Some six months ago, a friend forwarded to me a proposal to do a four-day, almost-400-kilometre bike trip for a group called the Waterfront Trust. “Why not”, I said, “I can do anything that is six months away. Then it got close, and the anxiety began: what do I take; how much money do I need; will my bike survive; will I survive.
But the time came, Jim and I collaborated on what to take, and decided to tent together (we would be camping). Fortunately, it was a supported trip, so we didn’t have to carry everything with us all the time. Accommodation was pre-arranged, with camping in tents for three of the six nights. Meals were largely, but not totally, provided. And there were to be shuttles if we didn’t want to bike it all; and water stop along the way. Anxiety levels dropped.
As well, it turned out another friend had a van big enough to manage the three bikes (with his), and all out gear. So we were set, we thought.
When the big day finally arrived, Jim and I met at William’s house. Two bikes went on top of the vehicle, one inside, with the gear packed around the inside bike. The three of us tumbled into the car, and we were off. Next stop: Barrie.
Barrie, you say? Well, yes; we would meet up with many others there, stay in a college residence overnight, then be bussed to Sault Ste Marie the next day.
We got our first taste of the organisation at the college site. There was a tent and volunteers there to tag our bags and our bikes, give us an orientation package, and some minimal directions needed for where we were to go and what we were to do. Bikes were loaded into trucks for the trip. We carried the bags to the Residence, and checked in. Supper was on us, so the three of us went into town and found a lovely restaurant called Shirley’s Bayside Grill, right by the water. Friendly staff, and generous portions (I had roast beef, and got half a cow’s worth).
Next morning, there was a Tim Horton’s breakfast, early at 6:30, with the busses leaving at 7:30. Fortunately, the breakfast was pretty good (given that it was from Tim’s), and we got on the bus fed and pretty happy, if sleepy. Where we were going was just up the highway, but a L-O-N-G way up the highway. A brief stop just near Parry Sound for bladder relief and coffee, then on we went, through the Canadian Shield territory we had expected. My seat-mate and friend, William, had worked for the Indian Band at Magnetawan, so it was a high point for him to pass through that area again.
We stopped for lunch at Spanish, in the Community Centre. A wonderful lunch provided by the local community. It was sunny and warm weather, and we aere happy to wander a bit. Water levels were very high—almost over the road. There was a LOT of water there. Spanish was a town we would be bicycling through on our way to Sudbury, and the folks said they would look forward to seeing us again in a few days.
So we were off on the final leg to the Soo. Lots of relief to be off the bus and into the Delta Hotel. Wisely, they asked us to get our bikes out and try them to make sure there were no problems, before we started. They had support people and bike repair folks, but not a lot of them. So we got out the bikes, and rode through the town for an hour or so. Then I had to go back to the Hotel to catch the bus which was taking some of us out for a canoe ride on Lake Superior. Since I had canoed along the North Shore of Superior some 52 years earlier, I was keen to go back. We ere to be in a replica of the old voyageur canoes, with a guide who knew the area. And we were, out by Gros Cap.
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