Up, Up and away in Upsala

SNM Tour day #30

After a night of thunderstorms we got an early start under clouds and I ran and we cycled in just a bit of a drizzle most of the day. On such a hot and muggy day, this was actually very pleasant.  It was like going through one of those misters at the Calgary Stampede to cool off for a few minutes.  Byrnes rode along again today and was overjoyed that the hills weren't quite as intense as a few days ago.  

I guess I must be becoming a bit more "hard core" as a cyclist when I consider 105 km as a nice short day of running and riding.  After two days in a row of over 150 kms, tour day 30 was a welcome and pleasant day overall.

We were at our campsite just after noon and we had internet!!! We have been in telephone and internet hinterland's who's who out in very rural Ontario.  We can manage without the internet, but having no phone service or access to emails has been difficult as there are many things that are constantly in need of answers and arranging and the inability to communicate is challenging to say the least.  We are currently trying to sort out a way around this problem - ??another phone with still another provider on a different grid than the Rogers and Telus systems that we have.  Any suggestions out there??

Tour Day Sponsor is Larry Jacobson of Barjac Construction - thanks so much for your kind support.

Random "quote" of the day

"Git R Done"

company name of towing company advertised along the highway - which could be the slogan for many many things...

So after 30 completed days of the tour - I felt it was time to sit back and compile a list.  

The top 10 things we've learned

(or if we knew, were strongly reinforced)

from 30 days traveling on the SAD no more Tour 2010

10. Consistently blogging every day is harder than I ever would have thought

9. RVs are a bit narcissistic and demand a lot of attention

8. If there is even a fleeting thought of giving in/backing off/slowing down - I think of Terry Fox and I don't

7.  The trans Canada fluctuates from a wide beautifully paved shouldered highway to gravel shouldered, pot holed and extremely dangerous (even for cars) paths - we have been overly impressed and utterly embarrassed at times. 

6. The vast majority of people we have met have been kind, friendly, inquisitive and know someone who has SAD (if they don't have it themselves)

5. The wind can be your greatest ally or your nastiest nemesis, and this can change frequently and without warning many times in a day or be constant and predictable.

3. When you're on the bike for 5 -6 hours a day, eat before you're hungry and drink before you are thirsty, ie. eat every hour and drink every 15 - 20 minutes.  e-Load and Clif bars ROCK!!

3. On the road, good friends and family have made all the difference and have provided us with laughs, encouragement, wise advice, hands on help and food and we are forever grateful!

2. Live in the moment (not in a hallmark greeting card way - but literally)

1. This tour would not have been possible without Monique - if there is a hero in all of this - it is her!