Detour!

Shortly after posting yesterday's blog, the skies opened up and the rain came down. We were able to cook our dinner in the dry picnic shelter and spend some time talking to some Quad/Side by Side riders who arrived just before dark absolutely covered in mud. They told us about a 2 kilometer descent that they had made in the mud and trees that they thought was a lot less crazy than what we were doing. I am not so sure.

It rained all night so this morning we were forced to transport our gear to the picnic shelter to have our breakfast and load the bikes. Of course the tent was packed soaked. Just what I wanted, 10 more pounds to carry!

We hit the paved bike path leading away from the campground by 8:00. It had stopped raining and for a good portion of the day we rode rain free...but, but, but...it was foggy! It was not dangerous thick for riding but enough to make us use our flashing lights. The real problem was that we know that we missed an awful lot of beautiful views of the bay as we climbed up and down and around.

Detour!!! That is a sign that no cyclist likes to see and this was a beauty. Back in the Spring there was a 'high water event' that moved an abutment on a major bridge in the New Richmond area. The new route took us 12 kilometers along a narrow and not so flat road. We had to play with the 'big boys' and some of them were not all that interested in sharing.

We are inside tonight staying at the Riotel Bonaventure. It is a nice old hotel situated right on the water. Our room has a view to kill for.(too bad we have to use our imagination to see the water just outside our door!) It is a bit short of intended destination due to a series of circumstances. First, the detour added 12 kilometers and some severe climbing. That combination kicked the s*#t out of us. Second, our luck ran out. The last 15 kilometers of our ride was in a fairly heavy rainfall. As a result we opted for indoor accommodation to try to get ourselves and our gear dried out.

PS. The forecast for the next 2 days looks dismal. Oh well, it is what it is!

Daily Distance = 71.81 km. Time on the Bikes = 4 hours, 38 minutes. Average Speed = 15.47 km. Maximum Speed = 50.39 km. Wildlife Sightings = Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron, Black Backed Gulls, Kingfisher, Yellow Rumped Warbler.

Erosion Problems; soon to take out rail line and highway

View from Hotel Balcony, a whole lot hazy!