I listened to the rain patter on the roof of my tent all night, but by the time I got up at 5 AM, it had finally stopped, leaving a very wet tarp and tent to pack away. I hit the road by 6, and the sky remained overcast, promising more rain.
The going got tough ptetty much as soon as I left camp. I was still in the middle of some exceptionally hilly terrain, the winds continued to fight me, and I could feel how exhausted I was from the gruelling week leading up to now. Today was looking like a challenge I might be too tired to face. I kept struggling along though, stopping every 10 KM for a break to help keep me going mentally, and at the 60 KM mark I finally reached somewhere I could replenish my extremely low food stocks. The last few days I have seen no more than gas stations selling only pop and chocolate bars, and even those had disappeared once I hit the park, so I was down to a few granola bars and some uncooked rice and pasta. I relished the chance to take a break and eat, but it was soon time to continue. By this point I had left Lake Superior Provincial Park, and had passed through many more KM of beautiful scenery. There had been a heavy mist over many of the rolling forested hills all around me, and it felt like I was in Jurassic Park.
After my pit stop, the terrain flattened right out for nearly 40 KM, as it followed along the shores of Lake Superior, rarely changing elevation. I was thankful for the break, and it boosted my morale to be making much faster and easier progress. During this time, I passed a hitch hiker carrying a sign that simply said 'west', and he was wearing a propeller brewery shirt. Seemed like he was from Halifax and going acroas the country that way.
The final 40 KM took a turn back inland, through the hills once more. For the most part they werent too bad, but there was one fiendish climb just before entering Sault Ste Marie. It was huge. It was steep. And it went on for quite a while. There was also like a 6 KM straightaway leading up to it, so I had plenty of time to stew over what was coming. It was tough, but I eventuay got over it, and made my way into Sault Ste. Marie.
Once in town, I found my way to Velorution, a bike shop that offers a free campsite to cyclists. They are pretty staunch supportera of an active lifestyle, and heavily promote a biking revolution over owning a car, hence the name. They have a shower, wifi, and a BBQ; a pretty good deal Id say! I cooked myself a nice steak dinner on the BBQ, and spent the evening talking about travelling with the other cyclist staying at the camp, a cool guy whom I dont remember the name of who is biking from Calgary to Saint Johns. I quite enjoyed having company after the lonely section I just completed, and we both had lots of stories to share.
Now that I have reached Sault Ste. Marie, I only have five more days until my next major rest stop in Toronto. The days will be mostly shorter, and the terrain much easier. Ill also get to stop in the town of Meaford, where I attended elementry school, and catch up with some close old friends of mine. I should survive the remainder of this very long stretch just fine.
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