Swan song!

You thought we were done? So did I but no, Scott begged me to go, begged me to let him load the bikes in the truck, begged me to pick the route...

Don't worry, no poems or musings, or rants. Instead, some credit!

I'm the one who signs up for this Challenge each year, yet Scott is totally on board. Whether by tuning up my bike, checking my brakes and tire pressure, being my sag wagon, comic relief and weather man. PLUS, he has completed 486.7kms himself this August! Thanks, Scotty! And Buzzard, I do not pick on him (all the time!)🙄😅

Continuing with that thought, a HUGE thank you to my amazing sponsors. Your generosity, kindness, support and encouragement mean so much. Thank you. Thank. YOu!!!❤️

And yes, gonna get me a good night's sleep!💤

Go big, and get home!

Forecast for next few days, rain. So figured I needed to finish strong. Heading out County Rd 10 to Perth from home, I had a headwind, but you know what that means! Slow and steady = time to ponder. Be forewarned...

I remember hearing a comedian who said, 'If your knees bent the other way, what would a chair look like?' What would my bike look like and how would I move forward?

How do Berry Farms sell wild blueberries?

In an unofficial survey taken during the 29 days of August, Anheusser Busch is the alcoholic beverage of choice for those who litter our country roads. This is followed closely by the calorie conscious environmental misfits who prefer Bud Light. Tim's is hands down the coffee of choice. Grrr!

What a lonely life those remote controlled lawn mowers have!

Started with this song, which morphed into this. I'm sorry.

I feel it in my fingers

I feel it in my toes...

I feel it in my

Neck, shoulders, wrists, hands,

Saddlebags, nether regions, bum

As everybody knows...

Head winds, side winds, gusts and rain

But I love the Great Cycle Challenge,

It's hard to explain.

Century farms and split rail fences,

Hay rounds and ragweed,

To tickle the senses. Achoo!

Tractors and farm stands,

Corn delicious and sweet,

20 cows under 1 tree,

Escaping the heat.

Rudbeckia and sunflowers,

Hydrangea and sedum,

Beautiful to look at cause I don't have to weed em! (I said I was sorry!).

Grasshoppers playing chicken,

Chickens crossing the road,

Sluggish snakes and noisy brakes,

A bladder about to explode!

Milkweed and bull rushes,

Grapevines galore,

The sights, sounds and smells of August,

I just want more!

But I won't cry, I won't despair

Only 19 days til the Richmond Fair!

Close Call of the Wild!

It's been 3 days off, the longest break all month and I don't like it one bit! I needed 43km to get to 1000km, so I had to, right? RIGHT? Despite the rain this morning, and WIND this afternoon, my bike was calling. I strategically chose my route to avoid open roads, puddles and Friday afternoon traffic.

One thing I didn't factor in, coyotes!

This has never happened before, but to avoid traffic, I turned off Appleton Side Rd onto Old Almonte Rd. I thought I heard a lady calling, but was surrounded by fields. I kept going a bit slower - it is a dirt road. Next field, I heard them. Howling, singing, yipping...I couldn't see the pack (yes, definitely many voices), but they were just across a soy bean field. Not sure if they had picked up my scent, but it sure did turn my bike into a deadly piece of speed! Holy schmokes, the Tas peddled and peddled til her peddler was sore! Maybe, she thought, it's because there's that new movie out, 'Coyote vs Acme' they've been making cameo appearances!

On another note, 1006kms in the books, whoot whoot!

On another other note, loved Dolly Parton. The world has lost a sparkle.

Soaked!

Again, some father-in-law lore: If you can see the back side of leaves, a storm is coming. If you hear blue jays calling, its going to rain.

I should have listened to those jays!😋

For the first time in awhile, I had to layer shirts, and although it was sunny, it took awhile to warm up. Park n Ride on Dwyer Hill, back roads to CP and Almonte. On way home I noticed the dark sky to the west, with wind gusts up to 30km/hrs... with my Spiderman superhero shirt on, I thought I could get back to the car first, but those clouds had other ideas! Not made of sugar,so didn't melt, but cold again! Wah! But I did hear a couple of toddlers in a wagon say 'It's Spiderman!'

On a completely different note that I have to share, Scott convinced me to go on the motorcycle after my ride on Sat. 2 different helmet heads! We passed a bad-ass group of wild hogs stopped for...lemonade? Their shirts were priceless: 'Sons of Arthritis' on front, and 'Ibuprophen Chaper' on back. Can't make this stuff up, but I saluted them!

Subconscious!

Scott said he wanted to work on his wood pile today, but I think, deep down he really wanted to bike!

(Photo borrowed from Pinterest!😅)

Get the stink off!

My father in law had many funny expressions, 'Get the Stink Off' just one. So was 'Pull my finger' which I only fell for once. Although he didn't use a lot of duct tape, I think Red Green could have got a lot of material from him.

After 8 hours in the truck yesterday (long story), we needed to clear the head of cobwebs and get that stink off! Out to one of our favourite roads, Tennyson, to tour by Mississippi Lake. But while the Friday traffic, wind and dust didn't help this Numb Bum (aka Saddlebag Sue) and her Sidekick Slim too much, it did allow me to get the Lost River song stuck in my head.

'Remember, we're all in this together', and 'Keep your stick on the ice!'

So nice!

During the entire month of August, I've only seen 1 other GCC jersey, which is weird considering the number of participants! Rolling into Almonte this morning, orange jerseys caught my eagle eye!

So nice to meet up with Sue (another 11 year veteran) from Mississauga, Maureen from Nepean, and Robert from Ashton! We had a great chat, swapped laughs and routes, then moved on. This challenge definitely connects people in many positive ways.

Song in my head, since it was 10 years since the last Tragically Hip concert,

Wheat kings and pretty things,

Let's just see what tomorrow may bring...

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 nightmares 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 their 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 this 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.