Did it! 100.4km!

Metric Century ride, check!

Wasn't sure this would happen today, when I stepped out of the house this morning, at least 10 buzzards were circling overhead. Just a bit creepy, right? But the sun was shining, the wind was nothing this old hen couldn't handle, and the Ottawa valley was calling!

Travelled some new roads today up by Pakenham (Concession 12) and Panmure Rd. Saw lots of farmers bringing in their crops, they waved. Stopped at the Mill of Kintail again; the thought of a fairly clean porta potty is a strong motivator. I still have night mares about the outhouse at the Blakeney park!

A funny friend sent me an Irish biking video; in it they call the bicycle a 'deadly piece of speed'! Ha! Like that's going to happen. Distance = Speed x Time. I don't look at my speed, don't care about the time (retired people are like that), so just record distance. Thanks for the laugh, Steve C! ( https://youtu.be/U7-8XIZNp-k?si=UVWIYU-SWdBo6_sO)

And speaking of the Irish, if the wind is always at your back like thier famous proverb, how do you ever get home?

Song in my head:

Going to the Country by Bruce Cockburn

Default 55.6km

So I let Scott choose the route today, knowing that we'd be taking the Trans Canada trail to Carleton Place. Default. That Joy of Effort I was talking about yesterday? Delete.

This was the first ride ithis August where I just couldn't get home fast enough, and I'm not fast!

We thought, being a Saturday the dump trucks wouldn't be out. Wrongo. We thought we'd be protected from the wind, ha!

We thought we'd be safer on this route. Tell that to the car that almost turned into me at the intersection in CP, despite me having the green signal.

The plus side to the ride, Scott bought me coffee and a muffin at Tim's. And this time he told me I look like a turkey when I ride. Sitting upright on the flats, but gradually going horizontal for speed, like a turkey running. 🦃 More compliments! That man melts my heart!

Thought of my mom today, she always said funny things...like "My bums are sore." When I asked her how many she had, she laughed and laughed. I miss her! And my bums are sore!

This song in my head, dedicated to Danielle, Derek and Max...who want to sail down our crazy river!

Weather!

Beautiful sunny day, but Poopy-pants didn't want to get on his bike today.

'Remember, this is your quest, not mine,' as he started inching towards his motorcycle.

Off I drove to Beckwith Park, the plan being to head to Perth, solo, to enjoy some famous date squares and coffee. Blue skies, sunshine...noticing some trees starting to look a lot like fall! It was picture perfect! Even MORE perfect was pulling into the Hourglass, and seeing a Suzuki Boulevard motorcycle there! Yea, Scotty!

Scott says I look like one of those swivelling dashboard dog bobbleheads when I'm on my bike, my head turning constantly. He sure knows how to compliment a girl! I think that is what I love about biking outside, there's so much to see. I can bike for hours and enjoy the sensory overload; 30 minutes on an indoor bike makes me want to stop and clean the oven!

I had time to think about biking today and why I love it so much. After yesterday's 83km ride, Scott said he wouldn't be pedalling any time soon, but I couldn't stand the thought of spending today without going for a ride. What's the deal?!

I heard a quote on the radio station we listen to (CJAD Montreal), from a lady who returns to Montreal each summer, "I come here to find myself because its so easy to lose your way."

I think that's how I feel on my bike. I love the rhythm, the balance, the scenery, the solitude (unless my side kick joins me), the exertion, the workout, the challenges. It clears my mind but also fills up my senses (thanks, John Denver!). I go into withdrawl at the end of the season, and start tingling when those street cleaners appear in the spring!

On my way home after Scott paid for the treats, I noticed the sky had changed. Dark blue black threatening clouds coming from the north, tunder rumbling and getting louder.

Those philisophical thoughts vanished and the cursing started. Yes, I am fickle.

Song in my head today: 'Up' from Shania.

Gananoque bound!

Scott suggested it, honest. Off we trucked, down to just outside Butternut Bay on the 1000 Islands Parkway. It has become a tradition, but seems to get hillier each year! Is hillier even a word?

It was really nice to have a change of scenery and enjoy the views along the Parkway...a few islands, geese, swans, deer, boats, beautiful homes, gardens (Scott saw his favourite dinner-plate hibiscus!!), and one very long bridge!

A couple of cyclists passed us...Scott looks at me, grins and said, "They wouldn't be passing me if I was alone." I took that as a sign that perhaps the mutiny was ending.

A couple of questions arose:

We are travelling the same direction as the water, why are we going uphill?

The forecast said winds from the west, so why is there a headwind on our return trip?

How is there a dead skunk on the bike path? Scott's reply: 'Better than a live one!'

Got this song in my head today...

Signs, signs, everywhere there's signs...

My morning conversation, "Ok, hypothetically, if we were to go for a ride today, where would you like to go, Scott?"

His reply, "Heron Lake Loop!" For those in the hood, you know that's around the block, 1.5km. So he stayed home.

The dump truck parade I passed on Dwyer Hill made me glad to be going to the Park n Ride. Except there was road work at the entrance to it, and at the start of the trail leading to Carleton Place. Plan B. Zig zagged around to eventually get onto Ramsay 7, then 8, out of CP, then stayed on it, past the Mill of Kintail to Bennie's Corners Rd. This took me into beautiful Blakeney at the bridge. Water was high everywhere (especially in our ditch at home, but that's another story). Route not as long as I'd hoped, but a trifecta of moral victories! I climbed the hill leaving Blakeney, the hill into Almonte and the hill leaving Almonte up to the Old Perth Rd.

Towanda!!! (defined as a personal battle cry for freedom and confidence!). I need to work on my battle cry!

Saw a lot of beautiful farms and scenes today, also a lot of signs...wouldn't it be nice to live on Apple Street, in Appleton?! Saw many 'Stop Alto' signs around Almonte too. Would hate to see that farm land destroyed!

Song: 'Signs' by 5 Man Electrical Band, that morphed into 'Soolimon' by Neil Diamond. Don't question the inner workings of my brain!