One of the more interesting parts of the ride was through the area where the White River forest fire, in 1999 ravaged the north side of the road, for a 9 mile stretch, for as far off the road as we could see. The fire was quite aggressive consuming over 100,000 acres of forest in just the first 5 days. It was hard to imagine what it must have been like during the peak of the fire, but apparently it was estimated that they could have deployed every firefighting plane in Canada but could not have brought it under control.
After 25 miles, we stopped in White River for our 2nd breakfast, and had some fun with photos at a train museum and at the rail yard. For most of the day we rode in a pace line, although I got dropped when I stopped to take pictures!!!
For the last 30 miles, I rode alone off the front of the group, into a fairly strong headwind. I dialed into about a 20 mph pace and held it – the main objective was to make this a “calorie negative” day, which I try to do before each rest day.
We are staying at a motel in Wawa, which by camping standards is the Taj Mahal – big comfy beds, one bath to a room (our first in 5 weeks) and wireless access.
Today is the Swiss National Holiday, so Serge and Pierre Alain are making rosti for dinner. It should be a bit hit, especially for 40 hungry cyclists. At the start of the ride today, Serge and PA serenaded me by singing the Swiss National Anthem while riding – they are practicing for their performance this evening after dinner. (click on the link to see their performance on YouTube). This has become somewhat of a tradition, since the natives sang “O Canada” on Canada Day and we 3 Americans sang the Star Spangled Banner on the 4th of July. Luckily for Simo, Australia’s national holiday is in January.
I have saved some fireworks from the 4th to help Serge and Pierre Alain in celebrating.
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