We really had a fabulous welcome in Sarnia. They pulled out all the stops! Unforgettable for sure! We even got haircuts if we wanted. The dinner was first class, and what remained we ate the next evening.
I slept very well on my inflatable mattress in the school's staff room, with two others. The rest strewn around in the gym and hallways. 150 bikes lined the long corridor. The storm that made us feel so uncomfortable blew over without trouble.
I overslept a bit, since we could not hear the gear truck doors slam open, sleeping inside. after my standard breakfast of a big bowl of oats with raisins and a cup of milk and some protein like a boiled egg, I hit the road all by myself. I knew that the faster late sleepers will overtake me and then I can find s group to ride with. I like this system, since I get to chat to more different people than when I would ride with the same ones every day. I am a free spirit and prefer to do my own thing, but team up with others when there is a strong wind or a pace line. Rode with Stan Baker a bit till we found his mother on the side of the road, cheering us on with cookies and a Canadian flag. Shortly after I came upon the happy group of Janet Ryzebol, doing double pace line and laughing and chirping like happy bird> I took some in motion pics of them and chatted a bit. The road was mostly level, and the sun was coming out behind the clouds. Janet's husband Brant is volunteering with us for a week and very helpful to do any job from marking the road to packing the trailer with our heavy tent bags, alongside John, our truck driver. These folks are all very friendly and helpful, and we appreciate all the hard wwork of the volunteers immensely. The SAG drivers stand for hours in the blazing sun till the last cyclist went by, encouraging and feeding us with fresh cut fruit.
The farms are neatand beautiful, with the odd neglected one here and there. The crops are maturing rapidly, and the corn looks very lush and promising this year after all the rain.
Next group was the Lutkes and Jerry. Nicest folks to ride with, so easygoing and kind. We had to negotiate a long road construction again, and I went the wrong way around a truck pulling a pavement grater and caused the driver to almost get a heart attack. I must say, I whipped that bike around real quickly to get out of the way of the flying gravel! Then the 2 tandems flew by and I couldn't resist to jump on their tails for a very fast draft. The Bonner brothers and their spouses propel those tandems 40 to 45kmh on the flat. Sitting on their tail it is a great draft provider, but extreme focus is required as the danger to bump tires is huge. I had to push my monster gear to keep up, and stay well inside their slipstream not to be blown back by the wind. Great fun for half an hour or so till they stopped. Rode with the Lutkes again till the last SAG. Gayle waited for us at the London sign with streamers for each bike. It was such a blast to see her again! Many memories flooded the mind, of good and hardships of the previous tour. Old timer Ralph was there too and rode with me and Steve Dykstra the last 15km, Steve pulled us into camp along all the beautiful bike paths in London running along the Thames river. Steve is extremely fit and strong, and climb the hills with a very high cadence, better than a mountain goat!. He doesn't slow down either! I can't climb like that - I wish I could! Looks like there may be some good climbs back home in Abbotsford where he gets to practice his climbing skills.
I had to replace my front tube as the valve broke and could not be inflated again. I saw that the valve was very corroded, and that the tube was still the original Bontrager one that the bike came with 4 years ago!!
After several thousand kms it was still in tact except for the valve!
Gayle and I went for an icecream at the best icecream store in town, over 50 years in business and going strong. Fabulous icecream with some kind of Milo powder over it Yum...! And we shared memories challenges of the past 5 years......very meaningful for me. Gayle is a wonderful friend, with much wisdom and life experience.
At the school we were sleeping like sardines in a can in the foyer area, which is not big enough for all of us. The part where I slept had a bright fluressent light, but we could not find where to switch it off, so it shone all night in our faces. Only way to sleep was to blindfold oneself.
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