Friday, August 24, 2012

Tour Atlantic - Day Eleven




I ride for days like TODAY. It was one of the most amazing rides ever.


Here are the stats to get you started......



Tour Atlantic - Day Eleven

I took a couple of pictures last night in the camp. Apparently Cranberry Campground is THE place to see the BEST sunsets in Canada. What do you think?????





It was DRY at the camp site and Mike even said when he got in the night that he saw the Milky Way. Something that I haven't seen in a long time.


Brian is a sucker for punishment. He has signed up to run a small race in September. A marathon no less!!!!   So he has been doing some extracurricular training. Perhaps all the extra is taking its toll?????


Brian - marathon man!!!!


Here is the campground this morning.............


Spencer making breakfast


The big decision of the day - who to ride with and what distance to ride .........................


Ainsley is a pretty strong rider so she rode with Mike, George and Brian. THANK GOD!!!!!!!

Sharon, Frank and I decided to ride together and that worked out SUPER. However Sharon and I wanted to do the longer distance (I know - are we MAD????)  Frank did the shorter distance.


If you took the long way around the point - the distance was 120K which was only 10 K more than yesterday and really a very doable distance. We weren't sure about the hills, but didn't think there was going to be anything too terrible in the day. The short route was to cut across the point.

I am so very happy that we rode the scenic route. It was the most AMAZING scenery of the day. The route for the most part was EXCELLENT roads, a tail wind to the point (and YES - a head wind for part of the way back), the temperature was sunny and warm (but not too warm). There were a few climbs that were about 9% and some amazing descents. It was AWESOME. Sharon and I had a blast.

Sharon at camp


We even stopped to take pictures and had a few breaks - it was a super super day. Thanks Sharon!!!!!


We arrived in Antigonish for lunch (after 80K) and ran into Mike, Brian and George. Where was Ainsley?????   She crashed about 15 K away from Antigonish. OH NO!!!!!    First crash of any of the trips I've been on. Apparently she had trouble with her chain - got jammed up and she went down in the middle of the road. The guys all missed her and there was little traffic on the road. She has a "bit" of road rash, a busted part on the bike and she will not be riding tomorrow.

Ainsley setting up her tent


She is a tough cookie - went to the hospital which was close by - no concussion (thank god for helmets - it would have been nasty). She is attempting to get the part for her bike shipped to us and then she will be able to continue. We are keeping our fingers crossed for her.

So after lunch with Mike, George, and Brian - we headed out for the remaining last 40 K of the trip which meant going through a couple of construction sites. Dirty (freshly tarred) areas - ick - stopped at one point to get the extra gravel off the tires.

Then we sailed into camp where I have now had a shower, put up my tent and sitting here at the picnic table getting my blog done. I have lots of company so it is hard to concentrate. We are trying to figure out how to get the bike part to meet with us.


Anyway - here are a couple of pictures of the sites around here.


This was an amazing spot - two yellow adirondack chairs



Here is the best I could get for the four coloured chairs!!   Thanks Sharon for spotting this shot



Lots of BIG beautiful churches - Catholic in this area



Near Cape George


Near Ballantye Cove  (I think that is the name)


More gorgeous scenery



OH yes - got laundry done as well. Thanks George for helping out with that.


OK - so I am done. I am munching away on bean salad. Just can't seem to eat enough.


Have a great day!!!!!!!!!

Ciao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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