Hello from Terrace Bay! We are having some well deserved rest today and we will hopefully resume our way towards Thunder Bay as of tomorrow.

 

 

On 3 August we cycled to Thessalon. And as the Greek name of this town can indicate, we had a little odyssey of our own. Our intention was to get to Bruce Mines, which meant about 100 km. However, the day started with a sudden and tough shower that left us soaked and sweating. We managed to change clothes in a municipal building in Algoma Mills and we tried to resume the journey under a day that was getting hotter and hotter.

 

 

We got however stopped by a valve that started loosing air on Anacleta’s rear wheel. After replacing the tube, we finally continued up to Blind River, where we stopped to have some lunch. The day was absolutely hot and not windy at all, so that was needed indeed. What we did not welcome a bit was a second valve losing air on Anacleta’s front wheel. After a second tube replacement, we hit the road again, until we got to lake Huron in Thessalon and stopped for the day –after almost 85 km.

 

 

The day after we rode 90 km and we reached Sault Sainte Marie. After another sunny and hot day, we managed to get to Vélorution, where the nice staff welcomed Pak first –who pushed a bit faster so we could assure us a place to pitch the tent– and Tere a bit later. Any cyclist getting to ‘the Soo’ should pay a visit to this bike shop, especially if a spot for a tent is needed. They allow you access to the shower and their little campground and they are located near a quite convenient commercial area. We were so exhausted the day after and we felt so comfortable over the weekend that we decided to stay for three days!

 

 

Our stay at Vélorution allowed us not only to meet other cyclists, like Ladia, a Czech youg guy trying to get to St John’s but also a bunch of people going towards our very same direction: three French guys, Florian from Bordeaux and a couple from Le Mans –Florence and Alex;– and a Colombian couple –Ivonne and Diego,– who started hiking across the Great Trail and received a nice present in the shape of two bicycles –so they could get to their destination faster.

 

 

And that is how our trip changed once again! On 6 August we finally hit the road again… the five of us: Florence, Alex, Florian, Tere and Pak. We have been cycling together the last five days. Thanks to them we have learnt other ways to organise our cycling journeys, especially during lunch time –which has been extremely welcome by Tere.

 

 

The first day we rode up to Lake Superior and we wildcamped on a very nice spot near Sawpit Bay. The whole group was really impressed by the landscape and even though the shoulder on highway 17 is quite unstable –going from very narrow to almost non existent or quite wide on some areas– we are always finding something to be enjoyed –more particularly every time we end up the day near THE Lake Superior or any other lake.

 

 

On 7 August we climbed the long way up in Montreal River Harbour and managed to get to the beautiful Katherine’s Cove, where we camped. We could try to describe it a bit but no words could give you a proper idea of the place:

 

 

Places like these are the best reward after a tough day climbing up and down the 17! This is why our arrival in Wawa the next day was quite meh: despite we were very glad to have finally gotten there, it somehow lacked the reward of the spectacular landscapes you get around the lakes. On the other hand, we were very luck to be allowed to camp just behind the Tourist Information Centre (TIC).

 

 

On 9 August we cycled to White River, where we were told –by Winnie the Pooh no less– there was a nice spot to camp on the beach at the lake. It was a pretty hot afternoon and at a construction point we had to stop for about 15 minutes because a truck had to be unloaded. We had no shade at all but a lady came down from a car and offered us some blueberries! What a nice and refreshing gesture!

 

 

Once at the lake, we finally had a spectacular reward we just needed after the last couple of tough days on the saddle! On top of that, we had the company of some local guys enjoying the evening at the lake as well… with some loud music from AC/DC! Simply jaw-dropping! We could not have asked for more.

 

 

As jaw-dropping was the next morning too. The temperature dropped during the night, which in combination with the warmth of the lake created a deep fog that covered the whole place.

 

 

Luckily for us, by the time we finished packing up the fog went away and we resumed the trip and headed to Marathon. After another day of climbing up and down, we got a nice and fresh –the temperature dropped down thanks to the cool wind coming from the lake– reward of a slope down to Pebble Beach, where we camped.

 

 

Yesterday –10 August– we rode from Marathon to Terrace Bay. For the first time we cumulated almost 1000 m of elevation gain, which we could feel in our legs at the end of the day. However, the fact we knew we would be stopping for a resting day and that we were to camp near Lake Superior once again helped a lot on the last climbs outside Terrace Bay.

 

 

Today we enjoyed a more-than-earned rest at the beach. We took care of our laundry, enjoyed the cool water of the Superior and these words are being written, the three frenchies are also getting some rest at the beach.

 

 

We however decided to walk the way up to the TIC in Terrace Bay to get some internet and keep you guys updated! Tomorrow we will resume the journey and head up to some place between Terrace Bay and Nipigon. Because of the more than 100 km and the climbs we will have to face, we most likely will have to stop and camp before we reach Ruby Lake Provincial Park… but you will learn about that in the next post!

 

Thanks a lot again for following us on this blog or on the social world. Do not hesitate to contact us or ask any questions; we will try to reply as soon as possible. And, of course, please keep in mind you can always subscribe to our blog and/or our youtube channel.

 

‘Til next time then! Big hugs from Tere and Pak!