema, who in good spirits joked so much about us Canucks being a bit slow in ways, actually enjoying a Tim Hortons coffee and a cup cake! Picture will follow. She had to admit that there are many great things about Canada!
I immediately felt the gentleness of the country, reflected in the very polite, quiet and respectful way that the border staff talked to us. Even the rumble strips are smoother and gentler on our bikes than in the US.... mmm.....I must admit...I am prejudiced because on Monday the 25th
Kobie and I are receiving our Canadian citizenship!
The ride along the shore was so lovely, lined with houses full of character. Everywhere the Canadian flag flew! I rode alone for a short while, enjoying the scenery, then joined Bill Wybenga who typically time-trialled the 52km to Chatham at 31.3km/h against the wind with me in hot pursuit. Bill can NOT ride slowly...ever! He always has a twinkle in the eye and enjoys the thrill of speed immensely....and dropping the young'uns (and me many times) on the hills!
Disaster struck when my gear shifter broke, and could not be repaired, so I had to get used to a very manual shifter on the down pipe. It seems my bike is too old a model and I will have to
upgrade both shifters and the cassette at the back wheel to 10 gears. Expensive wow. else I'll have to search on the internetor ebay to find some 9 speeds. By the time the bike problems were sorted out, it was too late to find internet anywhere to blog.
In Chatham we were treated to dinner by the local CRC's potluck style and very enjoyably so!
I need a good sleep because tomorrow we are having an informal C2C 40 km time trial and in
the afternoon some of us may go try out the velodrome in London! awesome!!!
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