Itinerary for the tour was revised and ready by Wednesday August 29. The tour was planned for 16 days, including 3 rest days. Google maps directions for the routes were printed and organized.
On Thursday I loaded Shadow with all four filled paniers, the tent and sleeping bag and cycled to Ian's house, 3 km from my house. This was to test out the load distribution and practice setting up my new tent in his back yard. It turned out to be a useful exercise as I learned a few thing from it.
One day before D-day, most stuff were loaded on the bike. Total cargo load was around 55 lbs. I was ready to go.
As expected, I did not sleep well the night before the trip. I felt the excitement, apprehension, worries and expectations of others as well as my own. Many years ago I felt the same thing a few times, each time, the night before I flew overseas for a long term (3 to 4 months) work assignment. This time I can see that Theresia was even more concerned and worried. She made me promised not to push and put my health and safety first. Of course I agreed. This tour is an adventure and not something to die for. It is something to enjoy and have fun with.
Day-1, Monday September 3, 2012.
Brampton to Burlington, distance to cover, about 60 km. Weather forecast, warm and sunny.
I took my time getting up and ready. I could comfortably do 60 km under 5 hours, so I was not in a rush to start the tour.
The ride out of Brampton was easy and traffic was light. It was Labour day holiday.
Once I reached Cawthra Rd. in Mississauga the traffic became rather busy. Took my first break at a church on Cawthra Rd. under the shade of a tree. The place was deserted; I enjoyed my short rest. Checked the bicycle, the load and other equipments. Everything seemed to be fine. The GPS tracking light was blinking. I knew Theresia and Elaine were tracking my movement from their computer at home. Elaine and Chris bought and subscribed to the tracking service. They insisted that I took along and use the GPS tracker. I mounted the GPS tracker on top of my handle bar bag; it works best when it has a clear view of the sky. We have tested this tracker on my ride from Toronto to Niagara Falls just over a week ago.
About halfway, at Southdown and Lakeshore, I took another rest. I sat on a bench under the shade of a tree in a corner of a plaza, and enjoyed the banana snack that Theresia had packed for me.
While I was riding along Lakeshore in Oakville, a young cyclist on a road bike caught up and rode along side for awhile. Curious about all the stuff I was carrying on the bike, he asked where I was heading. We had a nice conversation for a few minutes. After satisfying himself that I carried spare tubes and some tools, he wished me luck and took off.
I got lost in Burlington, not too far from my destination for the day. I turned around and cycled back to my last turn. Three cyclists were coming towards me. I stopped and asked for directions. The first two very young cyclists just ignored me. The third one, a senior, stopped and after acknowledging my destination he told me to follow him. So I followed him and cycled the QEW overpass for the 3rd time. He was impressed that I could keep up with him climbing the overpass with my loaded bicycle. We rode side by side on the wide bicycle path and chatted for the next 5 km. He is 62 years old, retired 7 years ago from the Provincial Government after 30 years service. He loves stand up boarding, a new sport that he just learned last year. He likes new challenges. My kind of guy.
At about 3:30 PM, I arrived at my host, Alfred and Bernice, house. Alfred is an old colleague.
I was received warmly and treated royally. Bernice prepared delicious and healthy meals. I had plenty to eat and drink, more than I could handle. Thank you very much for your kindness, Bernice and Fred.
I went to bed early, just after 10:00 PM. Before bedtime I drank Neocitran; I felt a bit of pins and needles pain at the back of my right ear. Just in case. I felt a little tired but no sore muscles.
Day one went very well. I did not encountered any problem; just got lost once. Met interesting people along the way.
Day-2, Tuesday September 4, 2012.
Burlington to Queenston Niagara, distance to cover 83 km. Weather forecast, cool, windy and rain.
The sky was cloudy and there was some breeze. I put the rain covers on the panniers and covered the handle bar bag with a shower cap, but did not put my rain jacket on, I felt it would be too warm. Said good bye to my generous hosts, Alfred and Bernice, and went on my way close to 10:00 AM; Fred suggested to start around 10:00 AM to avoid the morning rush hour traffic.
About twenty minutes later it started to drizzle, I was riding on a trail and did not see any where to shelter from the rain. I cycled faster, a few minutes later I saw stores across the street with overhang in front. By this time my jersey and undershirt were already damp. While I was putting my rain jacket and pants on, the sky opened up, the rain poured; good thing that I was already under the overhang.
I continued on my journey when the rain changed to a drizzle. Riding on the trail I came to a Y junction, after consulting my compass I choose the left one, which went South West. A few minutes later I end up in front of the store I seek shelter earlier. Bummer! Wasted time, wasted energy. Back on the trail, this time I took the right turn.
The rain stopped and the sun peeked a little. I felt uncomfortable with the moisture trapped under the rain jacket and pants, so I stopped and took them off. I was securing the jacket onto the rear rack when the bicycle stand collapsed. It just buckled under all the weight. Not good, but not a show stopper.
Burlington is really a bicycle friendly city. It has shoulders and or bicycle path along its major streets. I felt safe riding on any street in Burlington.
Bicycles must use the old draw bridge to cross the Burlington Bay. On my previous ride to Niagara Falls we use the 'bicycle friendly' stairs to go on the bridge. The Google map directions also showed to use the stairs. I did not want to do that with a loaded bike. Yesterday, Fred drove me to this bridge to scout around for another way. We were convinced that there is a way to go on the bridge without using the stairs.
As I cycled approaching the bridge I still could not see the trail path that will lead me on to the bridge. A local guy walking towards me, showed interest in my loaded bicycle. I stopped. We had a chat and he showed me the path way. I had to cross the street, continue to a dead end street and the entrance of the path is there.
The sun disappeared, rain came and went for the rest of the day, courtesy of hurricane Isaac remnants. I was on Hamilton Beach trail when I decided to put on my rain jacket again. I was already wet, but I felt cold and the wind gave me chills.
At a stop sign on North Service Road, as I stepped down hard on the right pedal to start moving from a full stop, I heard a sickening creaking noise. Soon after that, the noise was heard almost at every down stroke of the right pedal and it felt a bit more harder to pedal. This was not good at all. I must find a way to replace it to be able to continue with the tour. While I continued pedaling, I considered my options.
By the time I reached Grimsby it was after 1:00 PM. I had 53 km to go to reach the campground in Queenston Niagara. Considering the weather, the damage pedal, wet clothing and my shivering body. I decided to stop here for the day. I had cycled for 3 hours and covered 36 km. So I checked into Super 8 hotel. They gave me a ground floor room and allowed me to take Shadow in the room. I called Theresia and told her where I was and what had happened.
After a warm shower and changed into dry clothing I felt better but hungry. There are several fast food restaurants nearby but the constant rain prevented me to go there. I could order in pizza but I decided to consume the emergency food that I carried with me. Very carefully, I boiled water using my home made camping stove. I had hot chocolate, miso soup, a can of tuna flakes with crackers. After lunch I took a nap.
I woke up feeling feverish. I realized then that I would not be able to continue with my tour unless I rested for at least a couple days and have the pedal replaced. I also realized that I was not well prepared to cycle in the rain and had not managed it well today. After discussing with Theresia, I decided to go home and postpone the tour.
Wednesday morning Theresia, accompanied by Ian, picked me up by car. We drove home to Brampton.
Day 2 did not go well at all. I did not have fun and did not managed it well. Lessons learned.
I went on this tour alone, but I did not go completely unsupported. There were people at home keeping track of my where about. Elaine tried to arrange for a replacement pedal sent to me at the hotel. Theresia was always there to 'rescue' me. I was grateful and felt a little guilty about it.
My dream to cycle around lake Ontario is postponed for now. I will analyzed this first attempt, change strategy and try again. Perhaps at the end of May next year...............END.
