Today was in stark contrast to yesterday, thank goodness. While we remained on the same Highway 17, we had less traffic, much less wind and dry conditions. We went inland, so our vistas of Lake Superior were exchanged for those of many inland lakes. It was a pretty ride, starting in Wawa and ending at a much more reasonable hour in the town of White River, the starting point for Winnie the Pooh.
It turns out that a military veterinarian, Harry Colebourn, was at the train station in White River in 1914 where he met a trapper with a bear cub on the platform. The vet bought the cub, raised her with kindness and playfulness, and named her Winnie after his home town of Winnipeg. The cub remained very gentle. To précis the long story, the vet went to World War I, during which he housed the bear at the London zoo. AA Milne and his son Christopher Robin were amongst many to visit and be endeared by the gentleness of the bear. This inspired the books which bear Winnie’s name.
Our day was marred by word of two cyclists having been fatally injured in an accident on the road we will ride in a few days. They were part of an organized group tour crossing Canada from Vancouver to Halifax. Cy handled it well, and there were many contributions from the group regarding our choices and best riding practices. Narrow shoulders, many trucks and hilly winding roads demand vigilance and caution. We had already had many discussions about safe riding with the trucks, most of which are driven by extremely careful drivers. Just sometimes the trucks have no room to move, and we have no shoulders. We know to keep eyes open, mirrors in active use, to get into the gravel if conditions are concerning, to abandon riding or chill out for a bit. We started later this morning due to the long day yesterday, but tomorrow will get out there earlier to be ahead of some of the traffic, and have the truckers at their most alert. Sadly we hope to be safer as a result of the tragedy.
Today’s ride: Base: 57 miles. My ride: 58 miles
My Epic Bike Tour Around Lake Superior 