June 29, 2014

I have made it to Ottawa! Not the end of my trip yet but for so long now I’ve been fantasizing about the day I’d crawl out of northern Ontario. Today I was starting to feel downright giddy just thinking about where I’d be by the end. The excitement began to build from Sudbury a few days back where it felt as though a switch flipped. Once through that city I could feel myself finally traveling east. Before the direction was less distinct or simply too far to fully grasp the progress I was making. It’s feeling less like cycling through a foreign land and more like I’m in my home territory again. I’m feeling it in the bones.

Thus, the theme song of the day was “Love Is All Around” by The Troggs. Unfortunately the more upbeat Christmas version in Love Actually kept sneaking in. I’m feeling the excitement all around. I turned off the TransCanada early in the morning for secondary country roads along the Ottawa River heading to villages with enticing names like Chenaux and Braeside. Cycling through the bucolic scene, a mixture of century old farms and new homes along the river, in my mind I was transported onto an old single speed, wicker basket on the handlebar, and the wind blowing through my hair in the French countryside. This is what bicycle touring is all about. Of course I was far less romantic a sight but it certainly was a rewarding ride out of northern Ontario. To top the day off, the last 20km where along a well maintained bicycle path right to the Parliament. Now for a few days of rest and then onto Quebec and the Maritimes, all along what I was looking forward to.

Road Report: ~130km